tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66272208440095855572024-02-20T10:30:31.797-06:00Sparkling OrangeClairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.comBlogger135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-30036169125665345762014-01-24T08:30:00.000-06:002014-01-24T08:30:02.726-06:0029 in 29 - visit a cidery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-mNPmWZ9Ppl8lPPFnPox5SehYVXK8otuP721UMl_BzJ6oOMo5oHAkVCWMMDtrdGfLb9WwAjZNvGCOBWs9eM7FTquGylAZvUU4BJg1U8RBrI67Fepx-LA3AOD4opgqIeOTpLj5XisKcg/s1600/static.squarespace.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sociable cider werks logo" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-mNPmWZ9Ppl8lPPFnPox5SehYVXK8otuP721UMl_BzJ6oOMo5oHAkVCWMMDtrdGfLb9WwAjZNvGCOBWs9eM7FTquGylAZvUU4BJg1U8RBrI67Fepx-LA3AOD4opgqIeOTpLj5XisKcg/s1600/static.squarespace.com.jpg" height="195" title="sociable cider werks logo" width="320" /></a></div>
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i've said it before and i'll say it again. i love cider. just crisp enough in the summer for a refreshing drink. just sweet enough in the winter for a comforting taste. it was after a trip to new zealand with the fam back in 2009 that we all first discovered cider ... scrumpy ... delicious. enough so that we brought 7 bottles back in a special, separate suitcase. we're classy like that.<br />
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so, imagine my joy when i found out <a href="http://sociablecider.com/" target="_blank"><b>a cidery</b></a> was opening up in the cities! about time ... we've had breweries popping up left and right. (see <a href="http://blogs.mprnews.org/statewide/2014/01/minnesota-beer-boom-keeps-booming-60-breweries-across-state/" target="_blank"><b>this article</b></a> from mpr on the SIXTY breweries in minnesota ...) it's about time we jazz it up a bit. me thinks distilleries are just around the corner ...<br />
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while i love cider, i don't claim to be an expert or even really know anything cidery-related ... but, i know what tastes good sociable's featured ciders are pretty darn tasty.<br />
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<b>freewheeler </b>- the sociable folks call this their "mainstay" and that about sums it up. it's what you think of when you say you want a cider. and it's pretty darn good. we were sipping on a chilly december, i can only imagine how delicious it would be on a balmy july night!<br />
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<b>broken spoke </b>- if you can get over the fact your drinking a black cider, you'll enjoy the broken spoke. a little bit stout, a little bit cider, it's just unusual enough to keep you sipping. <br />
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so, who's up for a trip to the cidery ... i'd offer to drive ... butttttttttttttt ;0)<br /><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a39w7fv9new/UtHQZOHRRUI/AAAAAAAAB58/w7IHWoiEYtk/s1600/IMG_20131227_174243389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a39w7fv9new/UtHQZOHRRUI/AAAAAAAAB58/w7IHWoiEYtk/s640/IMG_20131227_174243389.jpg" height="840" width="560" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTESBibo4sKZ4hkp0GGG8uV4ivRSgKGXdICmCCwzFbPTKmTA79aWU3lhL9C1Ym1DAkkdSDbCtFQ46l30rYDtz0xyL6SCXllPr88HB98bfGQ-q6Qn-x85Y2GHhuqNg7RQenvDUHbj4GRNI/s1600/IMG_20140111_192803305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="stout cider and cranberry ale from socialable cider werks" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTESBibo4sKZ4hkp0GGG8uV4ivRSgKGXdICmCCwzFbPTKmTA79aWU3lhL9C1Ym1DAkkdSDbCtFQ46l30rYDtz0xyL6SCXllPr88HB98bfGQ-q6Qn-x85Y2GHhuqNg7RQenvDUHbj4GRNI/s640/IMG_20140111_192803305.jpg" height="840" title="stout cider and cranberry ale from socialable cider werks" width="560" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">(yes, yes ... taking flashless photos in a dark cidery while consuming a wee bit of <br />alcohol doesn't turn out the best results ... sorryyyyyyyyyyyyy ... )</span></div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com0Minneapolis, MN, USA44.983334 -93.26666999999997644.983334 -93.266669999999976 44.983334 -93.266669999999976tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-12423628230571035392014-01-17T08:00:00.000-06:002014-01-17T08:00:05.240-06:00last week in photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZ0dHSCSVe-1OHdadqfnkpsxf2_Q4QmiM-2bgPNhCPYf8CsIYZwvvb8mhnoDBCd2_Sgo6jAd3elDhITAJ-LOO4KmP19OQeIRX_mTR_TOtpWAuMYvZmQDkc-kxXtFNPeklRCFjoe0Xi-Y/s1600/IMG_20140109_191148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZ0dHSCSVe-1OHdadqfnkpsxf2_Q4QmiM-2bgPNhCPYf8CsIYZwvvb8mhnoDBCd2_Sgo6jAd3elDhITAJ-LOO4KmP19OQeIRX_mTR_TOtpWAuMYvZmQDkc-kxXtFNPeklRCFjoe0Xi-Y/s1600/IMG_20140109_191148.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQUfn91rtbLwT3WLEHeSL7o1SjhnJVQ3xX0EdiDtwi1ngJPO6b1TeEHr3BqlNaB37i3xxsDu-Tuz_FJ-O1yY5kcgKa_2jstSEJYkkCfniYAsNaPGNHqF3g-ib6n_XNS1YjSjXhdcpjhQ/s1600/IMG_20140110_101502117.