tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365137202024-03-18T20:38:50.032-07:00The Life & Times of Chloe & PearlThis is the story of two little sisters growing up in Central California.Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.comBlogger424125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-63312337778657434782011-04-25T17:29:00.000-07:002011-04-26T07:56:48.816-07:00Spring Break<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGDy0qcl31wCxcIDWMEThmcM2Nrx_OfzU9f5FiFnuQyS3LUZ8pU01i2CJh3Qnt0gMygCjkw4ZXa6_ujV3nB1vTt-RsBDmKshuA9vDz923VWN-lIHh-TWxbbnGyPEYiLsHWIrdxg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGDy0qcl31wCxcIDWMEThmcM2Nrx_OfzU9f5FiFnuQyS3LUZ8pU01i2CJh3Qnt0gMygCjkw4ZXa6_ujV3nB1vTt-RsBDmKshuA9vDz923VWN-lIHh-TWxbbnGyPEYiLsHWIrdxg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599718872611647090" /></a>Pahrump, Nevada<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7_dMNZ32t9iskZDRgJ5rMAxutDwAKeaeNT16K_fyYsgSTbVRgzOlSDjA8JfIwwqTWM-vs5nnq3mWA69C2WW_Rh05TExkwXt90IhQxQJ6bDhdvK8yFqFYdlq_nzf2MdpeAMmqcw/s1600/G%2526Gshomeweb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7_dMNZ32t9iskZDRgJ5rMAxutDwAKeaeNT16K_fyYsgSTbVRgzOlSDjA8JfIwwqTWM-vs5nnq3mWA69C2WW_Rh05TExkwXt90IhQxQJ6bDhdvK8yFqFYdlq_nzf2MdpeAMmqcw/s400/G%2526Gshomeweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599718886092769410" /></a><br />We opted to keep things simple this Spring Break. Partly, because I am saving up money for a big adventure and partly because we just didn't feel like going anywhere. We did manage to fit in a few days for a much needed visit with my parents, who at ages 91 and 85, are due for as much family time as possible. The girls love visiting their grandparents and I think the grandparents love having them around.<br /><br />My parents used to travel around the US in their motorhome while I attended college. I couldn't get ahold of them. I just had to wait until they called me. After several years of travel, they decided to settle down in a co-op in Pahrump Nevada with other like-minded retirees. They have remained there for around 21 years now. It seems like yesterday.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCam_pfg-1RR-oMIivQkUhyphenhyphenjW89bIDWZebJySwj8TQ3dS3CLpVWUm_0sNvWoYHvIC79zj6I8YJb0MjRZi3b8C3KcV_15AMac8BGVvchVqLyd5xYu2bNVc0vdlGqlNZTbjghlvDbw/s1600/Effyhatweb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCam_pfg-1RR-oMIivQkUhyphenhyphenjW89bIDWZebJySwj8TQ3dS3CLpVWUm_0sNvWoYHvIC79zj6I8YJb0MjRZi3b8C3KcV_15AMac8BGVvchVqLyd5xYu2bNVc0vdlGqlNZTbjghlvDbw/s400/Effyhatweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599718893465630546" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveN3MTWJH0gvNYuA23aZxyw4ToYxTccWI6lrndILNSwvnDRYomkoP-JH5tl9r_eDGv2jSLldb9EM5Yd61ttvkofHCS7MchsZ1jMWgtYIti6Ymj4McXXUYvhgZgsE-78QeOH-ORQ/s1600/Effybalanceweb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveN3MTWJH0gvNYuA23aZxyw4ToYxTccWI6lrndILNSwvnDRYomkoP-JH5tl9r_eDGv2jSLldb9EM5Yd61ttvkofHCS7MchsZ1jMWgtYIti6Ymj4McXXUYvhgZgsE-78QeOH-ORQ/s400/Effybalanceweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599718890813166930" /></a><br />Grandpa is pruning his petunias<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhseNimsXR3MZ1rQQjqczc1cvXVJ3iPPuf_dp1cTmzn9Wi3H3Gg4SDirEhZ4WjMK_G1nWy52GpNgIbtUu03etpt-n81uqpCBf3h0MpZ0xnwY0aEvU18F-uHXBhyphenhyphenQF6wHunZv_ubg/s1600/Grandpapruningweb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhseNimsXR3MZ1rQQjqczc1cvXVJ3iPPuf_dp1cTmzn9Wi3H3Gg4SDirEhZ4WjMK_G1nWy52GpNgIbtUu03etpt-n81uqpCBf3h0MpZ0xnwY0aEvU18F-uHXBhyphenhyphenQF6wHunZv_ubg/s400/Grandpapruningweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599718878498263378" /></a><br />I also wanted to be productive during the break. I didn't spend any time trying to take great photographs, but I did manage to sew four simple sundresses and a new top for Effy, our exchange student-daughter. I am really trying to get up my motivation to give new birth to my pattern design business. I think this would be an easy way to generate income and spend more time with the girls. Unfortunately, I have to use some of my quality family time now in order to get this thing started. It's a bit of a Catch 22.<br /><br />On Sunday, we just hung out at home and let the girls hunt for eggs in the yard. They sure had a lot of fun. Even our new cat Angelina wanted to get in on the action, but she wasn't quite sure what is going on. This is the first time I have ever seen her with a mean look on her face.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wJqbVKJ_KmRT1-dmn6NI98GtJlFaxWq92GwNaZKw7ykgitH_HbmJiMJjmCP8rlhi9S6sqNpeUJ6TxwLX0IkiL28krs29FSBVBKoOVAZCZ0H0gWttmqOpwB-4MceJe_VjqrTA4A/s1600/Chloebasketweb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wJqbVKJ_KmRT1-dmn6NI98GtJlFaxWq92GwNaZKw7ykgitH_HbmJiMJjmCP8rlhi9S6sqNpeUJ6TxwLX0IkiL28krs29FSBVBKoOVAZCZ0H0gWttmqOpwB-4MceJe_VjqrTA4A/s400/Chloebasketweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599718535011705810" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMnhgOkGp-AZ7k5QCiaa0SZifNQ2lBwudQ3mmJO961KFQsDakoN6eAAh1hq3bxTGROFahhXbfcwuSVtwKXK-TfuiFg17mZNllL07C-Hbd5uFArzEx3lDEiZRV5yMbG16R1Ot_Rg/s1600/Chloefaceweb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMnhgOkGp-AZ7k5QCiaa0SZifNQ2lBwudQ3mmJO961KFQsDakoN6eAAh1hq3bxTGROFahhXbfcwuSVtwKXK-TfuiFg17mZNllL07C-Hbd5uFArzEx3lDEiZRV5yMbG16R1Ot_Rg/s400/Chloefaceweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599718527195865218" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-jykVDQWQZQZrgl8SJtNTGdhe-r-weiUP35bGLwys9OX5shK1J8Dqoms3QK_0L2WHCLI7L8VZoOyXePbfyrF2NbJafgq1KcgrokJZkVbqYNFN045lXtIyi92aKhIm7nuCEB-AA/s1600/Pearlbasketweb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-jykVDQWQZQZrgl8SJtNTGdhe-r-weiUP35bGLwys9OX5shK1J8Dqoms3QK_0L2WHCLI7L8VZoOyXePbfyrF2NbJafgq1KcgrokJZkVbqYNFN045lXtIyi92aKhIm7nuCEB-AA/s400/Pearlbasketweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599718519988695442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLp6KFY37tIVDt4bGpyWFGoJY8MYpHs020S2SzshfdqvygwVfS98rpKU-4WzGEOxutOWtg_4Bdk5KAJcE1sd6DrcZGQ3Iz3hNm1GcVQ1YpziOj7CRY58xveC2yTs7gPYYzn6mwA/s1600/Pearlfaceweb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLp6KFY37tIVDt4bGpyWFGoJY8MYpHs020S2SzshfdqvygwVfS98rpKU-4WzGEOxutOWtg_4Bdk5KAJcE1sd6DrcZGQ3Iz3hNm1GcVQ1YpziOj7CRY58xveC2yTs7gPYYzn6mwA/s400/Pearlfaceweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599718515596697282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHypisPIt1JZ-L1RYq_g2E2TtWMteOV_-ZeYLba78ibx5i1PNx9jikAKrpEOIKK8gIGecJKvUQt-Ga-0rETTcGyTf3SUiWlzM2Zjx_V4Y9IsKphZV4JFZ2u4fJm6uqIt88WbmGfw/s1600/hunting1web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHypisPIt1JZ-L1RYq_g2E2TtWMteOV_-ZeYLba78ibx5i1PNx9jikAKrpEOIKK8gIGecJKvUQt-Ga-0rETTcGyTf3SUiWlzM2Zjx_V4Y9IsKphZV4JFZ2u4fJm6uqIt88WbmGfw/s400/hunting1web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599718512609391042" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuL6yg6gOP3GWqJJ2BTZkraQE3z2rH7m0Ge4Rs6uyDmzCkZhv2qmYC8E6FHUBr3PMyqTPxlfiQTXOchSB0oEoHq6yQuZN4V6FdQpxksqCsfQp5VrKZcOeQh7ODVSycANDdSpZXzA/s1600/Pearlpurpleeggweb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuL6yg6gOP3GWqJJ2BTZkraQE3z2rH7m0Ge4Rs6uyDmzCkZhv2qmYC8E6FHUBr3PMyqTPxlfiQTXOchSB0oEoHq6yQuZN4V6FdQpxksqCsfQp5VrKZcOeQh7ODVSycANDdSpZXzA/s400/Pearlpurpleeggweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599718180354720882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5AB0-97f9DCghzgXzs0OR4OAw3htuaGalpfipjribxYTZYGG_sOezCcyITyvJnTLp0ziA2KosGLqmfwqc6bfkhfeLLuyglOgevWcwtF8C6a2ndl6KwfFQSbr2JdHStzJT9vltA/s1600/EasterChloeweb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5AB0-97f9DCghzgXzs0OR4OAw3htuaGalpfipjribxYTZYGG_sOezCcyITyvJnTLp0ziA2KosGLqmfwqc6bfkhfeLLuyglOgevWcwtF8C6a2ndl6KwfFQSbr2JdHStzJT9vltA/s400/EasterChloeweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599718178365088962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwCu8cHf1peAUZ-u6Vr4iA68gqHvdmuodKBVU-S1qZR2gn2ZMUAb3i0_APqjlAJz7_6cFRFAvJVCfcWP6XvBQK_kLUHZpA7e_91C485hTjARiB-reILwsoZMNhFMIq8255jgVEQ/s1600/runningweb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwCu8cHf1peAUZ-u6Vr4iA68gqHvdmuodKBVU-S1qZR2gn2ZMUAb3i0_APqjlAJz7_6cFRFAvJVCfcWP6XvBQK_kLUHZpA7e_91C485hTjARiB-reILwsoZMNhFMIq8255jgVEQ/s400/runningweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599718171377190082" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxCB3yth2qaKq_ieZowJzPJW8Wiz1yOicWChezlVpc8H8Hg4hhjD6INEa12u13g26eLNrtOqOaBu6h0Vpf0jZqPEQHBfHsemSdA_m21xYdKHw6irj3DnWjI-G-MA6CW4nfZVUdg/s1600/doublefindweb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxCB3yth2qaKq_ieZowJzPJW8Wiz1yOicWChezlVpc8H8Hg4hhjD6INEa12u13g26eLNrtOqOaBu6h0Vpf0jZqPEQHBfHsemSdA_m21xYdKHw6irj3DnWjI-G-MA6CW4nfZVUdg/s400/doublefindweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599718174781343922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYq__i7xwqjuINfLrNdAg2bGTG42Klu3GgfeqtEZKNmzqXwIVkOJwcQsHhohf4z6_dwrTYS-ewwzRvkhKNchUOS6CLXMbMBefnzP1C0L8wez4ctrEY7wNiiQmMCpynrjcXigTbQ/s1600/angelinaweb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYq__i7xwqjuINfLrNdAg2bGTG42Klu3GgfeqtEZKNmzqXwIVkOJwcQsHhohf4z6_dwrTYS-ewwzRvkhKNchUOS6CLXMbMBefnzP1C0L8wez4ctrEY7wNiiQmMCpynrjcXigTbQ/s400/angelinaweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599718617709154322" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZu-dDCzCWtIvp3HR6fJwzBEtzWJniB6c-8jT4b1_ZCQoRHhng7UBVm0hkAj7qWUzPtsE6rP3ZwoqlmoRtH6wK86AatBXK6UmYrIxMAIFMPS_o7GSynkdF4AnoJNKFVlQjhf87qQ/s1600/PearlRosesweb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZu-dDCzCWtIvp3HR6fJwzBEtzWJniB6c-8jT4b1_ZCQoRHhng7UBVm0hkAj7qWUzPtsE6rP3ZwoqlmoRtH6wK86AatBXK6UmYrIxMAIFMPS_o7GSynkdF4AnoJNKFVlQjhf87qQ/s400/PearlRosesweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599718167301348722" /></a>Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-53212169982624091782011-04-08T13:48:00.000-07:002011-04-25T09:25:23.232-07:00Pearl Turns 8<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3aW_gB78QtUeJsctIa7T7QX0F5u8TQJX54wRopgZ3emflPZGMGNam6tqAYq2Foa5j5aVNn4yHvF6X6jvDzQlaRFAVcN6nk8M4QK4wtCj3Boi_VPD84Z3ga5qXDJzEONJA3Yykg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3aW_gB78QtUeJsctIa7T7QX0F5u8TQJX54wRopgZ3emflPZGMGNam6tqAYq2Foa5j5aVNn4yHvF6X6jvDzQlaRFAVcN6nk8M4QK4wtCj3Boi_VPD84Z3ga5qXDJzEONJA3Yykg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599178117596401218" /></a><br />My darling Pearl is turning eight years old on April 8th. For her birthday, she asked for a visit to the American Girl Doll store and dinner in their cafe. So we are all headed to LA/Hollywood to spend a fun day of shopping, dining and time with the family. <br /><br />On the night of her birthday, her best friend came over for a sleepover and we had a cozy time celebrating with a nice dinner at home and a cute Hello Kitty cake. I think between my two young girls, we have exhausted all the possible disney girls' characters for cakes from the princesses to Tinkerbelle to Tangled. I think she was happy with Hello Kitty.<br /><br />She asked for a new pair of inline skates and some pearl earrings, so that's what we got for her. I'd really like to get the girls bicycles, but for now, they would rather ride up and down the sidewalks on their skooters and skates.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawUBhxdWUFN1KUJjp0pT_XjzNQ54RX5p1jMEvp02_b2Y_EYwJoLGNwOcEok1M8mU0BKy4fIdSGray3bRf8CMOpN-L8d7NMKL1M2wcTAUbM_kWYtdMnmmUbF8Sb5ZVfGJyYpaBCQ/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawUBhxdWUFN1KUJjp0pT_XjzNQ54RX5p1jMEvp02_b2Y_EYwJoLGNwOcEok1M8mU0BKy4fIdSGray3bRf8CMOpN-L8d7NMKL1M2wcTAUbM_kWYtdMnmmUbF8Sb5ZVfGJyYpaBCQ/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599179388055267458" /></a>Below is the underside of a mastedon skull and just beside it is a wolf skull.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9CyylJT_6dTeCMPn-fC8HFteNYjVjwkpRZlVh1Qb8x8A1NZI5Y5lE98W5WS3bQI9p2rJSDwDBX4KLBESGnwwD8fR0Uw5umT9ioliJ7rdFMDFII5g4eiS9qQu37VGdVjAewBLBA/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9CyylJT_6dTeCMPn-fC8HFteNYjVjwkpRZlVh1Qb8x8A1NZI5Y5lE98W5WS3bQI9p2rJSDwDBX4KLBESGnwwD8fR0Uw5umT9ioliJ7rdFMDFII5g4eiS9qQu37VGdVjAewBLBA/s1600/mastadonskullweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599178114458527938" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMhaNwY7dON2mu2nTtXs7S-AUWhZwDXrjxo_0NtCQ2GB8YbL7r3svLutyGft755K8dEKkrCHhKsz4C_6iXW9lmhnLHiKMDJzal5iMpgpZgigEse7Sq8KWXSl16_XIOdYNXhzDJg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMhaNwY7dON2mu2nTtXs7S-AUWhZwDXrjxo_0NtCQ2GB8YbL7r3svLutyGft755K8dEKkrCHhKsz4C_6iXW9lmhnLHiKMDJzal5iMpgpZgigEse7Sq8KWXSl16_XIOdYNXhzDJg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599178105858559826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzl0OjFmwnU2sKriHSEMFr7zwlGemphO5YC1n7PxMugQyCajMMqgPEBE580ssZjewFCMzmYxTdewXHsug0pEGeNelgb8hveJusHe4-xhSShz3x9ewi5mTxPGZ1TYjqUPTmCQdRzA/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzl0OjFmwnU2sKriHSEMFr7zwlGemphO5YC1n7PxMugQyCajMMqgPEBE580ssZjewFCMzmYxTdewXHsug0pEGeNelgb8hveJusHe4-xhSShz3x9ewi5mTxPGZ1TYjqUPTmCQdRzA/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599178100632272034" /></a>Below is a sculpture by Picasso entitled "Centaur". There were several Picassos here, mostly sculptures.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWcn2usqVl0bS3tCX1YVjVINBj77PepRFQpGA3U6ZwPyry9YzbvWytioM7R8_NM9wCdBvodsBMr-0N7Zl6lJISI99gsrOAq90l3aCmxxEQbDBQ4u5LeAl7VUF_fM9Ej7oGvW_SA/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWcn2usqVl0bS3tCX1YVjVINBj77PepRFQpGA3U6ZwPyry9YzbvWytioM7R8_NM9wCdBvodsBMr-0N7Zl6lJISI99gsrOAq90l3aCmxxEQbDBQ4u5LeAl7VUF_fM9Ej7oGvW_SA/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599178103744898930" /></a><br />The weekend following her birthday, we had a fun dinner at the American Girl Doll Cafe. They not only serve the real people, but they also serve the dolls too (although their meals are imaginary). The food was delicious and afterward, we let the girls pick out some clothes and accessories for their dolls. Pearl's doll now plays the flute, complete with her case and music and music stand. <br /><br />The next day we went to the La Brea Tarpits and the LA County Museum. It turned out to be a lot of fun. At the Tarpits, there are several "pits" still exposed where you can see the tar bubbling up out of the ground. Fences have been erected to protect the perimeter of the pits and lakes of tar. It is sad because you can witness firsthand as animals and birds become trapped in the tar and struggle to escape. It is just this process that makes these pits so important to the study of the Ice Age as they continually unearth fossils and creatures that were trapped in the tar over 10,000 years ago. The remains of mastedons and wolves and saber-toothed cats are on display and there are many other creatures bundled in crates still awaiting to be exposed.