tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304733722385053622024-03-19T04:15:54.140-07:00Afternoon Coffee And Evening TeaBillie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.comBlogger1807125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-6028274903255186462024-03-18T05:56:00.000-07:002024-03-18T05:56:05.548-07:00Monday Morning Coffee<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuFwrmzpe62xgGFO2KUYH-rvNqpb1YuC1UnzBZUDgLAPpuR296zvWfp9JCJ8zQLL9S3hjSJBBwdFJauG5Ovoyi-SrgjB4G1JkaZI66afyCmWHMTEPTd9ArJUkJUX_M19AIf9Nv-NOHWLxBDssgeB_Dq8mOTRsYia60I15j9o9z7LRjbWSmc7a3Kfkesao/s4032/IMG_5009.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuFwrmzpe62xgGFO2KUYH-rvNqpb1YuC1UnzBZUDgLAPpuR296zvWfp9JCJ8zQLL9S3hjSJBBwdFJauG5Ovoyi-SrgjB4G1JkaZI66afyCmWHMTEPTd9ArJUkJUX_M19AIf9Nv-NOHWLxBDssgeB_Dq8mOTRsYia60I15j9o9z7LRjbWSmc7a3Kfkesao/w480-h640/IMG_5009.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Good Monday morning! I hope you had a nice weekend. Monday dawned bright and sunny here, yet it is pretty chilly. It's one of those days that looks nicer than it actually is. Cooler days are just fine here at the beach. We can look outside and watch the reassuring sight of a never-ending rhythm.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqivlWjQzLzV9L_j2hU_nfP67k3LN6zJepYoZi9klKqWDzd3WmbC0logKjIbk7hDwjtmKlWjZvMEQDCH7uioLHXZS0uh-AygWm0aVjmbsWYyMiQipwuT_ovbur62bjr6vO-89NtMFj3nHvrCFN1tx0Mz-XYj7_E8aRM3LwgLGTfVpTnTcjwQDa5tJy0uyn/s4032/IMG_5007.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqivlWjQzLzV9L_j2hU_nfP67k3LN6zJepYoZi9klKqWDzd3WmbC0logKjIbk7hDwjtmKlWjZvMEQDCH7uioLHXZS0uh-AygWm0aVjmbsWYyMiQipwuT_ovbur62bjr6vO-89NtMFj3nHvrCFN1tx0Mz-XYj7_E8aRM3LwgLGTfVpTnTcjwQDa5tJy0uyn/w640-h480/IMG_5007.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdo3KHVDpT6vkMVebbNM7osk-Y3UfEkx5E7i72PSMY08qnwfahWhKeCcxx0k8DkTjzCkk9hRnkbfEOb4_9nz4gVI3oO7n8ex6Ie6rE3-qyGfDEXMdOm4htcCbF9EBuM_UwZUJuW4yMm2aGcLSUWNknBjulwkkdGgkIrgKAUMYd5sMWwJRfPmtcbCwtIrws/s4032/IMG_5006.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdo3KHVDpT6vkMVebbNM7osk-Y3UfEkx5E7i72PSMY08qnwfahWhKeCcxx0k8DkTjzCkk9hRnkbfEOb4_9nz4gVI3oO7n8ex6Ie6rE3-qyGfDEXMdOm4htcCbF9EBuM_UwZUJuW4yMm2aGcLSUWNknBjulwkkdGgkIrgKAUMYd5sMWwJRfPmtcbCwtIrws/w640-h480/IMG_5006.jpeg" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEi6BKcun2bSIve4b4OH22mg6D5NzxHmc_5-OcwlM6rPbCqgQdeequcKPcOJaOKXlPpthNIG-yO7o45WOLT49_9Cfh_9-Ga4KQkgtvPc8RThrjJr3-8NIbP8pSiHUId7-eYhZgB5s9nf057uu1xb9VMeq-V0bb4GEU59Im_DzHjDJliSL5lIrA5dMTSvs1rB/s4032/IMG_5004.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BKcun2bSIve4b4OH22mg6D5NzxHmc_5-OcwlM6rPbCqgQdeequcKPcOJaOKXlPpthNIG-yO7o45WOLT49_9Cfh_9-Ga4KQkgtvPc8RThrjJr3-8NIbP8pSiHUId7-eYhZgB5s9nf057uu1xb9VMeq-V0bb4GEU59Im_DzHjDJliSL5lIrA5dMTSvs1rB/w640-h480/IMG_5004.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We can play new games with easy-to-understand instructions that are fun for everyone.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OcGYlXGA2dOBuiEN43uGO7qClm5bpg-xddulm4jwEevfGi3qRhS1xE-x-iJd9ncOtcgM00QlpDz-5lhp48GXldf0xPKxxbP1WOKCMggvhAe1RLmnwD1xQvzAyjRKmK8FSrJHP7WFz_Gevc-nck9SM_tv2RRlycz6azjic-fNTSnrjJ91dpGi0q9XCbc7/s4032/IMG_5001.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OcGYlXGA2dOBuiEN43uGO7qClm5bpg-xddulm4jwEevfGi3qRhS1xE-x-iJd9ncOtcgM00QlpDz-5lhp48GXldf0xPKxxbP1WOKCMggvhAe1RLmnwD1xQvzAyjRKmK8FSrJHP7WFz_Gevc-nck9SM_tv2RRlycz6azjic-fNTSnrjJ91dpGi0q9XCbc7/w480-h640/IMG_5001.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We can snuggle with not one, not two, but three pups, this one being the smallest.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIOMqRz7pWLvkOz4Tz5nthbW_23ERjSEvtu4LTu14iYNK0vtPt_msCwY1CKdUNt8eTWrdNKGyj-cG7XjRLAocb8Y8S5oPTUMZ0Fi5mKPJRzVgaFmiEw2yjKLCiNzui3kMxgTg4Ciw9zbqdc6FuLR9aLUI-osdw9uwTuklf88DiKz16MPERRXpC_IMqzPh/s3051/IMG_4981.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3051" data-original-width="2595" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIOMqRz7pWLvkOz4Tz5nthbW_23ERjSEvtu4LTu14iYNK0vtPt_msCwY1CKdUNt8eTWrdNKGyj-cG7XjRLAocb8Y8S5oPTUMZ0Fi5mKPJRzVgaFmiEw2yjKLCiNzui3kMxgTg4Ciw9zbqdc6FuLR9aLUI-osdw9uwTuklf88DiKz16MPERRXpC_IMqzPh/w544-h640/IMG_4981.jpeg" width="544" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We can watch new TV shows that we all really like. This is on Apple TV+. It is about John Wilkes Booth and the assassination of one of our greatest leaders.</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/a/AVvXsEhh3x78udwlGj-KPP7iDl8ANYLZOYIVExW9lbN-RyuiZ-wfxh4LFQGGNq-gB_i8lnlO30XGK58TxXSyqrsTLPNYRHUl_7aqRfn_Uruid_UdrobP7VbVDuG8GL-g3iUDiqUTd7xsmU_a046OrI8q1UO_3NRXf1IZulswE0ouxVMV_svJMorjP18JOuqWzLiL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhh3x78udwlGj-KPP7iDl8ANYLZOYIVExW9lbN-RyuiZ-wfxh4LFQGGNq-gB_i8lnlO30XGK58TxXSyqrsTLPNYRHUl_7aqRfn_Uruid_UdrobP7VbVDuG8GL-g3iUDiqUTd7xsmU_a046OrI8q1UO_3NRXf1IZulswE0ouxVMV_svJMorjP18JOuqWzLiL=w640-h336" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">And we get updates from home where Madison and Nicolas visited my Mom and Facetimed me, too!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAXIaO74quH2bHrmO4D2DNkGze6XGTWu490W-d3__x83izBhlPE2KBUzwd9Z9OZrx_N5-iUsIZ52OmP8BQ4JEstrXB-B11zebIWlLDRnGCdqw8oJlyevcmqOkoWMLzeCOuUCzL2ZZAS7OA1oj8-r3BoPsym3YIPFeAHQhEPGyEaQZVfjKjZB6HKoPtNJn/s4032/IMG_0079.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAXIaO74quH2bHrmO4D2DNkGze6XGTWu490W-d3__x83izBhlPE2KBUzwd9Z9OZrx_N5-iUsIZ52OmP8BQ4JEstrXB-B11zebIWlLDRnGCdqw8oJlyevcmqOkoWMLzeCOuUCzL2ZZAS7OA1oj8-r3BoPsym3YIPFeAHQhEPGyEaQZVfjKjZB6HKoPtNJn/w480-h640/IMG_0079.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Today begins a new week. I have a menu to make and some groceries to get. There is laundry, school, and dinner, too. Tonight, on The Bachelor, Joey must send one of his women home, just like that. And then there will be two. How will he ever decide which of the women he's known for six weeks is the one he will propose to...next week?!? Well, have a nice day, my friends. I am off to get mine started. Thanks for visiting! I will be around to visit you soon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Billie Jo</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> </i></div><br /><p></p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-75346155609621045232024-03-15T08:01:00.000-07:002024-03-15T10:49:17.382-07:00Happy Things And Recipes<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It's time to wrap up another week, my friends. Here are some pictures from my camera roll that made me happy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoczBLTEN91ZwJIafIP5nSV4sJHPYONk5zIkOxauEN6JIr9Cn90qFy2jOYGWrHIA8J6ftjRnYEA7_BJcOhZzgyViGQwbI60dzssUgxT3TIDZn8WjiYTNkpluIAWMoBepOJCm97xJMh728vRmy3aTRAsZqGW8Ck2uWkY_AaiJwYwxyy8qQhoslG7nKL6OA/s2515/20240313_145704.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2515" data-original-width="1886" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoczBLTEN91ZwJIafIP5nSV4sJHPYONk5zIkOxauEN6JIr9Cn90qFy2jOYGWrHIA8J6ftjRnYEA7_BJcOhZzgyViGQwbI60dzssUgxT3TIDZn8WjiYTNkpluIAWMoBepOJCm97xJMh728vRmy3aTRAsZqGW8Ck2uWkY_AaiJwYwxyy8qQhoslG7nKL6OA/w480-h640/20240313_145704.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>My Momma. </i>Happy and healthy and happy. And my beautiful sister Margie, who visits every single day and calls me so I can visit with them. On this day, my mom won Bingo and was so happy to share that with me! Also, I found the best place to purchase clothes for my mom. I want her to be cozy, comfy, and warm, and I found wonderful options at <a href="https://www.silverts.com/">Silverts</a> online. They have excellent quality, soft-as-can-be adaptive clothing that washes beautifully. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI371I1AbqIW6OLLxlPAZ_3lAWGdgBCamAK0p3-H7hyphenhyphensxkFE_K58GT1eHt-YnNeD9-bwcrEmfhfR_vNyRJdNeyE_x0q89rv4M-tJQDCuEF79xuRgt3fUbErmm7En_kUrbD09SYxciTEmrm2IE5QmeGpHZpY6guLhqcsmrfVp5HaTO7OUe3l9xqcYhsTCnC/s4032/IMG_9238.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI371I1AbqIW6OLLxlPAZ_3lAWGdgBCamAK0p3-H7hyphenhyphensxkFE_K58GT1eHt-YnNeD9-bwcrEmfhfR_vNyRJdNeyE_x0q89rv4M-tJQDCuEF79xuRgt3fUbErmm7En_kUrbD09SYxciTEmrm2IE5QmeGpHZpY6guLhqcsmrfVp5HaTO7OUe3l9xqcYhsTCnC/w480-h640/IMG_9238.jpeg" width="480" /></a></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/AVvXsEhnE1csWHSUO38LmerevoTiF_wAp1gQZDuXzS0wNHBzwUwOGLpCe1wrhWRmYsY7aqg_c-WZhmydLsvMdfcbqblUQsxADdejSZumujggSvs9kFa0vmLAUJCCRKVLHx5kGn10_rSQc71h3wh-6THTochfEDZ2Ty39jBk-uKgh75_MxaH57_GVchjbG88olQvA/s3024/IMG_4920.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnE1csWHSUO38LmerevoTiF_wAp1gQZDuXzS0wNHBzwUwOGLpCe1wrhWRmYsY7aqg_c-WZhmydLsvMdfcbqblUQsxADdejSZumujggSvs9kFa0vmLAUJCCRKVLHx5kGn10_rSQc71h3wh-6THTochfEDZ2Ty39jBk-uKgh75_MxaH57_GVchjbG88olQvA/w640-h640/IMG_4920.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>My Mocha. </i>She<i> </i>is content and unfazed by all the recent changes in her life. In seven months, she lost her best friend, Kirby, moved to a new house part of the time, got a new best friend who was much more playful and then got yet another new friend who was even smaller and more playful. Mocha is adjusting and taking it mostly in stride. As long as I am in her line of vision, everything is just fine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbYuvDte566oAe6Y01J9tp-qM5gvgs-VlRU2eCo80dTDeoeUsgCzgyFXAYaoBNgUGNlSt_OVlk0pFYYMjzamHIG1NK9_rpGJ5vnIpdtv1Rni3RZySGIKXqVS1fer7PAhxBvxIsCSKSqXZkRTTARbCL0vWUbSau7sG2oyxBsYWKlG4u-dzdl32CpV6BXCq/s4032/IMG_4901.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbYuvDte566oAe6Y01J9tp-qM5gvgs-VlRU2eCo80dTDeoeUsgCzgyFXAYaoBNgUGNlSt_OVlk0pFYYMjzamHIG1NK9_rpGJ5vnIpdtv1Rni3RZySGIKXqVS1fer7PAhxBvxIsCSKSqXZkRTTARbCL0vWUbSau7sG2oyxBsYWKlG4u-dzdl32CpV6BXCq/w640-h480/IMG_4901.jpeg" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEj3iy7Kp4dXbJXUIJMxTlMlO1Grz2Tl7y2pvcLbLisCZ-GBb1e_1hFgMsfceTXzhM5r49bgYJW-KFwnbrv_vDvkuw7BTzl1o_xYvt8NVI5_EQGexVuU0KGTEW7HjWBDJkrKgZYv9yBc8fG-NIQSou5iKwvEZHqIpgSmo6bMsEfVu3RNG8Iv1n1jL5-CYmlM/s4032/IMG_4911.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iy7Kp4dXbJXUIJMxTlMlO1Grz2Tl7y2pvcLbLisCZ-GBb1e_1hFgMsfceTXzhM5r49bgYJW-KFwnbrv_vDvkuw7BTzl1o_xYvt8NVI5_EQGexVuU0KGTEW7HjWBDJkrKgZYv9yBc8fG-NIQSou5iKwvEZHqIpgSmo6bMsEfVu3RNG8Iv1n1jL5-CYmlM/w480-h640/IMG_4911.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>Good food. </i>This week, we had two delicious meals. I mentioned our chicken bowls—I know, such a creative name—and I wanted to share them here again because they are just that good. Just put some boneless, skinless chicken breast in the crockpot, sprinkle on some taco seasoning, and then pour in some salsa. That cooks all day while you do everything else except worry about dinner. Then, shortly before you plan on eating, just wash, chop, boil, or do whatever else you need to prepare what you want to serve with the chicken. We like rice, corn, lettuce, tomato, pico, avocado, shredded cheese, lime, cilantro, and sour cream. I also set out some taco shells for anyone who wants to eat that way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9S89YLXFwPu1lyOAzQGCZNBCeDnX8S4pWMhdVcfBJVTD5eMsj_Pak0B_kzgKYMOReeYq9kaf203V7azk37V6eoZVgW8QVuGB1Znp9t5efqMSYuZq2DNdvh7jZonxpbCE398_TuZ2oovl7NUM8Jc31Ql9XUGv0nrSrUyTJjXg5Cyt1KeoKq4jQ-CUXfiR/s2516/IMG_4922.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2516" data-original-width="2516" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9S89YLXFwPu1lyOAzQGCZNBCeDnX8S4pWMhdVcfBJVTD5eMsj_Pak0B_kzgKYMOReeYq9kaf203V7azk37V6eoZVgW8QVuGB1Znp9t5efqMSYuZq2DNdvh7jZonxpbCE398_TuZ2oovl7NUM8Jc31Ql9XUGv0nrSrUyTJjXg5Cyt1KeoKq4jQ-CUXfiR/w640-h640/IMG_4922.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisF1i0flDZBAlQDW3I9i6VznkJrKfPf7FXGG8ZpKuRA-nBR3ZTlGNznLgiDvgcTvwwKZHUyj1_l9vxGtFHIDKn3C9CxQt2LbNJUVzkmbDm_5FCWeosvW5tC4C8eGqtn6kFQiqx0V78KdbKpIjAUfcJoiGLLch6yNXVjlvIAEekuOm5dm5mY7NgovpczDw9/s3024/IMG_4927.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisF1i0flDZBAlQDW3I9i6VznkJrKfPf7FXGG8ZpKuRA-nBR3ZTlGNznLgiDvgcTvwwKZHUyj1_l9vxGtFHIDKn3C9CxQt2LbNJUVzkmbDm_5FCWeosvW5tC4C8eGqtn6kFQiqx0V78KdbKpIjAUfcJoiGLLch6yNXVjlvIAEekuOm5dm5mY7NgovpczDw9/w640-h640/IMG_4927.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I also made this recipe this week. It is delicious! It is baked ziti with sausage, a new one for me. I will link it below. I served it with salad, using the leftover tomato and lettuce from the chicken bowls, and garlic bread. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcX9QLSeZfjLPcqrc8xnbfII5s1z4zemSlvk2ocdr7LrDQKUK-W27IG8dBgkH95Mrz9i2cwH9cLocRrQCQdCy4-JoW0qXeV79GraTnCjfV5NgwjHYKxNsg0vHYsLEwiwGLtQ3DiJZlBikVlQBw1WIz2OL088y3lD-kPB2O9-cM8P5ja86AbJMKH1Jr93KF/s3739/IMG_4934.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3739" data-original-width="2902" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcX9QLSeZfjLPcqrc8xnbfII5s1z4zemSlvk2ocdr7LrDQKUK-W27IG8dBgkH95Mrz9i2cwH9cLocRrQCQdCy4-JoW0qXeV79GraTnCjfV5NgwjHYKxNsg0vHYsLEwiwGLtQ3DiJZlBikVlQBw1WIz2OL088y3lD-kPB2O9-cM8P5ja86AbJMKH1Jr93KF/w496-h640/IMG_4934.jpeg" width="496" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-QSW0kMT_nsq0nIzo-9HcKBZ7LmGekvinjo1RERJYpYiEz5pr5oSzXYjjE0oHoAYTWeiTNX35TixH6oH-Jb9rocR5JQgaLeylulcs8bsVB2vjt_RzbJLgXvB1JojPifTe5G642GCRdnfgGD3j6UI7GmppiCZdI6HS0p9FRrbOxBOg6bsHYVpOkcr9ytF/s4032/IMG_4938.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-QSW0kMT_nsq0nIzo-9HcKBZ7LmGekvinjo1RERJYpYiEz5pr5oSzXYjjE0oHoAYTWeiTNX35TixH6oH-Jb9rocR5JQgaLeylulcs8bsVB2vjt_RzbJLgXvB1JojPifTe5G642GCRdnfgGD3j6UI7GmppiCZdI6HS0p9FRrbOxBOg6bsHYVpOkcr9ytF/w480-h640/IMG_4938.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1jbiGGAtZCZbrPyrRKGSE0V4d_tCfozyC4F6ZXJp5TdcZKJRYfoaUGv53Nd5KpLBMYbcCPCJkF8oNaWIfA3xvXAjlGQ-VAVkWALWkl5IC495c2I7dDVWshN0Ki30ScjC9SpoR6KeWiKHQtsgbAKqtG2YltoAd9h0DDl4j38Tl11lM-oxO62iRjKb_6Au/s3476/IMG_4945.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2989" data-original-width="3476" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1jbiGGAtZCZbrPyrRKGSE0V4d_tCfozyC4F6ZXJp5TdcZKJRYfoaUGv53Nd5KpLBMYbcCPCJkF8oNaWIfA3xvXAjlGQ-VAVkWALWkl5IC495c2I7dDVWshN0Ki30ScjC9SpoR6KeWiKHQtsgbAKqtG2YltoAd9h0DDl4j38Tl11lM-oxO62iRjKb_6Au/w640-h550/IMG_4945.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>My bird room</i>. I finally got around to fixing this beautiful room in the back of the house. I call it the Bird Sanctuary because so many different types of birds visit every day! I thought it appropriate to decorate it to reflect some of the ones we see often. This is ironic because I really don't like birds, but I guess I just don't like them too close to me?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaoV2P5YC5zB_DY9PMu8bFkpbrX4SiIdkGGBU8ncClCjxk3CdCvYm3ktfnJu_DxtrU9OoKjxE_aw3wJZ3txZ30h7fR91EGQD8mTrMSh8y3HgeFwuKKJpQx4nLlLIWxMI2G78EFgCom2Qz5S5Tiv123uSCE2Alc0SY9TtW-vsZbK90nyl2dsEXZwTcQP4m/s2928/IMG_4948.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2928" data-original-width="2928" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaoV2P5YC5zB_DY9PMu8bFkpbrX4SiIdkGGBU8ncClCjxk3CdCvYm3ktfnJu_DxtrU9OoKjxE_aw3wJZ3txZ30h7fR91EGQD8mTrMSh8y3HgeFwuKKJpQx4nLlLIWxMI2G78EFgCom2Qz5S5Tiv123uSCE2Alc0SY9TtW-vsZbK90nyl2dsEXZwTcQP4m/w640-h640/IMG_4948.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>This candle. </i>It smells AMAZING. It's like cozy autumn without the autumn. Does that make sense? I got it online and will link it below. The candles are soy, paraffin-free, dye-free, and cruelty-free. This one is Momma's Kitchen, and it smells so good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Well, there you have it—happy things. As I get older, I have learned that we can always find happiness, even when the world seems to be spiraling out of control or filled with chaos. Happiness isn't out there, on the news or on social media. Happiness is inside our family, our home, our friendships, our faith, and ourselves. That may be why I feel so much happier insulated within my little world with my people. That, or I may just be socially awkward. Perhaps a bit of both! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Weekend!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy St. Patrick's Day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh! One more!</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/AVvXsEiVcVKIDrhbW_cYIOSpTwVitJ3fW8ZMGbJo0dAvRH6VWeCKtl_NP6j-R1E33-eADisaWhdp-e0KBLmXSeelJFpZxy_ucaHFmW3_LiYvtYTe_lxMi50N0jMDk2s_74mXeamuZSb7WFsOYrf-3fLKjU5fBxkPbnlwdW974JixfRDzBG6SbbwSNlvzuEYKBSR-/s4032/IMG_4215.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVcVKIDrhbW_cYIOSpTwVitJ3fW8ZMGbJo0dAvRH6VWeCKtl_NP6j-R1E33-eADisaWhdp-e0KBLmXSeelJFpZxy_ucaHFmW3_LiYvtYTe_lxMi50N0jMDk2s_74mXeamuZSb7WFsOYrf-3fLKjU5fBxkPbnlwdW974JixfRDzBG6SbbwSNlvzuEYKBSR-/w480-h640/IMG_4215.jpeg" width="480" /></a></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/AVvXsEiSwEmCs00426zDz3tFIjuvb_seQaxeq4aA01nMUu3h7a3FQj2719eQIUAOsDIAEhYTRjXCGNC0HkEuqhKQLOgVwFOAQ2R6oMkm3sQaCguabivha_3xdsxt37FUQObgTLCrPqVvy6i0PTUJAWA8P1D4DTP4s75HK8L3uPNh8k_U1paNlF6FZr3lUmJAGW8Q/s4032/IMG_0029.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwEmCs00426zDz3tFIjuvb_seQaxeq4aA01nMUu3h7a3FQj2719eQIUAOsDIAEhYTRjXCGNC0HkEuqhKQLOgVwFOAQ2R6oMkm3sQaCguabivha_3xdsxt37FUQObgTLCrPqVvy6i0PTUJAWA8P1D4DTP4s75HK8L3uPNh8k_U1paNlF6FZr3lUmJAGW8Q/w480-h640/IMG_0029.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Peyton and Chris had Madison and Nicolas for dinner last night back home, and she served a delicious Irish meal complete with her signature sugar cookies. While I am incredibly envious, I am also very thankful that my children are each other's best friends. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Billie Jo</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.yummly.com/recipe/Cheesy-Baked-Ziti-2624663">Baked Ziti</a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://antiquecandleco.com/">Candles</a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-30069918478468955832024-03-13T07:30:00.000-07:002024-03-13T07:30:43.260-07:00Sometimes You Got Nothing<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OGzYDPfVisuxUZVd2QTxO2IcxXHYY61PLqSti6HG3vzulv-MHrQ0Hh1FYFlkm5Jc1OowQyBRweViu4hkBQYFmQwAH6giUMGNAqPBNtzUkrFDH8CchKRzabVtXMzNspT1vyHVs3kApnVhMbToTKMz0XH6WazT_grsHGHTotB4K2DITy0nwBaCNOr7tlAz/s3024/IMG_4918.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OGzYDPfVisuxUZVd2QTxO2IcxXHYY61PLqSti6HG3vzulv-MHrQ0Hh1FYFlkm5Jc1OowQyBRweViu4hkBQYFmQwAH6giUMGNAqPBNtzUkrFDH8CchKRzabVtXMzNspT1vyHVs3kApnVhMbToTKMz0XH6WazT_grsHGHTotB4K2DITy0nwBaCNOr7tlAz/w640-h640/IMG_4918.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Sometimes, you have nothing exciting to post. Sometimes you are fresh out of ideas, or you literally have one...albeit preciously cute...picture on your phone. Sometimes, nothing is happening except, well, life. Regular, ordinary, daily life. As I was saying my prayers this morning, I realized it is ok to write about nothing. I mean, life happens between all the special events, holidays, and excitement. And for me, ordinary life is the very best life there is.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Currently, I am on the couch with two of our three pups, finishing my morning coffee and prayers. The television is off, mainly because I try to keep my mornings less chaotic and more intentional, but also because this house has some sort of special air heating and cooling system that makes the sound travel everywhere and all at once! I am an early riser, to be sure. The remainder of the house is not. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Later, I will get cleaned up, have breakfast/lunch, and start school with Flynn. We usually watch an old game show or two, like MatchGame or Card Sharks, first. If you are looking for a break from chaos and politically correct television today, immerse yourself in GameShow Network, where it is perpetually anywhere from 1975 through 1983 and much more fun. I mean Gene Rayburn and Jim Perry?! The best!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">After school, I will throw in some laundry, take the dogs outside for a bit, and then wait for a call from my sister Margie and my mom; I am so thankful for those calls and for the fact that my mom is happy and still loves to talk with me, her daughter. Next, I will head to the kitchen, where I usually play some Post Malone music on my speaker rather loudly while I start dinner. Tonight, we are having Baked Ziti with Sausage, tossed salad, and garlic bread; Flynn is making some pumpkin bread too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">After dinner, we will clean up and get cozy on the couch for a few episodes of Gilmore Girls. After that, the kids usually disperse to various places for video games or showers, and I head to one of my favorite parts of my day, my nightly shower. I have written before how I used to be a morning shower person. However, an evening shower somehow does more than make me clean. It washes away the day's stress and relaxes me way more than an invigorating morning one. I slather on my lotion...Eucerin is my current favorite, followed by a bit of my signature scent... Amazing Grace by Philosophy. Then I head back out to the family room and plop on the couch for some reading or TV watching with Steve before bed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Of course, this is only an outline of my ordinary day. In between are mundane things like picking up one dog's food so another can't eat it, helping Flynn train a cute but feisty puppy, making grocery lists, scrubbing toilets, taming my unstyled hair into a ponytail over and over, and checking in with my sister and friends through texts. My windows need washing, the bird feeder is empty, and Easter is coming too quickly. I can, however, let all that be, because it will all work out. And if it doesn't the sun will rise again anyhow, right? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, embrace your mundane, my friends. That is the stuff life is made of.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Billie Jo</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-65837887110014095332024-03-11T07:23:00.000-07:002024-03-11T07:23:56.669-07:00Monday Morning Coffee<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvWd5-2Z08l_KA34WJsAt0hYYRJ15-45Fpes81MvTMa5paa5xWzbTBZ9vnDudsCeYrs4MLezZNQU5xofZ9GwwMyfY0pGq0NyXWNol8HwMC4jgvlRsOZFny_a9Mpp_RIfLl_82sLkVpsfjfG2qJhoNy8Xh_bz5nyZWnKh-8Qx45DuAnYbc6XRAKLA_DDUw/s4032/IMG_4896.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvWd5-2Z08l_KA34WJsAt0hYYRJ15-45Fpes81MvTMa5paa5xWzbTBZ9vnDudsCeYrs4MLezZNQU5xofZ9GwwMyfY0pGq0NyXWNol8HwMC4jgvlRsOZFny_a9Mpp_RIfLl_82sLkVpsfjfG2qJhoNy8Xh_bz5nyZWnKh-8Qx45DuAnYbc6XRAKLA_DDUw/w480-h640/IMG_4896.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Good morning! I was up extra early this morning, around 6:30, which, for me, means 5:30 because it takes me a while to let go of the whole Daylight Savings thing. Our weekend was nice and cozy and rainy. Some friends visited, and we enjoyed catching up, watching TV, and eating. There were also several outings like movies, walks on the Boardwalk, and dinner out, which I politely passed on because, having three dogs, two in various stages of puppyhood, I thought it better to be here with them. I attended mass on Saturday, which was beautiful, and it felt good actually drying and styling my hair, as well as putting on a touch of makeup. Of course, I washed it all off the moment I got home and changed into my cozy clothes, but I put forth the effort; really, I did!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Today, Flynn and I will homeschool, and I am putting chicken breast in the crockpot with some salsa. I'll shred it for what we call "chicken bowls" that I serve with all the things: rice, avocado, tomato, lettuce, corn, and pico. Easy and delicious. We will continue cheering Joey the Bachelor on tonight as he narrows down his prospective life partner from three to the final two. And if you thought it would be easy for him to choose the woman he wants to spend his entire life with, think again! I am sure drama and tears will make an appearance tonight. Stay tuned!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Finally, before I go, I want to mention that Blogland lost one of its most beautiful, strong, talented, faithful women recently, and I feel the need to thank her for sharing her thoughts on life, home, and motherhood for so many years. Sarah from <i><a href="http://www.memoriesoncloverlane.com/">CLOVER LANE</a> </i>was one of the very first bloggers I ever read and continued to read for years and years. She fought unbelievably hard for the life she loved so, and I ask you to pray for or send loving thoughts to her greatest joy, her six children, as they say goodbye to her today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiqtZe-dgFddWXzCuYCzYbKo2YdRFyguB9AKqeVb2VTLncQjhbGvM38idg8cyT-Y4hTN5l8awFqWE211_BKm7z1ad3If1DqIDfuDo8avKeUR99wvb1RhE_tmvEME-iHnS_kob8YAxMyQ-l_KBnbz2RkVZ2k6cnz9-80hi4UWlTL6N88fsFFFKCh7oVc-z/s4032/IMG_4875.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiqtZe-dgFddWXzCuYCzYbKo2YdRFyguB9AKqeVb2VTLncQjhbGvM38idg8cyT-Y4hTN5l8awFqWE211_BKm7z1ad3If1DqIDfuDo8avKeUR99wvb1RhE_tmvEME-iHnS_kob8YAxMyQ-l_KBnbz2RkVZ2k6cnz9-80hi4UWlTL6N88fsFFFKCh7oVc-z/w640-h480/IMG_4875.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Leaving you with a real-life picture this morning, my friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you for visiting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This really is a wonderful place, isn't it?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Billie Jo</i></div><br /><p></p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-4447829373486437332024-03-08T08:24:00.000-08:002024-03-08T08:24:56.991-08:00Friday Photos<p style="text-align: justify;">Hello! Happy Friday! These weeks are passing so quickly, don't you think? This one was rainy here. Rainy and chilly with a touch of darkness. Did I hate that? Not at all. Cozy weather in March is something I will never complain about. It gives me a few more weeks of my self-imposed exile from the outside. I left the house exactly one time this week. We went to a Lenten service at our new church. It was beautiful. And gave me the little nudge I needed to continue a fruitful Lent. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">We cooked some good meals this week. Steve made one of his mother's staples, Hunts Burgers. They were delicious! We had them two nights in a row.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXzL5TNAqO_mCb1DYj78Td31zAJRHmIcL3lngTGdKKiOfJMeQubFhzLR436ueGHVkLTAT3VxtRHhdYVny43EKDbdTnxLfhpEOWOeUsqx-NPHeaxgUs9pjq8QCqybkSYYJhjFfKwwROmXc_oDUJ0REhx1j1pwQ3N0F5b3uEqzyFfvpf2oYmQiYw766jjNo/s4032/IMG_5021.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXzL5TNAqO_mCb1DYj78Td31zAJRHmIcL3lngTGdKKiOfJMeQubFhzLR436ueGHVkLTAT3VxtRHhdYVny43EKDbdTnxLfhpEOWOeUsqx-NPHeaxgUs9pjq8QCqybkSYYJhjFfKwwROmXc_oDUJ0REhx1j1pwQ3N0F5b3uEqzyFfvpf2oYmQiYw766jjNo/w480-h640/IMG_5021.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I made a new soup recipe on Tuesday because I knew we would be at church, and I wanted something good and warm when we got back. Earlier in the day, I threw lots of vegetables and chicken into the crockpot. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6DpkiwNlMM8m7jBQym9jjRp6lgim3Bf3beVd1dJFdRGsouTVSjLMLz6LlGYMX-jnjmhIdwunHR9WZ11pmXoYVa5NPQwp1G5gCnKVD80d2KCbCA6QnLw-55_6nsRBs8HKBe1pv4hAz2zvLKWNZb9EkDW4D8KL5GsBke91r5qfbFrrWwrXmM9LPixoeUci/s4032/IMG_4850.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6DpkiwNlMM8m7jBQym9jjRp6lgim3Bf3beVd1dJFdRGsouTVSjLMLz6LlGYMX-jnjmhIdwunHR9WZ11pmXoYVa5NPQwp1G5gCnKVD80d2KCbCA6QnLw-55_6nsRBs8HKBe1pv4hAz2zvLKWNZb9EkDW4D8KL5GsBke91r5qfbFrrWwrXmM9LPixoeUci/w480-h640/IMG_4850.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">And then, I snapped this picture with my phone because I often think it is nice to show a behind-the-scenes photo. Life is messy, and I never want to give the impression that my house is perfect! I will link the recipe for this down below, but I must say, we felt it lacked flavor. I found salt, pepper, and freshly grated parmesan cheese helped. I think maybe making it on the stove would, too, by sauteing the veggies first. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMiP0s4jmAGB-GFPasKOPCspkKyvGM0H3eBp5F6ao9C1icYONiFN0tkl6EW1MBfsJbYPudYF7205n0I_PUhYALpHj9kCbeP86_627QsMuR0qFOXdj-ZjLhXoA-bpYi64bpYBgd7ZvF4eoYEUcqmYCsIW5AqiyoWBJjWhOGGLAtooXiPyrr008y7kOPJ0F/s4032/IMG_4849.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMiP0s4jmAGB-GFPasKOPCspkKyvGM0H3eBp5F6ao9C1icYONiFN0tkl6EW1MBfsJbYPudYF7205n0I_PUhYALpHj9kCbeP86_627QsMuR0qFOXdj-ZjLhXoA-bpYi64bpYBgd7ZvF4eoYEUcqmYCsIW5AqiyoWBJjWhOGGLAtooXiPyrr008y7kOPJ0F/w480-h640/IMG_4849.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Now, these were delicious! Flynn and I made beef enchiladas on Wednesday night. They were super easy and super good. I didn't have anything planned to serve with them, but luckily, when I put them in the oven, I thought about frozen corn. Perfect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHQr8hbkvFCPfJLytEufVbezxEDqbty4FRKZOVDWrQbG7w-TMMlxprDpctpBupwVnM826Gaa_K8qNzD_lgA-iZQ8IFc7n2lL57UekEJQKms2794syQ-FvKOtufLj2Ew5KrgIVrS67bwWLmU98bjHaYmh2JYdT4TeX394e_WBqZXQd-9Q8vVGsHpsy4a-G/s4032/IMG_4864.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHQr8hbkvFCPfJLytEufVbezxEDqbty4FRKZOVDWrQbG7w-TMMlxprDpctpBupwVnM826Gaa_K8qNzD_lgA-iZQ8IFc7n2lL57UekEJQKms2794syQ-FvKOtufLj2Ew5KrgIVrS67bwWLmU98bjHaYmh2JYdT4TeX394e_WBqZXQd-9Q8vVGsHpsy4a-G/w480-h640/IMG_4864.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzX5_peWWYfzE4Ei8Wp_cF4fhdphjW4ZLcolBKJLAhSKgyXSmsy-2nHUcjjOy4cZivGIm3qpfsOSKKVYvS2MYwtkgRCkRUpmgFZgmZw4ZQe6IiQjrRl_2yKL8DM-WgfOBLaWo3__LSxOhHFCWaL81AN69_n-AhUPKfj9d7LOu1OBzygZLXt6qxfQvwlwe/s4032/IMG_4863.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzX5_peWWYfzE4Ei8Wp_cF4fhdphjW4ZLcolBKJLAhSKgyXSmsy-2nHUcjjOy4cZivGIm3qpfsOSKKVYvS2MYwtkgRCkRUpmgFZgmZw4ZQe6IiQjrRl_2yKL8DM-WgfOBLaWo3__LSxOhHFCWaL81AN69_n-AhUPKfj9d7LOu1OBzygZLXt6qxfQvwlwe/w480-h640/IMG_4863.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Last night, we had frozen pizza—just keeping it real. We also watched the State of the Union address, and that is all I am going to say about that. I spent some of the rainy days adding some touches to this house, not too much, because clutter makes my head hurt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtycny_C5UETWLITe7Rt1XurX6LARBekYH-AycaMwD2xgRjGEFAuWBE9POguBegieSNsXSB7jg52XFX3-WHzhMpMV6A5CcBIrGdNUT19EfmIE05s0r18Yt9qtgOIDIyzMR10RAXXmpQv9Km-D5gzyMv-p8UzqR6Uvfey4BCBndQjpnHBB1aCbTWWMuj6g/s4032/IMG_4841.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOtycny_C5UETWLITe7Rt1XurX6LARBekYH-AycaMwD2xgRjGEFAuWBE9POguBegieSNsXSB7jg52XFX3-WHzhMpMV6A5CcBIrGdNUT19EfmIE05s0r18Yt9qtgOIDIyzMR10RAXXmpQv9Km-D5gzyMv-p8UzqR6Uvfey4BCBndQjpnHBB1aCbTWWMuj6g/w480-h640/IMG_4841.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This is my bedside table. The flowers are artificial, but look really real! I got them and the clock at Target. The candle is a really light lavender scent that smells like a spa. Unfortunately, the scent of the all-natural, soy, safe wick candle bothers Steve's sinuses, so the lid is on. For now. : )</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfbAU4h1abl-Vz3Pzs2kyxiltURJQdtP9du7-XDPBsCdXnSXa6Sz_92rZhO2wfmy3fvfVq9XZU9vEGEJVZejdcApaKfX3sJj0AYq21gMAjMBriWVrRyaOe0CWBeFKMfdWhMqxgd6oXsQG2tLpevHWkioEaQyifxPwaC5Irv73QfpcwWm_SBmVtsyAKCnW/s4032/IMG_4812.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfbAU4h1abl-Vz3Pzs2kyxiltURJQdtP9du7-XDPBsCdXnSXa6Sz_92rZhO2wfmy3fvfVq9XZU9vEGEJVZejdcApaKfX3sJj0AYq21gMAjMBriWVrRyaOe0CWBeFKMfdWhMqxgd6oXsQG2tLpevHWkioEaQyifxPwaC5Irv73QfpcwWm_SBmVtsyAKCnW/w480-h640/IMG_4812.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Here is a little corner of the family room. I literally moved that lamp there this week. I keep rearranging things, but this is finished. For now. : )</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1K7UtdSAj4wcALXc04ax7a73e2azN2VnwqnNxMuFWhgvYirN4a0pLBJSbFygNM21Ryl9CVf69Ya433ia_HD1Y2Tmzp6U1N7EdklUDzyq4JajSIZMYn2gkExcwlYf80u0yOfs5WHwjwMOJnLKHgbiFKtNKI5gVZOa5qpYFp8QtlbcHwzN3m96q9Vnao6m/s4032/IMG_4810.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1K7UtdSAj4wcALXc04ax7a73e2azN2VnwqnNxMuFWhgvYirN4a0pLBJSbFygNM21Ryl9CVf69Ya433ia_HD1Y2Tmzp6U1N7EdklUDzyq4JajSIZMYn2gkExcwlYf80u0yOfs5WHwjwMOJnLKHgbiFKtNKI5gVZOa5qpYFp8QtlbcHwzN3m96q9Vnao6m/w480-h640/IMG_4810.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">And cozy candles on March evenings make me happy. Remember, though, that we turn the clocks ahead this weekend!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have a lovely weekend, my friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for visiting! I am always happy you do!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Billie Jo</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh! Here are the recipes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.cooks.com/recipe/n41bp1i0/hunts-burger.html"><i>Hunts Burgers</i></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://thekitchengirl.com/fall-apart-chicken-vegetable-crockpot-soup/"><i>Chicken Vegetable Soup</i></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.itisakeeper.com/34843/ground-beef-enchiladas/"><i>Beef Enchiladas</i></a><br /></div><br /><p></p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-27985780599981146262024-03-06T06:57:00.000-08:002024-03-06T06:57:39.921-08:00Sidetracked <p style="text-align: justify;">Don't you just love it when you go on Pinterest to look for a recipe and see one thing that reminds you of being young, living at home with your family, and not having a care in the world? I did that today, and I saw these.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWACLzg0CVCYcEGiMaXq_RqRO2vJOlF_PLMz9CHlDL92lqk4ocP7G0Bkgq3OgmzZItBzjkUQfR9bEAwRPV9dtiHNekFikDHgXF8XykWlps5YfkDiWfr8nJBe8s0HkemqST864KRdcaS-OuNjCIyXcrI9Zn8sn_RGa6XnX3pjNGJd5c0zFrzPkDS0S0pWH/s564/5e3cb89461c885cf6acc861f5ebf8ea4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="564" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWACLzg0CVCYcEGiMaXq_RqRO2vJOlF_PLMz9CHlDL92lqk4ocP7G0Bkgq3OgmzZItBzjkUQfR9bEAwRPV9dtiHNekFikDHgXF8XykWlps5YfkDiWfr8nJBe8s0HkemqST864KRdcaS-OuNjCIyXcrI9Zn8sn_RGa6XnX3pjNGJd5c0zFrzPkDS0S0pWH/w640-h480/5e3cb89461c885cf6acc861f5ebf8ea4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNBC1siLv5XagL_yXt_Bj4ecydfeYJt94cqmr10KllkuDU_Lthk84u_EigROGX9wdJd4j9aRcrVz213nfdWTzyBZpQ5cmitEpP4KLEnAznn_BHVHeLw2E6Cujns9C1FSk-UvVlQ7XtQEwOTZYhvAEdWM99NDf1WyK512_Csy5ovZYT_ay2CAzxSiEh42G/s474/9d9665d21cd548787270978591935816.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="474" height="614" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNBC1siLv5XagL_yXt_Bj4ecydfeYJt94cqmr10KllkuDU_Lthk84u_EigROGX9wdJd4j9aRcrVz213nfdWTzyBZpQ5cmitEpP4KLEnAznn_BHVHeLw2E6Cujns9C1FSk-UvVlQ7XtQEwOTZYhvAEdWM99NDf1WyK512_Csy5ovZYT_ay2CAzxSiEh42G/w640-h614/9d9665d21cd548787270978591935816.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwl6VQf1MCsd-JcDRUPBAyb3T_dp4qV_IR2-rDxCFsTmLKo-_XFlQdtS3B1tHTsdBifRAwZmMdjrfMdYJJAoP1pGAsAOyTxRf0BPayvkQmPrG9rQEmsUWbAaPB5LJIfuv-w-IMIlMoPJ-1NirlHy5xV0UkyoX-bu9wIxvbi58lcuuoOwqFE6OUuA3UUfjQ/s728/66f54c8726bc36410870739f6818bb08.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwl6VQf1MCsd-JcDRUPBAyb3T_dp4qV_IR2-rDxCFsTmLKo-_XFlQdtS3B1tHTsdBifRAwZmMdjrfMdYJJAoP1pGAsAOyTxRf0BPayvkQmPrG9rQEmsUWbAaPB5LJIfuv-w-IMIlMoPJ-1NirlHy5xV0UkyoX-bu9wIxvbi58lcuuoOwqFE6OUuA3UUfjQ/w496-h640/66f54c8726bc36410870739f6818bb08.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnr1hlWNToNq0YQZQJilCpFdPCPygrmQx5WKFeMCxdO7t9Kg5MF2VZaTwINdK-Hh9esqoP6qmCUk0hzvdlf9aI4og-lWNFX0dUDz1M6C6Kq8r5nzNQsZKdu43jgYLL37KHT1YdAGUiIteT0TNR86ScOTnCsqSSd8xZ-LuviDD6lPtq3TYCUoxdEBwYJoD/s417/84492161.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="391" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnr1hlWNToNq0YQZQJilCpFdPCPygrmQx5WKFeMCxdO7t9Kg5MF2VZaTwINdK-Hh9esqoP6qmCUk0hzvdlf9aI4og-lWNFX0dUDz1M6C6Kq8r5nzNQsZKdu43jgYLL37KHT1YdAGUiIteT0TNR86ScOTnCsqSSd8xZ-LuviDD6lPtq3TYCUoxdEBwYJoD/w600-h640/84492161.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LKvPF8XFU9qzZzM36a0ZwyIHP3A_90_TKkd_A7D9gCyBrxtWwcGkQVvXidc_j3bjXORhPTo4als_yviRaQDlVY7VSd6P3j5oNqIW9xkp7xlSfszYYSzZtlal_iPyFtBo4LeLzWrLq01azT5PVjo2EVXtczJget77V-rNA8WJWFzR7z_M9w-RK8g34gV9/s1200/best-70s-memes-final.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LKvPF8XFU9qzZzM36a0ZwyIHP3A_90_TKkd_A7D9gCyBrxtWwcGkQVvXidc_j3bjXORhPTo4als_yviRaQDlVY7VSd6P3j5oNqIW9xkp7xlSfszYYSzZtlal_iPyFtBo4LeLzWrLq01azT5PVjo2EVXtczJget77V-rNA8WJWFzR7z_M9w-RK8g34gV9/w640-h336/best-70s-memes-final.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbhgV60d6AVmJJ9P92-6OEHg7idvHOb_DjjkbqYQWh9v0DhovzbWP4CMjSIJ9Oq2LMv9BROHIDDAkIipTXoMCBQjSOxUHnnotR9HIiWMN549n5m_exWsHMxuZ9ff290spBBZOJknFQPI4f-kCD0MtOZ0fZUBchm2kizBaSl4cPu3zHiBCa306W7eVsH_a/s627/eae7ff201d648ba37dbc3f75cd930d3f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbhgV60d6AVmJJ9P92-6OEHg7idvHOb_DjjkbqYQWh9v0DhovzbWP4CMjSIJ9Oq2LMv9BROHIDDAkIipTXoMCBQjSOxUHnnotR9HIiWMN549n5m_exWsHMxuZ9ff290spBBZOJknFQPI4f-kCD0MtOZ0fZUBchm2kizBaSl4cPu3zHiBCa306W7eVsH_a/w576-h640/eae7ff201d648ba37dbc3f75cd930d3f.jpg" width="576" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Each one instantly took me back to a place and time I miss, and that really made me happy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have a great Wednesday, my friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Billie Jo</div><div><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-41696165523386835442024-03-04T06:09:00.000-08:002024-03-04T12:26:23.009-08:00Monday Morning Coffee<p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucgSX9C2RRy-ySoCTGlsIhfKbbOzckYIvC_VgBVhubk33Op44joDgYQZitsYI_gu1gzATE1ISBtL4v9adhQGYPgJBsfwoU2BmKkCDFnkCFoVPSLY2QQ4DR9mRmP0n4AzkVYuGz9aSOoqZYjEf0vM41QDodoIrqeZMcAik-nR8d1eBVwH8AsdeRIej9eJt/s4032/IMG_4818.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucgSX9C2RRy-ySoCTGlsIhfKbbOzckYIvC_VgBVhubk33Op44joDgYQZitsYI_gu1gzATE1ISBtL4v9adhQGYPgJBsfwoU2BmKkCDFnkCFoVPSLY2QQ4DR9mRmP0n4AzkVYuGz9aSOoqZYjEf0vM41QDodoIrqeZMcAik-nR8d1eBVwH8AsdeRIej9eJt/w480-h640/IMG_4818.jpeg" width="480" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Good Monday morning! This morning, I decided on an old favorite instead of my usual medium roast with a splash of sweet cream. Every now and then, I treat myself to my old standby. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsONz7M4NlqjhjyUL9OfHj8seVTsB2ziBfqCdvTE5SObYiPTLvXCOGq1VObJJBNcPAR3q5CLYn32q0mAL3FEYazfUA7Vqsd3PcDK6hDINA4FwLWIBVgTPG6w1xfatZVTNqhb0u9Uk2djHWusi6jDXjHWfhPNd6wrg13qYuVEm7TgUDllpqT-Wak8G2H1R/s1200/GUEST_8ad77ed6-a405-41d1-8c18-5f5e338ec061.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsONz7M4NlqjhjyUL9OfHj8seVTsB2ziBfqCdvTE5SObYiPTLvXCOGq1VObJJBNcPAR3q5CLYn32q0mAL3FEYazfUA7Vqsd3PcDK6hDINA4FwLWIBVgTPG6w1xfatZVTNqhb0u9Uk2djHWusi6jDXjHWfhPNd6wrg13qYuVEm7TgUDllpqT-Wak8G2H1R/s320/GUEST_8ad77ed6-a405-41d1-8c18-5f5e338ec061.webp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This is what Steve refers to as my "Fake Coffee." It was the first coffee I drank, way back in college. I had to ease myself into the coffee life, and this was the way I did it—although back then, it looked more like this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywljWcQCXXZS0pya6O72dH4j-D7Ss4QWgpxohTz9WhoBy-UWTzlIm-v4Xs63xX7piMJs5SbB7tvbQ4GgKOuowBQo8yyR6Qthf0_eHlJ-E3-MyW60bv-gcaiHIHkTXIl0mGE2bxnXg8H187ubMsVCAedcxqu_EcqkN2ghsQQnxfWgrRu4CrOYAklGdE-8-/s1600/s-l1600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywljWcQCXXZS0pya6O72dH4j-D7Ss4QWgpxohTz9WhoBy-UWTzlIm-v4Xs63xX7piMJs5SbB7tvbQ4GgKOuowBQo8yyR6Qthf0_eHlJ-E3-MyW60bv-gcaiHIHkTXIl0mGE2bxnXg8H187ubMsVCAedcxqu_EcqkN2ghsQQnxfWgrRu4CrOYAklGdE-8-/w640-h640/s-l1600.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Just seeing this photo brings back so many memories. It was on a shelf next to my electric hot water kettle in my dorm room in college. Once married, I kept a tin on my stove, with my teakettle nearby. I had a cup every day when I came home from teaching. And then, when I became a mom, I started having a cup every afternoon while my babies napped. Who knew a tin full of powder could hold so much more? When Peyton was little, she and I would have toast and coffee while baby Rhett took his afternoon nap. We would snuggle in the big chair together, she with her sippy cup and me with my mug. She would always take the last little sip of my coffee, and if I try, I can still see her tiny little face light up each time. Years later, when we homeschooled, Rhett would make my afternoon coffee. He had a special touch that made it taste so good. He told me he stirred it much longer and added a little surprise sometimes! My favorite was a Hershey Kiss. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Eventually, this instant coffee was replaced with the good stuff, but I still keep a tin or two in the cupboard, although now it isn't so much a tin as a plastic container. The flavors have changed, too, from Swiss Mocha to Hazlenut to French Vanilla, but the sentiment is the same. The mug in my hands holds so much more than instant coffee. It holds years of beautiful memories to revisit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Well, I am off to get ready for the day. Flynn and I have homeschool, and I have a grocery order coming this afternoon. We have leftovers from a delicious meal Steve made yesterday, so there will be no cooking tonight! I finish off my Mondays with The Bachelor, following a seemingly sincere Joey looking for his wife among the remaining four women, all of whom he has strong feelings for. What could possibly go wrong?! Have a lovely Monday, my friends!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Billie Jo</i></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"> ( Google for the images. )</div><br /><p></p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-48917172777953457122024-03-01T06:35:00.000-08:002024-03-01T06:35:03.023-08:00What's New Around Here<p style="text-align: justify;">Happy Friday! And Happy March! When I was younger, I looked unfavorably upon this month of March. Now, however, I look forward to the fairly mundane month's slow, steady pace that serves as a slightly shaky bridge between winter and spring. The month of March used to seem so long. As I age, it passes just as quickly as all the other months seem to do. So, I settle in and enjoy the cozy cooler days while beginning to think about warmer ones to come.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu88cmlHbvUy3EfMHD3f30iLOrpMhJM91eWVj9FAZJukHI8PJskM8IBazDsL3-jQ9pAtG5S31k3CoH8vYbiojQip3P6-Xw1lKhPysvjdfq06kClQPRe-tcgIrj0kxAdLCWQ0qIAyB6k3t8NT9OuvTfWcoQghh8ZyApJmC6oUV1Ar_YH0WCRz5ZOeuW8Q09/s2048/IMG_4775.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu88cmlHbvUy3EfMHD3f30iLOrpMhJM91eWVj9FAZJukHI8PJskM8IBazDsL3-jQ9pAtG5S31k3CoH8vYbiojQip3P6-Xw1lKhPysvjdfq06kClQPRe-tcgIrj0kxAdLCWQ0qIAyB6k3t8NT9OuvTfWcoQghh8ZyApJmC6oUV1Ar_YH0WCRz5ZOeuW8Q09/w640-h640/IMG_4775.png" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">I've started to add a few touches to this lovely house to make it more like our home. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMkpDx1sBvHc3PqMp4JF2EcBJU7SQwUvO5CrjpG6sVbpkI24wqIkMV8CSNTZjDQ3st0KjnKr6ElwRy0s20IQ7PHcqlLohcLchDnH3ZSpq69W2LrHTzJR-V4vrlNgQQongGhUKxfdkOvwAjcRR_9NKqdRfujrpvFWSI_2BQNpvdb2F2Ep1GjS4Ug-YyMws/s4032/IMG_4731.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMkpDx1sBvHc3PqMp4JF2EcBJU7SQwUvO5CrjpG6sVbpkI24wqIkMV8CSNTZjDQ3st0KjnKr6ElwRy0s20IQ7PHcqlLohcLchDnH3ZSpq69W2LrHTzJR-V4vrlNgQQongGhUKxfdkOvwAjcRR_9NKqdRfujrpvFWSI_2BQNpvdb2F2Ep1GjS4Ug-YyMws/w640-h480/IMG_4731.jpeg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHisUbBWx6U5J5Gs5XJxa58HC1MXSxIMmgkZ8rajAZaL6NHHi2yrlfthGAoJTVlTIa3JEPudIyoYjfcevKEQVCYNozetQ_T0gh6GriJMu1_fr7GUvON7xARlwwhIPE0ZRsMzqooat3kvRJz4JoyPXyr1mI_a1hLEbcu4DeMRu_vUo3ZE9Neh-HvIzRVaY/s3024/IMG_4753.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHisUbBWx6U5J5Gs5XJxa58HC1MXSxIMmgkZ8rajAZaL6NHHi2yrlfthGAoJTVlTIa3JEPudIyoYjfcevKEQVCYNozetQ_T0gh6GriJMu1_fr7GUvON7xARlwwhIPE0ZRsMzqooat3kvRJz4JoyPXyr1mI_a1hLEbcu4DeMRu_vUo3ZE9Neh-HvIzRVaY/w640-h640/IMG_4753.jpeg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCgFPngN_N_ZpNiAF79equovioPUzGQ372MkXusKzM-D3uvK8PblDwwF-2XE0qhkjBG9m9TYSGHVAMVulelPKXbTAg4hRDZQWknwGP-PPFxJixxze4uT_rBQvlEv6Swhi5vP6VTtwqbFTzmR4BVPZGjHMkLr9wIhyZwByY-n6J7i_43QUhRp_OjqPpYIu/s4032/IMG_4772.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCgFPngN_N_ZpNiAF79equovioPUzGQ372MkXusKzM-D3uvK8PblDwwF-2XE0qhkjBG9m9TYSGHVAMVulelPKXbTAg4hRDZQWknwGP-PPFxJixxze4uT_rBQvlEv6Swhi5vP6VTtwqbFTzmR4BVPZGjHMkLr9wIhyZwByY-n6J7i_43QUhRp_OjqPpYIu/w640-h480/IMG_4772.jpeg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">And I cooked a delicious, easy meal this week that was a hit with everyone! </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.yummly.com/recipe/_No-Chopping_-Sheet-Pan-Chicken-Dinner-9083662"><i>No Chopping Sheet Pan Chicken</i></a><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbmQ9T8Tzuh5pinOcObNKEv68ZkygiwRFI9Wi21pitwXu2FOeyI6dLmKBUMiYdrtXB6S4SeUueENHL7PLZaqDdkN_-V8vvU80dlD5Hh7X9GLo5B95GCj-B5LU9bZ9wmvQsBwEVdJNJ695bhC35G6-7jAzuSNzRs2RX_CA_YHY-Cbm_7nNaRJ5bfmr5YcK/s3024/IMG_4765.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbmQ9T8Tzuh5pinOcObNKEv68ZkygiwRFI9Wi21pitwXu2FOeyI6dLmKBUMiYdrtXB6S4SeUueENHL7PLZaqDdkN_-V8vvU80dlD5Hh7X9GLo5B95GCj-B5LU9bZ9wmvQsBwEVdJNJ695bhC35G6-7jAzuSNzRs2RX_CA_YHY-Cbm_7nNaRJ5bfmr5YcK/w640-h640/IMG_4765.jpeg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">And what else? Let's see...</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Oh! Yes! Flynn finally got her very own puppy! She has researched, looked for, dreamed of, and prayed for a puppy of her very own. She, Steve, Rhett, and Kyrstin traveled together, and Flynn finally held her new best friend on Monday. Meet Marty! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTkKBaeIvol3QQCUpMW23ajo15gxLFF0dlfb7qfOLqpbtd1U7a8-UEhudS6gMbk9Df9L6_ivVJB05hKuX9jTJUH80F74_H87GF_Qfgj2a6B-yLDo0LR8Y38vA-7a5DiwSE73ikglW_cq4OdXJIgUC6iu6CYIO8yeb9eM1KpwpX8PcrSXaskXo4lOlzIxL/s4032/IMG_8556.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTkKBaeIvol3QQCUpMW23ajo15gxLFF0dlfb7qfOLqpbtd1U7a8-UEhudS6gMbk9Df9L6_ivVJB05hKuX9jTJUH80F74_H87GF_Qfgj2a6B-yLDo0LR8Y38vA-7a5DiwSE73ikglW_cq4OdXJIgUC6iu6CYIO8yeb9eM1KpwpX8PcrSXaskXo4lOlzIxL/w480-h640/IMG_8556.jpeg" width="480" /></a></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/AVvXsEj0pizvyktzwZqRP9kiOvY9c6jEIPLTVDeSl4f-QAourJelUhrb_K54UEKmnFUHmfM3prILY1ztMXgKcO-ALPyBZaSbj-dKxL7TDFWWhyphenhyphen-eP6hs5d3XVhI5C-Q4GcFdBTP1QcgHqwOtXW-szSECbkfgLt_mb8AbHmchJN8fi0HxYYmPfTyq1O1qNaSMnaZN/s4032/IMG_4966.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pizvyktzwZqRP9kiOvY9c6jEIPLTVDeSl4f-QAourJelUhrb_K54UEKmnFUHmfM3prILY1ztMXgKcO-ALPyBZaSbj-dKxL7TDFWWhyphenhyphen-eP6hs5d3XVhI5C-Q4GcFdBTP1QcgHqwOtXW-szSECbkfgLt_mb8AbHmchJN8fi0HxYYmPfTyq1O1qNaSMnaZN/w480-h640/IMG_4966.jpeg" width="480" /></a></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/AVvXsEg5VNxA4CBStntmmraB83QNfvNsnT9Y_AwrcnjPVA1evRxlzUO5gHQ8eypfGIca3OhOnM9mf1t0nKdF_epKSsMrtovMxWR_u0aNtI3tLvQMbAEr5ZE7EDcMNO_cqBE_CwsU7nDSLt-zLZ6ZgTmDH5JTTwP4oIcjUbaEXO9_pUS6aiuczSjCbk3dDhukmkz5/s4032/IMG_8544.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VNxA4CBStntmmraB83QNfvNsnT9Y_AwrcnjPVA1evRxlzUO5gHQ8eypfGIca3OhOnM9mf1t0nKdF_epKSsMrtovMxWR_u0aNtI3tLvQMbAEr5ZE7EDcMNO_cqBE_CwsU7nDSLt-zLZ6ZgTmDH5JTTwP4oIcjUbaEXO9_pUS6aiuczSjCbk3dDhukmkz5/w480-h640/IMG_8544.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Marty is an eight-week-old Maltipoo and is the sweetest little thing! He already knows that Flynn is his person and has adapted wonderfully to our family. Mocha and Cosmo are adjusting as expected; Mocha takes one sniff and promptly wanders off, not amused or impressed with this new creature. However, Cosmo instantly recognizes a new best friend and happily shows little Marty the ropes. If you have lost count, that brings our current total to three dogs, and honestly, we couldn't be happier. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Have a lovely weekend, my friends. The weather here looks windy and rainy, just like early March days should be. We have mass on Saturday and plans to go to the movies on Sunday to see Dune: Part Two! We rewatched the original Dune this week, and I forgot how good it is! Thanks for visiting. I am always glad you do.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Billie Jo</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-6549920775817155552024-02-28T05:42:00.000-08:002024-02-28T05:42:32.726-08:00Wednesday Wondering<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigu6Ae0FxPnVWb7YU87zi5WnP2KmQ6TXvyrWLsQTPMZ6Jr5RrfJr9QVAuluEraz8v5sO4sVgu3FO9xLobyv8TIwsDfx2Qvj5NmK0SHXPfj50S_eXufO0Sm0DdBQyve2ik3DUjF1n5ZfIvGRufL9JJJyhya0X10iAM2RtLBqBJ4QKVSE3Z9HLejOiuWzx70/s3024/IMG_4756.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigu6Ae0FxPnVWb7YU87zi5WnP2KmQ6TXvyrWLsQTPMZ6Jr5RrfJr9QVAuluEraz8v5sO4sVgu3FO9xLobyv8TIwsDfx2Qvj5NmK0SHXPfj50S_eXufO0Sm0DdBQyve2ik3DUjF1n5ZfIvGRufL9JJJyhya0X10iAM2RtLBqBJ4QKVSE3Z9HLejOiuWzx70/w640-h640/IMG_4756.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1. Coke or Pepsi?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2. Medium or soft toothbrush?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3. Seinfeld or Friends?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4. Lemons or limes?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">5. Gum or mints?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">6. 30s or 50s?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just wondering, you know??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'll go first!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1. Coke or Pepsi? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Pepsi. Always. Coke tastes too sugary to me.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>2. </i>Medium or soft toothbrush?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I prefer it if my gums don't bleed. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>3. </i>Seinfeld or Friends?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Seinfeld. Not even close.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4. Lemons or limes?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I like them both, but I love limes.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">5. Gum or mints?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Mints. But only peppermint ones.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">6. 30s or 50s?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i>This one is tough. I loved my 30's. I loved raising my children, making dinner, reading books, and pushing swings. I love my 50s, however, because I feel confident and relaxed. I know who I am and what I like. The need to please everyone is gone, replaced with a feeling of peace and contentment. It's too close to call this one.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Billie Jo</i></div><p></p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-22603262089485175202024-02-26T06:53:00.000-08:002024-02-26T06:56:08.022-08:00Monday Morning Coffee<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkAobxxvNX8imF1Bk10zBptypESHN3Rl5ppiBhpTeJXpklwZpI9rIEhbIh0ib35CiCPqu0uuoXX5JOMqTN30ZgCLSEBIu771EWv2rwcslSDTDA8J_yCS0jn_Wdlup6Mbwtu2qbIc2aOzsgk5Mzvkl0OcII9WdfurUUR0zs2oCcSquLqiTbeg4mmnHzRUL/s4032/IMG_4723.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkAobxxvNX8imF1Bk10zBptypESHN3Rl5ppiBhpTeJXpklwZpI9rIEhbIh0ib35CiCPqu0uuoXX5JOMqTN30ZgCLSEBIu771EWv2rwcslSDTDA8J_yCS0jn_Wdlup6Mbwtu2qbIc2aOzsgk5Mzvkl0OcII9WdfurUUR0zs2oCcSquLqiTbeg4mmnHzRUL/w480-h640/IMG_4723.jpeg" width="480" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Good Monday morning! How was your weekend? We spent the weekend at the condo, and I actually exercised both days. Yes, I moved parts of my body other than the usual right-hand turning pages of a book. I swam Saturday and Sunday mornings, all by myself, in a quiet pool, and it felt great! Because I was the first awake, I waited until Steve was up to head to the pool. Once I swam, I headed back up to shower and was ready for the day. Because I am an early riser, I am treated to sights like this one on Saturday morning.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gARYnxZNted7j1vMDlDhQhyZo-gdg9KhjfdC-hBf4kTEp1dxDtITA9uZYS80TEQFnZ4LBsW_QnVF2tRwRXFVaeTroAemLz5Uiw6iMJ1ahLVK1JhKwuChL6COTYiDPmEQNNc1zLGcAEguaCpG6pI8KlEHxU3soltld59_wxFKpzCqdY3p6dJ8jQeXxFQ2/s3024/IMG_4695.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1756" data-original-width="3024" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gARYnxZNted7j1vMDlDhQhyZo-gdg9KhjfdC-hBf4kTEp1dxDtITA9uZYS80TEQFnZ4LBsW_QnVF2tRwRXFVaeTroAemLz5Uiw6iMJ1ahLVK1JhKwuChL6COTYiDPmEQNNc1zLGcAEguaCpG6pI8KlEHxU3soltld59_wxFKpzCqdY3p6dJ8jQeXxFQ2/w640-h372/IMG_4695.jpeg" width="640" /></a></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The photo does not come close to capturing how amazing it was, but I am glad I got something, especially since I had two antsy dogs with me, ready to go out! Sunday morning was beautiful as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyvyM3Uej8NLXAlLJluhPNHnrOHasMNdtZTodgSkgopvTMnjI6jg2Da4ntECjyNzmQ0JcTjG87YHQngbth1uPuI6uU_UAfhlgcLporDbmz4eH40BtkTzJ2j_Qj96I-bqFzo_d1VKGqzrTrrODEE_vaGLzjSIk_tRJSczPCP4-F_R9UP788kfsMbWKjV09/s4032/IMG_4711.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyvyM3Uej8NLXAlLJluhPNHnrOHasMNdtZTodgSkgopvTMnjI6jg2Da4ntECjyNzmQ0JcTjG87YHQngbth1uPuI6uU_UAfhlgcLporDbmz4eH40BtkTzJ2j_Qj96I-bqFzo_d1VKGqzrTrrODEE_vaGLzjSIk_tRJSczPCP4-F_R9UP788kfsMbWKjV09/w640-h480/IMG_4711.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In addition to swimming and staring at the sunrise, I also watched Gilmore Girls with my people, attended a beautiful mass, ate a delicious dinner of homemade pierogies in a Pittsburgh Steeler-inspired restaurant and bar in the middle of Baltimore Raven territory, and took a couple cozy naps. Last night, we returned to the house, and Flynn and I watched <i>The Walking Dead, The Ones Who Live!!!! </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30GrAXnhtAPnx0b8CmvVNqOO-Nczsbk20A1k5vmff-hRVWW0R4FXdlfhZAVxKmfhwF4sMm-GGvz8djrqL9cUK2HgPkx2b1dhjALlSscOjHkxSs4BBfeQakPf7hlicSEnQnGSScQujMGD4OV_e87cAXW4jH2Hf3YxudQ7IZyFIpJ9kDOrvBvfvswplQ_Xn/s400/IMG_4005.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30GrAXnhtAPnx0b8CmvVNqOO-Nczsbk20A1k5vmff-hRVWW0R4FXdlfhZAVxKmfhwF4sMm-GGvz8djrqL9cUK2HgPkx2b1dhjALlSscOjHkxSs4BBfeQakPf7hlicSEnQnGSScQujMGD4OV_e87cAXW4jH2Hf3YxudQ7IZyFIpJ9kDOrvBvfvswplQ_Xn/w480-h640/IMG_4005.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>( Google )</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">If you are a fan of The Walking Dead, you know how happy and excited we are. If you haven't seen The Walking Dead, just know that the original series began in 2010 and was on TV for twelve years. This short series reunites us with some of our most beloved characters and was so well written and acted that it gave us chills! It is so neat to be watching with Flynn because I remember vividly watching the original Walking Dead premiere in 2010, late at night, rocking a not-yet-one-year-old Flynn in my arms. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2b71KHmPsp4IkdrR1pUp7lJzoEvAI0r6DD4YVxi6XAYYvW4iE04FPu3XdoADai08QFJT8eEK4QEc9h9WscUzXWBbv65nnRj6dawzohcBm-VAqlVB2c_f43s8WDIpGiM8pMdL3Mngz_9x6D6N1EOnWo_MXFXy8DGl54bvwDdbzNT2PHiN9qVcinpaF9Tqv/s2435/20240225_172649.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2435" data-original-width="1826" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2b71KHmPsp4IkdrR1pUp7lJzoEvAI0r6DD4YVxi6XAYYvW4iE04FPu3XdoADai08QFJT8eEK4QEc9h9WscUzXWBbv65nnRj6dawzohcBm-VAqlVB2c_f43s8WDIpGiM8pMdL3Mngz_9x6D6N1EOnWo_MXFXy8DGl54bvwDdbzNT2PHiN9qVcinpaF9Tqv/w480-h640/20240225_172649.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">However, The best part of my weekend was talking with my beautiful mom on the phone. Hearing her voice say my name and tell me she loves me and is happy is something I do not take for granted. Each time my sister Margie calls me and hands my mom the phone, I am overcome with happiness and love. Margie sent me this picture of my mom in her room looking out the window onto my hometown's little main street. I thought of all the times she drove on that same street, taking us to school, getting groceries, going to church, and visiting her father and mother in the place she now calls home. I saw the beauty of life in that one beautiful picture of my mom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2muP2tay4L_PmWUDSP5nsvCkFikQHSgq-qBz5qxmbxMzsWIdXqZaDOWfQf1lSOofjmmEYSrtXrGp16Utqc1p6H8Wman0TozbQf28L3iLs8PVP2blpexLU44DOmrN18rbGjf_1AihuBe2MRVAgYg015PVsOXn73PE8dusczgPUZ8aMLxkkClq2SKGGVCE/s3024/IMG_4717.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2muP2tay4L_PmWUDSP5nsvCkFikQHSgq-qBz5qxmbxMzsWIdXqZaDOWfQf1lSOofjmmEYSrtXrGp16Utqc1p6H8Wman0TozbQf28L3iLs8PVP2blpexLU44DOmrN18rbGjf_1AihuBe2MRVAgYg015PVsOXn73PE8dusczgPUZ8aMLxkkClq2SKGGVCE/w640-h640/IMG_4717.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have a cozy Monday, my friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I will be around to visit today!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Billie Jo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-70381613369508001542024-02-23T06:52:00.000-08:002024-02-23T06:52:35.579-08:00February Friday<p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Good morning! I am sitting on the couch with two sleepy pups and a steaming hot cup of coffee. Outside, clouds are moving in, and soon, steady drops of rain will begin to fall. It looks like a cozy day here, and I am happy to oblige. This is how the backyard looked when I took the pups out earlier. I wish you could hear the most beautiful bird song I am treated to each morning here. It is so calming and peaceful. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-gf0yi0xr2m8vKaZq1hwZ2AFnuNnhqoKveil_U0bsvevcsaU6KeUHd6BhpS6oieyiegnCRG7SoHz_xRthFCPcMQipBV1D0K5W3yAf9DzQj7S6OehdGyOW3LfRSEk60rgblQZqmHkujtHe6mG1ZbJxUbvz4JUZciC0tlqOQNav-iwyjqRM_8t2MRbbFxm/s4032/IMG_4684.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2843" data-original-width="4032" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-gf0yi0xr2m8vKaZq1hwZ2AFnuNnhqoKveil_U0bsvevcsaU6KeUHd6BhpS6oieyiegnCRG7SoHz_xRthFCPcMQipBV1D0K5W3yAf9DzQj7S6OehdGyOW3LfRSEk60rgblQZqmHkujtHe6mG1ZbJxUbvz4JUZciC0tlqOQNav-iwyjqRM_8t2MRbbFxm/w640-h452/IMG_4684.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRSDuOXwasJo7uWhXEeDL-y862LtrBqJrXEc9g9FkJqZ4Bo3dr-oT4IFDaRcNiDG9B6EcOsG_JPbygPu9wVOGURH6a7CwPO1Ngg9OldM2pknGZ0QBBsrPOxqmKYfS6mhPITDgEzHykT6YbRz4uKjgg9RsLiPTVcRQ5b7v4HHy6pv4gBF335bZdO5_3dyn/s4032/IMG_4685.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRSDuOXwasJo7uWhXEeDL-y862LtrBqJrXEc9g9FkJqZ4Bo3dr-oT4IFDaRcNiDG9B6EcOsG_JPbygPu9wVOGURH6a7CwPO1Ngg9OldM2pknGZ0QBBsrPOxqmKYfS6mhPITDgEzHykT6YbRz4uKjgg9RsLiPTVcRQ5b7v4HHy6pv4gBF335bZdO5_3dyn/w640-h480/IMG_4685.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our first week here was very much the same, calming and peaceful. Mocha enjoyed lying in the sun in various places around the house.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxywHtpRNYybh-OUBJoHz2V_Ym91vIQvC93TVNcRHV9vPACNb3Wokvzv02f7RVhMA_BPVo82OSQVBRlWfXQHdf-M3YriGO5BqQLxyQToTTxRHriaIeQKPBcTbX5X9LMo076Xh9JJ5zLI5M4wyt7JK3uOODtQCRMHzG4CA6E2HDLJVRe2OgCm31lbdMrtC/s4032/IMG_4892.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxywHtpRNYybh-OUBJoHz2V_Ym91vIQvC93TVNcRHV9vPACNb3Wokvzv02f7RVhMA_BPVo82OSQVBRlWfXQHdf-M3YriGO5BqQLxyQToTTxRHriaIeQKPBcTbX5X9LMo076Xh9JJ5zLI5M4wyt7JK3uOODtQCRMHzG4CA6E2HDLJVRe2OgCm31lbdMrtC/w480-h640/IMG_4892.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Flynn and I enjoyed homeschooling in our cozy little schoolroom and found we had a furry little friend joining in the fun.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLoKBzCbxBzE27sVA-DuRnrtWz81DEHjHxWe66e9VpCr1_P7GkHdVJWcGfVocgR2wW1uCD5z9WS6e4ZEWw7e9GcIW2hACcFh_l6rmlRmtIQCO0UWAI2U5MoKxmwlA2FrJPLYOi7towcPxJ1nt4qXdsUXUxWhiH5rzO0JDuZ11rXetvN0ANyQafv0hMOvjI/s4032/IMG_4635.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLoKBzCbxBzE27sVA-DuRnrtWz81DEHjHxWe66e9VpCr1_P7GkHdVJWcGfVocgR2wW1uCD5z9WS6e4ZEWw7e9GcIW2hACcFh_l6rmlRmtIQCO0UWAI2U5MoKxmwlA2FrJPLYOi7towcPxJ1nt4qXdsUXUxWhiH5rzO0JDuZ11rXetvN0ANyQafv0hMOvjI/w480-h640/IMG_4635.jpeg" width="480" /></a></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/AVvXsEhsLYcGM03vpF9o24e9dUXzzE02P4DEuFDZnHADBZOyaI_rd_fQ5hUPoAQCW9uY2_Umn90vUU0yHnZu0n_HExVDyHSMYtir4rq3IJj9qJKqgVnKeeOuT46r8oue0PBsKRf-JQLwYfkLsyvoiMTfEo0eV9JzQxgtFB7Y_PjXAeYYN3Fj_uWXg-YCM12T6kZt/s3088/IMG_4669.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLYcGM03vpF9o24e9dUXzzE02P4DEuFDZnHADBZOyaI_rd_fQ5hUPoAQCW9uY2_Umn90vUU0yHnZu0n_HExVDyHSMYtir4rq3IJj9qJKqgVnKeeOuT46r8oue0PBsKRf-JQLwYfkLsyvoiMTfEo0eV9JzQxgtFB7Y_PjXAeYYN3Fj_uWXg-YCM12T6kZt/w480-h640/IMG_4669.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We watched and marveled at the different types of birds that visit us daily. (And I resolved to take out the window screens to get better photos of them. )</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5WLBS2f6ctY91TTYxT20RrDHq-O1SxelO4NV7mYhz-VuyKYISEpByVYOiP1rcll8Z0szfsxNAHZeiLL1k25HybHC13elA5cmBuZ1Xdm0LI2Oz2NWi_n4bxE7lMDSZZoHf_XxtF9L8H7NtvrC-VXtdErchwKsf374IY66Di8imvDX4DB_chH8R-eABUAm/s1946/IMG_4664.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1946" data-original-width="1946" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5WLBS2f6ctY91TTYxT20RrDHq-O1SxelO4NV7mYhz-VuyKYISEpByVYOiP1rcll8Z0szfsxNAHZeiLL1k25HybHC13elA5cmBuZ1Xdm0LI2Oz2NWi_n4bxE7lMDSZZoHf_XxtF9L8H7NtvrC-VXtdErchwKsf374IY66Di8imvDX4DB_chH8R-eABUAm/w640-h640/IMG_4664.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I made baked chicken parmesan with roasted broccoli for dinner one night. It was amazing if I do say so myself! I will link the recipe down below. Late in my life, I realized that buying good quality cheese and shredding or grating it yourself drastically improves the quality and taste of your food. It takes a little bit longer but is absolutely worth it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSIpRBge6n_R4loY-kZl7_oYntGfQ2v5UgUGALeeF5StQy3PJV6uT91149gBB86TMfh-dBV3_8sINPN5R1u9A5Vucy45ZUc-KH2y2LTzBu7rPZk_T1ndPLOekHNzIouM95UcK6UxQPQTwxWMArb0_HHwDbXUgCjjiQxpwaDDlZva44G9sfJbgiokT2uwj/s3024/IMG_4645.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSIpRBge6n_R4loY-kZl7_oYntGfQ2v5UgUGALeeF5StQy3PJV6uT91149gBB86TMfh-dBV3_8sINPN5R1u9A5Vucy45ZUc-KH2y2LTzBu7rPZk_T1ndPLOekHNzIouM95UcK6UxQPQTwxWMArb0_HHwDbXUgCjjiQxpwaDDlZva44G9sfJbgiokT2uwj/w640-h640/IMG_4645.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Have a wonderful weekend, my friends. We will enjoy a quiet one here; we plan on attending mass followed by dinner out on Saturday. Then, on Sunday, we will be at the condo on the beach, where weather permitting, we will spend some time with the waves. You know, I used to dread this time of year when I was younger. When I was a teenager sitting in Trigonometry class, the time between Christmas and Easter seemed to drag on forever. Now, I cherish these quiet, somewhat monotonous days. These days, the ordinary ones filled with everyday living, are the days of my life, and I am thankful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaYDGhbi34ibVN7WoSpuH0xEFkRXC7sHs22Du3VCCMOKPltuYbor7zj112TmJNbqnqSypKBkSvhJF1fhuXOVMOpT156NyO1aT4erSgijkmdjGDi9kc9FsxEzDvgp7K754jLguvisNxnwj1YxzpDtdl8vGjDSsad3Fz2a2AjSDUUQ3uvyUk8vu_UYjjSBj/s3024/IMG_4650.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaYDGhbi34ibVN7WoSpuH0xEFkRXC7sHs22Du3VCCMOKPltuYbor7zj112TmJNbqnqSypKBkSvhJF1fhuXOVMOpT156NyO1aT4erSgijkmdjGDi9kc9FsxEzDvgp7K754jLguvisNxnwj1YxzpDtdl8vGjDSsad3Fz2a2AjSDUUQ3uvyUk8vu_UYjjSBj/w640-h640/IMG_4650.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have a cozy weekend, my friends!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Billie Jo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Oh! Here are some responses to a few questions I received lately. Thanks for asking!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Dawn ~ No, I didn't realize Aurora is French for Dawn! She is my very favorite princess. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Colleen ~ No, I haven't heard about The Traitors! Thank you! I am going to check it out today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Jennifer ~ I did homeschool my three other children, although we began in middle school for Peyton and Rhett and high school for Madison. It was actually a cyber school that they all attended, so my job was more or less a facilitator and sometimes an encourager! Flynn was preschool age when we started, and I decided to exclusively homeschool her. We absolutely love homeschooling, and it works wonderfully for our family. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.yummly.com/recipe/Baked-Chicken-Parmesan-9083663">BAKED CHICKEN PARMESAN</a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I did add some Italian seasoning to the panko bread crumb mixture and a bit more sauce than called for.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-16103617628239493952024-02-21T06:42:00.000-08:002024-02-26T06:57:20.482-08:00Wednesday Wondering<p style="text-align: center;"> I wonder...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">...is there a movie you have seen many times but will watch whenever you see it on TV?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCe9TCRaVZiDstbbczorabfgxoDthsHsb34FtSYolioJ0G7T10NEfPxFC0wzczdXVyQlcoZs4l_V9DCZpselKTZ1DNSbuFzylDEFm27zV4AqkD3sosEfG8TW_jFS3FFAWxP_6Y9dDU-XhY17kOMjnp5z1tFK1ZOUgeJQGPfOwYsTtZqSek3rWQPwlDCtG/s1162/IMG_4637.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="1125" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCe9TCRaVZiDstbbczorabfgxoDthsHsb34FtSYolioJ0G7T10NEfPxFC0wzczdXVyQlcoZs4l_V9DCZpselKTZ1DNSbuFzylDEFm27zV4AqkD3sosEfG8TW_jFS3FFAWxP_6Y9dDU-XhY17kOMjnp5z1tFK1ZOUgeJQGPfOwYsTtZqSek3rWQPwlDCtG/w620-h640/IMG_4637.jpeg" width="620" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have a few, but one of my favorites is <i>The Birds.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">...if you've eaten something that you didn't like because you wanted to be polite?</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/a/AVvXsEib5sHrA3aqlg-aj8RQZaG6ft_Bnt2Nwor-Rm2f4602yhuHPjvykFOnI8LZaDkJ_hPaNCmpKCty07W6rhA9I0rxwKBwn5QMqMTDrQ_SYe2e0HaB4-MHnWD9zTSl-7DYi6lp8Jh65CuyBE6eftW-EH2W8L4HBARrY7NaYD0HqDMVVwW95YBxrH_URDibLANt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEib5sHrA3aqlg-aj8RQZaG6ft_Bnt2Nwor-Rm2f4602yhuHPjvykFOnI8LZaDkJ_hPaNCmpKCty07W6rhA9I0rxwKBwn5QMqMTDrQ_SYe2e0HaB4-MHnWD9zTSl-7DYi6lp8Jh65CuyBE6eftW-EH2W8L4HBARrY7NaYD0HqDMVVwW95YBxrH_URDibLANt=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">One time, when I was around ten years old, I was at my friend Karen's house. Her mother made egg salad sandwiches for lunch. I was naturally polite, and I just couldn't tell her I didn't like them. I have not eaten another egg salad sandwich to this day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...if you could be part of any TV family, past or present, for one month, which would you choose?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEgOv4Za__OWdI0FRlgipP3OnlY-it5bqsoAiWekFX_hGIslrOA8hwt3daOAXDSzC10NokzNylTb3K-BRGwJkFANzmCZ5c6FvRIykUn-LPITtgiHPFp7i2MLA0ffQwD2HzkgH4rcbCefTKpiCXTlyv8LwyXDpSxIVUdpJ3r6bftf2fIxlEiQxOn5cMUahNkA/s650/71y3hk+shmS._SY679_.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOv4Za__OWdI0FRlgipP3OnlY-it5bqsoAiWekFX_hGIslrOA8hwt3daOAXDSzC10NokzNylTb3K-BRGwJkFANzmCZ5c6FvRIykUn-LPITtgiHPFp7i2MLA0ffQwD2HzkgH4rcbCefTKpiCXTlyv8LwyXDpSxIVUdpJ3r6bftf2fIxlEiQxOn5cMUahNkA/w492-h640/71y3hk+shmS._SY679_.jpeg" width="492" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This one is easy. I love Tony, Angela, Mona, Samantha, and Jonathan! I love the family dynamic, the house, and the setting. Who's The Boss? was my surrogate family during the four years I was away from home at college. I still watch it when I find it and laugh as much as I used to.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and what is one thing you never learned to do that doesn't bother or affect you today?</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/a/AVvXsEh4kBElyhQODz_rWAO8JGEbqR2FPdhZphiFm6NZCWq2LNoCuL3FZucOZn7lm0MLQbmmjazp0RHBaacHbw2Fp-yF3IzKH0Nnlrytf42t7GLFmpRse4CcVsnLEXUjDEWEYBQcxJ9T8LMYlsINC86RuZtZICCHUnMy08-NlXCtVCySIhYYFCH4UsuWLgwn4qtZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1536" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4kBElyhQODz_rWAO8JGEbqR2FPdhZphiFm6NZCWq2LNoCuL3FZucOZn7lm0MLQbmmjazp0RHBaacHbw2Fp-yF3IzKH0Nnlrytf42t7GLFmpRse4CcVsnLEXUjDEWEYBQcxJ9T8LMYlsINC86RuZtZICCHUnMy08-NlXCtVCySIhYYFCH4UsuWLgwn4qtZ=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">One thing I never learned to do is pump gas. Yep. I have never pumped gas into my car! I have no real reason other than I never had to because Steve ran his family car dealerships for our entire marriage. If I had a car that needed gas, he would take it to work and fill it up. Rhett is old enough now to do it for me, too. It isn't a social statement; I just can't stand the smell!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope you share your answers here, my friends. It is always fun learning new things about each other. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have a cozy day, and thanks for visiting!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Billie Jo</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Google for the images!</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-13628251036666865352024-02-19T07:15:00.000-08:002024-02-19T07:15:11.916-08:00Monday Morning Coffee<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuP9T3x5T_ekQXs3E4eE-iTxnEuX3OO_EE_7bbUr_yIIkjDjzrF2Qz2C9Eb1zHOR5hhHdB6CXQVNBLcCGv9mH8AILUWRHz_m-UZauRqNELPQPELaGqkLcABnLNTcrK3ZhnDAWRmfZQvxlcK4MjEtrppXsHDKjvqhfV5E6NsKcEtk9Vv5IqGuXRqDPirC6N/s4032/IMG_4628.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuP9T3x5T_ekQXs3E4eE-iTxnEuX3OO_EE_7bbUr_yIIkjDjzrF2Qz2C9Eb1zHOR5hhHdB6CXQVNBLcCGv9mH8AILUWRHz_m-UZauRqNELPQPELaGqkLcABnLNTcrK3ZhnDAWRmfZQvxlcK4MjEtrppXsHDKjvqhfV5E6NsKcEtk9Vv5IqGuXRqDPirC6N/w480-h640/IMG_4628.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Happy Monday, my friends! I hope your weekend was lovely, cozy, quiet, or productive, whatever you hoped it would be. We settled in here and went to a beautiful Saturday evening mass and dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant. I enjoyed my favorite Italian dish, Chicken Cacciatore. Every time we went there with my dad, he ordered that, so now, I do too. With a ginger ale. In honor of him!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-GuZfMqMzLBMJcTdiBJlTj4FZT4tDjXNpUdk8jmIUDzSF3ky0RQvI6nsJ8ad6P0CXxE4lOxY7m0cejwTi_BftWM0sn8Bmd1oIlnfn3BzwrRSOYw1a9BKI0qkW1QqW77LD6_N-c7PEX_wP550-T01J4nRBYCjR9ZaHpvmW-iXi7qPG-J0WiaR2s1Zh_Tc/s4032/IMG_4604.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-GuZfMqMzLBMJcTdiBJlTj4FZT4tDjXNpUdk8jmIUDzSF3ky0RQvI6nsJ8ad6P0CXxE4lOxY7m0cejwTi_BftWM0sn8Bmd1oIlnfn3BzwrRSOYw1a9BKI0qkW1QqW77LD6_N-c7PEX_wP550-T01J4nRBYCjR9ZaHpvmW-iXi7qPG-J0WiaR2s1Zh_Tc/w480-h640/IMG_4604.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I spend mornings here in the kitchen by the fire with the pups, my coffee, and my prayers. I am a morning person, and I enjoy the quiet stillness of the world waking up around me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrK9fgFQcg-_RDGd9QgQGD1I57pN0kv2gWrHDga3_4euPjbANtG4vgHmdhF2AgEo5oKsQtd-41YGbbtUFzS2PZXYg8EjkrllZMOz_F2Dc79OI_TOF-1URxu1NIRcFudK50KOeQzK2oBU1-W-cBH3KMqfnQq_GPt1Ajt349eteE5qNLg-Fm4DNssnpoCkIa/s4032/IMG_4615.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrK9fgFQcg-_RDGd9QgQGD1I57pN0kv2gWrHDga3_4euPjbANtG4vgHmdhF2AgEo5oKsQtd-41YGbbtUFzS2PZXYg8EjkrllZMOz_F2Dc79OI_TOF-1URxu1NIRcFudK50KOeQzK2oBU1-W-cBH3KMqfnQq_GPt1Ajt349eteE5qNLg-Fm4DNssnpoCkIa/w640-h480/IMG_4615.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We spent yesterday at the condo, watching the waves from inside because it was cold! We had some takeout for dinner and watched an episode of our current binge, Gilmore Girls, before returning to the house for a shower, jammies, and cozy time on the couch. I could have walked several miles, organized my garage, cooked and froze a month's worth of meals, and washed all my makeup brushes, but let's face it. You know me better than that. I did none of those things. I rested, called my mom, read a book, and watched TV. That is me. After all these years, I am comfortable being myself. And so should you, my friends. Just do you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Today, Flynn and I will homeschool. We will dive into the world of PreAlgebra and square roots, learn about infinitive phrases and comma splices in Language Arts, continue a study of Lent in Religion, follow the rule of Peter the Great in World History, and figure out how the water cycle affects the weather in Science. When I think back to teaching Flynn the vowel sounds and basic math facts, I am so thankful we took on this homeschool journey, as it is so rewarding to watch the progression of knowledge from preschool to middle school with your own child. Plus, we have a whole lot of fun!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Dinner tonight is Baked Chicken Parmesan with broccoli and French bread. I need to place a small grocery order and then get going and start the day! Tonight is Bachelor Monday, and I am ready! This show is ridiculous in theory but entertaining just the same. Have a wonderful day, my friends. Thanks for stopping in. I will be around to check in with you tonight!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Billie Jo</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-78176170611607347022024-02-16T08:51:00.000-08:002024-02-16T08:55:25.378-08:00Friday Photos<p style="text-align: justify;">Hello! Happy Friday! How was your Valentine's Day? Madison and Nicolas invited us to a Valentine's Day dinner at their house. She served her most delicious macaroni and cheese with steamed broccoli, and Nicolas made unbelievable chocolate lava cakes! </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_NRVrQ2oM2NCWkGUsqi_7C5JyTO8LibIJP3ntccB1D1yqjVNQpngdOPWmqOb03oxnHUK8wp52CRZaFRVQh-jDftmcCVzUdhxBHnq_-9YxH1xrFseDWUnIWS5yWobf_iQ_YpvtR2SqR5QmGmTPTH1jUYx-R9u1M7RwJ-PYiFsGz-UCX_Zi5U713NjKAK4/s4032/IMG_9036.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_NRVrQ2oM2NCWkGUsqi_7C5JyTO8LibIJP3ntccB1D1yqjVNQpngdOPWmqOb03oxnHUK8wp52CRZaFRVQh-jDftmcCVzUdhxBHnq_-9YxH1xrFseDWUnIWS5yWobf_iQ_YpvtR2SqR5QmGmTPTH1jUYx-R9u1M7RwJ-PYiFsGz-UCX_Zi5U713NjKAK4/w480-h640/IMG_9036.jpeg" width="480" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsPFcNRQLNItUqjf3urJIZWqzUSzN3QO2Qm2eYWUyBSBiwHEjPYyFTv7IxC2VAvcoFhBQCG66s-hSFVqvN7f-hWwbUMHa_KO_t-chY72a1qrmoVy7nMCAufC-qmaWc87Wx77l8SKByv_XslbzGP-94MC60CmnfH7qVAr2lDvAImNe1qq3Ez0S_WiwSyks/s4032/IMG_8405.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsPFcNRQLNItUqjf3urJIZWqzUSzN3QO2Qm2eYWUyBSBiwHEjPYyFTv7IxC2VAvcoFhBQCG66s-hSFVqvN7f-hWwbUMHa_KO_t-chY72a1qrmoVy7nMCAufC-qmaWc87Wx77l8SKByv_XslbzGP-94MC60CmnfH7qVAr2lDvAImNe1qq3Ez0S_WiwSyks/w480-h640/IMG_8405.jpeg" width="480" /></a></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/AVvXsEjZSrPZ_EEmOj32dlYl35nRShyRK1pfZneIRoRoDfR1RnkwSR40gTO6H5c8enbd0cpYkLBzxqqFK8uyiAjYoKfOpy34k_YrSCRO6aAXEY9UPhfX4kz6q3GhwwXmkifm4tSq-31SOoJDoSAzR2txUsx209wPzjCOcWBKLE3IgUfBmTRD8_O0ebF5IvkGNU_I/s4032/IMG_4567.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSrPZ_EEmOj32dlYl35nRShyRK1pfZneIRoRoDfR1RnkwSR40gTO6H5c8enbd0cpYkLBzxqqFK8uyiAjYoKfOpy34k_YrSCRO6aAXEY9UPhfX4kz6q3GhwwXmkifm4tSq-31SOoJDoSAzR2txUsx209wPzjCOcWBKLE3IgUfBmTRD8_O0ebF5IvkGNU_I/w480-h640/IMG_4567.jpeg" width="480" /></a></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/AVvXsEgvEEYDYvMEhWWjZgnfAFpEfyhGPVCMUut2NAYg0HEyKegBxkobH1GMLw8iPWVV4joZhqCKpWV-pyTRuverOw3CdhQXa5MD2OBoUl8A4M96uL7uq9uJiJl0VGhWQSNTdjru449_ASHf_L4ufU2rbaV5zluXX-0zDZjibeIGkUdkaSImuY5ubH8rtKEIR-9_/s4032/IMG_9032.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEEYDYvMEhWWjZgnfAFpEfyhGPVCMUut2NAYg0HEyKegBxkobH1GMLw8iPWVV4joZhqCKpWV-pyTRuverOw3CdhQXa5MD2OBoUl8A4M96uL7uq9uJiJl0VGhWQSNTdjru449_ASHf_L4ufU2rbaV5zluXX-0zDZjibeIGkUdkaSImuY5ubH8rtKEIR-9_/w480-h640/IMG_9032.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">She had her table set beautifully, with a chocolate heart at each place setting. I noticed immediately because that is how I used to set our Valentine's table. What a wonderful feeling it is, as a mother, to watch your children grow and carry special parts of their childhood with them into their adult lives. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Although we couldn't be together for this special day like we used to be all those years ago, we did share pictures of our meals, and I was so proud of and happy for my children. Peyton made seafood lasagna and a skillet cookie for herself and Christopher...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJOWvMt9aPQjgXIyEgUCDZ4qq2rWA9xoSd1p38FFlYnQrExS8osoF6ud38CKOfCcAR-37TghDpq43R2Lk4DXRrCIZmcuUcOX3oWlIJEQfHm50MEuHX4-75833Dlk3rqyf5EG89t-T2FdKBRRWvHkpAWWtbztzzKSjfAO25CtIlRbT5n35AL19olx8zS6H/s4032/IMG_5351.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJOWvMt9aPQjgXIyEgUCDZ4qq2rWA9xoSd1p38FFlYnQrExS8osoF6ud38CKOfCcAR-37TghDpq43R2Lk4DXRrCIZmcuUcOX3oWlIJEQfHm50MEuHX4-75833Dlk3rqyf5EG89t-T2FdKBRRWvHkpAWWtbztzzKSjfAO25CtIlRbT5n35AL19olx8zS6H/w480-h640/IMG_5351.jpeg" width="480" /></a></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/AVvXsEhp2-ZzSAJlVnwsv5FzqgBmDGuJ5x449k-CWQmFOFtrqfKNZSbKKbKHX2N5PdRFRs9kGriiIFAqttMWAMAYsuI6yr9RQZizS04gtqyjnrMap_VPzjT2PIb4rsXl5ocS86XSPyu7MPK24oiMjlSO4-UjAq7YAXCA1aLRif8QMIDrS1sRLj9BfEfWyb4WqBr6/s4032/IMG_5353.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2-ZzSAJlVnwsv5FzqgBmDGuJ5x449k-CWQmFOFtrqfKNZSbKKbKHX2N5PdRFRs9kGriiIFAqttMWAMAYsuI6yr9RQZizS04gtqyjnrMap_VPzjT2PIb4rsXl5ocS86XSPyu7MPK24oiMjlSO4-UjAq7YAXCA1aLRif8QMIDrS1sRLj9BfEfWyb4WqBr6/w480-h640/IMG_5353.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">And Kyrstin prepared a delicious looking meal of chicken parmesan and chocolate-covered strawberries for Rhett and her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8KWEhLOPiaylJvghlsZpWfrNW_avYqptXkn2wpO3zrfkhPsQwBam6ZhKSzHcEG2w0B77MKIBrZAj713aIKPawTnmkeL35bgx_1dY5rqQwLcdVKlzvicEysMTIyt-Y4aF-_2MbN7_d38EijevfGyMUZI4nz1LXrBVhe-tC8Ug8bCbH8TebL7mulTQfNUM/s4032/IMG_9161.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8KWEhLOPiaylJvghlsZpWfrNW_avYqptXkn2wpO3zrfkhPsQwBam6ZhKSzHcEG2w0B77MKIBrZAj713aIKPawTnmkeL35bgx_1dY5rqQwLcdVKlzvicEysMTIyt-Y4aF-_2MbN7_d38EijevfGyMUZI4nz1LXrBVhe-tC8Ug8bCbH8TebL7mulTQfNUM/w480-h640/IMG_9161.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Although we may not realize it then, the simple acts of love, care, and fun we share with our children become a part of who they are and what they want to repeat in their adult lives.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In other news, we packed up the car late yesterday afternoon, hopped in, and ended up back here!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDC6CK1X6GBhzGxp5VoJYPNAODU7cQkmkGeh35wLEUp3p-gSI7bpUyKWhrhX6-s8QZEsI1kDku_RLCtX6wbjT6E2vF-SoMFZJSMMUtzfFIa79UDYdVqCoEb_bJmOQJG9tUAw6DJLGvY4g2JKNduUoXXJ82Ov6oySd8tPli5dIE9mE1o-b52wKDrN8v8kL/s4032/IMG_8421.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDC6CK1X6GBhzGxp5VoJYPNAODU7cQkmkGeh35wLEUp3p-gSI7bpUyKWhrhX6-s8QZEsI1kDku_RLCtX6wbjT6E2vF-SoMFZJSMMUtzfFIa79UDYdVqCoEb_bJmOQJG9tUAw6DJLGvY4g2JKNduUoXXJ82Ov6oySd8tPli5dIE9mE1o-b52wKDrN8v8kL/w480-h640/IMG_8421.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Yep! We are back at the beach for a bit, looking forward to a cozy winter here. I'll leave you with this Google image that may or may not illustrate portions of our drive.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Z0hSDI2eXMHl6XZJ7x3qmuCcNGuUWpCEr8rJO_SvyC0lrUzdS_6rN6ROcwElDjEcy1e12Up15_oUujW91deBeGCqgysPzWImrtBzJxq3JrWD6K0aYgE0X3xxynAvnE_M55lI6JbkNZhUk9Ge5r4N4LUnX2qwtFalIk3xdMl4pTvgl8tmEF1SMBZMMZtV/s700/road-trip-meme-joke-00105-prep.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Z0hSDI2eXMHl6XZJ7x3qmuCcNGuUWpCEr8rJO_SvyC0lrUzdS_6rN6ROcwElDjEcy1e12Up15_oUujW91deBeGCqgysPzWImrtBzJxq3JrWD6K0aYgE0X3xxynAvnE_M55lI6JbkNZhUk9Ge5r4N4LUnX2qwtFalIk3xdMl4pTvgl8tmEF1SMBZMMZtV/w640-h640/road-trip-meme-joke-00105-prep.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Guess which one is me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, and here is a cozy puppy picture because we should end the week in a cozy way.</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/AVvXsEjYD7oAJrsVYiJ4Z0ZSlYtAxi6Bva56SutbmaxrVRFQNi7KFBzZvE9mwuUQidALymigpkwVpTV7N6c3w7TTNiVN-hd9PPCR0jGLZkGJAwLz_vRC8kx79Uy_DxHe_PEuRu4SmBQX11n493xmbaB_CLPbAfJM40CTQnGTHMikRB38bNPEas9Et5fACe6I1Xxn/s4032/IMG_4546.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYD7oAJrsVYiJ4Z0ZSlYtAxi6Bva56SutbmaxrVRFQNi7KFBzZvE9mwuUQidALymigpkwVpTV7N6c3w7TTNiVN-hd9PPCR0jGLZkGJAwLz_vRC8kx79Uy_DxHe_PEuRu4SmBQX11n493xmbaB_CLPbAfJM40CTQnGTHMikRB38bNPEas9Et5fACe6I1Xxn/w480-h640/IMG_4546.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have a nice weekend, my friends. Thanks for visiting. I'm always happy you do!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Billie Jo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh! One more thing! I received a nice comment on a post earlier this week. Please feel free to comment on any blogs you know of, including yours!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #5a1710; font-family: Vollkorn; font-size: 30px; text-align: justify;">I just love your blog. There is such a cozy feel when I read it.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #5a1710; font-family: Vollkorn; font-size: 30px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #5a1710; font-family: Vollkorn; font-size: 30px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #5a1710; font-family: Vollkorn; font-size: 30px; text-align: justify;">I got a question for you and your readers. I'm trying to find current/active blogs, that still have this classic blogspot feel, that talk about all the holidays - decorating for them, cooking and baking for them...stuff like that. Do any of you know of any? Thank you!</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-38827342132643096832024-02-14T04:55:00.000-08:002024-02-14T04:55:58.611-08:00Hearts And Ashes<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today is Valentine's Day! It's time for all the red, pink, flowers, and chocolate we can cram into one day! </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/AVvXsEg5aHbYnJ32GHEAk-NtjM8ot_enGRWAMvgdL3XB5S_VdISv-gSyCX6S49YPsCbbZ9g98WNhTvBRMWj4zRY7MwmOC-CZZ1JRtPDF8IR4ocdNemE7qOqq8KjQmPCR1IopvryDpeGLOLsqLOje_qBCmIzC3Fyl-dwcB-SLq1lrOL9AO8grSk6aq_llP193TIvU/s4032/IMG_4542.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aHbYnJ32GHEAk-NtjM8ot_enGRWAMvgdL3XB5S_VdISv-gSyCX6S49YPsCbbZ9g98WNhTvBRMWj4zRY7MwmOC-CZZ1JRtPDF8IR4ocdNemE7qOqq8KjQmPCR1IopvryDpeGLOLsqLOje_qBCmIzC3Fyl-dwcB-SLq1lrOL9AO8grSk6aq_llP193TIvU/w480-h640/IMG_4542.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But wait. Today is also Ash Wednesday. Time for fasting, penance, and prayer. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibK3LnxTCZApp7009rxqtuRQ8ZWSaNQfDHp2qj8FZ3RzHty8JcDTKIh8PUiDS6hGJP4ztVGiz0OAFl6te_IXKU55qF1WuVoJ7UJwr6-y2FzmtF8G_yD73g00JonrFefF_Psje146qKL-1RpNrg3BSnPg7DSyx8Afh2Rn5SuT9TK3hU_8U4CvV4SuehaYKq/s640/94D916A3-4EB2-43EF-B874-88C8716466C2_1_201_a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibK3LnxTCZApp7009rxqtuRQ8ZWSaNQfDHp2qj8FZ3RzHty8JcDTKIh8PUiDS6hGJP4ztVGiz0OAFl6te_IXKU55qF1WuVoJ7UJwr6-y2FzmtF8G_yD73g00JonrFefF_Psje146qKL-1RpNrg3BSnPg7DSyx8Afh2Rn5SuT9TK3hU_8U4CvV4SuehaYKq/w640-h426/94D916A3-4EB2-43EF-B874-88C8716466C2_1_201_a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Combining the two may be a challenge, but I am ready to give it a try!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Valentine's Day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And, if you observe, a Blessed Ash Wednesday, too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">BillieJo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-56655889193199518192024-02-12T05:36:00.000-08:002024-02-12T05:36:13.479-08:00Monday Morning Coffee Talk<p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Good Monday morning! We had balmy weather over the weekend, but expect a winter storm tonight! Saturday felt and smelled like spring. You know what I mean? Tomorrow is supposed to look and feel like winter. We shall see!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIcE-vYriNPCcABg0cY7lMLutoRD_tG3QnhJsgK9G6fraitrhTU-jS4rlSmM79Am5m9mGHwjB3pZsvO4-oJ0kaoPgLmS9f5bGK0I-2pWPDJY4Gu8T0PhVJWNibB1VIEKiPh668TXmSDfhGBOIzZ3MaxCs5fd-4WSWtcjNXbgf-rAN8l_1pUxWY9SMXaRV/s4032/IMG_4535.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIcE-vYriNPCcABg0cY7lMLutoRD_tG3QnhJsgK9G6fraitrhTU-jS4rlSmM79Am5m9mGHwjB3pZsvO4-oJ0kaoPgLmS9f5bGK0I-2pWPDJY4Gu8T0PhVJWNibB1VIEKiPh668TXmSDfhGBOIzZ3MaxCs5fd-4WSWtcjNXbgf-rAN8l_1pUxWY9SMXaRV/w480-h640/IMG_4535.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Saturday was a wonderful day! Here, I am documenting that fact with a car selfie. Do we even take selfies anymore? Is there an age limit on selfie-taking? What exactly is selfie-taking etiquette? Anyway, Steve and I traveled to see Mom on Saturday! </div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5yROXVNCprFNpZCVX1UVkkk6Pu3Hnyz6govk2oUfkIGE5CDFoO_9o-C1kqoavsRU7zP88cMHKB0oThv6FcZtx78_YR9aDZbXU-NdTVPMEPgDpwRpS9_gcpZfXOqcWeorHmNDWjx5vVCZBsn7Lw46goG_2CU-hw6T60dA9DqXlu6ILqSIaZWPaPCRQFAy/s3088/IMG_4510.