tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14785485833922650282011-03-20T17:54:00.466-07:00Awaken zarablueA bit about me, my stuff and whatever else I feel like.zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-68526760131308170732010-09-26T20:48:00.000-07:002010-09-27T05:08:39.953-07:002010-09-27T05:08:39.953-07:00Books, Books, Books!<div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Books! I can't get enough of them!</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lately the lot of them has been science fiction, which is a new genre for me.</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Still, I can't get through them fast enough, having read twenty-five novels since this past March, I am still on a roll. </div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The latest series I finished was a young adult selection titled, "The Hunger Games", by <a href="http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/images/Hg--jacket-330.jpg">Suzanne Collins</a>. My fifteen year old is now reading them since they are mom approved. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/images/Hg--jacket-330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/images/Hg--jacket-330.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/images/Hg--jacket-330.jpg"></a> <br />
This series was an interesting, thought provoking, suspenseful, emotional, funny, dramatic,... I can not come up with enough adjectives to describe what I thought about this series.</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are three books in all, the first being "The Hunger Games," "Catching Fire," and "Mockingjay." They are shorter books and easy reads. The elements for discussion within the books such as perception, tradition, government control or socialism, fight vs. flight, love, the list goes on; are great points of discussion for young and old. </div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The main character who is placed in a post-apocalyptic setting, is sixteen-seventeen years old throughout her journey, but the life she has experienced is that of someone much older. The romantic triangle tugs your heart in both directions as Katniss Everdeen discovers not only herself, but those who love her. </div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You experience the innocence of heart and mind while in the same moment mature strength in the spirit to overcome. Katniss is not your typical female heroine, she makes more mistakes than one would care for. She also winds up remaining true to herself, which becomes somewhat of a revelation for this main character, because of the duress in which it presents itself. </div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To find out more you'll have to get your own copy, and I hope you do!</div><div style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>Have you read "The Hunger Games"? What did you think? Were you</b><b> satisfied with the ending? What would you have done differently if you were Katniss or Peeta or Haymich?</b></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-6852676013130817073?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-23608773778000750912010-09-23T09:43:00.000-07:002010-09-23T09:43:49.346-07:002010-09-23T09:43:49.346-07:00All Hail the Ice Chunks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WZeKXCKaGGo/TJt9zvfkeeI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/uN1hcPtPHp0/s1600/August-September+2010+166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_WZeKXCKaGGo/TJt9zvfkeeI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/uN1hcPtPHp0/s400/August-September+2010+166.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">This past Saturday night we experienced a hailstorm here in the Midwest. I say experienced because that is what happens when a severe storm like this hits; the lightning, the wind, the rain, the ice, the sound of thunder! This was one of the many chunks of hail that pelted our home. At first the hail was golf ball sized and as that settled a bit, the rain and lightning continued. </div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">It didn't take long before the thunks of ice were back against our house. This time louder and harder! So, of course we sent the fifteen-year-old out to go retrieve a piece. This piece had already begun to melt by the time we turned of the flash and got out the measuring tape. Still, a pretty good sized hail storm. The winds were whipping and the rain continued on throughout the night. </div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">We wound up having leakage into our family room a few areas, the siding, garage, roof, vents, windows, gutters, to name a few things, were being torn and bashed. We literally lost pieces of siding from the house.</div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">The excitement of photographing hail quickly turned into a serious event.</div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I still feel blessed, having heard of other areas that received five inch hail and power outages.</div><div style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br />
</div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">We are still dealing with our insurance company, which, thankfully we have insurance. In the meanwhile, another storm is on the way, and more hail is expected. Although there is tarp on the roof and over the wall that was damaged on one side, the carpet is still wet, and the walls are still damp, and this upcoming storm is no longer welcome at my house. =]</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-2360877377800075091?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-24272814217922734192010-08-27T13:45:00.000-07:002010-08-27T13:45:02.415-07:002010-08-27T13:45:02.415-07:00Great Site-Great Deals!<div style="color: #073763; text-align: center;">My sister-in-law recommended I check out this site that has a new local deal every day or so. </div><div style="color: #073763; text-align: center;">They spotlight several different restaurants, boutiques, services,and entertainment venues with a coupon; or "<a href="http://www.groupon.com/kansas-city/" style="color: #38761d;">Groupon</a>" since it's on a large scale.</div><div style="color: #073763; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #073763; text-align: center;">So basically, the days deal arrives via email once you sign up(if you do sign up, please use my name, I get credit for it, thanks!) It it usually for a discount of 50% of the regular price. </div><div style="color: #073763; text-align: center;">If your going to go out to eat, why not spend less, but get just what you want, and perhaps try a new place while your at it! For instance the current deal is for $40 in cuisine, but you pay only $20 through <a href="http://www.groupon.com/kansas-city/" style="color: #38761d;">Groupon</a>.