<br /><br />The museum was next door and it was wonderful. Since we wanted to get home fairly soon, we only explored a very small part of the musuem. There was a good selection of Picassos and Matisse' and the girls really enjoyed learning about modern art. They had special art rooms at the museum, so that the girls could play with paints and find their inner artist. It was nice and the best part was that I didn't have to clean up afterward.Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-49657117905010296092011-04-05T19:32:00.000-07:002011-04-06T08:05:37.138-07:00Planting a Vegetable Garden<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN6ONVGhkHU1ZV3ijVjbej6Pqa3VKVPlGFagNfhoeb2jmNBCtaRPfodbH7yjKN3ioVwY9qSMCDx2XkQ_1ieI4EAX5qnomF6R-deYV4YnAUWaPTxAhxst53OKjK-Md3Ep7Tk41crQ/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN6ONVGhkHU1ZV3ijVjbej6Pqa3VKVPlGFagNfhoeb2jmNBCtaRPfodbH7yjKN3ioVwY9qSMCDx2XkQ_1ieI4EAX5qnomF6R-deYV4YnAUWaPTxAhxst53OKjK-Md3Ep7Tk41crQ/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592298934088272978" /></a><br />Three weekends ago, I got the bug to plant a vegetable garden, even though we are currently renting our home. I remembered back to a time about 18 years ago when my husband and I were renting a small apartment with a cute little patio. We built a raised-bed planter and I filled it full of beautiful flowers. We also had a couple of vegetable plants including cherry tomatoes and peppers. I remember our house pet at the time, an adorable black English Angora bunny named "Raider", loved the cherry tomatoes. He would dance circles around our feet begging for them and we gave him so many that he got fat (or perhaps it was all the graham crackers-he begged for them too).<br /><br />So I decided that it would be a fun project for me and the girls to grow our own food. I knew Pearl loves veggies and I hoped this would motivate Chloe to try some. The first weekend we built the planter and the next weekend we planted the little plants and some seeds. I know I got carried away and planted things a little too closely, but I am hoping some climbing cages will solve that problem. We planted tomatoes (four kinds), peppers (three kinds), zucchini, pickles, eggplant, yellow squash, pumpkins, green onions, basil, cilantro, radishes and purple carrots. They aren't all in that tiny planter. We also made some rows in the yard for the pumpkins and squash. I am a total beginner at this, so I am sure it won't all go just perfectly, but I do expect we'll have a bumper crop of tomatoes.<br /><br />Throughout it all, my little Chloe has been helping me step by step. She planted the seeds and watered them. She was the first to notice that the onions had started to sprout. They are super tiny right now.<br /><br />I think now is the perfect time for my girls to learn about growing things and healthy eating.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHtNMuXziXNPmfNSCE6dZ_npq5bqyFHhDrp5CdbQbigbRtGJ_IFKIEof4MIT10N2jX1UC_O3QGRYM-HZ-2R8OdXEsbuWTPQBvUMqaH_ncFY4bbuf-_Aru-tv8_EdPRIRcsPZCMg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHtNMuXziXNPmfNSCE6dZ_npq5bqyFHhDrp5CdbQbigbRtGJ_IFKIEof4MIT10N2jX1UC_O3QGRYM-HZ-2R8OdXEsbuWTPQBvUMqaH_ncFY4bbuf-_Aru-tv8_EdPRIRcsPZCMg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592298922631599858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismJlIeiMohpzF2k78iP8bBSXMFfkIxFQhEre-xpzNQxjL92hPNLLKWQLl8NCz-xAQzKmCU3-BxJ1AqzooxcLJqTj36s0kZCk_AXoFdCkuXuMwmyHg1VmqFA3jDqrAGTV6fHkWrw/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismJlIeiMohpzF2k78iP8bBSXMFfkIxFQhEre-xpzNQxjL92hPNLLKWQLl8NCz-xAQzKmCU3-BxJ1AqzooxcLJqTj36s0kZCk_AXoFdCkuXuMwmyHg1VmqFA3jDqrAGTV6fHkWrw/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592298903223992978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_CoboeBCZULDF5L-oOugbEjxQFmOIjYWYGMpAJqIt8JLo12nfajUBjTj96XZxB8cYCqnYEn4Olu7XWP-RD4prxLcrpyUavAsCImQ8ie-ew5B0WBg4Cm06C5vgvCsTCC_jxNc3g/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 835px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_CoboeBCZULDF5L-oOugbEjxQFmOIjYWYGMpAJqIt8JLo12nfajUBjTj96XZxB8cYCqnYEn4Olu7XWP-RD4prxLcrpyUavAsCImQ8ie-ew5B0WBg4Cm06C5vgvCsTCC_jxNc3g/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592298891142844210" /></a><br />A few weeks ago, there was a stray cat at the elementary school. She wasn't friendly at first, but Chloe jiggled some marbles at her and she followed Chloe all the way home. Since we put some food out for her, she decided to stay and become another member of our family. She is so pretty..........don't you think? We named her Angelina. Angelina is our second cat. We adopted Sarafina last August and we still have her. Both of them have the typical tortie pattern, but Angelina also has some beautiful white patches. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzf-CupmxAvlsLf3anCIXIrEtFqRaeIIJixDWQ3g9UjhDPPCo8m21at8EFznU0QPN3JI6TrxW1YXtERyue7QXs_GroJmSB0OE6cRDaChCRhhxbOrpDoI1AWm9MIc3Lh0NNDOjcw/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzf-CupmxAvlsLf3anCIXIrEtFqRaeIIJixDWQ3g9UjhDPPCo8m21at8EFznU0QPN3JI6TrxW1YXtERyue7QXs_GroJmSB0OE6cRDaChCRhhxbOrpDoI1AWm9MIc3Lh0NNDOjcw/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592298258889184722" /></a><br />Chloe was the first to notice the onions sprouting after only 7 days.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFIEsOjgI8PSF3TOoAVyDVxja7mhqKDG02oebFLzfA3lPpjr534LE0e0cVE9wElQnlFhnKXULL_1iyzCfgCkRcH6yAkflzWViJMReY7EWytfyneSSSax3LTEeiyI4s-gxMqiDfA/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFIEsOjgI8PSF3TOoAVyDVxja7mhqKDG02oebFLzfA3lPpjr534LE0e0cVE9wElQnlFhnKXULL_1iyzCfgCkRcH6yAkflzWViJMReY7EWytfyneSSSax3LTEeiyI4s-gxMqiDfA/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592298259958335282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOj8cTrZK1u-4-FkDzfLWvxom0zgpxq1Wd3aV3fKyYSiUTBr3y5C7k2FtfY-T6vByvT_b76Xh5CtO4X1UFSRyVgf0c1LwMCauX2xgoiU8UrEUFfiRwTuOpqM5fUBU216XVUqQ3w/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOj8cTrZK1u-4-FkDzfLWvxom0zgpxq1Wd3aV3fKyYSiUTBr3y5C7k2FtfY-T6vByvT_b76Xh5CtO4X1UFSRyVgf0c1LwMCauX2xgoiU8UrEUFfiRwTuOpqM5fUBU216XVUqQ3w/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592298257038015090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbOY7wRNfhEeQFgEaABRh9Cvo-RUtlwBhSgZyPgv8YiJ2IjpOlCvykoQ7yHFVwDma3rbYL7YGHmrIjgO9j59cBvUGW2NV0ANiM9-2d2hv4kl5bBtZTWzP83JJi_unS9Ar-9CIgQ/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbOY7wRNfhEeQFgEaABRh9Cvo-RUtlwBhSgZyPgv8YiJ2IjpOlCvykoQ7yHFVwDma3rbYL7YGHmrIjgO9j59cBvUGW2NV0ANiM9-2d2hv4kl5bBtZTWzP83JJi_unS9Ar-9CIgQ/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592298242257976162" /></a>Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-74739154197875438502011-04-04T07:30:00.000-07:002011-04-04T15:14:28.544-07:00Family Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkw3-ZIIgfXJLL0a1RMoW2AnfewfCJrwkrcVGR5rUwv94Tpdo6dukKQQxraKmEn7rI7_P6994zcBcmuleJdPqd9q_bu3ddBdMOcj1k-CyT23Od2aHBIbZMiSIbhVp7kcWz6_PPA/s1600/Chloeday2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkw3-ZIIgfXJLL0a1RMoW2AnfewfCJrwkrcVGR5rUwv94Tpdo6dukKQQxraKmEn7rI7_P6994zcBcmuleJdPqd9q_bu3ddBdMOcj1k-CyT23Od2aHBIbZMiSIbhVp7kcWz6_PPA/s400/Chloeday2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591852128361248338" /></a><br />Today is the 6th anniversary of my becoming a mommy. After months of preparation, anxiety, interviews, and paperwork, I finally found myself with my husband in Nanning China waiting for the arrival of my baby girl. <br /><br />They brough Chloe in with the other 14 babies. It took me a minute to figure out which one was mine. I don't think she looked much like the pictures they had sent me. She was quiet, scared and curious. I was most in awe of her big round eyes (accentuated by her fear). She was brave and I later learned, sick.<br /><br />Those first few days were really rough, but we bonded with our girl and became friends with our travelmates. Everywhere we went, we were approached by Chinese people who would look at Chloe and exclaim, "Big Eyes!" <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbK5A8qXpQefhazowljf3gToJof_OpwoKrZT7cKeNlct6WnV3kQ0DX2pZL2FkOH2Xgk9p-fNkaUzl7pHth2O-EcOJPLUEAf87_y59W3bqfxWTEAopYIhcQZwcZSzrOFHXOQNPaA/s1600/Chloeeyes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbK5A8qXpQefhazowljf3gToJof_OpwoKrZT7cKeNlct6WnV3kQ0DX2pZL2FkOH2Xgk9p-fNkaUzl7pHth2O-EcOJPLUEAf87_y59W3bqfxWTEAopYIhcQZwcZSzrOFHXOQNPaA/s400/Chloeeyes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591854125279523714" /></a><br />Now she is 7. We often ask "Where did the time go?" I remember being so frustrated that I couldn't carry on a conversation with her. I was so eager and impatient to see her grow up. I wanted to know what she was thinking. These past few years have been so amazing, I wish I could freeze time......just for awhile. Even my sweet Chloe tells me she wishes she could stay little. How odd, when so many other kids just want to be big.<br /><br />She has blossomed so much this past year. In Kindergarten, she was quiet and reserved and middle-of-the-pack. In First Grade, she participates, competes, excels and earned Student of the Month. This year she started gymnastics and is taking to it like a fish to water. Her teacher already wants to move her up to the next level. Every evening, when her sister is practicing piano, Chloe is practicing handstands, splits, and back rolls. She does cartwheels as easily as taking a step. She is self-motivated and only needs the slightest encouragement. She is my little sidekick.<br /><br />Happy Forever Family Day my sweet Chloe ♥Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-90372026419986945782011-03-06T20:47:00.000-08:002011-03-07T15:24:43.599-08:00Chloe is Student of the Month for "Caring"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpBLXcQVzDzhpJsUcYcNOnVptD5KjEj8V7FxaiOFWAHfB2f8KzdQRyPJnpGOvbUd8OGH0H_7GYpE7vygRrJd6o_z2d6Ce7CdNiS-Pu7tHHCBSC9uhXaBWBGrg99utmLsZkDFEUg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpBLXcQVzDzhpJsUcYcNOnVptD5KjEj8V7FxaiOFWAHfB2f8KzdQRyPJnpGOvbUd8OGH0H_7GYpE7vygRrJd6o_z2d6Ce7CdNiS-Pu7tHHCBSC9uhXaBWBGrg99utmLsZkDFEUg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581200141379676562" /></a><br />I am still trying to find time to edit photos from last weekend. On top of that, it was time for me to make good on a photo shoot that I offered in a silent auction nearly a year ago. Chloe and Pearl's Kindergarten teacher was the high bidder in the auction and we did the shoot this weekend. The lighting was horrible and I was pretty disappointed when I first looked at my images, but thanks to Photoshop, I think I came up with some wonderful shots. Hopefully, if I get permission, I will post a picture or two from her shoot in my next post.<br /><br />When I asked <a href="http://www.laydenphotography.com/">Deb</a> to come all the way out to California to teach me about flash photography, I also invited her beautiful daughter to come along. I knew that Chloe and Pearl would love to have a playmate, and I was eager to meet the beautiful daughter whom I had admired in photos for nearly three years. As it turned out, she was everything I ever imagined..........she is not only beautiful, but she is also smart and sweet and a very special girl. I am honored to have the priviledge of meeting her and I am thrilled that my girls both think the world of her. They liked her so much, that we may have to make a trip to Atlanta sometime in the coming year (if they'll have us).<br /><br />For now, we will try to catch up on some pictures from last weekend. I feel like I am still in my infancy when it comes to learning photography, but I am totally hooked and don't want to do anything else (other than spend time with my family).<br /><br />Oh, and on another note, my youngest daughter Chloe was named "Student of the Month" for 'caring'. Chloe has been a tad jealous of her sister Pearl who was named "Student of the Month" in both KG and 1st grade. She has been hoping every month since that it would be her turn. I was a little bit concerned that she might not achieve this status because she can be a bit difficult. Now, finally her dream has become a reality. Not only did Chloe earn this wonderful honor, but her best friend, who is in another class, won the very same honor. I thought it was pretty cool that two best friends both won "Student of the Month" for the same thing at the exact same time!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrT5lEZdJGWkM15HDrCZ43mmOTVC1nVv-yTIK6PlQT2jk-OeOREVvQbm-i2TYMeV6wP_ppxA3JFHLfuyv2V-JilZMFlmPv773PZy0cLVtoWc7y9iMmFH0CQRFGKdhA3N3uooFVA/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrT5lEZdJGWkM15HDrCZ43mmOTVC1nVv-yTIK6PlQT2jk-OeOREVvQbm-i2TYMeV6wP_ppxA3JFHLfuyv2V-JilZMFlmPv773PZy0cLVtoWc7y9iMmFH0CQRFGKdhA3N3uooFVA/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581200139138511794" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMF22LRPZcEFB_4OoUdSU4YLTVxpGayRNdAnOfNiQoa89ObFBnreKfQy0yQGXAzPJmIdp5duWUadNqBhLQkkm1OAuY25K5laMG1p4KLirCHdNzUtX6hKpmZVajGRk3pNjd5P0uw/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMF22LRPZcEFB_4OoUdSU4YLTVxpGayRNdAnOfNiQoa89ObFBnreKfQy0yQGXAzPJmIdp5duWUadNqBhLQkkm1OAuY25K5laMG1p4KLirCHdNzUtX6hKpmZVajGRk3pNjd5P0uw/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581200134556952002" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuux4TWoTbRptPx84NqOvjT3ONGJonfZgQ9_CDuFk2KexJ9fZLJ2ELBUci8wns7rhsp9_iYWxZ3DekGKST0i6zmOYrIU1Ow-8gTfWaQGJj_BzXYK84txJpaH_giVXryEsHqxkDUg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuux4TWoTbRptPx84NqOvjT3ONGJonfZgQ9_CDuFk2KexJ9fZLJ2ELBUci8wns7rhsp9_iYWxZ3DekGKST0i6zmOYrIU1Ow-8gTfWaQGJj_BzXYK84txJpaH_giVXryEsHqxkDUg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581200129061104450" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-p7ZAuDkLc5lRNKYwhdSgg6k3nLzoOhK_tDWjjekC0ljvODtRRGFzddRH7e2itDFxA3AZQdv1nhVg0qvwAa9mdpsXAu6J7SmdaidLtThkEyj5nAY7K4xqKgptBaYSPIqsvuBqg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-p7ZAuDkLc5lRNKYwhdSgg6k3nLzoOhK_tDWjjekC0ljvODtRRGFzddRH7e2itDFxA3AZQdv1nhVg0qvwAa9mdpsXAu6J7SmdaidLtThkEyj5nAY7K4xqKgptBaYSPIqsvuBqg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581200125534002930" /></a>Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-63350874092951969622011-03-01T20:08:00.000-08:002011-03-01T20:28:01.083-08:00Effy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcV8tost6BZstvcuO0qJTcvKVXtxXK2TyiNh84DOLW3HV7nq_TZvHWrOx5GzJwSkQFUC9F_YhR8A23PGbXmoSO3fAaYOJ7FJ8_RmsjLjAYPXNI5KUosCIE_LsSP9gSBewJex7uSA/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 534px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcV8tost6BZstvcuO0qJTcvKVXtxXK2TyiNh84DOLW3HV7nq_TZvHWrOx5GzJwSkQFUC9F_YhR8A23PGbXmoSO3fAaYOJ7FJ8_RmsjLjAYPXNI5KUosCIE_LsSP9gSBewJex7uSA/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579331078939212674" /></a><br />This past weekend was absolutely amazing. My husband splurged and got me the best birthday present ever..........a full weekend with the great photographer <a href="http://www.laydenphotography.com/">Deb Layden</a>. She came out to California to teach me how to use flash (as well as showing me many other great photography secrets). She even brought her darling daughter with her. Both Chloe and Pearl took an instant liking to her and were sad to see her leave.