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQUfn91rtbLwT3WLEHeSL7o1SjhnJVQ3xX0EdiDtwi1ngJPO6b1TeEHr3BqlNaB37i3xxsDu-Tuz_FJ-O1yY5kcgKa_2jstSEJYkkCfniYAsNaPGNHqF3g-ib6n_XNS1YjSjXhdcpjhQ/s640/IMG_20140110_101502117.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y8JJbureC1c/Us9YAy1Tk5I/AAAAAAAAB3E/AE0VsQLs4-0/s1600/IMG_20140108_074619122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y8JJbureC1c/Us9YAy1Tk5I/AAAAAAAAB3E/AE0VsQLs4-0/s640/IMG_20140108_074619122.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiZR4TQ8qWaWzEFniRc1rx-Fw73zUIlfkwsEB6u0EfMtfXL2kziuMxT5aMBUjc63UHZ5DIhZKVbGG6Kf6lpahlHsXADy8ova0wVDpxbzmn7i2qWHBzETcT2VV224DqZ6vuKQcXU323qY/s1600/IMG_20140111_225756205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiZR4TQ8qWaWzEFniRc1rx-Fw73zUIlfkwsEB6u0EfMtfXL2kziuMxT5aMBUjc63UHZ5DIhZKVbGG6Kf6lpahlHsXADy8ova0wVDpxbzmn7i2qWHBzETcT2VV224DqZ6vuKQcXU323qY/s640/IMG_20140111_225756205.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com1Richfield, MN, USA44.8832982 -93.28300209999997644.838290199999996 -93.363683099999975 44.9283062 -93.202321099999978tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-71814399770118052552014-01-16T08:00:00.000-06:002014-01-16T08:00:01.469-06:00first walk of 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tMGRa3O20a4/UtHM-FI0RII/AAAAAAAAB5E/e1IqlTK35nM/s1600/Willie+and+the+Sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tMGRa3O20a4/UtHM-FI0RII/AAAAAAAAB5E/e1IqlTK35nM/s1600/Willie+and+the+Sunset.jpg" /></a></div>
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it may only have been a block</div>
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his little paws hopped hopped hopped</div>
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sliding in the slush</div>
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speeding up with each step</div>
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but it was a walk</div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com0Richfield, MN, USA44.8832982 -93.28300209999997644.838290199999996 -93.363683099999975 44.9283062 -93.202321099999978tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-89311667681950756292014-01-12T08:30:00.000-06:002014-01-12T08:30:01.624-06:00a collection of odds and ends - jan. 12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/I9QbC_Nj3HU/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/I9QbC_Nj3HU?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/I9QbC_Nj3HU?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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wait, what's that hiding under my couch?! is it a wee troll?! noooooooo, it's a willis! this is how lucas and i spent our weekend - playing with willie, cuddling with willie, feeding willie, laughing at willie. heck, all he has to do is stick is little tail out from under the couch and we drop everything to watch. dog.are.delightful. and after this video, you have no need to see anything else today BUT in case ... here's some linky-links! </div>
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i stumbled on this while digging around them internets for work. so simple and oh-so-easy<br />
<a href="http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/12/17/13-smart-ways-get-close-wildlife-2014" target="_blank">13 smart and fun ways to enjoy wildlife in 2014</a><br />
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pretty pictures. 100. weather. done<br />
<a href="http://www.weather.com/news/science/weathercoms-top-100-photos-2013-20131216" target="_blank">weather.com's top 100 photos of 2013</a><br />
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reason #256 why we all need many, many pets.<br />
<a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/greatest-animal-photobombs-of-2013" target="_blank">30 of the great animal photobombs of 2013</a><br />
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because, why the heck not?<br />
<a href="http://www.shopnwf.org/Adoption-Center/Adopt-a-Bison/index.cat?&sSource=97808" target="_blank">adopt a bison</a><br />
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it's not often that lou and i are impressed with stories on firearms. this one was well done, focusing on the stories and letting the reader use those stories to create their own opinion. as heated as the gun debate can be, it's refreshing to see a piece open the door to conversation for both sides.<br />
<a href="http://www.twincities.com/ci_24688687/firearms-family-role-guns-american-lives" target="_blank">firearms in the family</a>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com0Richfield, MN, USA44.8832982 -93.28300209999997644.8832982 -93.283002099999976 44.8832982 -93.283002099999976tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-40352336788947803562014-01-10T07:30:00.000-06:002014-01-10T07:30:02.108-06:00just be (or 10 ways to build a better body image)<div style="text-align: justify;">