</div><div style="color: #073763; text-align: center;">If you were thinking about laser hair removal at a cost of $550, the last deal was for $185 through <a href="http://www.groupon.com/kansas-city/" style="color: #38761d;">Groupon</a>.</div><div style="color: #073763; text-align: center;">The deals are not just for your locale. You can check other locations you may be visiting while out of town for deals too.</div><div style="color: #073763; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763;">I'm lovin' this site and thought you would too, check it out!</span><a href="http://www.groupon.com/kansas-city/" style="color: #073763;"></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-2427281421792273419?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-61766901084711302682010-08-25T19:29:00.000-07:002010-08-25T19:29:00.356-07:002010-08-25T19:29:00.356-07:00One Week Down<div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's been one week of school and we are still alive! </div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
There have been no injuries to report or illnesses! LOL</div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Other than it now being time for everyone to get their eyes examined, the hum of the </div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">school year is upon us! </div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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Let the PTA meeting, Back to School BBQ's, and host of other school year festivities begin!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CkhULgujOks/SnG964vLejI/AAAAAAAAAGM/xP6KkJbVjbE/s1600/Goodby+Summer+School+Bus.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CkhULgujOks/SnG964vLejI/AAAAAAAAAGM/xP6KkJbVjbE/s320/Goodby+Summer+School+Bus.png" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-6176690108471130268?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-89221655754830464632010-08-11T08:48:00.000-07:002010-08-11T08:48:33.838-07:002010-08-11T08:48:33.838-07:00Three Words<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dvd-ppt-slideshow.com/images/blog-image/back-to-school/back-to-school1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.dvd-ppt-slideshow.com/images/blog-image/back-to-school/back-to-school1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: blue; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">(So there's actually only two words in this picture, but you get the point.)</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-8922165575483046463?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-81299696345511268282010-07-29T10:11:00.000-07:002010-07-29T10:11:18.228-07:002010-07-29T10:11:18.228-07:00Karma or Consequence?!<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">Alright! If I didn't know any better I would think that Karma had just dealt me a bit of medicine. After re-reading my last post, I realized I may have sounded a bit boastful about my checklist of tasks that I was able to go through in my day. I mean it's not like I accomplished any grand feats or anything. The day felt like a whirlwind, all while being able to accomplish the things that were needed. </div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">Yet! This past weekend I have somehow managed to pull my hip and lower back out. Leaving me completely unable to get any chores done...for the last four days! This may not seem like a big deal, but in a family of seven, well, it's an avalanche waiting to happen.</div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">So. One might say that if I hadn't felt so great about getting my <i>two</i> loads of laundry done before anyone woke(and posting it in my blog,) that perhaps I wouldn't now be seven loads of laundry behind for the week.</div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">Well...I'm at least smart enough to know that it is not karma, but the consequences of my own behavior. Rather, the lack of my behavior that has put me in this position.</div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">I know that when I don't exercise and keep my muscles strong that my back will eventually go out. Well, that 's exactly what happened. </div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">Here I find myself, the product of my own design!</div><div style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">The result of my own making.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now, I must regrettably make the decision to..........................begin exercising again!!!!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-8129969634551126828?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-43515225972380549452010-07-23T13:58:00.000-07:002010-07-23T14:03:24.340-07:002010-07-23T14:03:24.340-07:00Today<div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today I woke up a little later than I would have liked.</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I still manage to get two, count em' two, loads of laundry in, and a shower... before any kiddos get up.</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I check my emails. For some reason I still have two email accounts...I need to condense(because I never really count my third account that I use for online junk.)</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Made my replies and fed the boys. My two oldest are still at their cousins spending the night, we sort of swapped kids. </div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We have a couple cousins spend the night, which means I have five boys today.</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">They play the Wii and hide-and-go-seek!<br />
The four year old needs help counting to fifty. One, two, three.....<br />