<br /><br />I took so many pictures of so many subjects that I still have a lot to sort through and edit. I thought I would start with a series of pictures I shot of Effy, our exchange student. She graciously agreed to be our model and assistant even in freezing and windy conditions.<br /><br />Here are some of my favorites of her from the weekend.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgVTM3r-DrZ8tRIJXOSUuUfzMM6vZdfLYF_8AMuccEgZ8OqtRCwFf4Rer5hE9lEwaxdIeeMr_GRtWRRDUuFN4dxLLE8v9vZFWLlnPddEp-9rd927mk-u38tlEOVtD614pdVyQPQ/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 534px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgVTM3r-DrZ8tRIJXOSUuUfzMM6vZdfLYF_8AMuccEgZ8OqtRCwFf4Rer5hE9lEwaxdIeeMr_GRtWRRDUuFN4dxLLE8v9vZFWLlnPddEp-9rd927mk-u38tlEOVtD614pdVyQPQ/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579331075851228130" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKzGyrmVgVsjipqJY8Ucos4_eohUqFsjJLJAGalEHAPRDOhfz0g6kUowrXvZqHCeR2oTqTuNdXPUg475KFAOVPn5wvJ8DocK3ZjqUmaqA83yXwoze8tfsEC9Ewv5su0yQ8u0SAQ/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1004px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKzGyrmVgVsjipqJY8Ucos4_eohUqFsjJLJAGalEHAPRDOhfz0g6kUowrXvZqHCeR2oTqTuNdXPUg475KFAOVPn5wvJ8DocK3ZjqUmaqA83yXwoze8tfsEC9Ewv5su0yQ8u0SAQ/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579331072692481602" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcZWrg8-gss7Y7zfttoitFlXpJiLPTZsbxY6URnbM7L2HWXHncE8b6bz2RT29XAZgtR2Fb7UNz7cqzendGEhUz9PLzY-NkcvEbLfyau7sE0Tryf7Knbh7PE7mwdnTb6ADTCMuQQ/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 534px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcZWrg8-gss7Y7zfttoitFlXpJiLPTZsbxY6URnbM7L2HWXHncE8b6bz2RT29XAZgtR2Fb7UNz7cqzendGEhUz9PLzY-NkcvEbLfyau7sE0Tryf7Knbh7PE7mwdnTb6ADTCMuQQ/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579331077694437618" /></a>Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-83478795107067511002011-02-13T19:52:00.000-08:002011-02-13T20:10:49.010-08:00Getting Ready for Valentine's Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNwLntOJDJlpJfwJLKpKN0T-fBbszf3XwsaxmdBGxp_I8RDd9iRyng8DYcdHdeCP5qJTYJkuLH5DExcvnl6xR2sfO0j1-VGW0JPTA3EB0IzZomXetDAeiLLm8kAD5k9TrRqjiww/s1600/vday_mini_white+chloe.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNwLntOJDJlpJfwJLKpKN0T-fBbszf3XwsaxmdBGxp_I8RDd9iRyng8DYcdHdeCP5qJTYJkuLH5DExcvnl6xR2sfO0j1-VGW0JPTA3EB0IzZomXetDAeiLLm8kAD5k9TrRqjiww/s400/vday_mini_white+chloe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573389389398921730" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvd-PCuJCsyaU_yyLWemSo-qsos4xUjSSfeXdZmIA0vlK5Qz05RGwEHmy2l0JRoTWXRAW6y99Eq7FY2LU_ulTx4l1IjMUlzeblLPtwc9f_JOSvwI7JF2TxBUf_HgBcmd_YuQt6A/s1600/vday_mini_pink+pearl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvd-PCuJCsyaU_yyLWemSo-qsos4xUjSSfeXdZmIA0vlK5Qz05RGwEHmy2l0JRoTWXRAW6y99Eq7FY2LU_ulTx4l1IjMUlzeblLPtwc9f_JOSvwI7JF2TxBUf_HgBcmd_YuQt6A/s400/vday_mini_pink+pearl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573389387735647634" /></a><br />Yesterday we went to Target as a family. It was my intention to purchase some fun cute Valentine cards for Chloe and Pearl to give to their classmates. Boy was I disappointed with the selection. Perhaps it was just because I waited until the last moment, but I really saw nothing worth buying. However, we needed <em>something</em>, so I grabbed a few boxes of different things.<br /><br />Later that evening I remembered that I saw some Valentine Templates over at <a href="http://www.mcpactions.com/">MCP Actions</a> website and thought I would play around and see if I could come up with something. As it turned out, I was able to put some lovely portraits from last weekend to good use. The templates were easier to work with than I thought they would be.<br /><br />I finished them off and printed them up in little time and I think they turned out pretty cute. I hope the girls' classmates like them.<br /><br />Also today, I took some pictures for a nice young man. His mom said he needed some "head shots" and I was happy for the opportunity to practice my photography and editing skills. I really like this shot the best although we got several real nice ones. I used one of the new actions from <a href="http://www.florabellacollection.com/index2.php#/home/">Florabella</a> and I think they really gave it that special finish.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wjQdVSgchs5Qd-0bHt3WC_-fx6M3hCra-wuqxxtqYt14fOyVlZAgPB9Sl3KuStxYJC43YcIDz11jESSwkdSxz6Tnz7X8AMyNzzEBrPjaIH1x763WrXGoAdOunSXhAtibTMgaZg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wjQdVSgchs5Qd-0bHt3WC_-fx6M3hCra-wuqxxtqYt14fOyVlZAgPB9Sl3KuStxYJC43YcIDz11jESSwkdSxz6Tnz7X8AMyNzzEBrPjaIH1x763WrXGoAdOunSXhAtibTMgaZg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573389656327805538" /></a>Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-35945876952211936282011-02-10T07:40:00.000-08:002011-02-10T07:50:54.444-08:00Valentine Hair Do<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2V07Tr5KeuyM_G3bK_BhN6rOHKkmtqcwMBKoL1f-YQay7ogueZO3QoBuw3q8jPh_0yZTamDa7JSOwyVkg0UO4uVG0etqoZq69o6a2rDCyAK32_p6zmWN1Cyz9cbfi08vmmmr0Q/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 668px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2V07Tr5KeuyM_G3bK_BhN6rOHKkmtqcwMBKoL1f-YQay7ogueZO3QoBuw3q8jPh_0yZTamDa7JSOwyVkg0UO4uVG0etqoZq69o6a2rDCyAK32_p6zmWN1Cyz9cbfi08vmmmr0Q/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572087785623685186" /></a><br />I am always looking for fun hair-dos for my dark-haired beauties. This week Chloe has been asking for hearts in her hair. So I turned to one of my favorite websites, <a href="http://www.cutegirlshairstyles.com/5-minutes/hanging-heart-valentines-day-hairstyles/">Adopt A Do</a><a href="http://www.cutegirlshairstyles.com/5-minutes/hanging-heart-valentines-day-hairstyles/"></a> to find inspiration for Valentines' dos.<br /><br />This is a variation on the Hanging Heart hair do. I decided to do the heart in the back instead of the side, so that I could put the rest of her hair in a ponytail. Then I used some red mini clips purchased from the local drug store for an accent. You will need a topsy tail to create the top of the heart, but I have had success making one with a piece of wire. There are more Valentine hair-do ideas on her site as well. All the instructions are shown on easy to follow videos.<br /><br />Happy Thursday!Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-54034165103591181872011-02-07T07:10:00.000-08:002011-02-07T07:21:53.398-08:00This and That<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyoMRSPJ8gckWCugZgTftmOlGyIjECTSlO-hQXJTDzHtxGmce4s_1lHcUqbqtDYTBPMWpc3GG2FFapWrXRVLj-fdLlq8ItD-wZ4NS39L-viTLoNrvxM707oh65Up2HJ0Hq4iJ4Zg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 668px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyoMRSPJ8gckWCugZgTftmOlGyIjECTSlO-hQXJTDzHtxGmce4s_1lHcUqbqtDYTBPMWpc3GG2FFapWrXRVLj-fdLlq8ItD-wZ4NS39L-viTLoNrvxM707oh65Up2HJ0Hq4iJ4Zg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570967267002365346" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SICtUcr7OqKs2GRHNVB6UhM8a-X0RvtJp_bGC6QfaFx22k5ft407JnYS9UItN-XkkfK1qqQQ7MgzglLnuTyL_64_mWPrnA3j6LPdu-ItU-wuxUADmNxo5_YdfwXlhWOqF63JxQ/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SICtUcr7OqKs2GRHNVB6UhM8a-X0RvtJp_bGC6QfaFx22k5ft407JnYS9UItN-XkkfK1qqQQ7MgzglLnuTyL_64_mWPrnA3j6LPdu-ItU-wuxUADmNxo5_YdfwXlhWOqF63JxQ/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570966949490781458" /></a><br />I had a fairly productive weekend. What I mean by that is, that I planned to spend it with my family and do nothing other than relax and take pictures of them and then perhaps post a bit to the blog.<br /><br />Sunday didn't quite live up to expectations as the Superbowl brought some unexpected surprises our way. I had planned to take a picture of Chloe with her American Girl Doll and then later a picture of Pearl with her American Girl Doll. But thanks to the Superbowl, there were kids galore in the neighborhood and they seemed to think my house was the cool place to hang out. So Pearl was otherwise engaged.<br /><br />Therefore in an effort not to leave her out of this post, I will include a picture of something she created earlier this weekend. She made a three storey Lego house complete with car and a bald man. The home is fully furnished. There is even a computer and table.<br /><br />Happy Monday! Now I am off to work while the kids enjoy the day off. Sorry Dad.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiet78u6FwiUTUQPfKSA9bzJUdT-aMWuy2k2HFg5ZI3_bTjckkyCsF6qL4LruY22TnBxZ9m_jAjux5ixZV_N4SkjRro27dm0tXMr0FFTN2zLYgZMBX4IjR6ZT30_7Z0VEwGG1DJNg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiet78u6FwiUTUQPfKSA9bzJUdT-aMWuy2k2HFg5ZI3_bTjckkyCsF6qL4LruY22TnBxZ9m_jAjux5ixZV_N4SkjRro27dm0tXMr0FFTN2zLYgZMBX4IjR6ZT30_7Z0VEwGG1DJNg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570966767420723026" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSxm-nnpFmkUuuwLmaba80IrSBtFDXXCLZAIb5pEbRottLk5PVQMlS_MAfrv7KIkral_nnf0Ah8NFRPGSz2UBF0j8l7mam15OHu6yoNvJJ9iORS3V5oTg2h2eWGvx536HNu_ioQ/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSxm-nnpFmkUuuwLmaba80IrSBtFDXXCLZAIb5pEbRottLk5PVQMlS_MAfrv7KIkral_nnf0Ah8NFRPGSz2UBF0j8l7mam15OHu6yoNvJJ9iORS3V5oTg2h2eWGvx536HNu_ioQ/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570966759414713442" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrk_RVWlGNtWwhQ26TrSQfVCAB2RRDaS0MEbNPLdtfFFK_nIczYcaB-H1zOM-bAVd4EIClfHf271PLPkt0rCENnnZ_R4DhIgk1QGBiq2jk03gdJlMarCZ_qDbs3AoxxW7Tue0fDQ/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrk_RVWlGNtWwhQ26TrSQfVCAB2RRDaS0MEbNPLdtfFFK_nIczYcaB-H1zOM-bAVd4EIClfHf271PLPkt0rCENnnZ_R4DhIgk1QGBiq2jk03gdJlMarCZ_qDbs3AoxxW7Tue0fDQ/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570966750200826690" /></a>Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-7860737188944517182011-02-06T06:35:00.000-08:002011-02-06T07:05:48.069-08:00All Caught Up<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncG6xDOWlSXRukuK5gwCZeGhBOPD5BEcfzNKS5XxhzVxMhiTytPRFZbLpX5yH7p-v3U6SiLpsdJo6-pY2Xzq8Qe_wK9DQAyzL-4YyMB56YU-xeugjw6DQQSFZx2cgJByfLaa4cg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncG6xDOWlSXRukuK5gwCZeGhBOPD5BEcfzNKS5XxhzVxMhiTytPRFZbLpX5yH7p-v3U6SiLpsdJo6-pY2Xzq8Qe_wK9DQAyzL-4YyMB56YU-xeugjw6DQQSFZx2cgJByfLaa4cg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570588949951541330" /></a><br />Yesterday I wanted to dig up an old lens that I hadn't had much luck with in the past and give it another shot. My <s>not-so-</s>trusty 85mm 1.8 had been tucked away unused since I started this hobby two years ago. To further the matter, I had been getting stuck in a rut with my photography. I was learning some things in Photoshop, but my pictures weren't improving the way I wanted them to. I was content and complacent with my 25-105mm lens. I became lazy with the eaze of a zoom lens and this baby takes the sharpest clearest pictures, so I was satisfied. The only downside was that the widest aperture is 4.0, which doesn't allow for those amazingly creamy soft backgrounds. Although, I had discovered that when I used the 105 end of the lens and kept my subjects away from the background, I could get some lovely blur. Macros are stunning too.<br /><br />The 85mm was my first prime (non-kit)lens and the vast majority of my pictures were blurry. I even ran some comparison tests and the test shots came out blurry too. But now, I was longing for that bokeh (amazing blurry effect) and I thought I'd give my prime lens another go around. <br /><br />It was rough at first. I had a fabulous picture that I just won't post because I don't like the crop. I just couldn't get far enough away from my subjects to fit it all in.<br /><br />This was also an opportunity to scout out my local town for good photographic venues. There are more great places around here than I even considered. Who knew the local museum had such great spots. Too bad it's only open 3 hours/week. I might even go searching some more today.........maybe even during the Superbowl, when I will have the whole road to myself.<br /><br />Well, that's too much rambling. Here's what I shot with my newly appreciated 85mm lens.