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5yROXVNCprFNpZCVX1UVkkk6Pu3Hnyz6govk2oUfkIGE5CDFoO_9o-C1kqoavsRU7zP88cMHKB0oThv6FcZtx78_YR9aDZbXU-NdTVPMEPgDpwRpS9_gcpZfXOqcWeorHmNDWjx5vVCZBsn7Lw46goG_2CU-hw6T60dA9DqXlu6ILqSIaZWPaPCRQFAy/w480-h640/IMG_4510.jpeg" width="480" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">We had a wonderful visit! My sister Margie and her husband joined us there, and after Mom's lunch, we visited and played cards. My mom loves cards. Many of my favorite memories include late nights of 500 with my mom, grandma, and uncles around a card table for hours. This day, we played Go Fish, and Mom was the winner! After a wonderful visit with her, we spent some time at Margie's before heading home, filled with happiness for the blessing of an afternoon with my mom.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdM5tCeq6bmj5ZHp2Qk4sfY61CGldhiDKINFR4cJvtJ41Qw76RTPAecb0w7nIiyOLE6cLW6ea1Xcf60pspqApV2f8W976fu9QeyW4ogkqwBaEHhXltjSFmP52Vpx86c_ywM_Jd4jViiLMCi6CfsH4Die-LIpBug_tmbxuuEN8QodfY5V2lfu7y9JBDnUU/s4032/IMG_4856.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdM5tCeq6bmj5ZHp2Qk4sfY61CGldhiDKINFR4cJvtJ41Qw76RTPAecb0w7nIiyOLE6cLW6ea1Xcf60pspqApV2f8W976fu9QeyW4ogkqwBaEHhXltjSFmP52Vpx86c_ywM_Jd4jViiLMCi6CfsH4Die-LIpBug_tmbxuuEN8QodfY5V2lfu7y9JBDnUU/w480-h640/IMG_4856.jpeg" width="480" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Waiting at home for us? This cute little thing! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyopzlx1tC50MF4QZMCN7GZeoEu7e-khV2lqI2xtGXNhugmNRfVPMk3oarlUdKf5NF5iFKnclQqz_5cD2HpsDZepul_PNEZGXnMyN101jQO6Y858Ke4kh_Jhyphenhyphen3NI0r6C4CQI3mTNNRCPdeJLHwWkpGKUF6J9OuL1B0jRhbi5fXVkdNYIEjTG3VGOv3m5SW/s4032/IMG_8313.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyopzlx1tC50MF4QZMCN7GZeoEu7e-khV2lqI2xtGXNhugmNRfVPMk3oarlUdKf5NF5iFKnclQqz_5cD2HpsDZepul_PNEZGXnMyN101jQO6Y858Ke4kh_Jhyphenhyphen3NI0r6C4CQI3mTNNRCPdeJLHwWkpGKUF6J9OuL1B0jRhbi5fXVkdNYIEjTG3VGOv3m5SW/w480-h640/IMG_8313.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As well as this much more sophisticated one.</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/AVvXsEiIjn9ZIU75bBKbpMq3lR_gURaimfhnJQyEkDND8S1bHWvvqM2mLTcB7Ee77Tzz7VomwmS9utPmL26ugnb8QjNip12K1Lli3MY_Nw-24pbOWkW17kinspMTe76w_KYiRgG_hUC1iHwh71uM2-SoNfoOtk2BzXu-wYRiYK3nU2bfR_PyzuFv0zeL8InoXeoz/s4032/IMG_4464.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjn9ZIU75bBKbpMq3lR_gURaimfhnJQyEkDND8S1bHWvvqM2mLTcB7Ee77Tzz7VomwmS9utPmL26ugnb8QjNip12K1Lli3MY_Nw-24pbOWkW17kinspMTe76w_KYiRgG_hUC1iHwh71uM2-SoNfoOtk2BzXu-wYRiYK3nU2bfR_PyzuFv0zeL8InoXeoz/w480-h640/IMG_4464.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The rest of the weekend passed in a blur of dinner with the kids, writing out bills and cards, and debating whether or not to make the bed. Spoiler: I didn't. Steve made hot sausage sandwiches for dinner last night, and we watched the game together. Congratulations to the winners as well as the others, who I hesitate to call losers because playing the sport you love in the most crucial game of the year really doesn't constitute losers to me, although I am sure they feel horrible. The highlight for me was Post Malone and his guitar, singing America the Beautiful. His rendition was a much-needed break and was respectfully beautiful in an over-the-top, chaotic, dizzying, commotion-filled arena. Plus. I love his music. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Today, we will homeschool, wait for the storm, and eat leftover hot sausage. Later this week, we plan on heading back to the other house for a month or so. Yay! Have a cozy day, my friends. Thanks for visiting!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Billie Jo</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-67459588305000934182024-02-09T06:29:00.000-08:002024-02-21T07:27:42.917-08:00All The Things<p style="text-align: justify;">I was trying to come up with a title for this one, and after several unsuccessful attempts, I settled on one that covers everything. First, this beautiful couple, our firstborn and her Nicolas, are celebrating their fifth anniversary today!<span style="text-align: justify;"> I have always told my kids that God knows who your person is long before you do. Madison's person is an amazing, caring, loving, handsome young man who grew up across the ocean in Denmark. God brought them together, and we couldn't be happier!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvnYS4XIPAfhyphenhyphenAnf4nbwspL3smgqcIDK0LwRXJSOn8hl1ntHGxFU_S8tWXvc7K1FJuUKPkNfvU0QaT5iuriXx_ILXncX951OGVp93aJSVwNyfOWflMS4eySKLMv-mbWl4l7Mw7AA42OYzLaZpVw5zAAETKaQXxHLfUiuHyw2ojpQdVRgLSWl7WHrpxGdg/s640/DSC_0184.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="429" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvnYS4XIPAfhyphenhyphenAnf4nbwspL3smgqcIDK0LwRXJSOn8hl1ntHGxFU_S8tWXvc7K1FJuUKPkNfvU0QaT5iuriXx_ILXncX951OGVp93aJSVwNyfOWflMS4eySKLMv-mbWl4l7Mw7AA42OYzLaZpVw5zAAETKaQXxHLfUiuHyw2ojpQdVRgLSWl7WHrpxGdg/w430-h640/DSC_0184.jpg" width="430" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">I am happy to be a morning person, and this is why.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhFafZcujcmeSpfb8sTRxODcHwb5a7Aq9q2VyBD8Wlmlx0MPM3cdPBrdlarBPbACpwOajPqiTx2CVUoCP0KgtKP9T_OzVlDq7P5U0vvpbjCbcYiavW6rZ1zHJXW4j7WnSFOkzawgDCVx0jAbxtWoqM4QL_7fRpiSlS-60L5zyFkPIXlLicL3JabRHYN9U/s4842/IMG_8020.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3228" data-original-width="4842" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhFafZcujcmeSpfb8sTRxODcHwb5a7Aq9q2VyBD8Wlmlx0MPM3cdPBrdlarBPbACpwOajPqiTx2CVUoCP0KgtKP9T_OzVlDq7P5U0vvpbjCbcYiavW6rZ1zHJXW4j7WnSFOkzawgDCVx0jAbxtWoqM4QL_7fRpiSlS-60L5zyFkPIXlLicL3JabRHYN9U/w640-h426/IMG_8020.jpeg" width="640" /></a></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4OHVM8wA7fWaD43KfwkqGIP9ywIXi7o2zHyJvkVbFuvtyEk_xI3u7mYi1uWp4EWc0zx5pedCghkCZrDWZYUqS2FA2UrEEXgCoqq7Cal4BH7nM3RZrHB-pJg-s5NYjiF8CxlE5TOAkp6SEbJuafMJfnZurKj38GYE1S0ff0DMnmw8KaBqK-fedQ-9_Fiq/s5184/IMG_8021.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4OHVM8wA7fWaD43KfwkqGIP9ywIXi7o2zHyJvkVbFuvtyEk_xI3u7mYi1uWp4EWc0zx5pedCghkCZrDWZYUqS2FA2UrEEXgCoqq7Cal4BH7nM3RZrHB-pJg-s5NYjiF8CxlE5TOAkp6SEbJuafMJfnZurKj38GYE1S0ff0DMnmw8KaBqK-fedQ-9_Fiq/w640-h426/IMG_8021.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsUVluKh7c_gbR8lIXiQkvJFwMsg0Uuk6bpjOUww7tjzaA7DmcpCjsmTr255_xBxgElX0uo9PGkg9_H12AXQVZMHtGf5zJ9UGZQyc6C9fGSOD8s1WyjnonGIZ1sjJKmGZixnoxqlsch8Er5Qb5pE0iWxM15l0VNV-B63B1_2zvzYJtZxGGs4A81aorMze/s5184/IMG_8022.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsUVluKh7c_gbR8lIXiQkvJFwMsg0Uuk6bpjOUww7tjzaA7DmcpCjsmTr255_xBxgElX0uo9PGkg9_H12AXQVZMHtGf5zJ9UGZQyc6C9fGSOD8s1WyjnonGIZ1sjJKmGZixnoxqlsch8Er5Qb5pE0iWxM15l0VNV-B63B1_2zvzYJtZxGGs4A81aorMze/w640-h426/IMG_8022.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLxmN2rdf6IBgQ_qBQ0mRY_5kS8l4M3xCAzQEw8KzKATZDH-_h6wi2CBwtYo3BIHoDuN3w4eQprrGWubqBVPO4GSlIVT5eJ9AvvGSfwIEr5p1hAZzZDDMf4EVoObAiwTEvxWlLO95X6maJpthb0h10yspTlk3Lh2aSfJyWm9DaRu6fHUzLH-TirGx0ZEj/s5184/IMG_8023.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLxmN2rdf6IBgQ_qBQ0mRY_5kS8l4M3xCAzQEw8KzKATZDH-_h6wi2CBwtYo3BIHoDuN3w4eQprrGWubqBVPO4GSlIVT5eJ9AvvGSfwIEr5p1hAZzZDDMf4EVoObAiwTEvxWlLO95X6maJpthb0h10yspTlk3Lh2aSfJyWm9DaRu6fHUzLH-TirGx0ZEj/w640-h426/IMG_8023.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5uKcPZumo4UdWDro5CYcTxzgFVKlSjW1_svRUCkJibrbs2nmoi586rGS2dy9EPJ9HnS7AaglBeTydXdzyargdDPY6UiATSJT8GrkY0QL0TV-FX75kItxKKO9NpLkSFphfOTqovintkPUpA2xctpMVfPPzXp2tFYVGAKT8nKiUQeYEsAIi-FZBMo0YTDn/s5184/IMG_8024.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5uKcPZumo4UdWDro5CYcTxzgFVKlSjW1_svRUCkJibrbs2nmoi586rGS2dy9EPJ9HnS7AaglBeTydXdzyargdDPY6UiATSJT8GrkY0QL0TV-FX75kItxKKO9NpLkSFphfOTqovintkPUpA2xctpMVfPPzXp2tFYVGAKT8nKiUQeYEsAIi-FZBMo0YTDn/w640-h426/IMG_8024.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rYbPO_s1OJ6wyytOTI_arfZHfonips_2nKrNBDc7LpmArGREV-Lha4GOzw54J0kPNVaqdJ6hJfJodb7RyVZ83TcBkuzxsR71ds68vjOCW_FfN2cK-NblvEpGs7uv6LRk7SFTcPYsfTKATmzu28bg93Z5gU6sJT8DmIYXcSiBdV69GXNozz0IX_S0cDIT/s5184/IMG_8025.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rYbPO_s1OJ6wyytOTI_arfZHfonips_2nKrNBDc7LpmArGREV-Lha4GOzw54J0kPNVaqdJ6hJfJodb7RyVZ83TcBkuzxsR71ds68vjOCW_FfN2cK-NblvEpGs7uv6LRk7SFTcPYsfTKATmzu28bg93Z5gU6sJT8DmIYXcSiBdV69GXNozz0IX_S0cDIT/w640-h426/IMG_8025.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This week, we lost an amazing country music artist, Toby Keith, and have been playing his songs on repeat every day. If you are unfamiliar with Toby Keith, and even if you are not currently a country music fan, look up the song he wrote after 9/11. It is called Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTFEBfYjET5DAFDxZhfDooqDJw9tKqx9IAKEKfvj9bNlgUJWAxxy0UqoKAXb8o8kbh5U_WTqAfoyxkaJxEZF79qDKotVxffA9jA8vchkCnUC7IhkdM_lthUr6PdaO8trqQVjS7EPRBiStGNgm4aXi09vCB7x-a2SwwuBW9acR2Xu4ktC3n_IaB-rLXlzO/s1265/IMG_4466.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1265" data-original-width="1108" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTFEBfYjET5DAFDxZhfDooqDJw9tKqx9IAKEKfvj9bNlgUJWAxxy0UqoKAXb8o8kbh5U_WTqAfoyxkaJxEZF79qDKotVxffA9jA8vchkCnUC7IhkdM_lthUr6PdaO8trqQVjS7EPRBiStGNgm4aXi09vCB7x-a2SwwuBW9acR2Xu4ktC3n_IaB-rLXlzO/w560-h640/IMG_4466.jpeg" width="560" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2zaU8rp0r31LpvwUtCCWJpeVZYrV7120vWyKwvygy1m-LIdXBsQTQN0XjfDYZkkq1qIC9kCPTnvM1S6TZxt3xif9GEBbS2q1zPDdornNX7Gu7B5KmTCAO8bdyAVWAryoEb71KvsYa1mhioVZIUqP39_p2OdQBrjtYjVDFW5WQjLoGTbYbSi9E4GFDPcE/s1516/IMG_4451.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="1125" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2zaU8rp0r31LpvwUtCCWJpeVZYrV7120vWyKwvygy1m-LIdXBsQTQN0XjfDYZkkq1qIC9kCPTnvM1S6TZxt3xif9GEBbS2q1zPDdornNX7Gu7B5KmTCAO8bdyAVWAryoEb71KvsYa1mhioVZIUqP39_p2OdQBrjtYjVDFW5WQjLoGTbYbSi9E4GFDPcE/w474-h640/IMG_4451.jpeg" width="474" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Peyton and Chris had us all for dinner last night. I smiled when I saw her table. I remember setting the table like that when my kids were young. It is a fun little thing that Peyton remembers from her childhood, and isn't that just every mom's wish? She made veal chop parmigiana, and we had chocolate fondue for dessert! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcLkKIFYOQAw5FGzWyo293Tf-kZSbQy2ieRFQe7e_GF1J8xkafLiIWEttIyjaylUlE4FDoSV3JmYMQ0pljmy4QsSuDNkxfk1LDJ2_L4QbkSXm3h0pnONmEQjWkfFzlDMVjRebhLaJ3YXwxOOdCEZhrMSJuzdbg9yLlQ-gwjjNPi5cQILoOTxJhVLjfpo6/s2188/IMG_4481.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2188" data-original-width="2188" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcLkKIFYOQAw5FGzWyo293Tf-kZSbQy2ieRFQe7e_GF1J8xkafLiIWEttIyjaylUlE4FDoSV3JmYMQ0pljmy4QsSuDNkxfk1LDJ2_L4QbkSXm3h0pnONmEQjWkfFzlDMVjRebhLaJ3YXwxOOdCEZhrMSJuzdbg9yLlQ-gwjjNPi5cQILoOTxJhVLjfpo6/w640-h640/IMG_4481.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGUDO92mUGsfNUD5B90UXvaz5uGpVUcKObJiKu7FXWDEdz4_YmfvfJ_QtmdrOoVCgy_kkuZsyHNzAgeXWgE8EzIkDlbmBhCmLHVozHKx16lQvOp5rdts7_SN1pq3y_lZ5vqM5kMEsx8BMKkQoJ_XgTnpbrK-gFohXeKUJoWCQCY5OjvXyvSv1mSr0WU76/s2018/IMG_4487.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2018" data-original-width="1897" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGUDO92mUGsfNUD5B90UXvaz5uGpVUcKObJiKu7FXWDEdz4_YmfvfJ_QtmdrOoVCgy_kkuZsyHNzAgeXWgE8EzIkDlbmBhCmLHVozHKx16lQvOp5rdts7_SN1pq3y_lZ5vqM5kMEsx8BMKkQoJ_XgTnpbrK-gFohXeKUJoWCQCY5OjvXyvSv1mSr0WU76/w602-h640/IMG_4487.jpeg" width="602" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBqaR7CiOLI4aJPPaL9jisBE8qiXK3IqHirKJIltp5aIhiltvunENdFoya3-dgkKQcfD7AnisC92zWuFw9huHr6-02FLuJ0uHWweyeLXCPdD55vzpp9OmEAs8SL8AJPUByg12sIvzfnBIlEy_WQ3UJODQRAUSJY7ct3hmmnL1KIaaxlVUdHciNv5bDBkg/s1547/IMG_4492.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1547" data-original-width="1514" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBqaR7CiOLI4aJPPaL9jisBE8qiXK3IqHirKJIltp5aIhiltvunENdFoya3-dgkKQcfD7AnisC92zWuFw9huHr6-02FLuJ0uHWweyeLXCPdD55vzpp9OmEAs8SL8AJPUByg12sIvzfnBIlEy_WQ3UJODQRAUSJY7ct3hmmnL1KIaaxlVUdHciNv5bDBkg/w626-h640/IMG_4492.jpeg" width="626" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Inserting a picture of a super sweet pup enjoying some afternoon sun because who doesn't want to see that?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQtC6Avm-6Cx0qZFdiut6MNidfNVzZxF-0cERtxz8lcezQo5t8q3hxjz0I_bXI_ItrkrvctlKKxd_4oFRQhLfD7BXbA_jPgv0nuPOPgJBN6MgCA7n4ECszoAxtGIJPLFCzLW0NXcBPqJnhdXej62dG4GEoFotXnfetvVd0JZzOLpsJKqN6-jpWRMdahLC/s4032/IMG_4464.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQtC6Avm-6Cx0qZFdiut6MNidfNVzZxF-0cERtxz8lcezQo5t8q3hxjz0I_bXI_ItrkrvctlKKxd_4oFRQhLfD7BXbA_jPgv0nuPOPgJBN6MgCA7n4ECszoAxtGIJPLFCzLW0NXcBPqJnhdXej62dG4GEoFotXnfetvVd0JZzOLpsJKqN6-jpWRMdahLC/w480-h640/IMG_4464.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Finally, tomorrow marks ten years since my wonderful dad passed. Ten years. I am sharing the post I wrote that day for anyone who doesn't yet know this remarkable man. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #5a1710;"><span style="font-family: Lora;">I Just Wanted You To Know</span></span></div><div class="post-header" style="background-color: white; color: #5a1710; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em;"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-7319646042820056823" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #5a1710; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 779px;"><span style="font-family: Lora;">My Father died today. The man that knew me before I knew myself...the man that gave me life...He died today. And I wanted you to know. I wanted you to know that his name was William Joseph. He was 79 years old and he was my dad.<br /><br />He had jet-black hair that only got peppered with grey. He had dark skin that I wish I had too. He was funny. Really funny. He loved my mother. So very much. He loved his 5 daughters and all his grandchildren too.<br /><br />My dad loved rigatoni with meatballs. And a cold Straub beer. He loved to sleep. He loved to read the paper and watch Judge Judy. My dad hated peanut butter. I never saw him eat a peanut butter sandwich. Ever. He loved to watch Pittsburgh Steeler football and Pittsburgh Pirate baseball.<br /><br />My dad dressed like a gentleman. He wore dress pants and ironed shirts every day. He wore a white undershirt and carried a white folded hankie in his pocket every day. He never wore shorts. Ever. I saw him swim in the ocean once. He took my Madison in and a wave knocked them over. He always remembered that, and so does she.<br /><br />My father loved The Blessed Mother. He and my mother traveled to Fatima once, and brought us all back the most beautiful rosaries. My dad taught me to love our Blessed Mother too.<br /><br />My dad drove me to my first job interview and waited in the car for me all morning long. He told me I would get the job and he was right. My dad stopped at the school one day when I was teaching and walked through the playground to the open window and said hello to my whole class.<br /><br />My dad called me "Little Buddy". He smiled in his eyes. He used Ivory soap and Colgate toothpaste. He always smelled clean. He always looked nice.<br /><br />My father's name was William Joseph. He was born in his house on a January day in 1935. He grew up and married a beautiful redhead he called "Queenie". He had 5 daughters and owned his own business. He loved his job. He loved his wife. He loved his children, and his grandchildren too. He had a happy life.<br /><br />My father was a wonderful man. I will miss him every single day for the rest of my life. I will miss his voice and his laugh. I will miss making chicken cacciatore and pumpkin cake for him. I will miss calling him on the phone. I will miss the love between him and my mother. I will miss my dad.<br /><br />A wonderful man went to Heaven today. His father and mother welcomed him home. I rejoice for him and mourn for me...and my dear mother and my sweet sisters. The world goes on around us. But my father died today. And I just wanted you to know.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-7319646042820056823" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #5a1710; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 779px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda;"><br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-7319646042820056823" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #5a1710; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 779px;"><br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-7319646042820056823" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #5a1710; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; text-align: center; width: 779px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlSBFcEklNnJgkM3z4YbK2dujInaGkI3fQ1u32RArw8V2Z1p9BAB1RhqoHEM2i2qmXRdrJMrTmCn8SYT9Rp27ikKCxqu5pNuv-XeDZFIZEYBcrgLmxvycefImHbMJFeD7n2U1igxGfAQb13QJXP15H8Eihyphenhyphentypc7eo7iyLt0bNDT4W9Ab4_6iSvqj5K83/s1600/photolokiuyh.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlSBFcEklNnJgkM3z4YbK2dujInaGkI3fQ1u32RArw8V2Z1p9BAB1RhqoHEM2i2qmXRdrJMrTmCn8SYT9Rp27ikKCxqu5pNuv-XeDZFIZEYBcrgLmxvycefImHbMJFeD7n2U1igxGfAQb13QJXP15H8Eihyphenhyphentypc7eo7iyLt0bNDT4W9Ab4_6iSvqj5K83/w640-h640/photolokiuyh.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-7319646042820056823" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #5a1710; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 779px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda;"><br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-7319646042820056823" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #5a1710; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; text-align: center; width: 779px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbM6Iq9ymgZ7QsxGsFaLxge8PpOrKKW_usH_4Z9NkmMwQWbIfOlkM0bHRolzKG5snaiuFSmxmN3EERaL5wfj7sV3VLTIxu7i6nt2Ued2ap6AER8ARV2YBae7B1_4qrcKAiOpPgrOnlP4bH7BfwyGS4mA_QYskrq-qpV7yt2fjrOJLbXLoQy5U7-WtdmgDm/s1600/photomkjiuytr%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbM6Iq9ymgZ7QsxGsFaLxge8PpOrKKW_usH_4Z9NkmMwQWbIfOlkM0bHRolzKG5snaiuFSmxmN3EERaL5wfj7sV3VLTIxu7i6nt2Ued2ap6AER8ARV2YBae7B1_4qrcKAiOpPgrOnlP4bH7BfwyGS4mA_QYskrq-qpV7yt2fjrOJLbXLoQy5U7-WtdmgDm/w480-h640/photomkjiuytr%20(1).jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-7319646042820056823" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #5a1710; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; text-align: center; width: 779px;"><br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-7319646042820056823" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #5a1710; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; text-align: center; width: 779px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01e859wA7Pa6Q5M_kEj90MRrs7l-iQ_2affGxFe-N8NXv9boOidIOup3s3wCWVh78hqKd_rgmKUg_8xs_8QV5oVbqgVjzNjyFK52U1KuwKBsaC1NBmDZdlgJeD9kYIqoeacjSjU9v9afw-J209olZBUM6aPIZ-YraPxsHxqblwfbVcHfXc2iObYzpGSRf/s1600/photoq1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1215" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01e859wA7Pa6Q5M_kEj90MRrs7l-iQ_2affGxFe-N8NXv9boOidIOup3s3wCWVh78hqKd_rgmKUg_8xs_8QV5oVbqgVjzNjyFK52U1KuwKBsaC1NBmDZdlgJeD9kYIqoeacjSjU9v9afw-J209olZBUM6aPIZ-YraPxsHxqblwfbVcHfXc2iObYzpGSRf/w486-h640/photoq1.jpeg" width="486" /></a></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-7319646042820056823" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #5a1710; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; text-align: center; width: 779px;"><br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-7319646042820056823" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #5a1710; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; text-align: center; width: 779px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisw9WTeXxceXMFIeg9QOXfumiEdhf51erzI7wRQEyujXxuKxt84uDsaBL0Vjk224FV_m-PA7MQ3_jHVqkZXvW8yLicJEvZYNysP6Kgo_RhPKRYiVXbFpPp-izKTp0-jLTh8Lk3wjFfWtHQnMxlwrzlILxP-g7SQSId3AzinaE5ZcNP0nDMK-EtYjOUrbV2/s706/Scan0022.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="706" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisw9WTeXxceXMFIeg9QOXfumiEdhf51erzI7wRQEyujXxuKxt84uDsaBL0Vjk224FV_m-PA7MQ3_jHVqkZXvW8yLicJEvZYNysP6Kgo_RhPKRYiVXbFpPp-izKTp0-jLTh8Lk3wjFfWtHQnMxlwrzlILxP-g7SQSId3AzinaE5ZcNP0nDMK-EtYjOUrbV2/w640-h634/Scan0022.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-7319646042820056823" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #5a1710; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 779px;"><span style="font-family: Merienda;"><br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-7319646042820056823" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 779px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpfwULYgrNnmu2qp6qepeLxs7QIv5T7gWarnpV6LWBV0yeYFbOlaLQaajFknvWHQ9Dp7MDqOL5zwK1MILqr9zDcOOHjNCjGBMsr5Rn9cV7deW0StGn-bEqZoSmDQ1PAXLuFhzyWegU9vLIDZmz59_JQkYoOYau77ZlaBm4X7oMuPmmcSP1g2qwSCZWYTB/s1600/IMG_0938.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1379" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpfwULYgrNnmu2qp6qepeLxs7QIv5T7gWarnpV6LWBV0yeYFbOlaLQaajFknvWHQ9Dp7MDqOL5zwK1MILqr9zDcOOHjNCjGBMsr5Rn9cV7deW0StGn-bEqZoSmDQ1PAXLuFhzyWegU9vLIDZmz59_JQkYoOYau77ZlaBm4X7oMuPmmcSP1g2qwSCZWYTB/w552-h640/IMG_0938.jpeg" width="552" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It's funny. Ten years. Yet, I can still hear his voice in my head. Or it maybe in my heart. Either way, I carry him with me each and every day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Have a lovely weekend, my friends. I am so thankful to have this place with so many wonderful people that allows us to share the good times, the bad, the happy, and the not-so-happy. Enjoy your weekend plans, and good luck to all who have a favorite in the big game on Sunday! I'll be watching and rooting for a good game and even better food and commercials!