I load the dishwasher, for the first time today.</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I bathed a couple kids up. Switched some more laundry around and checked a suspicious ear ache for infection. It's now around 7:45am, I need to get a call in to the doctors office, but they don't open till eight! I tell myself not to let it get too far past eight or the day may run away with me. Wouldn't you know the ear infection hits on a weekend.</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I make the call and they can fit us in this afternoon! Yay us!!</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After I take the suv to the mechanic, pick-up the oldest, (I need him to watch the younger two,) I drop Grandma off. She was watching the little ones while I made the run to the mechanic. We all clean up. Which means a complete outfit change for the kid with the ear infection, and a discussion on why we shouldn't wear clothes with mud on them to the doctors office. I leave reminders to be kind, and for the oldest to remember to give the little ones some lunch.=)</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We head off to the doctors and... of course it's an ear infection!</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This makes number seven in the past fifteen months, not including the four ruptured ear drums. Looks like another set of tubes for the six year old. Yay us!!</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We pick up the prescriptions and head back home. </div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now its around three and I realize as I check my email that I forgot to pick up my daughter. (Sends quick text to patient Aunt)</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">No big deal of course, everyone is having fun. </div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hubby calls and is on his way home...................early!!! Yay ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Friday is Date Night in our house! </div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All-in-all, it's been a good day.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-4351522597238054945?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-45732599754959598202010-07-13T16:59:00.000-07:002010-07-13T16:59:43.208-07:002010-07-13T16:59:43.208-07:00Quote<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WZeKXCKaGGo/TDz8q3F3kVI/AAAAAAAAAE0/xIypnhr-m7Y/s1600/challenges_1080x1050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_WZeKXCKaGGo/TDz8q3F3kVI/AAAAAAAAAE0/xIypnhr-m7Y/s400/challenges_1080x1050.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From a book by Sheri L. Dew</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-4573259975495959820?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-32848317326052463672010-06-22T15:22:00.000-07:002010-07-08T08:48:33.829-07:002010-07-08T08:48:33.829-07:00Summer So Far<div style="color: cyan; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This summer is flying by. Although, summers usually do.</div><div style="color: cyan; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It seems like each week is a flitter of activity. We have visited the local art museum, been to the fountains, seen the Clifford exhibit, gone to the park countless times, ridden the roller-coasters relentlessly,(we bought season passes,lol.) </div><div style="color: cyan; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We've been to BBQ's galore and birthday bashes. We have sat through performances, some good, some well...</div><div style="color: cyan; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We have put miles on the Sequoia and have nothing but time and an oil change to show for it. </div><div style="color: cyan; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We have dined with family and friends and laughed and cried at the movies. </div><div style="color: cyan; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ahhh, summer-so-far has been good to us!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-3284831732605246367?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-50066380476244840892010-05-10T12:06:00.000-07:002010-06-22T13:44:43.138-07:002010-06-22T13:44:43.138-07:00Living Up To Our Potential<div style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #783f04; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666;">It's not that I haven't read or seen an uplifting story before, it's just that today I decided to pass it on...via my blog.</span></div><div style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #666666; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I am grateful for those who not only believe in Jesus Christ, but regardless of the reason, strive to share the truthfulness of his gospel to others. I am a Mormon. I know that Jesus Christ lives. I am thankful for the opportunities to live up to my potential as daughter of God. I am grateful for the gentle, and not so gentle reminders of this. I am blessed. I am a wife and mother, a daughter(in-law), sister(in-law), aunt, niece and friend. I am loved by many and I am striving daily to fulfill Gods purpose for me on earth. </div><div style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #666666; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I watched this video today via Mormon Messages, I wanted to share it.</div><div style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #666666; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Rachel</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: #783f04;"><span style="color: #666666;">p.s. click on the link in the post below,as I haven't figured out how to embed it here yet.</span></span><br />
</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-5006638047624484089?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-71320226640195175742010-05-10T11:59:00.000-07:002010-05-10T11:59:25.300-07:002010-05-10T11:59:25.300-07:00Stephanie Nielson’s Message of Motherhood Attracting Attention - LDS Newsroom<a href="http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/stephanie-nielson-s-message-of-motherhood-attracting-attention">Stephanie Nielson’s Message of Motherhood Attracting Attention - LDS Newsroom</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-7132022664019517574?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-69462826446149458532010-03-25T10:49:00.000-07:002010-03-25T11:00:16.916-07:002010-03-25T11:00:16.916-07:00Consistency Or A Lack Thereof<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i>March has come and is almost gone. I can and can't believe it.</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i>I never did get back to this blog!</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i>In fact, I don't really have anything to blog about in particular other</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i>than I really wanted to get this updated.</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i>So here I am wondering why I didn't get my last blog in. </i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i>I have no excuse really. Hence the title of this blog, </i><br />