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbmS4Dq4x9wrnb9pZ2Am9n817zDKxwpkyZLshnP6fk30vH5rU3AlyJkKWIC7VYmv2T8U34DabZKgvfEX7DJ2mJqk6krvh1VEeAoeffUn3nJ7tKrZWZXPcYcKLquGPrI0iFGWdYw/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbmS4Dq4x9wrnb9pZ2Am9n817zDKxwpkyZLshnP6fk30vH5rU3AlyJkKWIC7VYmv2T8U34DabZKgvfEX7DJ2mJqk6krvh1VEeAoeffUn3nJ7tKrZWZXPcYcKLquGPrI0iFGWdYw/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570588942304780466" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AhWVvLBCLA0ufYmq5E5OjpkBewoUmHdVx6FB-RO5sjkPxFsWnE1U9Vxecxkza9yBb4mwea8u_rVDw_q_vxv-7UEuKHxTRD9K3KJsWdPtj7jzsncIvocqQ7xABjXrkRnvb0itMg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AhWVvLBCLA0ufYmq5E5OjpkBewoUmHdVx6FB-RO5sjkPxFsWnE1U9Vxecxkza9yBb4mwea8u_rVDw_q_vxv-7UEuKHxTRD9K3KJsWdPtj7jzsncIvocqQ7xABjXrkRnvb0itMg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570588929560429282" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItRh6Wy27ABeLMyRyTSZL3GOzwt8Jysb43Qxls00Q96_H_v-C1wN-1KT_mPWgH6lJOKOaI5niLvDAJAZyhMW2VbbSJuwyDSna0-H6bIz9aSVZyRCwlWGonMtQNBP-w9HisdTYPA/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItRh6Wy27ABeLMyRyTSZL3GOzwt8Jysb43Qxls00Q96_H_v-C1wN-1KT_mPWgH6lJOKOaI5niLvDAJAZyhMW2VbbSJuwyDSna0-H6bIz9aSVZyRCwlWGonMtQNBP-w9HisdTYPA/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570588923488962946" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17SZg8KQ-hKoonr8GtdyTI3YN7lBTQ3tnyQNsMQ9FaCXnRSToKRIqBuUrITkzqQ1lMOV_zk0AP11f5kw1bgpRh6O6ns5opbvyw4GJlArREB__tFINzBJb8Qe5qxFxH2UH3n25Ww/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17SZg8KQ-hKoonr8GtdyTI3YN7lBTQ3tnyQNsMQ9FaCXnRSToKRIqBuUrITkzqQ1lMOV_zk0AP11f5kw1bgpRh6O6ns5opbvyw4GJlArREB__tFINzBJb8Qe5qxFxH2UH3n25Ww/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570588912427161874" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmcT0rzhmNx34KIhmMykCchAY1uKcWVC5eBH-ZI-csWUxn4aeQJKKh4MQTBAyNhEb0RFMh1UPLKD9o0POdecB1ugKH-mo3fjF2tnitk2OnNvuW9awYieNcdpwecc8K9BPUOqS5Q/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmcT0rzhmNx34KIhmMykCchAY1uKcWVC5eBH-ZI-csWUxn4aeQJKKh4MQTBAyNhEb0RFMh1UPLKD9o0POdecB1ugKH-mo3fjF2tnitk2OnNvuW9awYieNcdpwecc8K9BPUOqS5Q/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570588628186078674" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiduvyGI0LjXePmPFPXhhFWIt5beiQsneKElxCLm2kCfn46MXu5vma3OHsxHLGjVO6IB5IrVYT40fCvtiDON4Bp43tgZN_uNZdE0zee3XMY9mHYt3XhavpVq1hzm-MbGeWLySp1A/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiduvyGI0LjXePmPFPXhhFWIt5beiQsneKElxCLm2kCfn46MXu5vma3OHsxHLGjVO6IB5IrVYT40fCvtiDON4Bp43tgZN_uNZdE0zee3XMY9mHYt3XhavpVq1hzm-MbGeWLySp1A/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570588602615788834" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSgJMPM0hpt-TXu5jByNFxL9OqQ0ZY2_lqHZm48bDWILhI6kioMFU4Xc3sb3CCaC3qiDxXk9VTnnBvUZqLDrcY4P3g1sIyainVhlU7EM1HAaI78BYzXaL21EcB2mGjOlKV8s9lg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSgJMPM0hpt-TXu5jByNFxL9OqQ0ZY2_lqHZm48bDWILhI6kioMFU4Xc3sb3CCaC3qiDxXk9VTnnBvUZqLDrcY4P3g1sIyainVhlU7EM1HAaI78BYzXaL21EcB2mGjOlKV8s9lg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570588613505263810" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPEGdGsLsx60PQ6CcmCLuxicw5BHUFeFUQ0AG5fEq4W3ObCxjexmPrm1TYWM51LIRF4c3afsXycq8mzSZgeC37KCxoahT9b9abfDbNufA16m5IONcwcNaVuHQcayteHnlDqxOGQ/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPEGdGsLsx60PQ6CcmCLuxicw5BHUFeFUQ0AG5fEq4W3ObCxjexmPrm1TYWM51LIRF4c3afsXycq8mzSZgeC37KCxoahT9b9abfDbNufA16m5IONcwcNaVuHQcayteHnlDqxOGQ/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570588588598909922" /></a>Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-37872529766552169282011-02-05T19:05:00.000-08:002011-02-05T19:34:34.434-08:00Blue Lily Go Pro Workshop<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoU67M_Oqeq3qge-7LYK6cp5QxdzP15CkPmmM10cWLGeFSbLhjBXoywnxrftghsl9LlDHHi5WExV21-MAyAZjutLnt3fPE78ioLZ_aVCBcpmXaCx6cQ9GvXDvarhP8X1g0b7_tg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoU67M_Oqeq3qge-7LYK6cp5QxdzP15CkPmmM10cWLGeFSbLhjBXoywnxrftghsl9LlDHHi5WExV21-MAyAZjutLnt3fPE78ioLZ_aVCBcpmXaCx6cQ9GvXDvarhP8X1g0b7_tg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570412824278710514" /></a><br />Well, as usual I am still a bit behind in the blogging world. But now that I have a moment, I am going to tell you what I did last weekend. It was <strong>AWESOME</strong>.<br /><br />In case you don't know who <a href="http://bluelily.squarespace.com/">Blue Lily</a> is, I will just have to say that they are the most amazing husband and wife photography <s>team, artists, geniuses,</s> gods. OK, so maybe I am getting carried away, but you get my drift.<br /><br />They hosted a workshop in a BEACHFRONT house in sunny SAN DIEGO, just to teach me and 11 other attendees how to launch a professional photography business, or at least, share ALL their most important secrets with us. Now, I don't plan on going pro anytime soon, but I do want to step up my game for a possible post-retirement second career.<br /><br />After giving us the scoop, they set up several photo shoots for us to learn and build a portfolio from. After all, who's gonna hire you to take wedding pictures if you don't have any wedding pictures to show? I think there's a chicken and egg analogy in there somewhere. Fortunately, we have this mystery solved, as a wonderful married couple of 5 years, graciously agreed to done their wedding attire and let us shoot away.<br /><br />Thank you Wendy and Tyler for the most incredible weekend packed full of information and delivered with a humorous style that kept me laughing and awake. Here are some images from this adventure.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbXuPUeJ2AJBvCAvFeQcW6nrcLB4wYYtgj2Vv8nSznc7F1-YfFIktcE6E_3g_WWph40DKCUVRdeQza6w6k7U1uMtn3XfJcAqBBLtqLnFjMsrcl9fkK05J-OimQdo6r5tfi0ZGWA/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbXuPUeJ2AJBvCAvFeQcW6nrcLB4wYYtgj2Vv8nSznc7F1-YfFIktcE6E_3g_WWph40DKCUVRdeQza6w6k7U1uMtn3XfJcAqBBLtqLnFjMsrcl9fkK05J-OimQdo6r5tfi0ZGWA/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570412825181250946" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95qA7rEamGRbn3-VW1QxGtSgC_ZnRwMMxNxG9Lao_ADHRngsNgCoaTBIxOJUBF87fYGj6qp6es5A1zCAFfFLBXPwUjk10hg9bPNOTsLGw660uvosgl-yXxxRPr25EJePZRrRI3Q/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95qA7rEamGRbn3-VW1QxGtSgC_ZnRwMMxNxG9Lao_ADHRngsNgCoaTBIxOJUBF87fYGj6qp6es5A1zCAFfFLBXPwUjk10hg9bPNOTsLGw660uvosgl-yXxxRPr25EJePZRrRI3Q/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570412817158743106" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9CRW_6Wz5Rp6ZSf5Hm7UIw1xF2bzMTNZKVhxk6RaWXwlTN1xBUpgGvBM8SPrQTts0XAygdp8JF70cu0uPbhtuS2vtYCGlvuNAnIKZtz1hdTXAjuqPWxpn6uigmoATzvIYyfr8g/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9CRW_6Wz5Rp6ZSf5Hm7UIw1xF2bzMTNZKVhxk6RaWXwlTN1xBUpgGvBM8SPrQTts0XAygdp8JF70cu0uPbhtuS2vtYCGlvuNAnIKZtz1hdTXAjuqPWxpn6uigmoATzvIYyfr8g/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570412810503674354" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJco1lfzdrDmFNGF2-suxEPK4RcBLKjj4hBttG_irgVTJvIfghNfVhKXk63SwEjtOKQ6BUJ5AbW1W7wLiAqGgH_dXbRSgNSOUxbSd1HHaYBEYPWUzq5ahFhJDsfmE67nx9pdVmeQ/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJco1lfzdrDmFNGF2-suxEPK4RcBLKjj4hBttG_irgVTJvIfghNfVhKXk63SwEjtOKQ6BUJ5AbW1W7wLiAqGgH_dXbRSgNSOUxbSd1HHaYBEYPWUzq5ahFhJDsfmE67nx9pdVmeQ/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570412809184008578" /></a>Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-8416507983203484762011-01-31T17:55:00.000-08:002011-01-31T20:57:12.512-08:00Trying to Keep Up<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENROuazQRIGUSy9Ht-1CNPLIaHXBJbRoqNR5ggVkfmfFufb4lhICnfnRO7qj-UrI9thDcMa7Q5RY2myYC_W3Np_pzYe1uwCg7tOSvhMxoywGFwDxnmQQMTICua0aLxSig9A8tCQ/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 534px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENROuazQRIGUSy9Ht-1CNPLIaHXBJbRoqNR5ggVkfmfFufb4lhICnfnRO7qj-UrI9thDcMa7Q5RY2myYC_W3Np_pzYe1uwCg7tOSvhMxoywGFwDxnmQQMTICua0aLxSig9A8tCQ/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568573692418420706" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3QDuu6YQg8uQ9KTOVEscIacEtTQtvCJZnrsSQEqux4ESMAi5UeuvkbjPX6SYoRuYcldWnqRMMzPpAQXNr2JBKSz4gCif5YyhVSeJ1RddBgROUWO6Am0iJJ0BGnJP52fCVW6YZw/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3QDuu6YQg8uQ9KTOVEscIacEtTQtvCJZnrsSQEqux4ESMAi5UeuvkbjPX6SYoRuYcldWnqRMMzPpAQXNr2JBKSz4gCif5YyhVSeJ1RddBgROUWO6Am0iJJ0BGnJP52fCVW6YZw/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568573686560569858" /></a><br />Now that the kids are no longer in the diapers or toddler stage, I somehow thought I would have more time to do other things, like blogging. I don't know where the time is going these days. It feels like I am losing my grip. At the same time, I am more productive at work than I have been in years. I have almost sworn off TV (except for that inane soap opera I have been watching almost since birth). Even so, I can hardly find time for my hobbies of photography, spinning, and knitting.<br /><br />January has been a wonderful month. Pete turned 50 on the 2nd and we had an amazing party at a restored hotel in downtown Bakersfield. The place was beautiful and the turnout was nice even though snowy weather kept the passes closed and kept our friends from Southern California away. Chloe turned 7 on the 19th. She seems so grown up (sometimes). For nearly a year she has been asking for us to take her to the snow for her birthday. So on the weekend before the 19th, that's just what we did. We escaped the dreary winter fog of the Central Valley to play in the sun-filled snow at a nearby ski resort. We didn't try skiing or snowboarding, but we did ride the inner tubes and threw snowballs and built a phenomenal snow man (thanks mostly to Effy, our exchange student). It was a picture-perfect day and the weather was far nicer than at home.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTX_mXeTaMy3AIt0PTW9w0r9j_B10-xYmP4piTJ22aB_WRF1n2ng_spMVfN_zkTX3VZeFUQReSeeHh98q958d8qwhyphenhyphen9oDeL2cQVnkBoXKiLl6Qcd4xTVw6t3SBK1b3j3zKeGtOwQ/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTX_mXeTaMy3AIt0PTW9w0r9j_B10-xYmP4piTJ22aB_WRF1n2ng_spMVfN_zkTX3VZeFUQReSeeHh98q958d8qwhyphenhyphen9oDeL2cQVnkBoXKiLl6Qcd4xTVw6t3SBK1b3j3zKeGtOwQ/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568573664959910050" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OvwvVz-hCrrHA0qbC0wEAB9cj2utw0KD2sFxn0obv36L9sbYonYlfWFvPF4LhGGa7h7RAUTKIFhKmDLTuktxowRZf82dBeR9MOY8K-jidYzfVVNszNXj1FV2CnWMJJrlv-HFWw/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OvwvVz-hCrrHA0qbC0wEAB9cj2utw0KD2sFxn0obv36L9sbYonYlfWFvPF4LhGGa7h7RAUTKIFhKmDLTuktxowRZf82dBeR9MOY8K-jidYzfVVNszNXj1FV2CnWMJJrlv-HFWw/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568573660172492274" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebTjDiGFAXl3cYoCkIRb2ta6uW9m4lmr9X8xz_wg8DFajIlbnugfc6sABfIbjCXHXu6W8AiG-Nj_Vv99LxmJO43rS13uMcWD_pluTE2DvLs3fmIe_K9_VvzS5taD_QbU7lmwy1A/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebTjDiGFAXl3cYoCkIRb2ta6uW9m4lmr9X8xz_wg8DFajIlbnugfc6sABfIbjCXHXu6W8AiG-Nj_Vv99LxmJO43rS13uMcWD_pluTE2DvLs3fmIe_K9_VvzS5taD_QbU7lmwy1A/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568577840976424098" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipr3n4z5yYG3DFVN3hcLpVzcoAX6KpQ_pld_WOBzR028jV3yXCaMnPPuAx9zA6C5tJ4MsVJ4RX3Iomo89OE0c9ShoqyEyim5gnerbJUePTFnH4OsJbod57q42DR2javubumoFrHw/s1600/snowmanheadweb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipr3n4z5yYG3DFVN3hcLpVzcoAX6KpQ_pld_WOBzR028jV3yXCaMnPPuAx9zA6C5tJ4MsVJ4RX3Iomo89OE0c9ShoqyEyim5gnerbJUePTFnH4OsJbod57q42DR2javubumoFrHw/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568573082341751330" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibP2lsqLrZ_TTeeee2P8OfpcxE4imbfRzxzT7N1ZX4q46oT55OT8xQ8OoWNUh1vA44aNqnII4hZphzo4zdeRtV7VOwzjVAKOPGNm1XUi3MWA1955m9_yGjSHG-g2j3PrgPluTrPg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibP2lsqLrZ_TTeeee2P8OfpcxE4imbfRzxzT7N1ZX4q46oT55OT8xQ8OoWNUh1vA44aNqnII4hZphzo4zdeRtV7VOwzjVAKOPGNm1XUi3MWA1955m9_yGjSHG-g2j3PrgPluTrPg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568573072269414546" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ibTuceqPUnWgeln_zQ4QI3gVHDtB_90THH_y61kHaSfgFiFDPY46fkLyuVx4nRfPxf-1PRolkzzufoDavVspoJWykbHOxPNIzlmO816_vWdwEg2DyYstRRYh0w08uz6gkU27zw/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ibTuceqPUnWgeln_zQ4QI3gVHDtB_90THH_y61kHaSfgFiFDPY46fkLyuVx4nRfPxf-1PRolkzzufoDavVspoJWykbHOxPNIzlmO816_vWdwEg2DyYstRRYh0w08uz6gkU27zw/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568574200304774034" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUpr5Vhzy3WeuE2QsuEPO65jVzdpI_1ochIgINJqThrc0gnlkYR_EhwJ6d0dHXx-t_yCTnwXD3eruuxid3n1pXOXmLKhZHK83WKCBmDJk4ITtZnNbF3yxOvcJvJ3eYPS-qkMJ0w/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUpr5Vhzy3WeuE2QsuEPO65jVzdpI_1ochIgINJqThrc0gnlkYR_EhwJ6d0dHXx-t_yCTnwXD3eruuxid3n1pXOXmLKhZHK83WKCBmDJk4ITtZnNbF3yxOvcJvJ3eYPS-qkMJ0w/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568573064505790130" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnqVaxlZIGYAatYD0x5c5ASMCw_1Kuus4nouHFz9w4i1E0bBCE7Fv8DzEqpI2HVcrnQwcIW5tIDXEWETmx-zWcU2le-J7g8KpjsSrkIc8CFK9gxU7_6eahR7D1B5W8xON-qNmMg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 668px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnqVaxlZIGYAatYD0x5c5ASMCw_1Kuus4nouHFz9w4i1E0bBCE7Fv8DzEqpI2HVcrnQwcIW5tIDXEWETmx-zWcU2le-J7g8KpjsSrkIc8CFK9gxU7_6eahR7D1B5W8xON-qNmMg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568573059858140514" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPq_gAB5bBhcGUWCTsiLsto069mpqLG0Oh_MGZSMJqyu3yBIdVFI7O-KiyX62me4joy2WsLSNdTKdX4k4fWcQJwcG00A2tN-IC-TG333QtvGVz4V1K6-MiYps4fBPDYIGA82IOA/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 668px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPq_gAB5bBhcGUWCTsiLsto069mpqLG0Oh_MGZSMJqyu3yBIdVFI7O-KiyX62me4joy2WsLSNdTKdX4k4fWcQJwcG00A2tN-IC-TG333QtvGVz4V1K6-MiYps4fBPDYIGA82IOA/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568571883123176018" /></a>We gave Chloe these flowers for her 7th birthday<br /><br />This past weekend, we managed to escape the fog and gloom again as we spent a warm and luxuriously sunny time in Los Angeles. Saturday was spent at Farmer's Market and the Grove, where Effy had a mandatory exchange student orientation meeting. She was in her meeting all day while we ventured into the shops and watched time slip away. Clearly the highlight for Chloe and Pearl was a trip to the American Girl Doll store. Chloe and Pearl are just now old enough for these dolls and they each received one for Christmas. The dolls were ordered to match the features of our girls, so Chloe's doll has dark brown hair, while Pearl's doll has black hair with bangs. Chloe's doll even has purple glasses to match her own. If only we had known about the store, the girls could have brought their dolls with them.<br /><br />Once inside the American Girl Doll Store, you see little girls of all colors and sizes carrying their dolls around. Many of them are wearing matching outfits. On the ground level, there is a salon for dolls. You bring in your doll with the frayed and rumpled hair and it is returned to you with a beautiful coif or braid. After your doll is all "dolled up", you may sit for tea or lunch in the cafe, where they have special seating for your doll. It is quite the affair.