i'm normally not one for the positive-you-can-do-it-if-you-just-believe messages that get slapped on pretty images and sent through the pinterest-universe. but, something about this image grabbed my attention. maybe it's the simple design, the calming colors or heck, the message but either way, i wanted to share.<b> </b></div>
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<b>10 ways to build a better body image </b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oaeeakDQ4XU/Us8ynGc5BKI/AAAAAAAAB2c/8eivTevndHc/s1600/BeWell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="10 ways to build a better body image from park nicollet" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oaeeakDQ4XU/Us8ynGc5BKI/AAAAAAAAB2c/8eivTevndHc/s1600/BeWell.JPG" title="10 ways to build a better body image from park nicollet" /></a></div>
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<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><b>BE BALANCED</b> - <br />
be good to your body by getting enough sleep, eating nutritious foods and being physically active.</li>
<li><b>BE POSITIVE</b> - <br />
focus on all the <i>amazing things your body</i> can do, not how it looks.</li>
<li><b>BE DIVERSE - </b><br />
recognize that people naturally come in different shapes and sizes - <i>embrace what makes your unique.</i></li>
<li><b>BE STYLISH - </b><br />
wear clothes that make you <i>look and feel good - </i>no matter what your size.</li>
<li><b>BE PROUD - </b><br />
make a list of your <i>positive qualities</i> that aren't related to your body or appearance.</li>
<li><b>BE SAVVY - </b><br />
read books and magazines with positive messages that make you feel good about yourself.</li>
<li><b>BE SPECIAL</b> - <br />
take time to pamper yourself. <i>you deserve it!</i></li>
<li><b>BE KIND</b> - <br />
avoid body-bashing. <i>focus conversations on the positive traits</i> of yourself and others.</li>
<li><b>BE ACCEPTING </b>- <br />
challenge negative thoughts about your body. try to be <i>less judgmental and more positive</i>.</li>
<li><b>BE INSPIRED</b> - <br />
think about the <i>people you admire</i>. have they impacted you because of their looks or their accomplishments?</li>
</ul>
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thanks to the <a href="http://www.parknicollet.com/SpecialtyCenters/Melrose-Center" target="_blank"><b>park nicollet melrose center</b></a> for the image ... and the <a href="http://www.parknicollet.com/healthandwellnessinformation/be-well-magazine" target="_blank"><b><i>be well</i> magazine</b></a> for popping in my mailbox yesterday. the melrose center is working on a 'be you' initiative to spread the power of positive body image with the hopes of preventing eating disorders through education, conversation and action.<br />
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cheers to that! Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-65173846189625041212014-01-02T16:30:00.000-06:002014-01-02T16:30:00.380-06:00hello 2014<div style="text-align: justify;">
this is one of my favorite times of the year. we're all looking forward and ready to scrub away the past. we're ready to refresh and restart. clear the pages. move on without the burdens of the past year hunched on our shoulders, breathing in our ears, dragging ... ... ...</div>
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we set resolutions, knowing they won't be kept and we draw up goals, knowing they'll turn into fait wishing. we see so much promise and potential and hope for the coming year. we become unified with the belief that this ... this year will be it. it will be better. we will be better.</div>
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i'm over 2013. it was a good year. scratch that ... great year. travel, family, friends, food (a wee bit too much perhaps). but we're good. we're done. odd numbers unsettle me. let's push on to 1 - 4 and see where we land.</div>
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this year, i'm going to scratch the resolutions. we'll save the goals for another round. those wishes and dreams that creep up at night and hang over my head in the morning ... they'll still be there. hovering. but this year, i want to think narrow. i want to structure my year with a word. i want to focus.</div>
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<b>focus on my family. </b>my husband. my brother. my parents. my in-laws. i want to continue to nurture those relationships. the holidays were filled with family this year (well, 2013) and helped me realize just how fortunate i am to have such love so close. i want to carry that reminder with me.</div>
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<b>focus on my friends.</b> i love, love, love these kids. just last night my pa mentioned how amazing my friends are. it still amazes me that these fantastic people are in my life. we joke. we laugh. we eat. we talk. we dance. we whine. we cry. we share.</div>