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Billie Jo</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="color: #5a1710; font-family: Merienda;"><br /></span></div><br /></div>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-33903836913345900872024-02-07T07:56:00.000-08:002024-02-07T08:52:46.720-08:00I Think...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...peanut m&m's are significantly better than regular ones.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZayBKIM87svoXdSCAydqUIOvxJYTGo3ns-TqQXU6KIRsOGYbC6w3RMdMUAPDIaTmD5rPmTHWbRNjcN7Kwnm7Dhcy8HfQ0aP4nu2jbsIubI2SUzSAHQVV8jaiusu98wh38Za6vjSNtr5iGkauHVBhcx_DmRDjLr0jCkrxygqnzI8z-bJUowwug4YJpIugB/s961/27286.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="961" height="604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZayBKIM87svoXdSCAydqUIOvxJYTGo3ns-TqQXU6KIRsOGYbC6w3RMdMUAPDIaTmD5rPmTHWbRNjcN7Kwnm7Dhcy8HfQ0aP4nu2jbsIubI2SUzSAHQVV8jaiusu98wh38Za6vjSNtr5iGkauHVBhcx_DmRDjLr0jCkrxygqnzI8z-bJUowwug4YJpIugB/w640-h604/27286.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...watching television shows from the past allows an escape from today's unsettling world.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VwM5fePaIkSjH32dATJgfbSNYxVXzhU5vSR29tqb_r2kIwn7JXy8oj0IELebdG8y_QEycJAvuxDVwppWyzcu2aI49rDOvGXam9OmjL8rkfV9zvRkv2L8fvLNkclWpU7tcHM4Yz_jabGbANo5SzY8zYEsG-hoGcHQ0uX7j9aFz7TxSOWdhpWsaBRECg2P/s1581/twilight-zone.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1581" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VwM5fePaIkSjH32dATJgfbSNYxVXzhU5vSR29tqb_r2kIwn7JXy8oj0IELebdG8y_QEycJAvuxDVwppWyzcu2aI49rDOvGXam9OmjL8rkfV9zvRkv2L8fvLNkclWpU7tcHM4Yz_jabGbANo5SzY8zYEsG-hoGcHQ0uX7j9aFz7TxSOWdhpWsaBRECg2P/w640-h426/twilight-zone.webp" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEg4XhG0mfDLiAX_MdFuRhrzgnuD_i_OE3hzvDk7Kr6WCKZjJ7crLfhsz6v4rVRkV9n3I7oXRB6HzYSBjpFvGAsKwW37B8yvhvRMOfwVkFJCVT2mO2jViRt9m0bhjmLnkbGYWdAsiknJ5cYjKhyqWOAv-SPqsI-iDGEzmCM2x6q1nzr2h4S1xoke0JmOjZEh/s1393/MV5BMTU2NjY3MDIzMV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNzMzMjYyMQ@@._V1_FMjpg_UX1000_.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1393" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XhG0mfDLiAX_MdFuRhrzgnuD_i_OE3hzvDk7Kr6WCKZjJ7crLfhsz6v4rVRkV9n3I7oXRB6HzYSBjpFvGAsKwW37B8yvhvRMOfwVkFJCVT2mO2jViRt9m0bhjmLnkbGYWdAsiknJ5cYjKhyqWOAv-SPqsI-iDGEzmCM2x6q1nzr2h4S1xoke0JmOjZEh/w460-h640/MV5BMTU2NjY3MDIzMV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNzMzMjYyMQ@@._V1_FMjpg_UX1000_.jpeg" width="460" /></a></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/AVvXsEg_D8vFpOwrFRx6qo0M4h3rTUv1uySD7MJ0GQheFdgf0A1YMfzgoXex31-tVHyxaIQl8VEaMcrcn69tg1uvEWf1BIKfH9FKKSHNHqjiRRIHOzHJyRFJSad19pKxYbP2pupCAAwNdbMLhS4Ag4kVVMNP-L2P5FhJtgcqHhRRLK3MSu7bAjx1SEPGkuj3SSxV/s2048/gene-rayburn-main.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="2048" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_D8vFpOwrFRx6qo0M4h3rTUv1uySD7MJ0GQheFdgf0A1YMfzgoXex31-tVHyxaIQl8VEaMcrcn69tg1uvEWf1BIKfH9FKKSHNHqjiRRIHOzHJyRFJSad19pKxYbP2pupCAAwNdbMLhS4Ag4kVVMNP-L2P5FhJtgcqHhRRLK3MSu7bAjx1SEPGkuj3SSxV/w640-h330/gene-rayburn-main.webp" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEgvfiFB32Rze83PDQyLATBhQt_nnSZDFabcUceOmFHborSBw45jeabcXhaVBEu7KvsXicPTVr9PQ2unwl_JeJINtCXfETy9hu5AFFo493uoD4Z7xkDbYmFI7WmUVcDsh85g3T4NIDgP395yYnaXqGAMW6FTTFMfckyTe8RJQIG26LDr3yswMRiPL1bMwcCi/s220/Gilligans_Island_title_card.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="165" data-original-width="220" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfiFB32Rze83PDQyLATBhQt_nnSZDFabcUceOmFHborSBw45jeabcXhaVBEu7KvsXicPTVr9PQ2unwl_JeJINtCXfETy9hu5AFFo493uoD4Z7xkDbYmFI7WmUVcDsh85g3T4NIDgP395yYnaXqGAMW6FTTFMfckyTe8RJQIG26LDr3yswMRiPL1bMwcCi/w640-h480/Gilligans_Island_title_card.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...cereal is much better as a snack than as breakfast.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qnMm1pq8Tk3YIkVr6XjDeRNlfiMAer01htZTe4T0emHCNbdy9t_8UgCTvLJIL86qjhKozPJQ6ikoER48TXohnGOfoty87WgLLj5CQrizaFb_EZSZKan5Lu0ieq8XbHosJIWl5r3bw_jhsV8dI1K5U_1IoKD7bq-znKrtUzmhrjpxSE7XCMIZd2bVmWjZ/s355/Cereals.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="300" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qnMm1pq8Tk3YIkVr6XjDeRNlfiMAer01htZTe4T0emHCNbdy9t_8UgCTvLJIL86qjhKozPJQ6ikoER48TXohnGOfoty87WgLLj5CQrizaFb_EZSZKan5Lu0ieq8XbHosJIWl5r3bw_jhsV8dI1K5U_1IoKD7bq-znKrtUzmhrjpxSE7XCMIZd2bVmWjZ/w540-h640/Cereals.webp" width="540" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">...people who feel as if they constantly have to be busy doing things, going places, and making plans, and who think staying home and being cozy is lazy and selfish are missing out on an incredible part of life. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFn91bSzi1B7EoJg_DUfGF-oWDcR-llxbUG9BCXA9Gv5dXxEOOOundTyTCtwW2nBcpbmf1F7VeuX9T5KE2DtIhcdvV4P-zu8omkF325lEB6IRwFEIBQ0bdFTZDVhlRv5zTjU0eIAR4ERRPCKoPmJYuQa4VFW8CB09nJk0QggaTssfs-Xwb2rxLXNI0f_B/s1800/piixvkcmw8d91.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFn91bSzi1B7EoJg_DUfGF-oWDcR-llxbUG9BCXA9Gv5dXxEOOOundTyTCtwW2nBcpbmf1F7VeuX9T5KE2DtIhcdvV4P-zu8omkF325lEB6IRwFEIBQ0bdFTZDVhlRv5zTjU0eIAR4ERRPCKoPmJYuQa4VFW8CB09nJk0QggaTssfs-Xwb2rxLXNI0f_B/w426-h640/piixvkcmw8d91.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">...and our entire culture of dieting, counting calories, low fat, low carb, no sweets, and exercising extra to burn off a cookie is toxic and creates lifelong unhealthy relationships with food. I am neither an expert nor claim to be one, but I have read about, seen, and witnessed how much damage the constant emphasis on food can do. Conversely, I have seen how a healthy attitude of allowing different foods in moderation and striving for more of an 80/20 approach can be.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGD97_6LlQmdWMgAfIynxeHcfhJm3lAa_R7HYYq_TdUdXDQYDI37xq91x2OYmap9uFIskpdwa6YpoDZztkhHImhyphenhyphen29CsdnRqS0H9JrA8rWVMlw0zSZBm-gzTtf4n5yyFxhNsVRRRTyz5qDHi98q2rKifveykcT0zwtinTr0HUb0elFlS_CGMTedc-a6cxr/s945/screenshot-2022-10-27-at-9.58.06-am.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="628" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGD97_6LlQmdWMgAfIynxeHcfhJm3lAa_R7HYYq_TdUdXDQYDI37xq91x2OYmap9uFIskpdwa6YpoDZztkhHImhyphenhyphen29CsdnRqS0H9JrA8rWVMlw0zSZBm-gzTtf4n5yyFxhNsVRRRTyz5qDHi98q2rKifveykcT0zwtinTr0HUb0elFlS_CGMTedc-a6cxr/w426-h640/screenshot-2022-10-27-at-9.58.06-am.png" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, there's that!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope you have a cozy day, my friends!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks for stopping by!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Billie Jo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">* These are my thoughts on really random things, some more important than others. I mean, people need to know how good peanut M&M's really are, and that Match Game from the 70s is clearly underrated.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">* Thanks to the magic of Google for the images.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-8986802296878905042024-02-05T06:38:00.000-08:002024-02-05T12:22:15.817-08:00Monday Morning Coffee Talk<p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozFmQGajNyo8URZ6-NF2P06ncR2GM7mac6rZdL5wjOWPk6BeeG6kmLj3pbFgg6l3xJ3fe-iblkM4iQVNi0sG3zE-uPl3FSTO14KKgexvdgOa2qJJHDmgcnsHQBrqKl4hT-qfVWfznLzMrhSwqvL9D1Ky1wem_fYqLCVSFIPkFKKinhZK4MCC0Z1xj9l6P/s3024/IMG_4431.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozFmQGajNyo8URZ6-NF2P06ncR2GM7mac6rZdL5wjOWPk6BeeG6kmLj3pbFgg6l3xJ3fe-iblkM4iQVNi0sG3zE-uPl3FSTO14KKgexvdgOa2qJJHDmgcnsHQBrqKl4hT-qfVWfznLzMrhSwqvL9D1Ky1wem_fYqLCVSFIPkFKKinhZK4MCC0Z1xj9l6P/w640-h640/IMG_4431.jpeg" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Good Monday morning, my friends. How was your weekend? Here, it was sunny and quiet. This time of year is often slower and uneventful for me. During these winter weeks, I sometimes feel lazy and guilty, as if I should be doing more. Surely, there is something that needs to be done. This may be because autumn and Halloween appear in stores, in magazines, and on TV starting in July or August. This is followed by, and sometimes simultaneously with, all things Christmas. We are reminded that it is time to plan, list, shop, wrap, bake, clean, and create. From July through January, we work physically, mentally, and emotionally and are rewarded with special times with our family and friends. The last months of the year are a whirlwind of family, food, fun, and friends. All our work is realized at this particular time of year. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Then, it is over. And weeks stretch before us that are less busy and chaotic. These "ordinary" days should be the norm. We have family, friends, homes, jobs, and hobbies; we live our daily lives with our families and friends. When I feel bad for doing nothing, I will remind myself that I am doing the most important thing: living. What might that look like? Perhaps like...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1W0MUc2KXUTSMqZJp6Cl2Ab3oWoAhfWUoG-oQ_KL6VvA1XjzpwKNzSUdlJzoLOASJP9rW9QtflIfF8fq1y1k-7XLvj3glK4e8b7MTGcvsLCFS01K2Y4nuhxSZPyGn4f_8fuWl26YCRbuv-OlufPdg3zqyd3piReL8JO3NJw62kaWlSPBBbH1x81h_zO9/s4032/IMG_4420.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1W0MUc2KXUTSMqZJp6Cl2Ab3oWoAhfWUoG-oQ_KL6VvA1XjzpwKNzSUdlJzoLOASJP9rW9QtflIfF8fq1y1k-7XLvj3glK4e8b7MTGcvsLCFS01K2Y4nuhxSZPyGn4f_8fuWl26YCRbuv-OlufPdg3zqyd3piReL8JO3NJw62kaWlSPBBbH1x81h_zO9/w640-h480/IMG_4420.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cold winter mornings with coffee and prayers...</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/AVvXsEjlmr37hzAdZSy51wlNAE15DcnTs8IG7U6SqCmGeyl9LPLsn3MY_hla5DJ_WK04ExTWCtR_uGo1968eXj5ed20McrLwU3d_Q_t7ohcGfzoDzQ8iijJAkd591fmGysnf-wtHMjv5GvU72X5Ijq8AFU_RKBwmUboKHTmWjsosVkZCZMxLY7nfxRGUhZGhXlvp/s3024/IMG_4425.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmr37hzAdZSy51wlNAE15DcnTs8IG7U6SqCmGeyl9LPLsn3MY_hla5DJ_WK04ExTWCtR_uGo1968eXj5ed20McrLwU3d_Q_t7ohcGfzoDzQ8iijJAkd591fmGysnf-wtHMjv5GvU72X5Ijq8AFU_RKBwmUboKHTmWjsosVkZCZMxLY7nfxRGUhZGhXlvp/w640-h640/IMG_4425.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Breakfast for dinner on a Sunday evening...</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoMUTD5ezI1QX7Av2TFUWmsERLcX9qLyBiNYjwVafltsOUDR7d1grT8D2CkPmrJOrrL6HByUiIlNv7ZOtGRTVy9BB2ePjKblaou-KYmj7YJs1CXwKMgCfqlNewefFySvz8WK1WVyUAtn9L-ruyPCULROvl_4oCfMzhkPXyraZqgoInTsHAwxXpcqWU7JQ/s4032/IMG_4421.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoMUTD5ezI1QX7Av2TFUWmsERLcX9qLyBiNYjwVafltsOUDR7d1grT8D2CkPmrJOrrL6HByUiIlNv7ZOtGRTVy9BB2ePjKblaou-KYmj7YJs1CXwKMgCfqlNewefFySvz8WK1WVyUAtn9L-ruyPCULROvl_4oCfMzhkPXyraZqgoInTsHAwxXpcqWU7JQ/w480-h640/IMG_4421.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Snuggles on the couch with not one...</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/AVvXsEjykZY2JR0iz3DBBVaPlgfvg4J-1_khj9CNDLIL3Abu0pm2WpQM3tJlJwZ92j_dAbxXx84Mm2VZuBjLo8NIDQkrjelbWDOf8uTjgX3aNLDE8NUiAB6p09QumMHgVI98h6eDvneMcHDfHNdsdhZtntDb9YVDtTOvTiqIUqD-kAjjJyA7EhzHwV07P5Zj23qt/s3024/IMG_4435.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykZY2JR0iz3DBBVaPlgfvg4J-1_khj9CNDLIL3Abu0pm2WpQM3tJlJwZ92j_dAbxXx84Mm2VZuBjLo8NIDQkrjelbWDOf8uTjgX3aNLDE8NUiAB6p09QumMHgVI98h6eDvneMcHDfHNdsdhZtntDb9YVDtTOvTiqIUqD-kAjjJyA7EhzHwV07P5Zj23qt/w640-h640/IMG_4435.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But two precious pups...</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/AVvXsEgRGfX5OmbxFUDBF-goi8z2pPq0cr9JY35150hxHycNFQJ26JTowqa6x_rmAJiuterVrILFvgCFYA-uBsyuU6B5Dx-vYMEr7XmAjdpV7VWhl-H7ArKuam7vsspi8FcIU3mCtAWN2HSmTLVgNFmJFbn_-V16Fkcyk7xNRuAOup_Bb1Pz1bVXNnbEOYgWGbB4/s3768/IMG_4411.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3768" data-original-width="2693" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGfX5OmbxFUDBF-goi8z2pPq0cr9JY35150hxHycNFQJ26JTowqa6x_rmAJiuterVrILFvgCFYA-uBsyuU6B5Dx-vYMEr7XmAjdpV7VWhl-H7ArKuam7vsspi8FcIU3mCtAWN2HSmTLVgNFmJFbn_-V16Fkcyk7xNRuAOup_Bb1Pz1bVXNnbEOYgWGbB4/w458-h640/IMG_4411.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And cozy afternoons with my youngest and our homeschool lessons.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have a lovely, typical, ordinary day, my friends!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Billie Jo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-85196844958299803192024-02-02T07:03:00.000-08:002024-02-02T09:09:01.037-08:00February Friday!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6G4Hr9biwNxAiArhXOxIs6MXxggwZ1u0VCjRnhmnRpKmNu0rO-2THZFJW0thpwUfLXuDAu_DupmzjLfEI-GU2jjZPWQcv4o8Llo8RG3bhGu6JGRgSu4ib5Wy31sFLSm4AgwQdAyh7FXaHdvFXftRaDJihlLsLyTlqri_DVWtfZXaLi6hTcotHSg8s0EOj/s776/ff489fc57c9c86de135dffba4f6ff2df.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6G4Hr9biwNxAiArhXOxIs6MXxggwZ1u0VCjRnhmnRpKmNu0rO-2THZFJW0thpwUfLXuDAu_DupmzjLfEI-GU2jjZPWQcv4o8Llo8RG3bhGu6JGRgSu4ib5Wy31sFLSm4AgwQdAyh7FXaHdvFXftRaDJihlLsLyTlqri_DVWtfZXaLi6hTcotHSg8s0EOj/w466-h640/ff489fc57c9c86de135dffba4f6ff2df.jpg" width="466" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></blockquote></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Hello! Happy Friday and Happy February! I hope you had a happy, healthy week and are ready for a lovely, cozy weekend. My mom had a wonderful birthday this week! Thank you all for the sweet messages. I shared them with her on her special day. Here she is with my sister Margie, all ready to celebrate!</div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></blockquote></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_r1Aooruo7TjVGu-SE3ejpGIT4UM6jw2lVi4cMvbB9ZybDi60UEp4w83sxKmlegMinzzqi0hKQOkmjx9_AFEEmxzbLHzYTmnMiF6xE0mtsm7cugzlEaQWtWvWJdawnsirV2j7xT26-QgD18Hvz4KFcvs6xHglApnXXOSEOZfVzIEn08yfaM0SjGN3cXMb/s1877/20240130_162939.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1877" data-original-width="1877" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_r1Aooruo7TjVGu-SE3ejpGIT4UM6jw2lVi4cMvbB9ZybDi60UEp4w83sxKmlegMinzzqi0hKQOkmjx9_AFEEmxzbLHzYTmnMiF6xE0mtsm7cugzlEaQWtWvWJdawnsirV2j7xT26-QgD18Hvz4KFcvs6xHglApnXXOSEOZfVzIEn08yfaM0SjGN3cXMb/w640-h640/20240130_162939.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The remainder of our week was quiet and uneventful, as late January weeks tend to be. We homeschooled, read, watched Gilmore Girls, and cooked delicious dinners. Steve and I had an appointment in town, which required me to locate real clothes and dust the cobwebs off my makeup brushes. Once our meeting was finished, I decided that since I resembled an actual member of society, I should go to lunch. I sent a quick text to Nicolas and Christopher to see if they could sneak away from work for a bit, and they were both able to join us for a delicious lunch! Spending a little time with the two amazing young men who make our daughters so happy was so nice. I had a burrito bowl with beef, rice, tomatoes, cheese, and avocado. Delicious! It came with these new-to-me potato chips. I am not a chip fan, but these were amazing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6bNKXrYKxA0zWkSaVg0AehSoQnN2JF02S8Byf0EtaidXWlw_NXIZXtxDgfrs7QKbi_O7YCLM-aKZfBYTEuGXP28-H_FijgnZk8i1L2KiS47UYW9u1MowO30JcmdfolhLQwgWxfMolub6c_CKWrQFP_2fu56_8wnmOxQp0OFyV0n7KiC9CvWfsQIHVJTH/s4032/IMG_4381.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6bNKXrYKxA0zWkSaVg0AehSoQnN2JF02S8Byf0EtaidXWlw_NXIZXtxDgfrs7QKbi_O7YCLM-aKZfBYTEuGXP28-H_FijgnZk8i1L2KiS47UYW9u1MowO30JcmdfolhLQwgWxfMolub6c_CKWrQFP_2fu56_8wnmOxQp0OFyV0n7KiC9CvWfsQIHVJTH/w480-h640/IMG_4381.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The rest of the week resembled this.</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/AVvXsEhcMad7zQO8DXDCeX9xs4iMPOXjjWbz7koY2MjY69MMHM0D32qjSfPcwqY5KpspYVr_FlqCvPzvHAgRI6nQpk3vuOqOjZKUv0ncp_KeP6qsDHMkyNC1TMy9d0xgzcgFXVR4z0Fp1QNXfj9n2B4c24mnG0aYv74DP1bTKGiXAjB72hiNnz79qtsr2xJqr6H_/s2789/IMG_4302.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2092" data-original-width="2789" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMad7zQO8DXDCeX9xs4iMPOXjjWbz7koY2MjY69MMHM0D32qjSfPcwqY5KpspYVr_FlqCvPzvHAgRI6nQpk3vuOqOjZKUv0ncp_KeP6qsDHMkyNC1TMy9d0xgzcgFXVR4z0Fp1QNXfj9n2B4c24mnG0aYv74DP1bTKGiXAjB72hiNnz79qtsr2xJqr6H_/w640-h480/IMG_4302.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And this.</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/AVvXsEhzK36tPNJL6-9dX_lHa0jMroKWwd0lnRed8Y8AUVorllnEw0bdbkuufIJP9CGHtTyLYdmXNSz-vWTs68wMyEh-8-KS3cREqf31M5HDyu6eUP0eG9SmYvOTcVfy5XAbJWcDrZpA9ZMmJJWnT5fkiPZsFgL5pVJUEPit1mkMN02Ym7E0QL6aGZLhli_AYPEE/s3024/IMG_4376.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzK36tPNJL6-9dX_lHa0jMroKWwd0lnRed8Y8AUVorllnEw0bdbkuufIJP9CGHtTyLYdmXNSz-vWTs68wMyEh-8-KS3cREqf31M5HDyu6eUP0eG9SmYvOTcVfy5XAbJWcDrZpA9ZMmJJWnT5fkiPZsFgL5pVJUEPit1mkMN02Ym7E0QL6aGZLhli_AYPEE/w640-h640/IMG_4376.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Two of our favorite meals this week...</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LFjPMBxD4RxtP7daw0vTlY9KO4rIWNTvNiBkwSRgCep-pmYzuOtBzronaHumU0MphEc_OU0Rk-1GvHViLrzuczxX-yXqRfL1RfTmGAalsVuRMH5-b34NU4Oa8_CmG35ljeAiANAz0Xk36ICLR267i1Yh77CoTgRkA1Lek1UileoGFsJl6QmvlSfjrxVo/s3024/IMG_4405.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LFjPMBxD4RxtP7daw0vTlY9KO4rIWNTvNiBkwSRgCep-pmYzuOtBzronaHumU0MphEc_OU0Rk-1GvHViLrzuczxX-yXqRfL1RfTmGAalsVuRMH5-b34NU4Oa8_CmG35ljeAiANAz0Xk36ICLR267i1Yh77CoTgRkA1Lek1UileoGFsJl6QmvlSfjrxVo/w640-h640/IMG_4405.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.food.com/recipe/tilapia-with-mayonnaise-and-parmesan-cheese-364351">Tilapia </a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I like to use frozen fish, so I had to cook it at 450 degrees for 30 minutes. We had it with rice, sauteed frozen zucchini, and some organic cherry tomatoes.</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/AVvXsEi9MamMaCr16idNmuUdAj1Xztsa4YV6NDlT86wKbaD6uJQFTs59HqLtqLlECgE_Qy9t80WTetGtWk4jIBc_uF5k2knpNaBPEkkWNbj7wZpGpT5-znh8Huty73tBLVfkg-xcs1UdxHxqt7wYyLTYSuoNtoNObCuamWTtivxtWEs-Bh4sNayymJRbvIpNPFh1/s3024/IMG_4366.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MamMaCr16idNmuUdAj1Xztsa4YV6NDlT86wKbaD6uJQFTs59HqLtqLlECgE_Qy9t80WTetGtWk4jIBc_uF5k2knpNaBPEkkWNbj7wZpGpT5-znh8Huty73tBLVfkg-xcs1UdxHxqt7wYyLTYSuoNtoNObCuamWTtivxtWEs-Bh4sNayymJRbvIpNPFh1/w640-h640/IMG_4366.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.eatwell101.com/mediterranean-chicken-zucchini-bake-recipe">Mediterranean Zucchini Chicken Bake</a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is also delicious. I served it with sweet potatoes and applesauce.</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/AVvXsEg2nNdzfTsB-Iod4Cm2JYcZ4TRncDiLQpU49YS5JFu5ipDDES4LBps88Pc_Ghyphenhyphen6GCAs7UXMiN10a5yJhUSI97cs2FFpre19CICwhkVawAE2Vc9tBit6lwi2WT4EfYZlPy7QwlGM-F0yPFtXbmthhthPpjyNaE70WrL-5lNnyad4hrnAohIcYBrodYPhESvH/s4032/IMG_4347.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nNdzfTsB-Iod4Cm2JYcZ4TRncDiLQpU49YS5JFu5ipDDES4LBps88Pc_Ghyphenhyphen6GCAs7UXMiN10a5yJhUSI97cs2FFpre19CICwhkVawAE2Vc9tBit6lwi2WT4EfYZlPy7QwlGM-F0yPFtXbmthhthPpjyNaE70WrL-5lNnyad4hrnAohIcYBrodYPhESvH/w480-h640/IMG_4347.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Cosmo and I hope you have a lovely weekend. We have little on the schedule, which is how winter weekends should be. We can use the beauty of the darker days and early nights to catch up on rest from the holidays and prepare for the busy days of spring. It is perfectly fine to follow nature's lead. Snuggle in and enjoy the stillness. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have a cozy weekend, my friends!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Billie Jo</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-58871052884545418822024-01-31T04:53:00.000-08:002024-01-31T04:53:04.518-08:00Caption This!<p style="text-align: center;"> Big meeting at the feeder this morning. I wonder what they were talking about? </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcT9YqJJ08kKwjtaeXatKwJWprK8St5FclwtY-FG2pbRzlYQoFugAFhwamyyZh2W3qbCg1p0n3bHPyxk-vdvk6jsvq_ON8ICZapHWqFZ7Q_PDzHNKaGcyKbkx_b_r0KjYxPftyJ-02ufK3mNEAjEp4D7T9pWR27VSeO_bR0Zu_xKYDOiNuuOvgTmwVzbT/s3208/IMG_4343.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3208" data-original-width="2406" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcT9YqJJ08kKwjtaeXatKwJWprK8St5FclwtY-FG2pbRzlYQoFugAFhwamyyZh2W3qbCg1p0n3bHPyxk-vdvk6jsvq_ON8ICZapHWqFZ7Q_PDzHNKaGcyKbkx_b_r0KjYxPftyJ-02ufK3mNEAjEp4D7T9pWR27VSeO_bR0Zu_xKYDOiNuuOvgTmwVzbT/w480-h640/IMG_4343.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVT72pma7DoOhSUX1OJfqtWPMZr2hCEnEGmZVhvjOxvtzeqfm7Le-O8iydmCCqzkQqiiXSePy17nPZPbaLgXNIG_IpmQq4fwBFAm5_-BDCy1OtKwudTULT0o4-Xx3_VEzGMMjNanDLHd7jGf1SJ2bd5q9ALSaNVRZPDQbySp4lvcTkEVzq6VhvRsNRoBK2/s3225/IMG_4341.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3225" data-original-width="2418" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVT72pma7DoOhSUX1OJfqtWPMZr2hCEnEGmZVhvjOxvtzeqfm7Le-O8iydmCCqzkQqiiXSePy17nPZPbaLgXNIG_IpmQq4fwBFAm5_-BDCy1OtKwudTULT0o4-Xx3_VEzGMMjNanDLHd7jGf1SJ2bd5q9ALSaNVRZPDQbySp4lvcTkEVzq6VhvRsNRoBK2/w480-h640/IMG_4341.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRs-vNZ6VTg9B77Nq3HE_SmcP_IzWSwjpyWUqhUVgWKyuyzaR5hOWXSXJs7FHeLMisnE2L5e3nw5qAD0lQsWqhiDLVEi54UHA3b_rKyMFIoco_T9N8HgVW_dR6LGDAZf_eks3xpbXNtixmTQH8qV-FR2f9AAPGkCWIl3YUmWDFcRkx2F6MHazYQTnfaDAN/s3839/IMG_4340.