<br /><br />Upstairs are more dolls, clothing, books, movies and accessories. They NEVER have sales. I think this store is pretty much like Costco. Don't expect to get out the door for under $200. We purchased a matching outfit for Pearl and her doll and then we bought Chloe some pajamas that match her doll's pajamas. She also got a fancy dress for her doll. They even have a portrait studio where you can have your picture taken with your doll. I think I can handle that part on my own. <br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AJG5JdiwTHWktEoXoFEoJSmoUmMKaXZV62i96lIZaxGbgW7IJcV96j_sWuq8ek-P2XBnW0loykgiPfPHkjBz5pd1tJ0t_Db7pHddSJrBvTeehl1xM3XHOrDn1IP83xF2mNDCkQ/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AJG5JdiwTHWktEoXoFEoJSmoUmMKaXZV62i96lIZaxGbgW7IJcV96j_sWuq8ek-P2XBnW0loykgiPfPHkjBz5pd1tJ0t_Db7pHddSJrBvTeehl1xM3XHOrDn1IP83xF2mNDCkQ/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568572000476682130" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAMkoAQgktv_io-Vvz2tr4EtmEYuM2GDG_4Y5FBlAgiCrCeDGXOo7QJt_1vLBuIDHs2KMqvB096xsRCvjMpR0gBamhZpxW7xnL9CfxSNUvz6a26FrJf7QcKQFb7du6Kvdbdh0Gw/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 534px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAMkoAQgktv_io-Vvz2tr4EtmEYuM2GDG_4Y5FBlAgiCrCeDGXOo7QJt_1vLBuIDHs2KMqvB096xsRCvjMpR0gBamhZpxW7xnL9CfxSNUvz6a26FrJf7QcKQFb7du6Kvdbdh0Gw/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568571870325630722" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdLPa2goNOD87lwrhnF8oEuddF6KiIUKj8vSltna_MmwRZdxyD-jzoWB6RAhDle2zof2zzm0dUOTPwIeeGykeM3579iQfUKF8ZzYZkPJ8kvBhYVI11NTve3E5Ytd2ar3kit7xFw/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdLPa2goNOD87lwrhnF8oEuddF6KiIUKj8vSltna_MmwRZdxyD-jzoWB6RAhDle2zof2zzm0dUOTPwIeeGykeM3579iQfUKF8ZzYZkPJ8kvBhYVI11NTve3E5Ytd2ar3kit7xFw/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568571860925442370" /></a><br /><br /><br />If that wasn't excitement enough, we met up with some friends the next day at Knott's Berry Farm. My friend's son Damian was celebrating his 8th birthday, so we were having a double birthday celebration for him and for Chloe. Our luck with crowds at amusement parks has been dismal this past year, so I was fantastically surprised to find that we had most of the park to ourselves. There were no lines for rides until later in the afternoon so we dashed from ride to ride all morning long. Chloe loved the roller coasters, but it was hard to find ones where she was tall enough to ride. However, there were a few and they were doozies. Pearl doesn't like the feeling of falling or moving fast, so her taste in rides was a bit different. Fortunately, this place has lots of activities and entertainment for kids of all sizes. By the time we left, there was still so much left unexplored. I have a feeling we might be coming back next January and if we are lucky, Chloe will be 2" taller. We created memories that will be fondly revisited for years to come.<br /><br />The following weekend, I went to San Diego to attend a Blue Lily workshop. I learned more about photography and how to expand it beyond the hobby stage. I have a goal to learn as much as I can in the next few years and then sometime after that, go professional. I think this is something that I may even want to do as a second career after retirement.Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-37265435195100890252010-12-24T12:44:00.001-08:002010-12-24T12:49:31.716-08:00Merry Christmas With Love<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKke3vLe_h9y3y9FD-CegCQjthGdycfZ3J6riTR-PIG_GH6no8CW-9t5p52DLQ3WTOIfswXV5TjEGD7pOUqjyxAbor8Re6VNbAZQPu0MO4Z43rIuTWGETyb9tW-nysE27ZHLzseg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 534px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKke3vLe_h9y3y9FD-CegCQjthGdycfZ3J6riTR-PIG_GH6no8CW-9t5p52DLQ3WTOIfswXV5TjEGD7pOUqjyxAbor8Re6VNbAZQPu0MO4Z43rIuTWGETyb9tW-nysE27ZHLzseg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554352593221273842" /></a><br />Somehow I managed to get all the presents wrapped and everything ready for Christmas with a whole day to spare. I had time to knit a scarf last night and today I even got to play with my camera. I saw a tutorial on how to make shaped bokeh (blurry or geometric shapes in the background) and decided to do hearts. I cannot believe it actually worked! This is one of the packages I wrapped (I made the bow too) in front of the Christmas tree. The colored hearts are the lights on the tree.Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-45443847928147460122010-12-20T07:07:00.000-08:002010-12-20T13:16:10.454-08:00The Christmas Letter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jZ2bOczXBPODS4lxWWlULgP4BGV9xVuEVX0tDGZyYkf5qEN0rBQHfIJ1P5ApC_hHCf66Z6obx_2bkaTKoy_Ya-PXZE4mUQh_2dormdL94DnFECXNbGF9PZcoNP_5h_HDKzZFcg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jZ2bOczXBPODS4lxWWlULgP4BGV9xVuEVX0tDGZyYkf5qEN0rBQHfIJ1P5ApC_hHCf66Z6obx_2bkaTKoy_Ya-PXZE4mUQh_2dormdL94DnFECXNbGF9PZcoNP_5h_HDKzZFcg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552876114603972946" /></a><br />This year I was determined to send out Christmas cards, even though I had misplaced ALL of my friends' and family's addresses, even though I didn't have the inspiration or time to create a fun and festive picture for the card, and even though the clock was running out of time. I decided to plod along anyway.<br /><br />All of last week was pretty much about decorating the house and baking goodies for a Christmas party that we hosted Thursday evening. Since I work full-time, there are just a few short hours available in the evenings to do all my preparation and with two little girls vying for attention, it is hard to break away. I tried to engage them as much as possible and Chloe turned out to be a big help in the kitchen, even if it was mostly just keeping me company.<br /><br />So now it's the week before Christmas and I have made a commitment to, at a minimum, send cards out to fellow families who have adopted children from Chengdu China (which is where our Pearl is from). I scramble to find a picture for the card and settle on one from last Christmas, my first and only 9 exposure HDR (if you know what that is), and upload it to Costco, where I can pick up the cards (on the cheap) in only hours.<br /><br />I send out pleas for addresses and most people comply, but now, I have realized this card really doesn't tell the story and I don't have the energy to write on every single card or even prepare a family letter summarizing the year. After all, the letter has to be printed on fancy Christmas paper (which I don't have) and slipped inside each envelope and now the postage will be double! I am too impatient and I want to ge these cards out NOW.<br /><br />So for those of you lucky few who managed to get a card, but no letter, here is your Christmas letter: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tAj9hcsxxLRYDdiXO69T14j53YHXRm9ijksNYVcgCEAclFhoBdEJKkGW81Nm23eTKEk0IPo7AnW1hwBEm-ee53MVq1N1QQmTW36TIbJDWvlONEltdSY5Vp658ZjbPqvm6GuPWw/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tAj9hcsxxLRYDdiXO69T14j53YHXRm9ijksNYVcgCEAclFhoBdEJKkGW81Nm23eTKEk0IPo7AnW1hwBEm-ee53MVq1N1QQmTW36TIbJDWvlONEltdSY5Vp658ZjbPqvm6GuPWw/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552870468713544594" /></a>Chloe<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigC8VF6bs2bRdBzPorXwSywRjgq3AHc7Vjt-RBvTCIK-Nj6tSqrIhZRCoY48-Tens3J85lOLhKRaQCfHwYtldlw4MMR98aqDsYbnb3P3Q76xBJGPXHkfuG-63CiH-KZ-CJ7eweEw/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigC8VF6bs2bRdBzPorXwSywRjgq3AHc7Vjt-RBvTCIK-Nj6tSqrIhZRCoY48-Tens3J85lOLhKRaQCfHwYtldlw4MMR98aqDsYbnb3P3Q76xBJGPXHkfuG-63CiH-KZ-CJ7eweEw/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552870457616808210" /></a>Pearl<br /><br /><br /><strong><em>2010 IN THE CHAVEZ FAMILY<br /><br />Dear Friends, Family, Blogging Buddies and Chengdu Families:<br /><br /><br />This year brought us a nice combination of challenges and changes, mostly welcome. <br /><br />We finally sold our home after four years of trying and we did it without going upside-down. We found a new large, yet cozy home just steps from the elementary and high school. We are renting it and are experiencing the bliss of non-home ownership. Even though this place is 4 years new, it has some electrical problems and the roof is leaking. We keep the landlords apprised and go about our daily business and they coordinate the contractors to fix things. <br /><br />Before we moved, we had a large and very successful yard sale. We got rid of half of everything we owned, if not more. It felt like a cleansing to be unburdened from so much "stuff". Now when I look in my closet, I see only clothes that fit, crafts and projects that I use, and empty suitcases waiting for a quick getaway. I love the absence of clutter, but now I am digressing.<br /><br />Once we became settled in comfortably, we realized that we missed having an exchange student around, so we signed up for our third hosting experience. The month of August brought us Liu Shuer, commonly referred to as "Effy", all the way from DongGuan China. She will be spending the entire school year with us. She is only 16 and a bit younger than our previous girls, but she is definitely "sugar and spice and everything nice". Effy has a lively and vivacious personality, yet she fits in so well with our low-key existence. She is an amazing big sister to Chloe and Pearl and she is willing to answer the same questions over and over, since that is what 6 and 7 year olds do. At least the girls can now count to 10 in Chinese. <br /><br />Chloe and Pearl are having a great year too. Pearl has lost several teeth and now has one adult front tooth and one baby front tooth. It has been that way for months. We had to have Chloe's front teeth removed as they began to abscess. That was likely due to a head injury she suffered a year or two earlier. She is still waiting to lose her first tooth from natural causes.<br /><br />We adopted Pearl 4 years ago from Chengdu China when she was only 3 years old. She was on a waiting child/special needs list, but turned out not to have any health issues that we are aware of. Pearl is in 2nd grade and reading like a 5th or 6th grader. She is smart and quick and makes friends easily. She is hyper and fidgety, yet she still manages to pay attention to her teacher in school, so we try not to worry about her constant motion. I think that is why she is so thin. She eats very well and loves lots of healthy foods. Chloe, on the other hand, is an extremely picky eater. Until this year, if anything had a fruit or vegetable in it, she wouldn't go near it. Now she has embraced a few fruits and veggies. The list includes lemons, olives, dill pickles, corn-on-the-cob and artichokes. She really loves artichokes and will eat an entire one with her dinner (except for the heart, which she thinks is 'gross'). <br /><br />We adopted Chloe from Qinzhou, China in the Guangxi province in April of 2005 when she was just 14 months old. I remeber I had wanted to adopt an older child and now I find that I would do anything to have that first 14 months with her. Chloe is in 1st grade and is a hard-working slightly above-average student. She is a deep-thinker and very intuitive. She doesn't have a lot of friends and only recently developed a "best friend". Wouldn't you know it? Her best friend is moving to Argentina in January.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGI-c81GOjBC7aeD_rAv6xB-5ZggVlguKWuf7Zdpu6oUU4x230EITQ7pcWpCIm3KFMLwPsXOOyP0n9TuYZa5F0lkNv4OKWl0_jwab90bwgH4bHjRCe1XKYHX8XTeyp5i7LYUYG_g/s1600/Madison2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGI-c81GOjBC7aeD_rAv6xB-5ZggVlguKWuf7Zdpu6oUU4x230EITQ7pcWpCIm3KFMLwPsXOOyP0n9TuYZa5F0lkNv4OKWl0_jwab90bwgH4bHjRCe1XKYHX8XTeyp5i7LYUYG_g/s400/Madison2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552870222727172674" /></a>Chloe took this picture of her best friend Madison, who is moving to Argentina.<br /><br /><br />I really love how my two girls can be so different and yet get along so well. They are the best of sisters.<br /><br />My work hasn't changed much. I am still working for the City of Shafter and it has now been about 16 years. I get to do a lot of fun engineering and designing and it is mostly my responsibility to get our town looking good. I design parks and buildings and landscaping strips. My current projects include improvements to our public pool and the completion on design and construction of a new 10 acre park.<br /><br />Pete's structural engineering work has managed to continue even though the economy has really turned things around in the construction and design business. Jobs that he used to turn away are now welcomed with open arms. Negotiating prices is much more of a business practice rather than "take it or leave it". The one thing that has kept Pete's clients coming back has been his accessibility. He's not always the smoothest with customer relations, but he certainly is responsive, reliable and quick on the spot. The work gets done on time or even earlier. And sometimes, if it turns out to be easier than he anticipated, he will refund the customer for the difference (even though he gave a written estimate). He seems to have some very loyal customers and for that, we are grateful.<br /><br />My hobby in photography has started into it's second year and I am still eager to learn everything I can about it, especially the post-processing end of things. I attended a week-long workshop in October and I am scheduled for a shorter one next month. My Christmas present to myself was a new computer, a high-end monitor with color calibration software, and a large Wacom tablet and pen (which I haven't used yet). I am hoping that I will have some time to become familiar with all this stuff during the Christmas holidays. Then maybe, I'll be able to post more often on the blog in the coming year.<br /><br />After trips to Europe and Hawaii, we decided to take this year off from a long family vacation. We have made lots of short trips and even fit in a trip to see our fellow Sweet Peas (families who were waiting to adopt at the same time) at a reunion in Seattle Washington in October. We even snuck in a visit to see Chris, our previous exchange student, who is now a Junior in college.<br /><br />Since springtime, the girls have been practicing a dance in their Chinese dance class that they take weekly. In early December, the girls performed their dance in a competition in Los Angeles, CA and received gold trophies for their efforts (which is really 2nd place). I think they were the youngest dancers in the competition.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_lvCAHLlIpRe259-BXXSVjsQ-4qF9FUeSxZOZZ80S4HRz47hrmpLLf24Vk32KGJIYZSZSLPewQfDNs96FidtMwB3Xdm6RgKYLfcdPL_jsEaD8BZBp4ubGXqAx9nBkd0CF8J2Jg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 668px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_lvCAHLlIpRe259-BXXSVjsQ-4qF9FUeSxZOZZ80S4HRz47hrmpLLf24Vk32KGJIYZSZSLPewQfDNs96FidtMwB3Xdm6RgKYLfcdPL_jsEaD8BZBp4ubGXqAx9nBkd0CF8J2Jg/s1600/danceweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552870231376091074" /></a>girls with their dance teacher<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJfyaRdeeuP5WC3ong91ZAMqZOjhtlRB3H0gHIXH6Qx7WWKeB4roFIEtcLsfxtP41KpC8DtD-5fmDwghIYJ6aNN0LRWFuIK0TG88k1N7oX_fCEtwxyv5FZyL6JNAECkFFdHNrwg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJfyaRdeeuP5WC3ong91ZAMqZOjhtlRB3H0gHIXH6Qx7WWKeB4roFIEtcLsfxtP41KpC8DtD-5fmDwghIYJ6aNN0LRWFuIK0TG88k1N7oX_fCEtwxyv5FZyL6JNAECkFFdHNrwg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552870230368318034" /></a>Other Chinese dancers<br /><br /><br />In August, I signed Chloe up for gymnastics lessons and Pearl for piano lessons. Two days before Chloe was to begin, she broke her arm as she fell off the monkey bars at school. It was a horrific ordeal, but it is so nice to have it beyond us and to have her arm fully healed and good as new. We are planning to start the gymnastics class again in January.