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<b>focus on my work.</b> i'm going into 2014 with a big question mark over this slot of my life. my current job will end in six months and then who knows. there's a new business model bubbling in the works that could actually become something ... but who knows. lou's work is on the up-and-up with leaves a wee bit of wiggle room for me. how amazing to find myself in such a position. i want to focus on enjoying the next six months. i wan to focus on creating a new work-home for the later six months.</div>
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<b>focus on me. </b>you knew this was coming, didn't you? me. me. me. here's where i could say i want to focus on my eating - more veggies, less chocolate. more protein, less carbs. i could say i want to focus on exercising more, use that la fitness membership i'm paying for. i could say i want to focus on my sleeping behaviors and maybe this year actually achieve some balance. i could say i want to focus on my wardrobe, updating those "pilled" sweaters i keep scrunched in the back shelves. but i'm not. deep down in side i want to lay on the couch and read smutty books about vampires. i want to sneak slices of my ice cream birthday cake that's calling from the basement freezer. i want to stay up too late talking with lucas and watching terrible netflix shows. i want to focus on me being happy. that i can get behind.</div>
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alright 2014 ... i'm totes ready.</div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-7216716300240071292013-12-02T07:00:00.000-06:002013-12-02T07:00:06.167-06:00happy holiday month!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-yaj0MQvweLXgqjLGN-RjCocslFpAAQ7ZaNmoXgVNmQmd8dWwLoke1fZ5J6wpH5JoYITnNtgROAGt5Ry7cOiR1swdaJURlJX5tLqxtPMUJyD4ZIt9q1JA7ufT83dsnBhS3NWdikbZuw/s1600/1398364_621973391198123_1140526100_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-yaj0MQvweLXgqjLGN-RjCocslFpAAQ7ZaNmoXgVNmQmd8dWwLoke1fZ5J6wpH5JoYITnNtgROAGt5Ry7cOiR1swdaJURlJX5tLqxtPMUJyD4ZIt9q1JA7ufT83dsnBhS3NWdikbZuw/s640/1398364_621973391198123_1140526100_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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photo by my crazy-talented sister-in-law: <a href="http://www.aphotographer.me/" target="_blank">a.photographer</a>Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com0Richfield, MN, USA44.8832982 -93.28300209999997644.838290199999996 -93.363683099999975 44.9283062 -93.202321099999978tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-61822230621995313562013-12-01T22:47:00.000-06:002013-12-01T22:47:40.896-06:0029 in 29<div style="text-align: justify;">
we all love our lists. there's the new years resolutions. the monthly goals. weekly challenges. daily tasks. last year i attempted my first 28 in 28 (28 things to accomplish while 28). with my birth-month passing and the clock ticking down to the final weeks in my 20s ... it feels fitting to try another 29 in 29. it's a tricky line in finding 29 things to accomplish in twelve measly months. alas, work won't let me take four months off for traveling adventures. so there's finding the balance ... things i want to do, things i gotta do, things i should do, and things i could do. </div>
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so, in honor of the scary, ripe 'ole age of 29 ... here's my 29 in 29 ...</div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>29 in 29</b></div>
<ol>
<li>eat all the goldfish in the land</li>
<li>sit in the deer stand and attempt to hunt</li>
<li>push the artful nook towards non-profit status</li>
<li>keep a gratitude journal</li>
<li>open the whimsy pea</li>
<li>get the mobile nook rolling</li>
<li>hike up cloud peak</li>
<li>eat summer veggies with a csa</li>
<li>finish up the ot notebook</li>
<li>finalllllly finish the bbc's top 100 book list</li>
<li>make my manifesto</li>
<li>hide a geocache in minnesota</li>
<li>walk around devil's tower with lou</li>
<li>run away with molly on a creative weekend</li>
<li>spent clay project</li>
<li>beat lou in trap</li>
<li>ice block down a hill</li>
<li>have a cross-country skiing adventure</li>
<li>blow-dry bar</li>
<li>spent some time with doris day and the tv</li>
<li>run a 10k</li>
<li>smutty book coffee table number two</li>
<li>back that ass up with a trailor</li>
<li>renew my carry permit</li>
<li>visit a cidery</li>
<li>pay off dan to keep quiet</li>
<li>visit hershey, pennsylvania </li>
<li>hang that dang ikea light</li>
<li>purchase a real piece of art</li>
</ol>
and just 'cause:<br />
<ul>
<li>go on an alaskan cruise </li>
<li>ride in a hot air balloon</li>
<li>visit all 50 states</li>
<li>travel with laura ingalls wilder</li>
</ul>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-48577224862558390212013-11-19T07:00:00.000-06:002013-11-19T07:00:13.139-06:00thankful - a book (aka - it's all the hp)<div style="text-align: justify;">
ooo, this one is tricky. books have always been such a large part of my life. i was the nerdy girl in school that ALWAYS had a book wit her. the moment we had a free second during class, i was reading ... while everyone else was socializing. i loved to read and still do. i'm always midway through a handful of books, have 10+ checked out at the library at a time and even started my own book club: bookmarks and napkins.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fFwwYTNWzQM/UormLCR8LwI/AAAAAAAABwk/etT5lF-2eGM/s1600/book+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fFwwYTNWzQM/UormLCR8LwI/AAAAAAAABwk/etT5lF-2eGM/s640/book+collage.jpg" width="504" /></a></div>