<i>"Consistency Or A Lack Thereof",</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i>I think it's kind of like soup, some are rich and creamy </i><br />
<i>and others are thin.</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i>I believe my consistency was lacking a bit last month. </i><br />
<i>I was running a bit thin. </i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i>Here I sit today, feeling a bit more...creamy, if you will.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hence the updated blog. :o) </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.freeclipartnow.com/d/20313-1/bowl-of-steaming-soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://www.freeclipartnow.com/d/20313-1/bowl-of-steaming-soup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-6946282644614945853?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-74199320354661543942010-02-15T12:29:00.000-08:002010-02-15T12:29:07.010-08:002010-02-15T12:29:07.010-08:00Sore Noses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://seesarashrink.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/tissues.jpg?w=164&h=197" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://seesarashrink.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/tissues.jpg?w=164&h=197" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm back! Almost. More than half the family has been down with bronchitis and sinus infections. Whew! It's been a doozy. Between the piles of tissues and sore noses, the aches and coughs, and everything else that goes with a good ole virus, we are up and running again. Of course our Doctors' office knows us by name and face. I remind them that their Christmas bonus is on us. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">We are still in recovery mode but, doing so much better. Energy is starting to pick back up and I'm feeling like doing laundry again. That's always a good sign in a household of seven. I am so happy to have a husband who jumps right in and gets the job done without blinking. It sure makes a difference to not have to play catch up on everything. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As a side note, by way of observation; I love how when my children are sick they still seem to be pretty cordial. They smile, hug, and play. Whereas we "big kids" seem to crash and get a little cranky if you will. </span><br style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Children never cease to amaze me, sore noses and all!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-7419932035466154394?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-63134865483206694572010-02-07T10:59:00.000-08:002010-02-07T10:59:46.692-08:002010-02-07T10:59:46.692-08:00Feeling IckyO.K., so I am feeling really sick.<br />
I mean flu-like sick. I sure hope this doesn't last long.<br />
Hopefully I'll blog later this week.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-6313486548320669457?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-1283299788766097622010-02-04T13:20:00.000-08:002010-02-04T13:20:20.674-08:002010-02-04T13:20:20.674-08:00Where Love Is<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">I said I would have this post up by Wednesday and I didn't do it. </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">I was hoping to have pics uploaded of the crafts from the evening. </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">My camera battery died and I can't find the charger. Ugh! </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">We had a nice time as a family talking about what love is, and how we</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"> can show more love to each other. </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">We talked about how love is being kind and thoughtful. </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">My husband made me a valentine and the rest of us made hearts to </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">hang up on the windows. </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">We had rootbeer for our refreshment (in my house soda is a treat.) </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">It was a simple night of quiet crafting and jibber jabber. </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">The little ones(8yr.old, 6yr.old, and 4yr.old) laughed at their older </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">brother making quite the cute and creative heart. </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">This would certainly be a more entertaining write up if I had the </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">pictures to go with the story. Sad little me. </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Where's the love, where's the love I ask you? </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Well, love was definitely felt </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">around our table Monday night. It was nice.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.pixabella.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/be-my_valentine_gift_tag1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pixabella.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/be-my_valentine_gift_tag1.png" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-128329978876609762?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-87452107728665075532010-02-01T11:47:00.000-08:002010-02-01T11:47:42.133-08:002010-02-01T11:47:42.133-08:00In Preparation for V-Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pixabella.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/valentine-clip-art-gift-tag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.pixabella.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/valentine-clip-art-gift-tag.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tonight my family will be making valentines decorations and cards for each other. We will discuss what love means to us and how we express it. In my next blog I'll have pics from the evening and what we talked about. That should be up by Wednesday. </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span id="goog_1265051995430"></span><br />