<br /><br />We will start the New Year with a big birthday party as Pete turns 50 on the 2nd of January. After that, we will just take it one day at a time. Thanks for following along and I wish you all peace, love and happiness in the coming year.<br /><br />With Love,<br /><br />Pete, Lori, Effy, Pearl, and Chloe</em></strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHolQIkDZLQ82aZeWoHxoNPcXfyUrKu0gyXGcSEHLsBsazlb0GS1yv6zxvUVf94C8MivojgUE3Uarg_g6z_LCD9-JHYB_xoVpA67kQtt9RKtCd_AyoszswMa07QUK0ofUXL-wwQ/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 576px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHolQIkDZLQ82aZeWoHxoNPcXfyUrKu0gyXGcSEHLsBsazlb0GS1yv6zxvUVf94C8MivojgUE3Uarg_g6z_LCD9-JHYB_xoVpA67kQtt9RKtCd_AyoszswMa07QUK0ofUXL-wwQ/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552870217941560610" /></a><br />Picture of a tulip from my Christmas flower arrangementLori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-42275054523630043062010-12-09T20:43:00.000-08:002010-12-09T21:49:15.594-08:00Visiting the Grandparents<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXE4i4C3hFN2ouTTPsuw4cl3nLIymFDwDMSZQ8WDrV4uuWgF0SzMC1vkKpLtnCc5a_7ML0pHnA6hBOWm-1mm7NtArIuOnvMJMuNtdEP_4cLlqMTpYFWoCnodU7mvVOCLWt3JmcAg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXE4i4C3hFN2ouTTPsuw4cl3nLIymFDwDMSZQ8WDrV4uuWgF0SzMC1vkKpLtnCc5a_7ML0pHnA6hBOWm-1mm7NtArIuOnvMJMuNtdEP_4cLlqMTpYFWoCnodU7mvVOCLWt3JmcAg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548925700519075586" /></a><br />I am way behind on blogging..so what else is new? We have had so much going on that it has been difficult to keep up with it all. After working solely on a laptop for the past few years, it is now nice to have a real computer with a real monitor. I even got one that comes with color calibration software and super high resolution. I am loving it so far.<br /><br />Anyway, last month we traveled to Pahrump Nevada to visit my parents. It is one of my greatest joys to see that my parents have lived long enough for my girls to know them. They also know their daddy's parents, who also quite elderly. Last month, my dad turned 91, so we made a trip to visit and wish him a very happy birthday.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwUq30cmBLSi_1v-GZNyY-nJ6YXDc0rO11iv9ACdBqQyg3z6AArzaZTJwsorcqfoWZzWyxeYSRqeJodx6Do1BmQBwB9H15oDqCvc-tlPUOknvJhtt6nkSq5Z25EJTuVAvj2Qk3A/s1600/GP2web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwUq30cmBLSi_1v-GZNyY-nJ6YXDc0rO11iv9ACdBqQyg3z6AArzaZTJwsorcqfoWZzWyxeYSRqeJodx6Do1BmQBwB9H15oDqCvc-tlPUOknvJhtt6nkSq5Z25EJTuVAvj2Qk3A/s400/GP2web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548925690086705218" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9ryWWXphNZ3YKcAJ6Y8vpyMijQvUB14yzsCTMsyOT2CuKeUcFCNT6JEMhCo5mGgVe2LtCIImsz3tTF73Q63wAZB0ZXUz9lcmVCui1Bojo30SIQq4SsES4Jp2RjlpvvWMRBzUyA/s1600/GP3web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9ryWWXphNZ3YKcAJ6Y8vpyMijQvUB14yzsCTMsyOT2CuKeUcFCNT6JEMhCo5mGgVe2LtCIImsz3tTF73Q63wAZB0ZXUz9lcmVCui1Bojo30SIQq4SsES4Jp2RjlpvvWMRBzUyA/s400/GP3web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548925688743097266" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmcsCSnt9aK7aJ3TH6wRLo95tHFUtV0OGIsA145MDATQGPK0UeDb27Utjm_b_zh7N16F8JzqSzTMdzUhSztOLaj6JrqqFBOjewPBHi74NZWSwcNDvkuVC3uAxLDxhjeRlACt3mA/s1600/GP4web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmcsCSnt9aK7aJ3TH6wRLo95tHFUtV0OGIsA145MDATQGPK0UeDb27Utjm_b_zh7N16F8JzqSzTMdzUhSztOLaj6JrqqFBOjewPBHi74NZWSwcNDvkuVC3uAxLDxhjeRlACt3mA/s400/GP4web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548925683718190210" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpSWUwo2ynH2jdPHi22vZL73st6eTT0cfLRFEIq8beBk9pURRUVAiPKLF_1jCfR1QHmwdfD66VnNXhtJ9nJBCPXUboZE6ZqDAnwYNrYWORUKdNDPJFEMP3pgEBUsEfGOExev8AQ/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpSWUwo2ynH2jdPHi22vZL73st6eTT0cfLRFEIq8beBk9pURRUVAiPKLF_1jCfR1QHmwdfD66VnNXhtJ9nJBCPXUboZE6ZqDAnwYNrYWORUKdNDPJFEMP3pgEBUsEfGOExev8AQ/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548925697659366706" /></a>Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-61678989061090612532010-11-13T07:40:00.000-08:002010-11-13T14:25:20.152-08:00Rediscovering Old Talents<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JPJ3a6hqqe46_Ckvogk_2M1Tgcg_Lhjb_uQyKOTMvOefrcbGXdEm3aQdNfGTcwEIBLUES_gUHxa3KqbDqQnYUOweBN118I7kJyfD_puY-0JCjtd31xgEswDGxo04qnopiS8avw/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JPJ3a6hqqe46_Ckvogk_2M1Tgcg_Lhjb_uQyKOTMvOefrcbGXdEm3aQdNfGTcwEIBLUES_gUHxa3KqbDqQnYUOweBN118I7kJyfD_puY-0JCjtd31xgEswDGxo04qnopiS8avw/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539163747389989218" /></a><br /><br />This past week I have finally gotten the urge to break out my old spinning wheels and knitting gear. I discovered that I had three large storage boxes in my garage loaded with wool and fiber and lots of goodies. Sadly, I think it's been about eight or ten years since I played with any of this stuff. It seems more just like a couple of years.<br /><br />Mostly, I think the hesitation to get out my spinning wheel and wool was predicated on the fact that we now have little ones running around the house. I could not picture trying to keep my girls out of the angora wool or away from the spinning wheel (I am imagining lots of wool wrapped tightly around an axel). Especially, I worry about my poor Chloe, who I think must have some sort of a condition where it is essentially <span style="font-style:italic;">impossible</span> to keep her hands off stuff, even when instructed to. I remember thinking when she was a baby that if I just taught her "No", I would be able to keep her from grabbing everything. Now at nearly 7 years old, I realize it is a lost cause and this is just who she is. Not surprisingly, she constantly caressed my wheels as I got them back into working order. This time, I allowed her to help me with the cleaning as I tightened the connections. She couldn't wait to get her hands and feet on the pedals so I taught her how to keep the wheel spinning always clockwise. Her curiosity and excitement are infectious.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdCb3Am-z_NV0-oyR9Fpyko04NXiag273KnsaewJuQV1NOK9_toa8GsT6T88A-ynkMGNogSfSCppguzYOO-qVNVAXstrdZoLwmKFXYz5Es36Tnl6QuORBObNy9baSICywnOGXkw/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdCb3Am-z_NV0-oyR9Fpyko04NXiag273KnsaewJuQV1NOK9_toa8GsT6T88A-ynkMGNogSfSCppguzYOO-qVNVAXstrdZoLwmKFXYz5Es36Tnl6QuORBObNy9baSICywnOGXkw/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539125291788424002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVJJfNNXscyy_DGQx5x-ZuS3_qWd9jvkXyfxZy1BONppC0T18bv3iqkW4xKu3XyW9whSI7KOdRNK4KpNKiE_Vhw29K3RPzWelhV-MZKhcmEDS6FHG7mvb7F1XJRLAs8jejNBpsQ/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVJJfNNXscyy_DGQx5x-ZuS3_qWd9jvkXyfxZy1BONppC0T18bv3iqkW4xKu3XyW9whSI7KOdRNK4KpNKiE_Vhw29K3RPzWelhV-MZKhcmEDS6FHG7mvb7F1XJRLAs8jejNBpsQ/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539124267119924210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1OKVKKdx01rTvZO5EHTt-6-SZJDQeuGY-EDSVTjsBPaGfxHUUmJ2KysRSuGGjCgAmGriXcgyq9kTKNwwBLkNEfxq6RhPAVveqXHq1fw3KzC2XGXtlFas-VTT7Tur1w5GF8Mn9Q/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1OKVKKdx01rTvZO5EHTt-6-SZJDQeuGY-EDSVTjsBPaGfxHUUmJ2KysRSuGGjCgAmGriXcgyq9kTKNwwBLkNEfxq6RhPAVveqXHq1fw3KzC2XGXtlFas-VTT7Tur1w5GF8Mn9Q/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539123932886561266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTmyr_TX6Y-mDYVhUqQm_7P2bDAFkHaS5oHd89qKFs6PAmW2mBJ5lHw6bl2q-4CCPl58DOcSvMN6BWLUBOR_oUPR81kLzU9o9ij3zIOqAviHUXpqrHql24E4D98JobSBPnm1YHw/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTmyr_TX6Y-mDYVhUqQm_7P2bDAFkHaS5oHd89qKFs6PAmW2mBJ5lHw6bl2q-4CCPl58DOcSvMN6BWLUBOR_oUPR81kLzU9o9ij3zIOqAviHUXpqrHql24E4D98JobSBPnm1YHw/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539123922093570722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZ199QgLpmzYzRZk3G3hbRT0bsLcbW-dwZ82_ra8fSJysgn47oWzKLYBO7XjPA9Au-N3PnD0E-7xWdpNeIM7aYte2NMXRPodBWlL-OwZYpgNCpaiU9TmnKDsd4Cmt-4NUE97Hew/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZ199QgLpmzYzRZk3G3hbRT0bsLcbW-dwZ82_ra8fSJysgn47oWzKLYBO7XjPA9Au-N3PnD0E-7xWdpNeIM7aYte2NMXRPodBWlL-OwZYpgNCpaiU9TmnKDsd4Cmt-4NUE97Hew/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539123920788292482" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaCGv8z6pVv7AjlLounfYUWiSAwOZwiQr1ZqNO6vD6xEdLBKzZdtNcfQwFR9dFW8IBELJKmicyCLetMuZmy329chphjG0_uuQXzKkEygShjoxuHvMaq32z3o-yzW4daVENY1mFw/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaCGv8z6pVv7AjlLounfYUWiSAwOZwiQr1ZqNO6vD6xEdLBKzZdtNcfQwFR9dFW8IBELJKmicyCLetMuZmy329chphjG0_uuQXzKkEygShjoxuHvMaq32z3o-yzW4daVENY1mFw/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539123917058142626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOP8ex-6IZwCstuzAUdYCJ5HKUZcF6bQzXsnvzx8hbmGj6_3TE_zXHYEymylXJ3_NXLlCnZZt2NqvsIks8KW9qfvY8I-m45e4iS_H4EIwqRQSHdyy05Cxi4mgVySSTFERT8lRIA/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOP8ex-6IZwCstuzAUdYCJ5HKUZcF6bQzXsnvzx8hbmGj6_3TE_zXHYEymylXJ3_NXLlCnZZt2NqvsIks8KW9qfvY8I-m45e4iS_H4EIwqRQSHdyy05Cxi4mgVySSTFERT8lRIA/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539124270009424978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HhltzOksliCMkymhKgHALaN_Xqm5qAMPFpC019SbH2x5mN8jjEpO-lagHBsLR-E1R9mN5fpf6GYN-xW53P4VYSHcI4NipRpYPokeDs17dyJMw0XM8X3nePXPJzSLWPMGPgxDcg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HhltzOksliCMkymhKgHALaN_Xqm5qAMPFpC019SbH2x5mN8jjEpO-lagHBsLR-E1R9mN5fpf6GYN-xW53P4VYSHcI4NipRpYPokeDs17dyJMw0XM8X3nePXPJzSLWPMGPgxDcg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539123491441452962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05L6UpoUTZrursiKWv9hxpUe9dH9SP00l5kL9KC1DUChrKNBKi6b7J9E5uR-rWrjAnClPXa0Lp5wj8j3MyKwFnosbtG_RydvKOPz6KfhIuZ-eHle5NLmEl-AtPtCeig2UKJIZNw/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05L6UpoUTZrursiKWv9hxpUe9dH9SP00l5kL9KC1DUChrKNBKi6b7J9E5uR-rWrjAnClPXa0Lp5wj8j3MyKwFnosbtG_RydvKOPz6KfhIuZ-eHle5NLmEl-AtPtCeig2UKJIZNw/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539123496171226658" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbVgzyTnpr286b2jpXv44X46eMuJwH75C7nVPPvlNSyYuLQW_HCQZkTb889rinImQs0xdsgcVSvnDwKO-a4VB_nx-lahc6XadG8nsFQyGGKCKyfjvqOLIELTsahGXRUIHkMs1ew/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbVgzyTnpr286b2jpXv44X46eMuJwH75C7nVPPvlNSyYuLQW_HCQZkTb889rinImQs0xdsgcVSvnDwKO-a4VB_nx-lahc6XadG8nsFQyGGKCKyfjvqOLIELTsahGXRUIHkMs1ew/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539123483759283058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYeBwEYWGEzjr2Gy8O2W2Hk76xq-rMHLkW6xjtlf9PYmGx5fTu_zclv1kKStNi2yEIWGlGWAHhbUztXsxrcUnhpfXSwOS-ISBcckT7MMR4ep_u7kUqTmRvHH6PLg9UCoZK-sbQQ/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYeBwEYWGEzjr2Gy8O2W2Hk76xq-rMHLkW6xjtlf9PYmGx5fTu_zclv1kKStNi2yEIWGlGWAHhbUztXsxrcUnhpfXSwOS-ISBcckT7MMR4ep_u7kUqTmRvHH6PLg9UCoZK-sbQQ/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539124278378084674" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">This is my original wheel. I haven't tried it out yet, but I did get it ready to go.</span><br /><br />Well, that was last Sunday and now a week later, I have done a little spinning. But, I did accomplish one other task. I knitted myself a nice oversized scarf from some wool/silk/angora yarn that I had sitting in my bags all these years. I still have enough to make a sweater, but my skills are so weak, that I need to start slowly and relearn all those old lessons. Chloe is modeling the scarf in the pictures above.<br /><br />The next two weekends promise to be full of travel and adventure. First we are headed to Pahrump Nevada to visit my parents and celebrate an early Thanksgiving and birthday celebration for my dad who will be turning 91. I will return home for one day of work on Monday and then we are headed to the Happiest Place on Earth by Tuesday. Effy, our exchange student has never been to Disneyland, so I hope she will have a great time. Don't tell anyone we are playing hookey on a school day. On Thursday, I think we will have a low-key Thanksgiving dinner here at home. We may invite some friends over to join us, but not the extended family (of course they are welcome if they show up). Friday, we are off to the beach for a couple days of fun and exploration. I agreed to take some family portraits for one of my coworkers on the beach and she agreed to pay for a hotel room. I don't directly charge for my photography since I am still in a "portfolio-building stage" and I don't consider myself at a professional level yet, but I do hope to get there one day.Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-26226188487347611072010-10-31T12:04:00.000-07:002010-10-31T12:14:09.264-07:00Indian Maharani Princess<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuogcRRRCCCRghUS9aGAPcS1ho5xWx_TyKKxGHcLq1yyMQ36lAMczdO5Yb0g2Y6B9AEHFdpxunipX0QkwctpIbSTdX03dsVTw6Li-WD16yIHMqBiQwMrWXCQlBa2eHyLALyLjVw/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuogcRRRCCCRghUS9aGAPcS1ho5xWx_TyKKxGHcLq1yyMQ36lAMczdO5Yb0g2Y6B9AEHFdpxunipX0QkwctpIbSTdX03dsVTw6Li-WD16yIHMqBiQwMrWXCQlBa2eHyLALyLjVw/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534289289372483602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCEdVUllWth5I2XyWSPKtXAi5OUbnPyMD6XcsvCir0F7gBu5KKJNqOMpB8WgXE8h-Jfi9ikWZbRoN6xM_w-KUbLw32nHhPO6QZD_HCFTRupGLp7FmvwPBTBg5kWSzqIFitiMnQQ/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCEdVUllWth5I2XyWSPKtXAi5OUbnPyMD6XcsvCir0F7gBu5KKJNqOMpB8WgXE8h-Jfi9ikWZbRoN6xM_w-KUbLw32nHhPO6QZD_HCFTRupGLp7FmvwPBTBg5kWSzqIFitiMnQQ/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534289276139486962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bJwomR1PmTmayA2bw2Fv4I2wuMLE12l3kt2HKA6stjN-oyr8JqFIxG2Z4mT2usUWtgKV0YyyfP0Q1hD1K_sBA8OVPRlgCmiPvyKP_ovjHhIR4QaRr4ps6DEVbH7J1LhqskPgSg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 835px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bJwomR1PmTmayA2bw2Fv4I2wuMLE12l3kt2HKA6stjN-oyr8JqFIxG2Z4mT2usUWtgKV0YyyfP0Q1hD1K_sBA8OVPRlgCmiPvyKP_ovjHhIR4QaRr4ps6DEVbH7J1LhqskPgSg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534289274280727698" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4pjQZ9-BWjZo7LgKe9AiqngHNHkwdnoKeVLJamNPa6NS6bLTBp97g8_HjkX10folfiogNPQcGVl6KiCVxrB9foup1Va00yzOO3FPelbj3KvV7XrD6vReapGPSYBIvRRwtQxDNA/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 835px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4pjQZ9-BWjZo7LgKe9AiqngHNHkwdnoKeVLJamNPa6NS6bLTBp97g8_HjkX10folfiogNPQcGVl6KiCVxrB9foup1Va00yzOO3FPelbj3KvV7XrD6vReapGPSYBIvRRwtQxDNA/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534289263065720690" /></a><br />My pictures of Pearl seemed to come out nicer than my pictures of Chloe. They were standing side by side, and yet somehow Pearl came out tack sharp and Chloe was fuzzy. My aperture was at 4.5, so I thought it should be OK. <br /><br />Anyway, I have been posting more Chloe pictures lately, so today I will focus on Pearl. She really loved her costume and I didn't realize how much work it would take to place all those crystals on her face.Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-38169595730514665642010-10-30T19:42:00.001-07:002010-10-30T19:47:56.133-07:00Halloween Preview<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFp_ksVjEihB-hGSQ70WTjhmJaGkSFb2574jGpn5fz8LZTG-NvrOm8PnPS0LRriKJdLz6hIXuxWPhIhjI364wpJLqa83kDz_JswLatNo1IZhwNXF-G6Z-RU8nbnncollyIk9ipw/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFp_ksVjEihB-hGSQ70WTjhmJaGkSFb2574jGpn5fz8LZTG-NvrOm8PnPS0LRriKJdLz6hIXuxWPhIhjI364wpJLqa83kDz_JswLatNo1IZhwNXF-G6Z-RU8nbnncollyIk9ipw/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534036147357346178" /></a><br />Chloe and Pearl were in the local Halloween parade tonight. There was also a costume contest. Pearl won second prize for her Indian Maharani Princess and Chloe won third prize as a leopard. When it was time to walk past the judges, Chloe hid her face and looked the other way. I think if she wasn't so shy, she might have done better. I don't know who won 1st prize, but there were two adorable buckaneers in front of us and I have a suspicion that they might have won.<br /><br />Tomorrow for Halloween, I am not sure if I will put on as much make-up and jewels on the girls as I did tonight. It took me over an hour to get their faces ready. At least, we won't be stressing about how it looks.Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-3626774103258552162010-10-24T19:58:00.001-07:002010-10-24T20:17:51.518-07:00Getting Ready for Halloween<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCisABVU3SmKmDnQE_VoyYNOKp5q6ujAvSTJ0J__pcaqH8QQEE04HWpj5_CuRYMkyCyFFKqLOZR7VFQXX8l8kh2rLS15qNvsGAOCL2nA2ctMskkBsJNZ7ylr5PfgrZUK83mo0cvA/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCisABVU3SmKmDnQE_VoyYNOKp5q6ujAvSTJ0J__pcaqH8QQEE04HWpj5_CuRYMkyCyFFKqLOZR7VFQXX8l8kh2rLS15qNvsGAOCL2nA2ctMskkBsJNZ7ylr5PfgrZUK83mo0cvA/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531814860458073810" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDO5M0I_b1iIRWAUyl_nK6D-LBbz5LJoOV_eBYVNuuiJ_Lj6iRpny013thMtbx0tfOfBAV-HGrbUr_oAJQ2r87jYQ-fDyLjMID5vy4SKEEnaxeatstsH9nI7atX91pDp9zq10G4w/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 668px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDO5M0I_b1iIRWAUyl_nK6D-LBbz5LJoOV_eBYVNuuiJ_Lj6iRpny013thMtbx0tfOfBAV-HGrbUr_oAJQ2r87jYQ-fDyLjMID5vy4SKEEnaxeatstsH9nI7atX91pDp9zq10G4w/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531814856707532434" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLv5uYxA6h9aCtAmc3AlkF_Y5kw4xIrfoTQeWjFSea_owflk2GokBCwgtctep05U_vYEcJcXbP9dX_4RVl56nOncwM21iiMxIDugWP4mhjbVHRSFQGPUq6q4jNx6zOe6Nn1haOA/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 668px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLv5uYxA6h9aCtAmc3AlkF_Y5kw4xIrfoTQeWjFSea_owflk2GokBCwgtctep05U_vYEcJcXbP9dX_4RVl56nOncwM21iiMxIDugWP4mhjbVHRSFQGPUq6q4jNx6zOe6Nn1haOA/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531814864938776386" /></a> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Someone's safe this Thanksgiving.<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XCyR5anMJGSWv16K63ouDu4HCqHK-XTp0GstOW8bVbnw76hfduLl5itTHyBEpE9h7rgXt7cBEg8PqDYZiPOOARkUuhgGCurDt4JComFQc2dGhyphenhypheng1iUJ4QA7Yxcp4zyBTJYOsWQ/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 534px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XCyR5anMJGSWv16K63ouDu4HCqHK-XTp0GstOW8bVbnw76hfduLl5itTHyBEpE9h7rgXt7cBEg8PqDYZiPOOARkUuhgGCurDt4JComFQc2dGhyphenhypheng1iUJ4QA7Yxcp4zyBTJYOsWQ/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531814852765089122" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiUL-tMYxX8ZWKDJjqcZlhxDrtrExZnbeu1aiX_JWsWT19OZzkq5IDyQ7WaBDApsGpDDkpfZxLpmn1weCBy7jWq_4bmKVQCSLH81Z-lUJelhCMBr-Bn7jwDLOb43MIzJAcuwfeg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 668px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiUL-tMYxX8ZWKDJjqcZlhxDrtrExZnbeu1aiX_JWsWT19OZzkq5IDyQ7WaBDApsGpDDkpfZxLpmn1weCBy7jWq_4bmKVQCSLH81Z-lUJelhCMBr-Bn7jwDLOb43MIzJAcuwfeg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531814848900809970" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Cinnamon the Bear really enjoys his Halloween pumpkin.<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br /><br />I must really be on a roll this weekend. I haven't quite fit in everything on my to-do list, but at least I kept up with the blogging!<br /><br />Today I took Chloe and Pearl to our local zoo. It's sort of a refuge for California native wild animals who are either injured or unable to be returned to the wild. I didn't even know porcupines were natives of California. Since it was "Boo at the Zoo" day, lots of little kids were running around in their Halloween costumes. There were also lots of games and entertainment for the children.<br /><br />After we came home from the zoo, I needed to practice on Chloe's make-up for Halloween. She will be dressed as a leopard and her costume is totally darling (IMO). I really wanted to paint her face to match, but I was uncomfortable with my face-painting skills. I tried it a few weeks ago and while it wasn't totally awful, it wasn't very good either. I could still improve upon a few things, but I think today's effort was good enough to pass.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBG-wPIcATlOc6uduh15jhlDQ5tSssTcDd0dMas1RE_DU1NBHKjD6REtCnMOWFHZ4wlBLmOd3txn5iVbySKni5pPukgmI4nEjUtH3kaV6_8-Pq9KYh4h5v7UVQNOXZir1SIucwA/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBG-wPIcATlOc6uduh15jhlDQ5tSssTcDd0dMas1RE_DU1NBHKjD6REtCnMOWFHZ4wlBLmOd3txn5iVbySKni5pPukgmI4nEjUtH3kaV6_8-Pq9KYh4h5v7UVQNOXZir1SIucwA/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531815273870487954" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78UtF-navhD-is7KknAh8KZ3nM4keXDVTcMsmqCuZ_pAer8655A3Yz8nohdLDvHVubt_p8xtVMGP2h9598938S4QmzGlk9Pn_SXIE0Hn8IJZvZYXZf2K7VZiQGeUPCWlDdDd8MA/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78UtF-navhD-is7KknAh8KZ3nM4keXDVTcMsmqCuZ_pAer8655A3Yz8nohdLDvHVubt_p8xtVMGP2h9598938S4QmzGlk9Pn_SXIE0Hn8IJZvZYXZf2K7VZiQGeUPCWlDdDd8MA/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531815264052442018" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOozBC3M589RpAMAlismsNW83B4AW5eTTrgG-GtnX3_O9-PeTiRwD_SWuicCX4x8u4Flw3QHlWl52XtElXktVhS_DmF_gsRhXzKlJVMu9avLQpR3zs5Vrzxq8irb7Kl5zOYXkOw/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOozBC3M589RpAMAlismsNW83B4AW5eTTrgG-GtnX3_O9-PeTiRwD_SWuicCX4x8u4Flw3QHlWl52XtElXktVhS_DmF_gsRhXzKlJVMu9avLQpR3zs5Vrzxq8irb7Kl5zOYXkOw/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531815265928238706" /></a>Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-27569651596055547362010-10-24T08:06:00.000-07:002010-10-24T08:19:27.616-07:00Justin Bieber Mania<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JLWLOlIlnZ31muNBEEFJBPPpffAWd1cUwnUZ1oo0-eGm81QX1SmqvOivudXdMFsRO4j2kRzbD20VVFwLa78HtQA5lCet8XoTap1BTVMJBCMPwukfKDVDPqzgpmhUb7xgXt4FgA/s1600/EffyBieber.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JLWLOlIlnZ31muNBEEFJBPPpffAWd1cUwnUZ1oo0-eGm81QX1SmqvOivudXdMFsRO4j2kRzbD20VVFwLa78HtQA5lCet8XoTap1BTVMJBCMPwukfKDVDPqzgpmhUb7xgXt4FgA/s320/EffyBieber.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531631702283978674" /></a><br />My husband Pete decided that he wanted to make a very special impression upon our exchange daughter Effy. Apparently, she is one of the many teen girls who is totally smitten with crooning heartthrob Justin Bieber. With that in mind, Pete purchased tickets and a VIP package for Effy to go to a Justin Bieber concert TODAY. They will be sitting in the third row. He is such a good dad that he is planning to go with her, so I will have the whole day to myself and Chloe and Pearl. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0vnHR42CmQL0HKBHVfm0Z_WvfhutV8W9ZfjwHxPLF-R5J5DVre6ONze_mX9LN8DEPiXrtxFg2mG1A4Ta-2g-4IV5Fd5vn7SAfhh0qL7aQw4PjKsYEhqc5FaJr1ipHi7N3zuiaw/s1600/EffyBieber2web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0vnHR42CmQL0HKBHVfm0Z_WvfhutV8W9ZfjwHxPLF-R5J5DVre6ONze_mX9LN8DEPiXrtxFg2mG1A4Ta-2g-4IV5Fd5vn7SAfhh0qL7aQw4PjKsYEhqc5FaJr1ipHi7N3zuiaw/s320/EffyBieber2web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531631825096128482" /></a>I haven't decided what we will be doing today, but I know there will be some work on the girls' Halloween costumes. I think this year may even be more exciting than last year. Chloe will be a leopard and I will get a chance to perfect my face-painting skills. My first attempt a few weeks ago wasn't that good, but we are going to do another practice run today before the real date comes next weekend. Pearl's costume is way too big, so I will have to break out the sewing machine and make some adjustments. She also needs some more accessories, so we may have to go shopping!<br /><br />If we have any time left over, the girls want to go to our local zoo. They have two new baby mountain lions in their collection that I have really been wanting to get a peek at before they grow up.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNdFuFCscxIy9lfic5U3-Xf6cOYgZC5NIRqP7gH7N1geiiXj48BPbAbS3HQs8mJ64GcRVbxRHI7lLJOsD5c918T-f2B8R5hBXmikhDtKFawV2WtHpfgnefiAVFnfeViL4QkjW5A/s1600/EffyBieber3web.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNdFuFCscxIy9lfic5U3-Xf6cOYgZC5NIRqP7gH7N1geiiXj48BPbAbS3HQs8mJ64GcRVbxRHI7lLJOsD5c918T-f2B8R5hBXmikhDtKFawV2WtHpfgnefiAVFnfeViL4QkjW5A/s320/EffyBieber3web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531631971467114210" /></a>Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-36761108176553197292010-10-23T08:37:00.000-07:002010-10-23T11:56:03.137-07:00The Mystery Spot<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSG5GT5HFTGP-fF7VjDBf0F1fDX6dNUqdrCzkALZJQNBCIepFCzVj5PMTMrzVFs7xHitHIFOi8s6BlT3RDRluXdGpIYPEP4vyLMVWlSETcggLewxYQXKJ8zx44H-74QlsUWHrpoA/s1600/MSweb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSG5GT5HFTGP-fF7VjDBf0F1fDX6dNUqdrCzkALZJQNBCIepFCzVj5PMTMrzVFs7xHitHIFOi8s6BlT3RDRluXdGpIYPEP4vyLMVWlSETcggLewxYQXKJ8zx44H-74QlsUWHrpoA/s400/MSweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531268682015397554" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNX8MHGlGptsnpVCZL0X-lB2FFine7sG7h3Uemw6wvdVj1oekPeNsaD1BYIzNmFb35yva6AELlkZZrmuUaZ_1gNWGYC_EafM85Xvx1Z-eHsv3-QyAOlVZ3Hz1A3rEYBzTUcTzYg/s1600/MSElena1web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNX8MHGlGptsnpVCZL0X-lB2FFine7sG7h3Uemw6wvdVj1oekPeNsaD1BYIzNmFb35yva6AELlkZZrmuUaZ_1gNWGYC_EafM85Xvx1Z-eHsv3-QyAOlVZ3Hz1A3rEYBzTUcTzYg/s400/MSElena1web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531268670897709698" /></a> Elena stands in the door frame of the crooked shack.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsqPzR9HD9RHlWQJaONKZSKCpQbkzKDu8s-NqIBnUFlN1os1KxF-VqInfsBeQhhxTLG6V5uogiN2pjHPgs-WtYGJ243DRisLY7_5HtvhsRDdsGAQIphUHRw6HpsoXahvdu4sTUg/s1600/MS2web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsqPzR9HD9RHlWQJaONKZSKCpQbkzKDu8s-NqIBnUFlN1os1KxF-VqInfsBeQhhxTLG6V5uogiN2pjHPgs-WtYGJ243DRisLY7_5HtvhsRDdsGAQIphUHRw6HpsoXahvdu4sTUg/s400/MS2web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531268661429466114" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAuxzcWwDJZuUplI4ClvGoiMB0m37JeigTpvSApfMcx8OJfPqN8E0__NBqB2mxdLI7WNIYvR24FWTmHVNQF48QCwqAMY8yh97jC5_7M_HYWoYSZPBdnu_ZAI_mVRgZAApuS4VBw/s1600/MSElena2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAuxzcWwDJZuUplI4ClvGoiMB0m37JeigTpvSApfMcx8OJfPqN8E0__NBqB2mxdLI7WNIYvR24FWTmHVNQF48QCwqAMY8yh97jC5_7M_HYWoYSZPBdnu_ZAI_mVRgZAApuS4VBw/s400/MSElena2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531268653474025618" /></a>Arranged in order from shortest to tallest, 5'-3" to 5'-11"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQuKXqTIsHn69WjpWFaJkTojgVe7HPLNdxfLotCY22ZUH9B-milGT3-mrs2UbZGr4xWbuQBfXph8a0HDG3mOxFJGU1cAWGkNDQyTh4Z2QC5lUOZuoyExmIRVfAeFfOO6yIDrSXQ/s1600/MSElena3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQuKXqTIsHn69WjpWFaJkTojgVe7HPLNdxfLotCY22ZUH9B-milGT3-mrs2UbZGr4xWbuQBfXph8a0HDG3mOxFJGU1cAWGkNDQyTh4Z2QC5lUOZuoyExmIRVfAeFfOO6yIDrSXQ/s400/MSElena3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531268643913404002" /></a>Arranged in order from tallest to shortest, however this time, they appear to be the same height, or even reversed.<br /><br /><br />I took a mid-week road trip to Santa Cruz for the day. While there, Elena and I stopped by the famous "Mystery Spot". The Mystery Spot is a location in the redwood forest where laws of physics are supposedly defied and distorted. Balls seem to roll uphill, people's height seems to change and a pendulum seems to rotate the wrong direction. While the effects and observations are based mostly upon visual illusions, it's still quite fascinating to take the tour in this Escher-esque place. Once inside the crooked cabin, I became extremely dizzy. <br /><br />As it turns out, even the dizziness can be explained by the brain's difficulty in trying to match up what the eyes see with what the body feels. It's definitely a fun experience. Now back to the real world.Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-80188566562772179732010-10-22T08:57:00.000-07:002010-10-23T11:55:50.290-07:00Chloe's Cast Comes Off<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_bepbaTuQ8wCTy4OwQZxYWU7GkzOTbXHXrg25Ju4JrIPuKQskughkyGFY-MMJfJELHUuYdpLfIh8kyHkeqFngt6AEauUTAgjiwhYbe5u8hQSLJo8VSqExq9WT5NGsO5Yl3UCZw/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_bepbaTuQ8wCTy4OwQZxYWU7GkzOTbXHXrg25Ju4JrIPuKQskughkyGFY-MMJfJELHUuYdpLfIh8kyHkeqFngt6AEauUTAgjiwhYbe5u8hQSLJo8VSqExq9WT5NGsO5Yl3UCZw/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531285993858753970" /></a><br /><br />Exactly 6 weeks to the day that Chloe broke her arm, it was time to have her cast removed. We had been counting down the days ever since we were within 2 weeks of the scheduled date. I think we were both a little fearful that the x-rays might suggest that we would have to wait longer, but once in the office, they didn't even take the x-rays until after the cast was removed.