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but, to pick one book that i'm thankful for ... nope, can't do it. i do have a handful that i can safely say have made a rather large impact on me. i cried when i finished the little house on the prairie series (and created a new life goal of traveling the footsteps of the ingalls/wilder family). i had one of those shinning-into-clarity moments after finishing the five love languages and will forever thank joanna for recommending it. it's so simple in highlighting what normally is a messy, don't-touch topic. after reading how to win friends and influence people (by dale carnegie) i like to think i took a step up in the mental social ladder. once i got over the concern of loving a glorified "self-help" book, the little gems of information he sprinkles in are priceless. if only everyone would take into heart a nugget or two from dale. wee claire would tell you the sesame street book the monster at the end of this book was a go-to read any day. grover ... i loved/love grover.</div>
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and yes, i could go on and on and on ... i've been keeping notebooks of every book i've read since 7th grade (yes, we're talking pre-goodreads) but for now, i'll take the easy way out and be thankful for books ... all those glorious, wonderful books.</div>
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or ... harry potter ... thank god for harry potter.<br />
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<img border="0" height="128" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iroJ_orsNRM/UormmYpHnfI/AAAAAAAABws/3-BntslfuLA/s400/thankful+project+title.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>i'm trying something new this month - i love me a good challenge - and joining Chasing Happy for <a href="http://www.thechasinghappyblog.com/2013/10/thankful-project-blog-challenge.html" target="_blank">The Thankful Project</a>. while i can't promise a post-a-day, maybe i'll get close? today's prompt - a book. </i></blockquote>
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Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-50066437730830047272013-11-11T08:00:00.000-06:002013-11-11T08:00:09.690-06:00thankful - something i was taught (aka - pa's pearls of wisdom)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NPqHQGBvN8M/UoA_2g4kWbI/AAAAAAAABwI/1BIxuh8VHGo/s1600/pa+in+a+boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="pa driving a boat" border="0" height="468" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NPqHQGBvN8M/UoA_2g4kWbI/AAAAAAAABwI/1BIxuh8VHGo/s640/pa+in+a+boat.jpg" title="pa driving a boat" width="640" /></a></div>
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i often find myself repeating the words of my dad. i've hounded him that he should write a book. his letters are full of beautiful writing tailored perfectly to the recipient. i've watched him type on a keyboard, it's no small miracle how he can create these lovely stories and still manage to peck at the keys. good 'ole sausage fingers. it's impressive. he often throws out nuggets of wisdom that, depending on my mood, i gladly receive or else file away as wordy dad language and forget about. one nugget that stuck out and i repeat often is the simple phrase - keep going until you gotta make decision. when i've called him for job advice, i hear to just keep going until i have to commit.</div>
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i'm a stresser. i'm a worrier. i'm a worst-case-scenario kind of gal. so when a major life decision pops up before me ... when there's a hurdle i have to work my way around ... i think through every possible turn and twist. then i call my dad.</div>
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don't think until you have to make a decision. just keep moving forward until someone requires you to give a deciding vote. then think and stress and worry away.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>i'm trying something new this month - i love me a good challenge - and joining Chasing Happy for <a href="http://www.thechasinghappyblog.com/2013/10/thankful-project-blog-challenge.html" target="_blank">The Thankful Project.</a> while i can't promise a post-a-day, maybe i'll get close? today's prompt - something i was taught.</i></div>
</blockquote>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-58773954232112347172013-11-10T20:15:00.000-06:002013-11-10T20:16:45.297-06:00thankful - a memory (aka - the day my brother said no)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2BhrkSKK8YU/UoA9ghBeGrI/AAAAAAAABv8/bhudxFQBdJQ/s1600/Claire+and+Roy+-+christmas+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="claire and roys christmas card" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2BhrkSKK8YU/UoA9ghBeGrI/AAAAAAAABv8/bhudxFQBdJQ/s640/Claire+and+Roy+-+christmas+edit.jpg" title="claire and roys christmas card" width="504" /></a></td></tr>