<span id="goog_1265051995431"></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-8745210772866507553?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-23103156549499059452010-01-28T08:21:00.000-08:002010-02-01T11:25:17.361-08:002010-02-01T11:25:17.361-08:00Space Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WZeKXCKaGGo/S2G3CW3KzoI/AAAAAAAAADc/5FwRKHcq2HI/s1600-h/Joshua+in+Dentist+Chair+01-25-2010+%282%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WZeKXCKaGGo/S2G3CW3KzoI/AAAAAAAAADc/5FwRKHcq2HI/s320/Joshua+in+Dentist+Chair+01-25-2010+%282%29.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I couldn't resist including a pic of my youngest sons trip to the</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Dentist this week.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Our last visit to the dentist office for a checkup was horrible.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">You could hear my little three year old screaming all the way out</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">to the waiting room (so my older kids informed me).</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I was more than nervous about the return visit.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I brought in reinforcements.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">My husband left work early to join us, just in case.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Our son, Joshua, had a cavity *ugh* that needed a filling.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Our dentist offers laughing gas for all his procedures.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He asked my son if he wanted to be like an astronaut</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">and take a "space trip." The little guy was so relaxed and calm</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">throughout the entire process.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">He wore sunglasses to shield the light from his eyes, watched</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> a cartoon and enjoyed his "space trip", as the Doctor calls it. </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-2310315654949905945?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-62348190617514002272010-01-26T09:17:00.000-08:002010-01-26T16:52:40.246-08:002010-01-26T16:52:40.246-08:00New Blog Topic<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><span style="font-size: small;">Well, I have changed the subject title of my blog to "conform" if you </span><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">will, to what I am really doing with it right now.</span><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am actually in a blogging phase, I think. I mean hope. </span><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whatever, I'm actually blogging and I don't want the subject line of my blog title to be a constant reminder that:</span><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I have not moved forward from writing a few rough drafts.</span><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have not enrolled for another set of helpful college classes.</span><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have not looked at my first few stories since I wrote them.</span><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Having admitted that, I feel much better.</span><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">Buuuut, I do believe that blogging my routines, experiences, thoughts, etc. will be a catalyst of sorts <span style="color: #444444;">to get me back in the groove of writing. </span></span><br />
<br />
Having said that, today I cleaned. Just cleaned. I didn't wear gloves either. Now my finger tips hurt. Too much bleach, I guess.<br />
I'm waiting for some guests to arrive, although I did not get a confirmation of the time change.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ts3.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1427529607302&id=1778b2aa8823446d496f296fc3a75bad&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.gascoals.net%2fPortals%2f1%2fFireplace%2520clipart%2fwife%2520cleaning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ts3.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1427529607302&id=1778b2aa8823446d496f296fc3a75bad&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.gascoals.net%2fPortals%2f1%2fFireplace%2520clipart%2fwife%2520cleaning.jpg" width="142" /></a><br />
</div>Hmmm...if they don't come, I think I'll just finish my loads of laundry today. That will mean that I'll have more time to finish a few other projects tomorrow that I haven't gotten to.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-6234819061751400227?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-82542847520411336302010-01-22T17:05:00.000-08:002010-01-22T17:07:07.300-08:002010-01-22T17:07:07.300-08:00A Good Day<div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I haven't stopped for one moment today. </span><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm exhausted, but I think it's the good kind.</span><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Took my daughter to the doctors. </span><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Returned an item at the mall, and found three better ones. </span><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm wearing two of them now.</span><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.............</span><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was just enjoying the moment. See, I got to shop a l o n e . Aaahhh!</span><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Spent some time with my sister-in-law and two nieces. </span><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Had the children fold six baskets of laundry.</span><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">All-in-all, it was a good day.</span><br />
</div><br />
<i>p.s. I'm thinking of adding pictures to this blog. </i><br />
<i>In fact, I'm thinking it's not going to be about my writing, or lack thereof. Ugh, we'll see. </i><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-8254284752041133630?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-50419429743713154192010-01-21T09:02:00.000-08:002010-01-21T10:58:13.423-08:002010-01-21T10:58:13.423-08:00Recessive Traits and Blogs<i><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">It seems as though I visit my own blog every six months. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida grande;">Consistency should be a new years resolution for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida grande;">I am stranded without a car today, and although I thought this would force </span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida grande;">me into some housework that always needs to be done. </span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">Here I sit at the computer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida grande;"> </span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">I'm wondering why I don't blog more, about anything. At least I would be writing, right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida grande;">Ugh, consistency, darn you. I must have the recessive trait for it. LoL.