<br /><br />Chloe had been bouncing around all day in anticipation of the event. She was even bubbly in the doctor's office. That is, until the cast came off. It only took a few moments for Woody to come in with his trusty saw and cut that cast wide open. We were thrilled to see it removed. What a strange sensation it was for Chloe. The nurse noticed almost immediately that Chloe's entire demeanor changed. She became somber and a little fearful. Her arm was feeling numb and she was afraid to move it. We noticed that the layers of skin underneath were built up and peeling. I was warned not to let her scratch for fear of tearing her sensitive skin.<br /><br />It's been over a week now that Chloe has had her cast off. She is still favoring the arm and it does hurt from time to time, but she is almost back to normal and her skin looks great. She still writes with both hands and I am hoping that she will enjoy being ambidextrous. It is so nice to have this chapter behind us!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptALeRe1vBR0lkI1-HQFMI4OG-C7LO7I32mbdDaCT2IkHiqUaEk46SlvOQvl0BA9KWax2DE1kyNPainIxTJoULHjSimkdOCmLBJpvv8fBuavFZBaZnoI-VvH30bLuOF8bVS2q6w/s1600/castoff2web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptALeRe1vBR0lkI1-HQFMI4OG-C7LO7I32mbdDaCT2IkHiqUaEk46SlvOQvl0BA9KWax2DE1kyNPainIxTJoULHjSimkdOCmLBJpvv8fBuavFZBaZnoI-VvH30bLuOF8bVS2q6w/s400/castoff2web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531285986638947074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhu5AocSKG855MPPbk1U1Qv8orC_NzZd6eI1FB_mneTLHscbymblNOmdvwNR2h7O3fWLMRtBEpumYvCG8zkApEzttqd9v5Twk4SYuN2gWPzkG0wrKWD83Kf5GF0HYbfCTRR8GPg/s1600/castoff3web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhu5AocSKG855MPPbk1U1Qv8orC_NzZd6eI1FB_mneTLHscbymblNOmdvwNR2h7O3fWLMRtBEpumYvCG8zkApEzttqd9v5Twk4SYuN2gWPzkG0wrKWD83Kf5GF0HYbfCTRR8GPg/s400/castoff3web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531285980052710034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVWJoPHDNdGqgn8FMyIORcOvxRKsR8XVfUJ8r85xoUxzW9k7CF4AYmKHh2FuYResDgyPlZwVUASPhQoutcJplAqufQWoHWYlTZJ3JbpLL2FJ_9_nYKTIHLzal8mTyYKajmpTzsg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 1002px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVWJoPHDNdGqgn8FMyIORcOvxRKsR8XVfUJ8r85xoUxzW9k7CF4AYmKHh2FuYResDgyPlZwVUASPhQoutcJplAqufQWoHWYlTZJ3JbpLL2FJ_9_nYKTIHLzal8mTyYKajmpTzsg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531285972540085922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-JJAnhUl2p_J_FMqmQjSc7auLSoInROymoe0fM8-mtU-NIofeDtXD_iGGMDgDWcZ9mRDJmkDsitJifD6rQVC70FqtiSBLOu_1XEhc7ie-72kJKNR6QrKa2tguxPsiIrXupuTKw/s1600/castoff5web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-JJAnhUl2p_J_FMqmQjSc7auLSoInROymoe0fM8-mtU-NIofeDtXD_iGGMDgDWcZ9mRDJmkDsitJifD6rQVC70FqtiSBLOu_1XEhc7ie-72kJKNR6QrKa2tguxPsiIrXupuTKw/s400/castoff5web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531285963142777426" /></a>Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-68739076633114954842010-10-21T10:00:00.000-07:002010-10-23T11:55:23.850-07:00A Sweet Pea Reunion<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zEBHEynCewjzCvHLIbBZc6gmMYFt7c0GfvYSGDCNKyHS7LL7dqiRCWKLJX3pt3O-F1GGdtOfxa1Ww-l1LBioykIZH9p3zZeAYqxPy6oUkbc2k9OuCf67c4LKflcOJujkUAaKUw/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width:668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zEBHEynCewjzCvHLIbBZc6gmMYFt7c0GfvYSGDCNKyHS7LL7dqiRCWKLJX3pt3O-F1GGdtOfxa1Ww-l1LBioykIZH9p3zZeAYqxPy6oUkbc2k9OuCf67c4LKflcOJujkUAaKUw/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531315574593635874" /></a><br />It's been a long time since I have blogged. My free time has dwindled and it seems like there are a lot of other activities pulling at my attention. I am going to try and play a little catch-up here and hit some of the recent highlights.<br /><br />First of all, I must explain what a Sweet Pea is. A little over 6 years ago, there were a group of soon-to-be parents turning in there paperwork to the Chinese government in the hopes of being matched with a child. Since the wait would be months and many of these parents were first-time parents, they formed a group to share the wait and plan for their new lives. We became friends online, but somehow, 6 years later, many of us remained in touch.<br /><br />Now we have all been matched with our children and have settled into our changed lives. However, some of us still manage to get together in real life to see how our families have developed and grown. It's hard because we are scattered all over the US, but there are quite a few of us on the West coast and even a greater concentration in the Northwest. That's the primary reason, we opted to miss a couple days of school and work and bring Chloe and Pearl to Seattle Washington.<br /><br />Another reason we traveled to Seattle was to visit our previous exchange student, Chris. Chris is now a junior at the University of Washington majoring in computer science. It was so wonderful to visit with her and take a tour of her beautiful campus.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Cc8epOVh3DRG8W7Rgf6Op4Lh4e7HqP4vijX8Fw0gZDbS5kxRiPNaAJlYMZCWJL2V8uWnEB5RBGWpnacI9EA8jGSZtQPfNS4zX5X1pFZzLNYxEY3sUP2BGXzdussHjKWNG8sLjw/s1600/familyWeb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Cc8epOVh3DRG8W7Rgf6Op4Lh4e7HqP4vijX8Fw0gZDbS5kxRiPNaAJlYMZCWJL2V8uWnEB5RBGWpnacI9EA8jGSZtQPfNS4zX5X1pFZzLNYxEY3sUP2BGXzdussHjKWNG8sLjw/s400/familyWeb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531315391328382642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWa8XuKngdYSbA1fENHsBdEjKKR3JDtMuSEnn_mU-wDVQsKsKYvxe0_TYIa-QUY1vVUeYa77-ciIwzJw2aAxC-ZFfmY4_wCNk8PKYLTjrIyPHr-vCCLY0UOQDrbxkHf7vfxm5nDw/s1600/EffyChrisweb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWa8XuKngdYSbA1fENHsBdEjKKR3JDtMuSEnn_mU-wDVQsKsKYvxe0_TYIa-QUY1vVUeYa77-ciIwzJw2aAxC-ZFfmY4_wCNk8PKYLTjrIyPHr-vCCLY0UOQDrbxkHf7vfxm5nDw/s400/EffyChrisweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531315382376349858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjRzdp6d-inVIXt3ZGgVcYkvGOgfV6QtUhIgnR9-7QnC-M48vMlTlRpYik_544wCHil84EhAPlUOrd7w0RxqFrptJM1OKFju4owKkG_0-9Tkqnc1WZpF-FCXDiOpVDaC2hqqnxA/s1600/seattle10Chrisweb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjRzdp6d-inVIXt3ZGgVcYkvGOgfV6QtUhIgnR9-7QnC-M48vMlTlRpYik_544wCHil84EhAPlUOrd7w0RxqFrptJM1OKFju4owKkG_0-9Tkqnc1WZpF-FCXDiOpVDaC2hqqnxA/s400/seattle10Chrisweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531315376774959202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2R0r-wgx9ztU-2MgNtV3iwjBMRabWPusKE4S1YMDJauamqUde_jWBnRMYp-INfmPFKO1QEDZDy-Nc4ANXI2CdJSi2SNcDn7UpJUI8_XAIm7Oe5E25fhbH2r36MAvtOgkIMjo-bQ/s1600/PearlChloeWeb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2R0r-wgx9ztU-2MgNtV3iwjBMRabWPusKE4S1YMDJauamqUde_jWBnRMYp-INfmPFKO1QEDZDy-Nc4ANXI2CdJSi2SNcDn7UpJUI8_XAIm7Oe5E25fhbH2r36MAvtOgkIMjo-bQ/s400/PearlChloeWeb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531315373129727714" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVv0RbnilXYD2A_R64gJu_g9oWDDktlB-rG8wK7Ymh4o-oJ07-7VZjqnQLF6wT9e454uBfryYXwXVXgDrMUZTqIMe9HRnBU-pWq9C_nvi7R10oxtWMKsL2fRmHr1qO27xc2N8Rjg/s1600/Chloeweb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVv0RbnilXYD2A_R64gJu_g9oWDDktlB-rG8wK7Ymh4o-oJ07-7VZjqnQLF6wT9e454uBfryYXwXVXgDrMUZTqIMe9HRnBU-pWq9C_nvi7R10oxtWMKsL2fRmHr1qO27xc2N8Rjg/s400/Chloeweb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531315367604865058" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_57GQsGGvFpG1tCAikDTu8Kv1f8_C_hys8ZUCPbRMPPFLy8tkVYoFCuPVlI2Qt7-dGJDfh01Z1Kb-BcLbZwC1HxYrImmqtHQrtg-COWwNeJJWS8AWru6-zcicIu3BlzILllr9w/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_57GQsGGvFpG1tCAikDTu8Kv1f8_C_hys8ZUCPbRMPPFLy8tkVYoFCuPVlI2Qt7-dGJDfh01Z1Kb-BcLbZwC1HxYrImmqtHQrtg-COWwNeJJWS8AWru6-zcicIu3BlzILllr9w/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531315760653091170" /></a>Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-63012798928755074232010-09-09T21:13:00.000-07:002010-09-09T21:36:03.384-07:00Back To School and a Broken Arm<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wJ34fvgcJmF9Z16yL5DgQMsSmfiFsEo47jbwkRLjxWeerfNm3o_NWx7cR29YfvqDtaxWamrOJyVbPiPMG-RNCKvR4YQ0gZRPkVCfhCfjpUZNVfBkTjBYDBuIP-XeogEvEMLZ2w/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 750px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wJ34fvgcJmF9Z16yL5DgQMsSmfiFsEo47jbwkRLjxWeerfNm3o_NWx7cR29YfvqDtaxWamrOJyVbPiPMG-RNCKvR4YQ0gZRPkVCfhCfjpUZNVfBkTjBYDBuIP-XeogEvEMLZ2w/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515137855483224994" /></a><br /><br />It's just been one of those months around this household. On August 23rd, the girls went back to school. Effy, our exchange student, went to school as a Junior. Pearl entered 2nd grade and Chloe entered 1st.<br /><br />During the second week of school, Chloe fell off the monkey bars at recess and suffered a severe brake to her radius and ulna just above the wrist. The bones were completely disconnected making her arm look like a "W". I had no idea how traumatic a break could be as I had never experienced one myself or with a family member. We really had a tough day and it took more than 6 hours to get her patched up and back home, where the rest of the evening wasn't much better. <br /><br />Due to the fear of swelling, Chloe's orthopedic surgeon kept a splint on her rather than a cast for the first 9 days, which meant no school. Since we didn't know how long she would be out of school, we signed up for homeschooling and her teacher (who just happens to live across the street) came over every day to teach her what she missed in class. <br /><br />Today Chloe got her long-awaited cast in bright pink and tomorrow she will return to school, much to the relief of both her teacher and myself. Now I can get back to work. To top it all off, I think Chloe and I picked up a cold when we were in the many medical offices we visited on the day of the break.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2h9nJ6womto66poMmbg1datECtd6z5HwB9_saL6qRtvR5kQNIHu2wLTNd7AQ9fjU28teOzn13acTw0LHOwHKqJy1RdoIQf8rbgS4UxJzlPbZJngsMMlbdbRLxwbMx1nCV0P8jQ/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 750px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2h9nJ6womto66poMmbg1datECtd6z5HwB9_saL6qRtvR5kQNIHu2wLTNd7AQ9fjU28teOzn13acTw0LHOwHKqJy1RdoIQf8rbgS4UxJzlPbZJngsMMlbdbRLxwbMx1nCV0P8jQ/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515137844181113522" /></a>Lori Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355820008229556939noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36513720.post-79820309720650292010-08-25T19:14:00.000-07:002010-08-25T19:44:03.268-07:00Vacation With Effy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_b_ZiTzqX32PG2cPdoLsxWp0ZY5xAqrmT-15YvEHcd3dtDh7EwlGSftcJzmmBIe6cMt41PAjL9DulfdLw_21QKWAt_nVru5jYQ9yuSjsgMHBk6DxPLCQFURwz2DHOkYTWAdAOA/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 445px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_b_ZiTzqX32PG2cPdoLsxWp0ZY5xAqrmT-15YvEHcd3dtDh7EwlGSftcJzmmBIe6cMt41PAjL9DulfdLw_21QKWAt_nVru5jYQ9yuSjsgMHBk6DxPLCQFURwz2DHOkYTWAdAOA/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509538596475664706" /></a>Carmel Mission photo converted to a watercolor.<br /><br />My time available for blogging has dwindled to a minimum. I no longer have access to a computer during the day and with my girls just starting school, our evenings are quite busy too. Last week, we traveled to our favorite place, the Monterey peninsula. We stayed at a hotel right on the beach and it was cold and windy. I totally loved it. Where we live, summers in August can be stifling, so a brief respite from the valley oven is greatly welcomed, even if it means wearing jackets and coats.<br /><br />The first day we headed for Gilroy Gardens . Now this place is a bit “young” for Effy, but she really had a fun time anyway. She got her face painted and she smiled as we rode nearly all the rides. I just love how there’s rarely a line for anything at this place. It’s like having your own private amusement park. I even got to ride on one attraction that was too “big” for my little ones because Effy agreed to go with me. The banana boat was a blast! We rode the roller coaster two times without even having to get out of our seat. The father and son sitting behind us were eagerly enjoying their fifth go of it.<br /><br />After that, we headed for Monterey and spent time on the beaches, at the Carmel Mission, in Dennis the Menace Park , and at the Monterey Aquarium. I have been going to the aquarium since it opened (back when I lived in the area) and it just seems to get better every time. There really are a lot of things for the little kids to do, even toddlers. It’s usually too crowded for my taste, but if you come with patience, there is plenty to see and do.<br /><br />We spent the last day on the beach in Pacific Grove , playing in the rocks and tide pools, searching for hermit crabs. The girls collected dozens, played with them and then released them back into the ocean before we went home. It was a great four days and now I think they are ready to go back to school.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KY9H8ArBoCxyeJ5n3-JeXSPU2JEIh5ccvV42tOmzNE-6dyhsZu1lbQnw44Z9HlUhe_7RQh2nkD6caqpm3oL-CU_9fVfUsD8Q-_e-OpxFJg4zCvm1ENubvgOQecieLpLJtJb7cQ/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 571px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KY9H8ArBoCxyeJ5n3-JeXSPU2JEIh5ccvV42tOmzNE-6dyhsZu1lbQnw44Z9HlUhe_7RQh2nkD6caqpm3oL-CU_9fVfUsD8Q-_e-OpxFJg4zCvm1ENubvgOQecieLpLJtJb7cQ/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509538588030385762" /></a>Gate at Carmel Mission<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA96QOVEF4hrpNE9WjduDwxMGAqy3zjh3gxpvpjTD893YH-jmpV8z-zW3iX_gMuyTvenIuG2Xrf-tuwPGcblShqKPi7sDioH71eOcQNpLrTvmWg71e3RcvkL_Pli5GGkxEBI3_xA/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 668px; height: 668px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA96QOVEF4hrpNE9WjduDwxMGAqy3zjh3gxpvpjTD893YH-jmpV8z-zW3iX_gMuyTvenIuG2Xrf-tuwPGcblShqKPi7sDioH71eOcQNpLrTvmWg71e3RcvkL_Pli5GGkxEBI3_xA/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509538577018579810" /></a>Bell at the Mission<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtvaA_jgqz3z7MK0Umo1dgKHvN4SSv3x1R7tsDH6HHSs8ha_IAnHWj5QxxFJU5NAH0CChHG74rhz3sLtODBGoRC1c3iuSY0dLFO-CSJOyuEzMgDC-hR11Xu3pFztGYBiSiL_Bgg/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 750px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtvaA_jgqz3z7MK0Umo1dgKHvN4SSv3x1R7tsDH6HHSs8ha_IAnHWj5QxxFJU5NAH0CChHG74rhz3sLtODBGoRC1c3iuSY0dLFO-CSJOyuEzMgDC-hR11Xu3pFztGYBiSiL_Bgg/" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509538156688615810" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFrAHhgtmcY_GbwG1mZYcwGMPQGWwU4C8VM_hZMnFG26Et4kYsTRHgr2QM8HUiOURV3TW5C-QC0ZNMNRfs8bnB-T5PWwtfUwQLG0Z_T-atORRO5n7hXX4cC-LI2N_WK2RYVoOYQ/"><img style="display:block; 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