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i'm still trying to decide why this particular memory is one of my favorites. if anything, it should be one of my more despised moments - those "i-wish-you-never-happened" but, so it goes. i can't remember the exact day or even the exact year. i'm not sure what we were doing or why but i remember the precise moment my brother first said "no" to me. to those who are not an oldest sibling, these feelings may not resonate. to all my fellow first-borns, you'll understand. as the oldest (my brother is four years younger) we get a wee bit a head start on life. we've been down those roads we watch our younger siblings now travel. we've danced that dance. sung that song. and because of that ... we have, what some would say, a bit of an upper hand when it comes to our younger siblings.</div>
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i could make my brother do anything. truthfully, i could make most people do anything but i had a special way with roy. i was bigger. i was wiser. i knew best. and when i wanted something; he got it. minus the usual sibling tiffs, we had (and still have) a great relationship. there were elaborate and imaginative games almost every day. the couch cushions were never safe and rarely stayed on the couch. we were inside, we were outside, we were in forts, we were under chairs, we were flying, we were sailing, we were busy. oddly, those games were usually the brainchild of me but roy, being a dear, played along.</div>
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then one afternoon we were laying about the living room ... possibly watching tv ... possibly just laying there. i turned to my brother and lazily said, "roy, go get me a glass a water." with nary a word, he got up and walked to the kitchen. the cupboard opened and glasses clinked. the faucet turned on. water was running. i could hear water splashing the insides of the glass. then ... silence. i heard the glass clink down onto the counter and roy's footsteps grow louder. he walked back to the living room, looked straight in my eyes and said ... "no."</div>
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and that, that was the day i knew my rule as leader of the household was over. my dear younger brother had "manned up" and said no to his big, evil sister.</div>
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i'm sure at the time i was more than upset. i'm sure i stomped a bit and thrashed about and whined. now though, the story of roy and the NO has become a fond memory and oddly enough, one i tell often. i'm grateful for the story. i'm grateful for my baby brother and the wonderful relationship we have .. even if i've had to learn how to get my own water from the kitchen ...<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>i'm trying something new this month - i love me a good challenge - and joining Chasing Happy for <a href="http://www.thechasinghappyblog.com/2013/10/thankful-project-blog-challenge.html" target="_blank">The Thankful Project.</a> while i can't promise a post-a-day, maybe i'll get close? today's prompt - a memory. </i></blockquote>
</div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-59529068329667617312013-11-09T09:50:00.002-06:002013-11-09T09:50:47.272-06:00thankful - a photo (aka - the day my face exploded)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVmUt2NenVw/Un5ZCw52S6I/AAAAAAAABvk/vFXlX-xR-n4/s1600/You+done+with+that+fish...I%27m+hunnnnngry+-+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="468" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVmUt2NenVw/Un5ZCw52S6I/AAAAAAAABvk/vFXlX-xR-n4/s640/You+done+with+that+fish...I%27m+hunnnnngry+-+edit.jpg" title="the famous cheez it photo" width="640" /></a></div>
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this … this may be … the greatest photo of all time. each time i see this wonderfully terrifying pic, i think all that’s holy that i didn’t click that little ‘delete’ button when it first popped on my screen. the joy that this photo has brought over the past five years is unmeasurable. the tears of laughter that have rolled down many ‘a faces, priceless. the jokes, the gibes ...<br /><br />okay, a little history. it’s the summer of 2010. i’ve just spent four months in praha … eating fantastic tomatoes sandwiches and drinking crazy-cheap and crazy-delicious dark beer to the point that those 15 extra pounds i took home with me were totally worth it. the family’s up in canada on our yearly trip. we’re fishing. my mom, being my mom, packed her always present box of cheez-its. me, being me, got tired of fishing and decided a wee snack was a wish choice. roy, being roy, caught a fish. dad, being a good little papa, took a pic. as the shutter snapped, i heard him say “this, this will be the next family christmas card.” we all went on our merry way.