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3839" data-original-width="2879" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRs-vNZ6VTg9B77Nq3HE_SmcP_IzWSwjpyWUqhUVgWKyuyzaR5hOWXSXJs7FHeLMisnE2L5e3nw5qAD0lQsWqhiDLVEi54UHA3b_rKyMFIoco_T9N8HgVW_dR6LGDAZf_eks3xpbXNtixmTQH8qV-FR2f9AAPGkCWIl3YUmWDFcRkx2F6MHazYQTnfaDAN/w480-h640/IMG_4340.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Wednesday, my friends!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Billie Jo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-16817491036330053182024-01-29T07:04:00.000-08:002024-01-29T15:04:46.199-08:00Monday Morning Coffee Talk<p style="text-align: justify;">Good Monday morning! Thanks for all the well wishes. We are on the mend here and ready to send this virus out the door, as it has most certainly worn out its welcome. Note to Future Self: Avoid airline travel to overpopulated theme parks during the height of cold and flu season. In addition to the yuck I brought home, I did manage to get this, my new favorite coffee mug, so there's that. Mocha is a fan, too.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiowKqhhGyifvckAOYSo7MRXdnXbH7ICsBR4XCZPkXvRLBpCjD3YE3GisWs6m3nGwb65-i4Nk7bQFLzIJwoizP0SEHgJ7SHvlaTx4JlwPVhtMxMdsxJGDqWhVPSQ6AJsBCYetVYZJg29Gy8XKXvHHDMuIVp2hQMm0uILazGliEO8dUAYKd4znylt0pPP9v/s4032/IMG_4314.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiowKqhhGyifvckAOYSo7MRXdnXbH7ICsBR4XCZPkXvRLBpCjD3YE3GisWs6m3nGwb65-i4Nk7bQFLzIJwoizP0SEHgJ7SHvlaTx4JlwPVhtMxMdsxJGDqWhVPSQ6AJsBCYetVYZJg29Gy8XKXvHHDMuIVp2hQMm0uILazGliEO8dUAYKd4znylt0pPP9v/w480-h640/IMG_4314.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJORZieojaJQsMOAStCi0YCE2W1R9Xbu0bn0rEgT1ef6HRp6v2koXB2LjB0EYuz1VVMv0k8-xfWKIabfXcbBiiy3L1xpAfWV0Q_hFBn-xcIKaghrNaHqeaT1C3b5hlJKAmcyqDwMGYXtvCpdtly21_HIXa2bsDMaj_z6wBcsa5GI75mo5_GU6Rr0WTDV7/s4032/IMG_4312.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJORZieojaJQsMOAStCi0YCE2W1R9Xbu0bn0rEgT1ef6HRp6v2koXB2LjB0EYuz1VVMv0k8-xfWKIabfXcbBiiy3L1xpAfWV0Q_hFBn-xcIKaghrNaHqeaT1C3b5hlJKAmcyqDwMGYXtvCpdtly21_HIXa2bsDMaj_z6wBcsa5GI75mo5_GU6Rr0WTDV7/w480-h640/IMG_4312.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">But enough about me! This post is all about my Mom. Tomorrow, this amazing, beautiful woman turns eighty-seven!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEike-diVklRGNxRC4oVH1pU7PZmTCd7BUh4dBkUdY2SYEDFGEpIATOn7jzH7ATzq6wEnc7Gi-BNdLkVFy9MMLTMGb2xEU7kC9cDcNgnnu6ISO6KA_mReGkyWO61TMu1zpgN3bXWF-1JizR5nyEu5YwH_ogEvDT3q5YutcVPdKMijnj4gnzAoztT725JCPAp/s2455/20240126_171225.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2455" data-original-width="1841" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEike-diVklRGNxRC4oVH1pU7PZmTCd7BUh4dBkUdY2SYEDFGEpIATOn7jzH7ATzq6wEnc7Gi-BNdLkVFy9MMLTMGb2xEU7kC9cDcNgnnu6ISO6KA_mReGkyWO61TMu1zpgN3bXWF-1JizR5nyEu5YwH_ogEvDT3q5YutcVPdKMijnj4gnzAoztT725JCPAp/w480-h640/20240126_171225.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Isn't she beautiful? And for those who don't know her personally, she is as beautiful on the inside as well. Let me tell you a little about my mom, the most wonderful woman I will ever know. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My Mom...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~ smiles all the time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~ cared for my four sisters, our children, her husband, and her parents at some point in her Life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~ never complains.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~ was called "Red" in high school and still is by some.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~ loves popcorn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~ made me apple pies to take back to college every weekend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~ welcomed all my friends into our home when I was young.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~ made hot cocoa and buttered toast on cold nights.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~colored her own hair.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~ drove a Jeep and sang along to our eight-track tapes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~ stayed with me when my babies were born.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~ taught by example how to be a good mother.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~ has a beautiful singing voice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~ loves patriotic music.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~ taught my children to love, be kind, and love life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~is a devout Catholic and taught me to be, too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~ loves Life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Birthday Mom!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You are the 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/AVvXsEh8_LowbXnZnWtHPxG1a9UgBZ-d0HDk-zkF0mcHzmoziIsEZx4QJe8Qoe7NIVdkvRHusMH_W5_b-XYiHRNk_zimylPfGd2SUt7OKErUmYucZsIi10in1KgVKtogfpEWdZ2n_sdKjs4sa36WxOviSlMFMofqedLs_cV7ENhFnr9Sg64zgBdq9LugaYOYVGMf/s2232/IMG_0590.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="2232" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_LowbXnZnWtHPxG1a9UgBZ-d0HDk-zkF0mcHzmoziIsEZx4QJe8Qoe7NIVdkvRHusMH_W5_b-XYiHRNk_zimylPfGd2SUt7OKErUmYucZsIi10in1KgVKtogfpEWdZ2n_sdKjs4sa36WxOviSlMFMofqedLs_cV7ENhFnr9Sg64zgBdq9LugaYOYVGMf/w640-h640/IMG_0590.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6iriC4GPYJMmEOzycMemTfieNB4m1aWCka9Y473BQQfOBA5ZRs7PqRyS7bo4b8tJeoWQGkxhfn5qewgw7cPDTql_XK_Vd-_1EnhyAyhTKSk3Va4HRw30UtpfBxnHq6fMLNuWr69rNmlarnZ-lCvrriZf_vgcIDB4wIaF7NglgRlu7110qG3Bk9HS2-2h/s4032/IMG_1190.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6iriC4GPYJMmEOzycMemTfieNB4m1aWCka9Y473BQQfOBA5ZRs7PqRyS7bo4b8tJeoWQGkxhfn5qewgw7cPDTql_XK_Vd-_1EnhyAyhTKSk3Va4HRw30UtpfBxnHq6fMLNuWr69rNmlarnZ-lCvrriZf_vgcIDB4wIaF7NglgRlu7110qG3Bk9HS2-2h/w480-h640/IMG_1190.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bs1H3IlYVYKaUWqnwO6tad7Sq6F3omI5E6rKHsbXJp0QK5I9udWZJbxDl2MfFYsiE-f2-TdfoQO_WVW_Zc1wKNKxqkxwyiTTsMyf5Hzf4NlbErqgYig-QK5Idzz4pfPAdoBy71zvruFhyphenhyphenrgPeLkfbBL_9TxapatcyNx2Zb4V7dTEaEw-aIfg4AxHEwYD/w480-h640/IMG_1197.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lixDcNTveQAuDfhFSVD7z9h5jrdP_iEniHlcFsWNZT8rJU8pj5WCQ2ToZV3MviZWgQ6sd99PlP_8fvpJfKan2bmUkLHLWk0zDQKHQtg-qyEBxqfOFMxc7BTp-S_WUCOqaa_HrUI64v57AfSQmjJsUbBrcCDQzLe47TmzKUnqPZZT9tHW9OCwYVEjLBUQ/s4032/IMG_1548.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lixDcNTveQAuDfhFSVD7z9h5jrdP_iEniHlcFsWNZT8rJU8pj5WCQ2ToZV3MviZWgQ6sd99PlP_8fvpJfKan2bmUkLHLWk0zDQKHQtg-qyEBxqfOFMxc7BTp-S_WUCOqaa_HrUI64v57AfSQmjJsUbBrcCDQzLe47TmzKUnqPZZT9tHW9OCwYVEjLBUQ/w480-h640/IMG_1548.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJ5-6NLRhfqvSjZMEhqiYzx7uawUsSM-uBssVz9vJkY0cco3R9CRvM5mKf871uur2Ap_0MbYbBTZeTj1QW26gdeSUSBLQrA_KG-mxmqQsuPFsV5PtVLffDQIzU2cLMe0o8Uy_RJIHZSW3-kpz8WURWT9iBkGmrDRL3XXx4wyt2PAhZOGio8lcfhIVqnco/s4032/IMG_2118.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJ5-6NLRhfqvSjZMEhqiYzx7uawUsSM-uBssVz9vJkY0cco3R9CRvM5mKf871uur2Ap_0MbYbBTZeTj1QW26gdeSUSBLQrA_KG-mxmqQsuPFsV5PtVLffDQIzU2cLMe0o8Uy_RJIHZSW3-kpz8WURWT9iBkGmrDRL3XXx4wyt2PAhZOGio8lcfhIVqnco/w480-h640/IMG_2118.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xDxxulaXNARzDeUaZxPeHdZeUvL9x0bWAHE1JU049I5aCIAD17dUB3coyvx6UsmYjQcOK2oEQzKI1bZixEYdXEdy2hC6bi-at3HigFwOxkZSdwiftMTyHqBU5SuJ5rjsQ8Dz4r4e4oOfKBan0wgeEzDsIiC0jpmRCrPn31qPqGzFjkeDEoQKWgeBCQ_9/s866/IMG_4926.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="692" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xDxxulaXNARzDeUaZxPeHdZeUvL9x0bWAHE1JU049I5aCIAD17dUB3coyvx6UsmYjQcOK2oEQzKI1bZixEYdXEdy2hC6bi-at3HigFwOxkZSdwiftMTyHqBU5SuJ5rjsQ8Dz4r4e4oOfKBan0wgeEzDsIiC0jpmRCrPn31qPqGzFjkeDEoQKWgeBCQ_9/w512-h640/IMG_4926.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyV7nbyxxXSIKdMiCdwBY_ASlpG1YAvU53l1Uxchyphenhypheny9t0WiIcrX-7H1_Ak7AG9rtSC8rQrUtVKNMYrVl2tcBkA3oR6uOysYBCv_KLwG-A6E7UA4NUpiQa8_UcX67lat6tGawdGA8ES9e7w3g6HmTLjSqU41TS08cRlvs5vXeJIEPNIJEMD5HDTf0ECopaS/s2629/IMG_5351.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2629" data-original-width="2451" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyV7nbyxxXSIKdMiCdwBY_ASlpG1YAvU53l1Uxchyphenhypheny9t0WiIcrX-7H1_Ak7AG9rtSC8rQrUtVKNMYrVl2tcBkA3oR6uOysYBCv_KLwG-A6E7UA4NUpiQa8_UcX67lat6tGawdGA8ES9e7w3g6HmTLjSqU41TS08cRlvs5vXeJIEPNIJEMD5HDTf0ECopaS/w596-h640/IMG_5351.jpeg" width="596" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I am thankful to my sister Margie, who calls me every day so I can talk with Mom. I am grateful that Mom knows me, my kids, and my husband, whom she calls "Mr. Wonderful." Alzheimer's is a wretched disease. They say it robs you of your loved one twice. I have chosen to accept this stupid disease and acknowledge it. I won't, however, allow it to win. I won't allow it to diminish my time with my mom. I listen to her and respond to her wherever she is in her mind. I don't correct her. I don't remind her. When she tells me she saw her mother today, I tell her I am glad. And I am. When she asks where her husband is, I tell her he is at work and is feeling fine. I try to remember that long before she was my mom, she was a granddaughter, a daughter, a friend, and a sister. Her heart and mind are filled with memories of time spent with those loved ones. Being with them now makes her happy and brings her peace. I celebrate that with her. I talk to her on the phone and visit when we can. I am so thankful to my sisters and the loving, caring people who care for her in the same place where, one day years ago, my mom visited her parents. I suppose that is the circle of life, and I embrace every moment. As Mom always sings, "... Life is but a dream. "</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have a wonderful Monday, my friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stay cozy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Billie Jo</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-42377153863815676382024-01-26T05:58:00.000-08:002024-01-26T05:58:33.767-08:00Soup To Make You Feel Better<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRZPEj8Xs6CIwT_otIOFXgwlZiVKKlr8Y-f9TXu-8bHwFBwJyYX3gpoZ9GGH4osTBCxuZtFst9elGX4JYnDcUxeyODauISUF9xnO4fOu8m-x4H-jVUtEJRJXGycqwe-elyoZlisXstmuEk7KHYl9xVienwdyDP4eKHHrgGWhChdMX4PpiyNSkN9LlVtsT/s398/IMG_1718.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="398" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRZPEj8Xs6CIwT_otIOFXgwlZiVKKlr8Y-f9TXu-8bHwFBwJyYX3gpoZ9GGH4osTBCxuZtFst9elGX4JYnDcUxeyODauISUF9xnO4fOu8m-x4H-jVUtEJRJXGycqwe-elyoZlisXstmuEk7KHYl9xVienwdyDP4eKHHrgGWhChdMX4PpiyNSkN9LlVtsT/w640-h640/IMG_1718.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Hello, my friends! I was so happy to catch up with you this week! Unfortunately, many of us here in Blogland are battling colds, coughs, and other assorted viruses. We are on the mend here; Flynn is recovering quickly, I am in the middle, and Rhett is clinging to last place with a cough like no other. Thankfully, we all saw the doctor and found it to be a virus that must run the course. We left with instructions to rest, hydrate, and load up on Vitamin C. Madison sent me a link to a most delicious chicken soup, and I made it last night. I am sharing it here because it is good, simple, and makes us feel better.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi151L8X9yH75KHxyoy1FjlHWo8IWj2mVQfWT4tRhUA0LiA5HOrbD5KiMWHC3L4Dnado22uRKwsPy2ehp8NViYviD5W0lkFcSoCDw-PYInoekcrxwlZFMsFLwjPemeegKD1tejg_KnB6kRNzBwIrRQvCohcnvuYynHooR_7uFD_dLtROQ9Ut2AeT009Kxr5/s3024/IMG_4274.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi151L8X9yH75KHxyoy1FjlHWo8IWj2mVQfWT4tRhUA0LiA5HOrbD5KiMWHC3L4Dnado22uRKwsPy2ehp8NViYviD5W0lkFcSoCDw-PYInoekcrxwlZFMsFLwjPemeegKD1tejg_KnB6kRNzBwIrRQvCohcnvuYynHooR_7uFD_dLtROQ9Ut2AeT009Kxr5/w640-h640/IMG_4274.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><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/AVvXsEgFUYSDR60HjI6_sbePllpy6u2UUlZ78luIjsdi1bBSuQOEA9_oCy3qGo_kIRJUtcvxDyYAYr0fn9XM4ulX7HDd1FTULyw7Vuf_LIqlk7rXLfRAx2hM3INEU2gCHfL7ba_59gtLDf-VjfH7XeLhysQLSjFa3dypaOya6hknfY3m79PC7mjjeiIHtnOk0C-l/s3024/IMG_4275.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUYSDR60HjI6_sbePllpy6u2UUlZ78luIjsdi1bBSuQOEA9_oCy3qGo_kIRJUtcvxDyYAYr0fn9XM4ulX7HDd1FTULyw7Vuf_LIqlk7rXLfRAx2hM3INEU2gCHfL7ba_59gtLDf-VjfH7XeLhysQLSjFa3dypaOya6hknfY3m79PC7mjjeiIHtnOk0C-l/w640-h640/IMG_4275.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I will link the recipe below. I am also eating some good breakfasts with a new-to-me fruit: raspberry oranges! So good! We are laying low this weekend and snuggling in with movies, online mass, warm beverages, and books. I hope you all have a happy, healthy weekend, my friends! Stay healthy, comfortable, and warm!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOZbsOlCcsk_mwufAa8zb8QFixL5YijuVJl5w-gzC3-m9hm572l-phIHExZFZ5xQifC5Gpfw4xe7erabu5dsYIIuZTXKI7WB7-jzj5PFCwMS7nv-Q4fxOgxFrkjy_0e5LJaO7yOG6bFWg0jbGndZx52nlxQqM4NTKZdBqgGWviiuDVy0wGsuKbQlVilHI/s3024/IMG_4263.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOZbsOlCcsk_mwufAa8zb8QFixL5YijuVJl5w-gzC3-m9hm572l-phIHExZFZ5xQifC5Gpfw4xe7erabu5dsYIIuZTXKI7WB7-jzj5PFCwMS7nv-Q4fxOgxFrkjy_0e5LJaO7yOG6bFWg0jbGndZx52nlxQqM4NTKZdBqgGWviiuDVy0wGsuKbQlVilHI/w640-h640/IMG_4263.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEj4M2noM0F3bBedaUPrDP5gSzOcmS1GuvEFTchwTb6P2pC5PC3GsXcIk1gb1w4RYuC2vPUPH1DotU-eany_LeLRriO1_vGh6VtXi_nib9tOnt2HGJlzD9hz8niVJwJYlYPwKkVLSODnCXnysX7_aUlBxPNeyeP634wrk4YBhDotMsIhVQNBw5HA68SqlXiC/s398/IMG_9193.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="398" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4M2noM0F3bBedaUPrDP5gSzOcmS1GuvEFTchwTb6P2pC5PC3GsXcIk1gb1w4RYuC2vPUPH1DotU-eany_LeLRriO1_vGh6VtXi_nib9tOnt2HGJlzD9hz8niVJwJYlYPwKkVLSODnCXnysX7_aUlBxPNeyeP634wrk4YBhDotMsIhVQNBw5HA68SqlXiC/w640-h640/IMG_9193.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://bakerbynature.com/flu-fighter-chicken-noodle-soup/"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Chicken Soup For When You Are Sick</i></span></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Just click on the link. Now, I did make it a bit easier on myself. I used a rotisserie chicken and prechopped vegetables. I also used organic chicken bone broth and elbow macaroni. Enjoy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Billie Jo</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-33066173108286609152024-01-24T06:58:00.000-08:002024-01-24T07:43:52.779-08:00Mickey And Minnie And Harry Potter<p style="text-align: justify;">Well, hello there! I've missed you, my friends. I actually took my laptop with me on this trip but only opened it once to watch something online. That, I believe, is a sign of a great vacation. Being in a fun and magical place with the people you love and leaving the rest of the world behind just for a bit. This vacation was indeed great, in some ways more than others. We were together! (Great!) Except for Peyton and Chris. (Not so great.) The weather was warmer! (Great!) But also cold and rainy. (Not so great.) Most of us stayed healthy! (Great!) Some of us did not. (Not so great.) But in the end, I realized that despite missing a special part of our family, being cold and wet, and passing around a relentless cold with a horrible sounding cough, we made many memories that we will cherish forever. And, as I promised when some of us were quite ill in a hotel room far away from home, we will one day look back and laugh about this. Or at least smile, remembering how we took turns caring for each other.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">We took way too many pictures, and I promise I won't bore you with them all, but I do want to share some because I often look back here and am thankful I have a record of our special days, all organized and tidy. Have a seat, pour a cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa, and come to Florida with us! </p><p style="text-align: justify;">We headed out early on a Sunday morning to a smaller airport not quite as far from our home for a direct flight to Orlando. I highly recommend a smaller airport. It's so much easier and less stressful! After arriving and checking into our hotel, I was ready for a shower, jammies, and room service. Even the cleanest airplane makes me want to shower immediately, you know? Everyone except Madison and I headed out for dinner. She and I? We ate and watched The Miss America Pageant on my laptop. We were thrilled with the winner, Madison Marsh from Colorado, the first active-duty Air Force Officer to win the crown.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiANBkcZXsAU-t4zeGArYBc1rO13-lhAnyrfQ4YslpfR7UuFhLpBQk8cSA_UIEW9JdoyKHncI0KzlUY9ToF03KMU8aKxopMhVsn3QAJjA2gRlHcMxU1IqtKZoPakNgYb1dZGJi1TCf-Ssp8AuznHJyHWizzgKH5brw3SYqIfddkJwlKze1kDSGsrGKwSGB/s3088/IMG_4119.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiANBkcZXsAU-t4zeGArYBc1rO13-lhAnyrfQ4YslpfR7UuFhLpBQk8cSA_UIEW9JdoyKHncI0KzlUY9ToF03KMU8aKxopMhVsn3QAJjA2gRlHcMxU1IqtKZoPakNgYb1dZGJi1TCf-Ssp8AuznHJyHWizzgKH5brw3SYqIfddkJwlKze1kDSGsrGKwSGB/w480-h640/IMG_4119.jpeg" width="480" /></a></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/AVvXsEgmPeZgJ1BsNQizbGLVkqxSjzU8Fn4IeaRV5HfDQ0zBTx7Hr1kgUQ4pOozvsWUMo2AKb7xJINtN6UO8dagwC6XNbAFSPN4gJZVX8TEX_CGAyGe7FkvCuPORnqR_g0GjZf62Ep-8Tcy_JoMFRNQ-17z-bU8yE44XNN78YRZqbXcq-eyOVdP0Cn4SQFGMsPaC/s4032/72693722694__4946A256-C939-4322-BE23-A4D238B6176E.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPeZgJ1BsNQizbGLVkqxSjzU8Fn4IeaRV5HfDQ0zBTx7Hr1kgUQ4pOozvsWUMo2AKb7xJINtN6UO8dagwC6XNbAFSPN4gJZVX8TEX_CGAyGe7FkvCuPORnqR_g0GjZf62Ep-8Tcy_JoMFRNQ-17z-bU8yE44XNN78YRZqbXcq-eyOVdP0Cn4SQFGMsPaC/w640-h480/72693722694__4946A256-C939-4322-BE23-A4D238B6176E.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFe0A4EDGxWbQDHOucNiOtZ97k3LeV0hXpixbwrSdoMyFy2pWxKYwTojKAM5ypLVjsAwPYvlxzA9L0NEva5JgD28NybEBzmUbrjBeVuYRB9CDI4uuuTGqCyYDpCjv2ABq7Nzomz3OsN5kYZrRdiEURlTIX41TzhZAKbIf4_St5W5aIwZcxHMooG4tSiWf/s1536/IMG_8185.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFe0A4EDGxWbQDHOucNiOtZ97k3LeV0hXpixbwrSdoMyFy2pWxKYwTojKAM5ypLVjsAwPYvlxzA9L0NEva5JgD28NybEBzmUbrjBeVuYRB9CDI4uuuTGqCyYDpCjv2ABq7Nzomz3OsN5kYZrRdiEURlTIX41TzhZAKbIf4_St5W5aIwZcxHMooG4tSiWf/w640-h640/IMG_8185.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The next day, we packed up and headed to our condo in Disney World. We stayed at Saratoga Springs Resort, the same place we had stayed several times when the kids were little! We walked past the pool and talked about the time my mom was with us and went down the water slide with them! I remembered eating breakfast with my Dad in the Artist's Palette, the quick-service restaurant at the resort. While bittersweet, I smiled rather than cried because those magical things <i>happened.</i> And we will always have the happy memories of Disney days together. For the next few days, we walked to the bus stop, boarded various buses, and spent time at the parks. First up was Animal Kingdom, then Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and back to Magic Kingdom. Because. It's Magic Kingdom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgXVFMbJb_gq6C7We9ZFMApDsxoUc7c9ozBWNObp_QK1TtTga1oL52W2k3mCeMpzHgZY_uIP3ja-2i3Nvxc9iBuq09SKAcPE1V6m44G_NYdb3gBgfpkHLoc3YT_HM02o2hcqbNaYiBboElj9jVkhi1Q4SdolhsAphvY2t9J_nluP9jwnqta7p6y8wZ9_H/s4032/IMG_4159.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgXVFMbJb_gq6C7We9ZFMApDsxoUc7c9ozBWNObp_QK1TtTga1oL52W2k3mCeMpzHgZY_uIP3ja-2i3Nvxc9iBuq09SKAcPE1V6m44G_NYdb3gBgfpkHLoc3YT_HM02o2hcqbNaYiBboElj9jVkhi1Q4SdolhsAphvY2t9J_nluP9jwnqta7p6y8wZ9_H/w640-h480/IMG_4159.jpeg" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEgY08Xb-tH2mp2a9fXlVurft9tHW17MKOpZ8_UQU6SgSKhjU6HU7Pymu4Nm6hNGWt_hDucPAPMsOkrPrBhpgzNxUvQrraarje4GPdWIIzxetidBb1Nqm04lUX2sbTMhoXxEVzdzPFVS26nOYDFE7GU6OoicwEkgWxxcp3JkqdNttr1eHNNcE_1u6U8kM1Ef/s3024/IMG_4157.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY08Xb-tH2mp2a9fXlVurft9tHW17MKOpZ8_UQU6SgSKhjU6HU7Pymu4Nm6hNGWt_hDucPAPMsOkrPrBhpgzNxUvQrraarje4GPdWIIzxetidBb1Nqm04lUX2sbTMhoXxEVzdzPFVS26nOYDFE7GU6OoicwEkgWxxcp3JkqdNttr1eHNNcE_1u6U8kM1Ef/w640-h640/IMG_4157.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUXI7vkMWk85ZFyK2TfeqBfAJ9yLuAkFuFoIY5PgkjGWaXT_Y9_eURLIMyCEcNppSUwWbh2myy56ejQ-EcOz_kuywDq0c6i2tSEJPozExKWXCqLVjCAQggJHxALC7ysKq8wgQoUGkxM78UmBhIV-gzwtzaUVCXUpbNwBFl6GAE5SJ_QIFbPGUR4XmpA49/s2898/IMG_4153.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2898" data-original-width="2898" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUXI7vkMWk85ZFyK2TfeqBfAJ9yLuAkFuFoIY5PgkjGWaXT_Y9_eURLIMyCEcNppSUwWbh2myy56ejQ-EcOz_kuywDq0c6i2tSEJPozExKWXCqLVjCAQggJHxALC7ysKq8wgQoUGkxM78UmBhIV-gzwtzaUVCXUpbNwBFl6GAE5SJ_QIFbPGUR4XmpA49/w640-h640/IMG_4153.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBTUasagQ9Z3OZBZaF2RjHpxtgCCr3B_nOXyjOBWAX7DnW4NfSSZQ2q6QP9aQxwokPTlhqwKWDt4DOqhb-iYRn6vabpbkp0wyTDHkGjsKRM_YQxHIrJu_JED8P6sKfyhCNW2M5Hnlb3OFpa0GZbbAPSWR8yYZdhskuZCaULkYeTy5npyKFOcd76bul92F/s1536/IMG_9025.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBTUasagQ9Z3OZBZaF2RjHpxtgCCr3B_nOXyjOBWAX7DnW4NfSSZQ2q6QP9aQxwokPTlhqwKWDt4DOqhb-iYRn6vabpbkp0wyTDHkGjsKRM_YQxHIrJu_JED8P6sKfyhCNW2M5Hnlb3OFpa0GZbbAPSWR8yYZdhskuZCaULkYeTy5npyKFOcd76bul92F/w640-h640/IMG_9025.jpeg" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEjKSdap4HAQhKYm5oPAQxaYtAz80U7KaAG2mgzOP6fQcFU6vffHDnhOQEzG2rUYVfcbpoUAuGLqbqLhp9P87eweje8qUBYK0qQ1b21sTQYw04OeKI86xydryyizkDZLSXVP80ah5tTokl4DPbfXVhtwotpslG4QoAOqvYxAPixl3z-roMYBT2DEmyA9D5Tv/s2316/IMG_4676.