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida grande;">I thought I would write a little about how my day is going so far. </span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">As I think about</span><span style="font-family: lucida grande;"> it, it's been so dull that I can hardly stand to relive it even for the sake of this confounded blog.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida grande;"> </span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">Once again the ramblings of my inner thoughts will have to suffice. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: lucida grande;">Have a great day...despite the color of the clouds.</span></span></i><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-5041942974371315419?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-86670876379571276702009-05-07T09:09:00.000-07:002009-05-07T09:18:34.549-07:002009-05-07T09:18:34.549-07:00Bla, bla, bla, and perhaps a little hope.<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: webdings; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">I don't like the rain much. I take that back. I don't like gloomy, gray skies, and muggy, humid weather. On days like these I think it changes my chemical make-up, or at least my hormones seem to notice the difference and I react accordingly. Bummed-out. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean I'm depressed or anything, not that I haven't been there. I generaly don't respond well to ill-fated weather reports. I wind up feeling like I'm ninetyfive and have arthritis; my bones start to ache. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">If you haven't checked the weather in Missouri, well, not only is it raining, but it is gloomy.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><br />Whoa! Wait a minute! Can this truly be? As I sit here typing the sun has come up out of the clouds in all its glory. The sky is turning blue. Oh let it last, let it last. </span></span><br /></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-8667087637957127670?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-82037593484853558802009-01-18T13:37:00.000-08:002009-01-18T13:59:23.159-08:002009-01-18T13:59:23.159-08:00So what am I going to write about?<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CMom%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Andalus; panose-1:2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:8195 -2147483648 8 0 65 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Arabic Typesetting"; panose-1:3 2 4 2 4 4 6 3 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:script; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610604433 -1073741824 8 0 211 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:20;" >I have felt inspired today. Quite simply inspired!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:20;" >I am grateful for a new year. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:20;" >Grateful for <i style="">all </i>the Lord has blessed me and my family with.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:20;" >I am thankful for my emotions, which drive my family nutty sometimes. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:20;" >I am thankful for feeling.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; color: rgb(102, 51, 51);" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:20;" >For the sadness so I may know joy.<span style=""> </span>For the pain so I may healing.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:20;" ><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">I am grateful for my laughter, and the silly way it makes me feel. I feel happy, so utterly contented. For this day, I am thankful!</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="font-family:Andalus;">I started this blog originally to get some thoughts out and advice in.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="font-family:Andalus;">I decided I wanted to write children's books and so...on I went about it.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="font-family:Andalus;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="font-family:Andalus;">Well, I have decided since then that I will take a little detour if you will.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="font-family:Andalus;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="font-family:Andalus;">I have decided to take some college classes and perhaps earn a degree along my way.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="font-family:Andalus;">When I'm ready to get my stories out there; I'll know. I won't stop writing as much as I will be polishing my skills so my writing is what it should be.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="font-family:Andalus;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="font-family:Andalus;">Until then, I will continue to blog under the current title, "Story Timers".<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="font-family:Andalus;">The blog though, will consist of whatever it is I decide to empty out of my head into type.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="font-family:Andalus;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="font-family:Andalus;">Hmmm...I would like to blog more, but there is a persistent red-head who is <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="font-family:Andalus;">wanting me to take a walk with her.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="font-family:Andalus;">How could I resist.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-8203759348485355880?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-4415890466953763122008-12-11T14:48:00.000-08:002010-01-26T12:59:02.798-08:002010-01-26T12:59:02.798-08:00Christmas time<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">O.k., so it's Christmas time. Yipee!</span></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I love this time of year!</span></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I haven't been writing at all, but I did just sign up for a</span></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Composition class which begins in January.</span></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Yes, I am going back to school. This will not be the only class I will be taking </span></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">in the upcoming years. Yes, I said years.