<br /><br />fast forward a few weeks. i’m at home downloading the photos. this pops up. i squint. what the? Who the hell is that? what? wait? me? that’s me? there’s a gasp of what?? shock? horror? pity? my finger dives for the delete key. pause. it hovers. wait … this …. this photo is too horrendous. too terrifying … too … too … perfect to delete.<br /><br />i called my mom over. she looks at the photo. looks at me. and laughs. tears rolling down her face for, quiet possibly, the next 20 minutes. my dad walks in and peers at the computer screen. who’s that? He asks. ha! your daughter, dad! from your own flesh and blood! you spawned that beastly creature at the bow of the boat!<br /><br />she’s been dubbed the “ugly step-sister that lives in the attic” that my folks only let out for special occasions. there’s no way she’s me. that’s no physically possible for someone to look so different … to be so largely transformed. i say it’s the angle of the fish head. it’s warping my seemingly large … large … round … puffy face.<br /><br />this photo has been fondly named The Cheez-it Pic. it is reference often in my family. it’s been recreated (to no luck) by friends and family far and wide. it’s used as a motivational tool – you’ll never look as bad as that … it’s used as a magic trick – see this here optical illusion? it’s used as a conservation starter – wanna see the time my head exploded.<br /><br />you’d like i’d delete it. it is, quite possibly, the world’s most unflattering photo. but the joy, the laughter, the jokes that it brings to a conversation and will continue to bring ... worth it. totally worth it.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DjJ8DQZCJxc/Un5ZC5axmaI/AAAAAAAABvo/G6Z4rn_esiM/s1600/Claire%2527s+fishing+-+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DjJ8DQZCJxc/Un5ZC5axmaI/AAAAAAAABvo/G6Z4rn_esiM/s640/Claire%2527s+fishing+-+edit.jpg" width="504" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but wait, taken a mere day later ... normal!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRf8QRo-44-TJCO41IBaQzNGgNVCiqvL277Bghib7APmYr_dbHIlbzATxZm4cBWfaB5HBGrvDLnLiuv9PXvYhg7U9q1rLMAlDxd0fy6AhgKV5cGew6HryOZdHRDSudQhyOJTSOrwLg-aY/s1600/chees+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRf8QRo-44-TJCO41IBaQzNGgNVCiqvL277Bghib7APmYr_dbHIlbzATxZm4cBWfaB5HBGrvDLnLiuv9PXvYhg7U9q1rLMAlDxd0fy6AhgKV5cGew6HryOZdHRDSudQhyOJTSOrwLg-aY/s640/chees+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">can never be recreated ... </td></tr>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>i'm trying something new this month - i love me a good challenge - and joining Chasing Happy for <a href="http://www.thechasinghappyblog.com/2013/10/thankful-project-blog-challenge.html" target="_blank">The Thankful Project</a>. while i can't promise a post-a-day, maybe i'll get close? today's prompt - a photo.</i></div>
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Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-7968559133883586372013-11-07T07:00:00.000-06:002013-11-07T07:00:04.290-06:00tbt - i loved covered wagons before they were cool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RN8c4qL9tUI/UmMmlsCt48I/AAAAAAAABo4/h4w0eHAKsGo/s1600/claire+loved+covered+wagons+since+day+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="baby claire in a covered wagon in wyoming" border="0" height="468" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RN8c4qL9tUI/UmMmlsCt48I/AAAAAAAABo4/h4w0eHAKsGo/s640/claire+loved+covered+wagons+since+day+one.jpg" title="baby claire in a covered wagon in wyoming" width="640" /></a></div>
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i loved covered wagons before they were cool ... or before i thought i'd <b><a href="http://sparklingorange.blogspot.com/search/label/the%20OT" target="_blank">travel the oregon trail</a></b> in two weeks and learn all things ot. guess it starts at a young age. thanks ma. thanks pa.</div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-13759554206252830402013-11-05T07:25:00.001-06:002013-11-05T07:25:56.488-06:00thankful - a trait (aka ... kick-ass skills)<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NeaAWjGV_XI/Unjw7Z2rq_I/AAAAAAAABvA/pE7aiiJ_aBE/s1600/(B)+Maps+and+Guides+-+Claire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="claire busy planning the route along the oregon trail" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NeaAWjGV_XI/Unjw7Z2rq_I/AAAAAAAABvA/pE7aiiJ_aBE/s640/(B)+Maps+and+Guides+-+Claire.jpg" title="claire busy planning the route along the oregon trail" width="640" /></a></div>
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i've always thought i was a travel agent in a past life. i loveeeee planning trips. love. love. love it. sometimes, i love the planning stage more than the actual trip. when i was gearing up for my 15 day, 5200 mile <a href="http://sparklingorange.blogspot.com/search/label/the%20OT" target="_blank"><b>road trip along the oregon trail,</b></a> i realized that there's three components to a vacation:</div>