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSdap4HAQhKYm5oPAQxaYtAz80U7KaAG2mgzOP6fQcFU6vffHDnhOQEzG2rUYVfcbpoUAuGLqbqLhp9P87eweje8qUBYK0qQ1b21sTQYw04OeKI86xydryyizkDZLSXVP80ah5tTokl4DPbfXVhtwotpslG4QoAOqvYxAPixl3z-roMYBT2DEmyA9D5Tv/w640-h640/IMG_4676.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Animal Kingdom was wonderful. And note to anyone heading to Disney: You will pack all your makeup. However, you will immediately realize that wearing it is ridiculous. Honestly, throw on some facial sunscreen and call it a day. No one cares- literally no one. Magic Kingdom is just that: Magical. Seeing Cinderella's Castle for the first time always makes me tear up!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQk-A2_P-8qQsEXy-NVfq26Ld4_y3euOVw5TOJOOYg6dEl0pmHeLX5WDPn1WuKifG3Qk4e22eAKebTY-n5NRIpCOm9v0ss48GazPlunGOoCNmzt27fZIRCONKYW7QjwPL1ivjiuYMyVM20VSJvUhnvSSotDy_MVOk86noYmt-TmOSafxmZuvZ1F6IngY6/s3024/IMG_4191.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQk-A2_P-8qQsEXy-NVfq26Ld4_y3euOVw5TOJOOYg6dEl0pmHeLX5WDPn1WuKifG3Qk4e22eAKebTY-n5NRIpCOm9v0ss48GazPlunGOoCNmzt27fZIRCONKYW7QjwPL1ivjiuYMyVM20VSJvUhnvSSotDy_MVOk86noYmt-TmOSafxmZuvZ1F6IngY6/w640-h640/IMG_4191.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My Madison loves the fireworks. She always has.</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/AVvXsEhrE687b9yB9KOucUFQLlDcD7t6MVeeUBrS-laAyudIvR-N2ULZVSVG5draIPePW5lgvZ1G231CuSDnMSOaQ1jjTShZol8Qb634mBPY2U0QhIwcrOGY7_ukIoF_TKzNyNNEPi9lAT7vBiDwAn99mymGPizWhUdkYS-9_9h35zC_hagRnzVQpIkpuSQZaA2f/s1947/IMG_3769.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1460" data-original-width="1947" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrE687b9yB9KOucUFQLlDcD7t6MVeeUBrS-laAyudIvR-N2ULZVSVG5draIPePW5lgvZ1G231CuSDnMSOaQ1jjTShZol8Qb634mBPY2U0QhIwcrOGY7_ukIoF_TKzNyNNEPi9lAT7vBiDwAn99mymGPizWhUdkYS-9_9h35zC_hagRnzVQpIkpuSQZaA2f/w640-h480/IMG_3769.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjCJPhGkF7DoQ0TU3QhEiCk4K8gYrgcDi0ZBL1mcSMFgL-Os098k4iwgGDwjiZ5sXJ0DjXzMpI8MhQvBh4nGqqPLdRxnyntYNDMwrqoiHqf9-pXK-feUkr1YVJLPT93prFcLgb8yGTXkzl7OkLQOw7dZbYZtrlB9YvMcDkKgwiRI2T1VCnz8XS0k0cvml/s2048/IMG_3773.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjCJPhGkF7DoQ0TU3QhEiCk4K8gYrgcDi0ZBL1mcSMFgL-Os098k4iwgGDwjiZ5sXJ0DjXzMpI8MhQvBh4nGqqPLdRxnyntYNDMwrqoiHqf9-pXK-feUkr1YVJLPT93prFcLgb8yGTXkzl7OkLQOw7dZbYZtrlB9YvMcDkKgwiRI2T1VCnz8XS0k0cvml/w640-h480/IMG_3773.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Seeing these festive balloons was bittersweet. The kids used to pick out a balloon the first day and keep it all week until it was time to fly home. When Fynn asked for one, I was so thrilled! Kyrstin got one, too, as it was her first time in Disney World!</div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOM9RdhCzxFPtuf0GgeeKhGhCDC3hjAsdtQsHp7lm3cMcP-x4B0P1DCZx-Iadvrqk3jPWjqpBdPsq4z3IGJCtQ3qlll0kJkHZF4FfRMe0MzKinXKcAJcRop61qnoHEyLL_WfUmS-ZaaUkfxlWl-cMoDIDZ8PXJzPJVCBqizTqi5qoEBCgFmAozFS0FyQWm/s2048/IMG_8259.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1596" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOM9RdhCzxFPtuf0GgeeKhGhCDC3hjAsdtQsHp7lm3cMcP-x4B0P1DCZx-Iadvrqk3jPWjqpBdPsq4z3IGJCtQ3qlll0kJkHZF4FfRMe0MzKinXKcAJcRop61qnoHEyLL_WfUmS-ZaaUkfxlWl-cMoDIDZ8PXJzPJVCBqizTqi5qoEBCgFmAozFS0FyQWm/w498-h640/IMG_8259.jpeg" width="498" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTBut79Jgx7_MxYS0W-ZCpie516YzfDn8GF9fG1HfGutonRwxhfs_ODwOvrjtMAXt7TTg_NT-SA5LHRqjiKIQ_GaJ1pJQfbkvLnr18wYkMaUINadWv94bSkFLYmQLff1hdEmHlfXA3sDIgUgZYvVTjKNQJvt_LHqzRRu8r_-QyAs4vh9tVrRQyMralt9Z/s1536/IMG_4637.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTBut79Jgx7_MxYS0W-ZCpie516YzfDn8GF9fG1HfGutonRwxhfs_ODwOvrjtMAXt7TTg_NT-SA5LHRqjiKIQ_GaJ1pJQfbkvLnr18wYkMaUINadWv94bSkFLYmQLff1hdEmHlfXA3sDIgUgZYvVTjKNQJvt_LHqzRRu8r_-QyAs4vh9tVrRQyMralt9Z/w640-h640/IMG_4637.jpeg" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhss-d_FDyJRZjh9U5TKdRYnwP7OkutgmFehDBVFBSb1_zWRiaHzqN2PbI72lmMWeEBfKtmN1S2oLAgebaEYeglpXvyUEwKCSIzidUbtiXJdy5BHrAtMvxATtGMMNqfMDAqOphafArH9oxCA4xBej-N9o5PYDGI2NOKVzcsVAgHtxficTUQlGYp57-Z3q7d/s1681/IMG_8214.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1681" data-original-width="1261" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhss-d_FDyJRZjh9U5TKdRYnwP7OkutgmFehDBVFBSb1_zWRiaHzqN2PbI72lmMWeEBfKtmN1S2oLAgebaEYeglpXvyUEwKCSIzidUbtiXJdy5BHrAtMvxATtGMMNqfMDAqOphafArH9oxCA4xBej-N9o5PYDGI2NOKVzcsVAgHtxficTUQlGYp57-Z3q7d/w480-h640/IMG_8214.jpeg" width="480" /></a></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/AVvXsEhR6_g5CoRGDLlG4bxYc9MWZYsmX93YCULVfNIQ1fXm_bz-oenVhiEq7X5VhgT1lylVwsGvrP-L0EKnyzBNxaYoLDRI3wtlnfrUpHhTu3LgmeFoGn4pKpRia_2QM6usIxhdmcYvUDb6NSjSFXOvE6D1TmhJLBdstTA8XkPWXK_sRIygXKCdE0pH-I9CAGaM/s2048/IMG_8254.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6_g5CoRGDLlG4bxYc9MWZYsmX93YCULVfNIQ1fXm_bz-oenVhiEq7X5VhgT1lylVwsGvrP-L0EKnyzBNxaYoLDRI3wtlnfrUpHhTu3LgmeFoGn4pKpRia_2QM6usIxhdmcYvUDb6NSjSFXOvE6D1TmhJLBdstTA8XkPWXK_sRIygXKCdE0pH-I9CAGaM/w480-h640/IMG_8254.jpeg" width="480" /></a></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/AVvXsEhOxPdGQo5XCmc8Oaw8t-w0hus5jHixhvvdWK3g44UKHbdG5sT3n853wLK_-Ryvr4mlD6iTBj3xOvZoYNlALZycvUo7s9YS-4JMVIOP-B0qzJETuZmpzAf4YtgJNCY0sz-zvJjTrAcyRYZHC-xkNppTPNMzwjZvnzWw2gP9Bn06q6MzqPXsguKdB_h1Xrxk/s3088/IMG_4684.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxPdGQo5XCmc8Oaw8t-w0hus5jHixhvvdWK3g44UKHbdG5sT3n853wLK_-Ryvr4mlD6iTBj3xOvZoYNlALZycvUo7s9YS-4JMVIOP-B0qzJETuZmpzAf4YtgJNCY0sz-zvJjTrAcyRYZHC-xkNppTPNMzwjZvnzWw2gP9Bn06q6MzqPXsguKdB_h1Xrxk/w480-h640/IMG_4684.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Another fashion note or two: Wear a hat. Even in January, the sun is bright. Wear good sneakers! They don't have to match. I wear mostly black and, for some reason, I bought my blue sneakers. I promise, Mickey doesn't care! </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/AVvXsEj6wMOyUvQUL25aQXTCmhdVqLntXckmPjvn1NDhYAzDLEta88NLYjRLNTUd3o0W5CASsGEzMsfIPTsNC27WAvhhJ4FeKf17IVtUu8XCuSjRvACI0zY6Gi4OHV_flaeUCHTIWzBCi7VzP0qmI5o-SZsIECQVpKp2ZMJETapCQu72QuEMerhyphenhyphenuKIbSxpFWeCc/s1600/IMG_3665.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wMOyUvQUL25aQXTCmhdVqLntXckmPjvn1NDhYAzDLEta88NLYjRLNTUd3o0W5CASsGEzMsfIPTsNC27WAvhhJ4FeKf17IVtUu8XCuSjRvACI0zY6Gi4OHV_flaeUCHTIWzBCi7VzP0qmI5o-SZsIECQVpKp2ZMJETapCQu72QuEMerhyphenhyphenuKIbSxpFWeCc/w480-h640/IMG_3665.jpeg" width="480" /></a></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/AVvXsEgXYKJSIoCowzSGuejcjADkUn9jrzE5z_90ac7s0-1g8FU406BAWhrQ2WFBJvXNec5CJiMskFmI5FcVrsIG8EnERt5hj8uEQkpRMGEeDT5Nuss4rAF6L7Ym9Uc1bKvRLVq77uNbmkCD-K04v2BNz6vVdqf8X6EkFHQ2EX3UBlIpGf-DQcDIzjSQVFfFnNDM/s4032/IMG_9039.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYKJSIoCowzSGuejcjADkUn9jrzE5z_90ac7s0-1g8FU406BAWhrQ2WFBJvXNec5CJiMskFmI5FcVrsIG8EnERt5hj8uEQkpRMGEeDT5Nuss4rAF6L7Ym9Uc1bKvRLVq77uNbmkCD-K04v2BNz6vVdqf8X6EkFHQ2EX3UBlIpGf-DQcDIzjSQVFfFnNDM/w480-h640/IMG_9039.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IcvT6DjeuYVM-kxVFM5nWxhK5m5ms8PYK1bKthl5FQXy_G9jqUdYL-Sj3YZLDVUv3-MbPJgjgKO1HFERQnC7j1487eiOt2Ezz9Wn_7Lmg_f7YEgLu44X2zkfCeX6iKLXcVHENlHF36IGY4NylWFePWK78Jgw6VUwVrgUxkKnvW_AIh5Oa9t-ZHLlM7Kl/s4032/IMG_8306.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IcvT6DjeuYVM-kxVFM5nWxhK5m5ms8PYK1bKthl5FQXy_G9jqUdYL-Sj3YZLDVUv3-MbPJgjgKO1HFERQnC7j1487eiOt2Ezz9Wn_7Lmg_f7YEgLu44X2zkfCeX6iKLXcVHENlHF36IGY4NylWFePWK78Jgw6VUwVrgUxkKnvW_AIh5Oa9t-ZHLlM7Kl/w480-h640/IMG_8306.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Shoutout to Nicolas. He researched, planned, called, emailed, organized, and directed our entire trip! He even has the hat to prove it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We packed up again on Friday and headed to our last stop, Universal Studios! Another tip: If you find a good Uber or Lyft driver, remember him. We had the best driver early in the trip, and he gave us his card. Steve and he communicated all week; whenever we needed him, he was there!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></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/AVvXsEjapjowiZBwSZ_c1PbIVsbwvEYj_Ns650IbvLOWv5P3CTWZCSnTFfakxne-8QBvFe33npuP13QkyiuEy0y79hyphenhyphentEdjlvWMuv6m2uvQBXag5WLy8sUWjl2HX3Qh8XcvPrF0Kc8FszE4IK13Xg5ZYu2M4CgPMTjwtgC5BX1owJNQ8qvLj3KnlbV90WyhBcPa3/s4032/IMG_4221.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapjowiZBwSZ_c1PbIVsbwvEYj_Ns650IbvLOWv5P3CTWZCSnTFfakxne-8QBvFe33npuP13QkyiuEy0y79hyphenhyphentEdjlvWMuv6m2uvQBXag5WLy8sUWjl2HX3Qh8XcvPrF0Kc8FszE4IK13Xg5ZYu2M4CgPMTjwtgC5BX1owJNQ8qvLj3KnlbV90WyhBcPa3/w640-h480/IMG_4221.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It was about this time that an annoying, unwelcome virus disrupted our vacation. That was not good. However, it allowed some quiet, restful days and delicious room service meals. </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/AVvXsEit1Vv6jYdmS_mrWlqqCN7X9am8ZD3SXDubOIhy8KRm3iPApBUYVXma8uhAT1Py_ZhtFoMPKho1WTRed1eha8tWjLsyHa4w5W-25P4X9NemGT5RZLiBB1AVpZM8or3qV3V3cvaiYns-GL_m3SYMz5DUz9tRF5TwPtHdnqDT_wR3Rq10IRo0OenPDrH6Xre2/s2698/IMG_4693.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2698" data-original-width="2698" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1Vv6jYdmS_mrWlqqCN7X9am8ZD3SXDubOIhy8KRm3iPApBUYVXma8uhAT1Py_ZhtFoMPKho1WTRed1eha8tWjLsyHa4w5W-25P4X9NemGT5RZLiBB1AVpZM8or3qV3V3cvaiYns-GL_m3SYMz5DUz9tRF5TwPtHdnqDT_wR3Rq10IRo0OenPDrH6Xre2/w640-h640/IMG_4693.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Finally feeling human again, we all eventually made it to Universal Studios!</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/AVvXsEi2mOo9smB2pjUui5dTGmZPmKJqcIZvsPAIeiL-g97JqvSFtccQ1D42vIx4oryhYTb_09ovP_eJzlrXmshmM_1SfgY2WbfKtzgORfHO2u4A1QUGoMuWma49t_m_TN6Z6AwABmRB8wfQNrx37aFCHzvnfr8VJOxfoY9-eA7Sbl25R0AelszX8IeRaFpaNXy5/s4032/IMG_4226.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mOo9smB2pjUui5dTGmZPmKJqcIZvsPAIeiL-g97JqvSFtccQ1D42vIx4oryhYTb_09ovP_eJzlrXmshmM_1SfgY2WbfKtzgORfHO2u4A1QUGoMuWma49t_m_TN6Z6AwABmRB8wfQNrx37aFCHzvnfr8VJOxfoY9-eA7Sbl25R0AelszX8IeRaFpaNXy5/w480-h640/IMG_4226.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We were thrilled to see Harry Potter World! It's not really what it is called, but you get the idea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHTiCxf-npkJYcpayH1PAAlLaeIH6mxmUPhm8YKBPj5v2L2Oq3SupzJBPpPZrVy9oHgLCj3tx_jtv8ZDyLNPhfZu9-sKqbbDf0E15wMua4UNGRh-idBMkvC6oUMBd5upxw9GlnIMEb15x1XBUMaH3EDcA0TH77XcRXILDSZlCzyK2dQmObjYtlASIg0dk/s3024/IMG_4229.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHTiCxf-npkJYcpayH1PAAlLaeIH6mxmUPhm8YKBPj5v2L2Oq3SupzJBPpPZrVy9oHgLCj3tx_jtv8ZDyLNPhfZu9-sKqbbDf0E15wMua4UNGRh-idBMkvC6oUMBd5upxw9GlnIMEb15x1XBUMaH3EDcA0TH77XcRXILDSZlCzyK2dQmObjYtlASIg0dk/w640-h640/IMG_4229.jpeg" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEiIoBxnV0sr8r9JWJ7cKaXBOP9afz-NIhUHLRFAkONKqczyCMAj9bNmzdyUk-miR7W1u4XnFPzzE3FcsGkC-k-KTUpBd2OA6pTPm7VlcM8cHQYt4nOhdyTOkcKQkyqQxOaO4I30NPe2mOTUQbmiRyuox50seDkMyrzH888zKgYOLhJuTX1-rs_Le8zYHb52/s3024/IMG_4230.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoBxnV0sr8r9JWJ7cKaXBOP9afz-NIhUHLRFAkONKqczyCMAj9bNmzdyUk-miR7W1u4XnFPzzE3FcsGkC-k-KTUpBd2OA6pTPm7VlcM8cHQYt4nOhdyTOkcKQkyqQxOaO4I30NPe2mOTUQbmiRyuox50seDkMyrzH888zKgYOLhJuTX1-rs_Le8zYHb52/w640-h640/IMG_4230.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34VPjlSZdLTiMQxQN5tMx3ZZ4rmf_1qR6SlpS2facW7owbZgX1FJO61t569ckqPjhm71wCdGz42-_36FEy57E4nEbktOOzhLoRvy-yHaZr6C_B2loHGhM-tP0VGWpwgubdeXsH3zi3D1z0OjGsLREjAt8yA5gSkClbErRzQxUdcH_Qib0gCosIJZMvskc/s3619/IMG_4235.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2714" data-original-width="3619" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34VPjlSZdLTiMQxQN5tMx3ZZ4rmf_1qR6SlpS2facW7owbZgX1FJO61t569ckqPjhm71wCdGz42-_36FEy57E4nEbktOOzhLoRvy-yHaZr6C_B2loHGhM-tP0VGWpwgubdeXsH3zi3D1z0OjGsLREjAt8yA5gSkClbErRzQxUdcH_Qib0gCosIJZMvskc/w640-h480/IMG_4235.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Now, some of us, ok, everyone except Steve and me, rode this. MORE THAN ONCE!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It is a new roller coaster. And it looked terrifying.</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/AVvXsEjep1pga5HuV7VEQ3wgo86IrHSamNUfLS2JpnOmNHnRFHdqlKLbr4whkg4RmVCAWtrC2vlW_V_QRAXOLMZ3pGlFTk3tsf_50leGY07SbPKeORh56SzS9Z7Vs9rHQ-tEjQHMMmZCIFDu90dC_Cmi1ful5LKenh-0Qi4f_YzBP9t0UnrFbqWAGfRZi0BqG0MW/s3492/IMG_4237.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3492" data-original-width="2619" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjep1pga5HuV7VEQ3wgo86IrHSamNUfLS2JpnOmNHnRFHdqlKLbr4whkg4RmVCAWtrC2vlW_V_QRAXOLMZ3pGlFTk3tsf_50leGY07SbPKeORh56SzS9Z7Vs9rHQ-tEjQHMMmZCIFDu90dC_Cmi1ful5LKenh-0Qi4f_YzBP9t0UnrFbqWAGfRZi0BqG0MW/w480-h640/IMG_4237.jpeg" width="480" /></a></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/AVvXsEi4OQ3zXscMWdAc3ujfOC3OzPWXskpIia0LVX6u8aj8fLOtvjSrDBw-CfAWVGVjqNACGly47Uwjy6C-fusnGR_3vmStPbJ3iXMLztCrX_F7OdHG54wuLcxiZruLuIgfiEZRq0G2Mn89-KwgobEzUkgXYVLEtEdAR2mjG1PafuNvSHWoY5spgagQ208uEd5q/s2637/IMG_4236.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2637" data-original-width="2637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OQ3zXscMWdAc3ujfOC3OzPWXskpIia0LVX6u8aj8fLOtvjSrDBw-CfAWVGVjqNACGly47Uwjy6C-fusnGR_3vmStPbJ3iXMLztCrX_F7OdHG54wuLcxiZruLuIgfiEZRq0G2Mn89-KwgobEzUkgXYVLEtEdAR2mjG1PafuNvSHWoY5spgagQ208uEd5q/w640-h640/IMG_4236.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Madison and I watched from a safe distance. We agreed it was ridiculous- until the very next day when she rode it and loved it! According to the kids, it is life-changing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I felt it only fair to represent both places with my Disney jacket and Harry Potter scarf. Note the makeup-free face, wind-blown hair, and all-around exhausted look. All are signs of a good park day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwATKDkTywk3GqLEjE5zDLa2B7b6fUSHR7hg850JkPJHUebqgAi4MG8elgsX_gNPOkk6NJRU9ThsJbUz9jKavhyOaKmhYPKWX5ReCmX7U-eNw5jTBtJhStvEOlwJ8oNc1zY2F5Nag41j4d20m5nYsBkNzb11-cUZhD4sRtZosvoxN7K0q32Gd4tmLmErUQ/s3024/72757483183__88136EE2-A93E-49A2-A216-7D0D6443CDB5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwATKDkTywk3GqLEjE5zDLa2B7b6fUSHR7hg850JkPJHUebqgAi4MG8elgsX_gNPOkk6NJRU9ThsJbUz9jKavhyOaKmhYPKWX5ReCmX7U-eNw5jTBtJhStvEOlwJ8oNc1zY2F5Nag41j4d20m5nYsBkNzb11-cUZhD4sRtZosvoxN7K0q32Gd4tmLmErUQ/w640-h640/72757483183__88136EE2-A93E-49A2-A216-7D0D6443CDB5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Finally, it was time to pack up and head home, our bags filled with dirty laundry and our hearts filled with happy memories. In a mere seven hours, we went from this...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCl7EYTO3dv9I7shjfWjGt24h0jhrNRF_jRf8l6kCjEge0i7Sds55sbIU7B8AarBTWWbu6BbFRS2zFC5MQJrC54KhcLLUSbttIJ8bE2EJraD8Z2D2ZI8I028cIawvmA3_pT0mwOIgr14Pg91NepLxncduyvvcDZOm6URN83vfFQ7KD7LkM02Hvg32kh8N9/s4032/IMG_4720.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCl7EYTO3dv9I7shjfWjGt24h0jhrNRF_jRf8l6kCjEge0i7Sds55sbIU7B8AarBTWWbu6BbFRS2zFC5MQJrC54KhcLLUSbttIJ8bE2EJraD8Z2D2ZI8I028cIawvmA3_pT0mwOIgr14Pg91NepLxncduyvvcDZOm6URN83vfFQ7KD7LkM02Hvg32kh8N9/w480-h640/IMG_4720.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To this...</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/AVvXsEj-4ZaQl1wrHNalaLI2OJTXEOHLyHT3_txsbnOzBs2auCUewExRjch2OUcNPKiF0MgH8RgS_zO9S4NMr1Vmujcu4P9dZsM8GZZzMta2aSxhlagWrhYA_XDxyWfC6akrQbCb0dTqsTAsz5zQOPyHL2vWZm0pLOWd0GUV3GE4-SVUUZIMxD2V2M4_WFjc0WlS/s2646/IMG_4721.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2646" data-original-width="2646" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4ZaQl1wrHNalaLI2OJTXEOHLyHT3_txsbnOzBs2auCUewExRjch2OUcNPKiF0MgH8RgS_zO9S4NMr1Vmujcu4P9dZsM8GZZzMta2aSxhlagWrhYA_XDxyWfC6akrQbCb0dTqsTAsz5zQOPyHL2vWZm0pLOWd0GUV3GE4-SVUUZIMxD2V2M4_WFjc0WlS/w640-h640/IMG_4721.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With a glimpse of what I believe Heaven is like in between.</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/AVvXsEg-Xe4EzHkq0nu1CqIcLJfULqhTNIy32FEpuOcQy4dxnhahbQ27RY7c1e_V7B-6YTT2UpisX1uSNEIOdCrWFBg9TO0WZtdB9h4fBUGFEVdm29v2j4f5JUAsBL_sSDvFGzACBirTcNngTuRvQoF3hm5J2pMe7bd9-B-eZayupN-hoHRM2mA1A4j20753dEQT/s4032/IMG_4253.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Xe4EzHkq0nu1CqIcLJfULqhTNIy32FEpuOcQy4dxnhahbQ27RY7c1e_V7B-6YTT2UpisX1uSNEIOdCrWFBg9TO0WZtdB9h4fBUGFEVdm29v2j4f5JUAsBL_sSDvFGzACBirTcNngTuRvQoF3hm5J2pMe7bd9-B-eZayupN-hoHRM2mA1A4j20753dEQT/w480-h640/IMG_4253.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIitJgP5-vUxvcRLQK4kMNGcXJHto8Mf1sxwKjP_2Zz6yU0GtIE52BYeBBRRtswWbYJyzWz1EFkLhGzDtUkD1JLOpFPwtmgiPLsPWfqFp5PU8lZnuThEv7o-ZOyRSH8iwzt5JxBfIklhzIzRkNuCEP_iH6NtXlF_ZXrJvs1e-v_NSE8LFks8PYvVkLC1o-/s4032/IMG_4250.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIitJgP5-vUxvcRLQK4kMNGcXJHto8Mf1sxwKjP_2Zz6yU0GtIE52BYeBBRRtswWbYJyzWz1EFkLhGzDtUkD1JLOpFPwtmgiPLsPWfqFp5PU8lZnuThEv7o-ZOyRSH8iwzt5JxBfIklhzIzRkNuCEP_iH6NtXlF_ZXrJvs1e-v_NSE8LFks8PYvVkLC1o-/w480-h640/IMG_4250.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In no time, I was unpacked, showered, and in my jammies on the couch with my pups. Right where I belong.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you for visiting and sharing our trip, my friends. I look forward to visiting you all soon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Billie Jo</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-830473372238505362.post-11847104313640008742024-01-15T06:18:00.000-08:002024-01-15T06:18:33.045-08:00Monday Morning Coffee <p></p><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/AVvXsEhzFJKdmZKNnbQEbS_LsEAFN79eP7VGX66yIYAiFPMH45a5tqwWOc3L15l8v9YWdmc83kqtKn00q5IcwSOdm8cP2WjXSNfz1sg1Fdw_A-gndwlqs_5-ZoDjlqH2kOUsz4ARZ7xfx_03HtG-zYe02Wzgwuv7RzoY58ycR_XJf5ocrGTSGzLHH_-yP1ibTB9Q/s3835/IMG_4148.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3835" data-original-width="2876" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFJKdmZKNnbQEbS_LsEAFN79eP7VGX66yIYAiFPMH45a5tqwWOc3L15l8v9YWdmc83kqtKn00q5IcwSOdm8cP2WjXSNfz1sg1Fdw_A-gndwlqs_5-ZoDjlqH2kOUsz4ARZ7xfx_03HtG-zYe02Wzgwuv7RzoY58ycR_XJf5ocrGTSGzLHH_-yP1ibTB9Q/w480-h640/IMG_4148.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Good Monday morning, my friends! We interrupt the regularly scheduled Monday morning coffee posts in front of the fire for this one, taken outside in Florida this morning. Yes, we boarded a plane for the first time in over five years, and two and a half hours later, we traded the cold and snow for some partial sun and warmth. When I woke up yesterday morning and took the pups outside, I was sure we would not be able to fly that day. It was snowy, freezing, and windy. By the time we were ready for takeoff, the weather had transformed into this...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></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/AVvXsEhG4eezf8Anw48_vXOu6-JuAH0jNHBEyxqUsh4WIdpWB-ntodUxD30NLgHFWRkS_V1ErhJpuDzpoWrzCd7N-IrcT30U5ILY9L6wUMNpejeUxcbA5rEJzHiXcZJvRNCHtngq7b_knMEyirwo0RNiH9GLdDODRmMyXb0PR_BClzyPtU8K1bwQg6sBEPQCVTDz/s4032/IMG_4133.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4eezf8Anw48_vXOu6-JuAH0jNHBEyxqUsh4WIdpWB-ntodUxD30NLgHFWRkS_V1ErhJpuDzpoWrzCd7N-IrcT30U5ILY9L6wUMNpejeUxcbA5rEJzHiXcZJvRNCHtngq7b_knMEyirwo0RNiH9GLdDODRmMyXb0PR_BClzyPtU8K1bwQg6sBEPQCVTDz/w480-h640/IMG_4133.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Here we are, all ready to go! Don't be fooled by my borderline manic look. Steve hates flying, and I just realized I was the one to keep calm and hold things together. Fortunately, he did great, thanks to Rhett setting him up with headphones and a movie to watch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xlIvOSrK4U1bnRgr4AVlQnKbjR8g3BWJx8hW1ZSVs4GFPT43AFJEwvgOfXSmR1UogNhm-zUt4Hf64OQnCQ9PSDPFMJX3LNJ-EUgbYFmgLPwDcVdQTFlZS6PWoBs-8AF0gFAvVjV2KZqDdVCYGugrCGC0dS1wBl_zaLPv4ShsaqaU8jcHAESYLv9KP7Gr/s2584/IMG_4137.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2584" data-original-width="2045" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xlIvOSrK4U1bnRgr4AVlQnKbjR8g3BWJx8hW1ZSVs4GFPT43AFJEwvgOfXSmR1UogNhm-zUt4Hf64OQnCQ9PSDPFMJX3LNJ-EUgbYFmgLPwDcVdQTFlZS6PWoBs-8AF0gFAvVjV2KZqDdVCYGugrCGC0dS1wBl_zaLPv4ShsaqaU8jcHAESYLv9KP7Gr/w506-h640/IMG_4137.jpeg" width="506" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Before we knew it, we were at our first stop, and I promptly showered, changed into my cozy clothes, and settled in with Madison for the evening. We enjoyed the room service and The Miss America Pageant while the others headed for dinner. A homebody is a homebody, no matter where she is!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPpzFzvkjCWQ_HP4vOTTnbtEOJkALzIBOhFI855WJe6WfrU6JU0N3FacJDiACy8q2ofms1zrvLDHuvujDwHvp-FytFx0-R6-vHPTHMjuuuH6DWyRong2EqTo0RVdhn7pOUtUVpI0vdNw7lONjJz9EUNlKfREBwdJELxSsjkqxlajvtRNQ78LI1x0GN4SU/s4032/IMG_4143.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPpzFzvkjCWQ_HP4vOTTnbtEOJkALzIBOhFI855WJe6WfrU6JU0N3FacJDiACy8q2ofms1zrvLDHuvujDwHvp-FytFx0-R6-vHPTHMjuuuH6DWyRong2EqTo0RVdhn7pOUtUVpI0vdNw7lONjJz9EUNlKfREBwdJELxSsjkqxlajvtRNQ78LI1x0GN4SU/w480-h640/IMG_4143.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have a wonderful week, my friends! Stay warm and cozy, and as always, thanks for visiting!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Billie Jo</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Billie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13515311983458309772noreply@blogger.com43