</span></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">But! I am excited!</span></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Slightly trepedatious, but excited!</span></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Oh, where was I...oh yes, Christmas.</span></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I love the get-togethers, the parties, the whole thing.</span></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I love it more when all my gifts have been bought on time, but that's another blog. :o)</span></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I love Christmas! I hope that everyone will have more than just a moment or two to </span></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">enjoy the beauty and wonder of the spirit of this season.</span></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I joined a Chorale this year, and the performances of late have been Christmas in </span></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">theme of course. All the music and singing have really helped to keep the focus on </span></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Jesus Christ our Lord, Savior and Redeemer.</span></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Yeah, this is supposed to be my writing blog, but this season what better to write about than Him!</span></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year everyone!</span></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Rachel</span></span><br />
</div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br />
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-441589046695376312?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-53684646453275904182008-11-11T11:45:00.000-08:002008-12-11T14:48:32.366-08:002008-12-11T14:48:32.366-08:00Week 4<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">O.k., so I have really bad at blogging the past month...or so. =(</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Let's just say, no <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">creative juices</span> have had time to flow.</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">I mean no time. None. Zilch.</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">By no time, I don't necessarily mean that I have been sooo busy.</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">By no time, I mean the <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">'cute, little, (glad they're mine) munchkins'</span>, that have</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">not allowed for a moment of <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">creative writing, or thought</span>, or well, you get the picture.</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Not that I'm complaining or anything. I believe <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">'things'</span> </span>get in the way, </span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">not <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">children</span>...they were on purpose. <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> :o)</span></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Don't get me wrong, I <span style="font-style: italic;">have</span> written a few stories, they've been fun!</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">I still need to get <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">myself</span> more organized, hrmph!</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">I need a little of your 'OCD' Jen.</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">That would certainly move things along, I think.</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">At least when I visit your blog I feel that way.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">O.k., so I'll end this the way it began...I have been really bad at blogging the past month or so;</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">but <span style="font-style: italic;">really good at </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0); font-style: italic;">being a Mom!</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Rachel</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-5368464645327590418?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1478548583392265028.post-7165796783683737512008-10-02T09:21:00.000-07:002008-10-04T15:48:06.210-07:002008-10-04T15:48:06.210-07:00Story Timers - Welcome to week 3<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">I love that autumn is upon us.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">It's one of those magical seasons to me.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Wearing sweaters, getting the wood ready for fires, and smores. Yum!</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">I truly love the changing of the leaves, their colors and shapes.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">The holidays that are coming and all the fan fare that goes with it.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">The stress for some, the sheer enjoyment of baking, giving, dressing up, or down (p.j.'s and hot chocolate).</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">More excuses to eat to shop , to stay up really late.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Uhhh, I just love Autumn.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">I was laughing at myself, thinking about what to blog about this week. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">I thought, "I can't even think of what to write, how am I suppose to come up with </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">stories to publish, let alone</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">meet deadlines."</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Honestly though, I think it has more to do with opening up, and not being so personal about my business.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">That may still take some time. But this is a step in the right direction.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Thanks Linda for your pointers, compass is moving closer to North. :o)</span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153); font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Rachel</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-family:lucida grande;" ></span><br /></div><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1478548583392265028-716579678368373751?l=awakenzarablue.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>zarabluehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11112697411021741318noreply@blogger.com1