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- 1/3 of the trip is the planning stage. here's where you think about your dream plans, where you jot down your wish list and the "don't miss" sights and tastes and sounds.</div>
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- 1/3 of the trip is the actual traveling to your destination, the getting from point a to point b, seeing the sights, eating the food, smelling the smells and hearing the noise.</div>
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- 1/3 of the trip is the destination. some might say the "relaxing" part of the trip. i beg to differ, but to each their own.</div>
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once i figured out that there's more to a trip than the destination or even the actual travel, trips become that much more fun. plans become that much more elaborate. lou has backed down from anything more than offering a suggesting on what music to listen to in the car and left me to dig through the details.</div>
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so today, i'm thankful for my kick-ass trip planning skills. in my ripe old age ... i can finally say that i can set up one hellva a good trip. i got a bit of a knack for it, a talent if you will. yeah, there will be bumps and there will be headaches and quite possibly some snide comments but in the end, we all come out unscathed and better, no less worse for the wear.</div>
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i like to think there's a wee bit of organization required (alright, more than a wee bit). a wee bit of creative interpretative for the sights, sounds and tastes one may encounter. and a wee bit thriftiness - 'cause the shady motels always make the best stories.</div>
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so, anyone planning a trip anytime soon? maybe i need to tag along?!<br />
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<a href="http://www.thechasinghappyblog.com/2013/11/the-thankful-project-day-5-talent.html" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.thechasinghappyblog.com/2013/11/the-thankful-project-day-5-talent.html" border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuHHUSQam20XGCBzCdYhlMCI69ZYF51-FmrxIf_iFa3kkTdKTK-vDeMNDTThkxmdrbOOCVDycvUBmdVWcgqLZzRk5O0xBggmDiz8QElyiP9NrXDHKZ0N6SywWuDww-3m8zKk1rKieVQI/s400/thankful+project+title.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>i'm trying something new this month - i love me a good challenge - and joining Chasing Happy for <a href="http://www.thechasinghappyblog.com/2013/10/thankful-project-blog-challenge.html" target="_blank">The Thankful Project.</a> while i can't promise a post-a-day, maybe i'll get close? today's prompt - an experience. </i></div>
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Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-37728599109107478982013-11-04T18:26:00.003-06:002013-11-04T18:27:41.509-06:00thankful - an experience (aka ... an overseas adventure)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zVc_OVz7Sns/Ung5ub6AsDI/AAAAAAAABuw/tqzwI6x3M4E/s1600/More+from+Petrin+Hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="overlooking prague, czech republic" border="0" height="468" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zVc_OVz7Sns/Ung5ub6AsDI/AAAAAAAABuw/tqzwI6x3M4E/s640/More+from+Petrin+Hill.jpg" title="overlooking prague, czech republic" width="640" /></a></div>
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well, i wasn't planning on writing for <a href="http://www.thechasinghappyblog.com/2013/10/thankful-project-blog-challenge.html" target="_blank">The Thankful Project</a> today but remembering that the prompt was "an experience" i thought i'd take a creativity break over lunch and jot something down. i know i fall into the realm of blessed when i say that there are many moments in my life to be thankful for. i could talk about the experience of getting married - the family that survived my anti-bridzillaness (trust me, worse than being a bridezilla!), the friends that drove 12 hours to surprise me on my wedding day, the glorious weather and the whole marrying lucas bit ;0) i could remember the travels i've been able to take - trips to new zealand with my family, cross-country road trips with friends, yearly vacations to the family cabin ... but today, i think i'll focus on my four-month study abroad experience.</div>
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before which college to attend was even a thought in my mind, i knew i would study abroad. i don't remember my dad spending much time talking about his travel experiences in college, but what i do remember i remember well. there was the rambling around germany and the "made-up" class in jamaica. it was always a given that i would do something of the same. when i started the college hunt, "what's your study abroad program like" was always in my top five questions asked.</div>
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fast forward to sophomore year - where-oh-where would i go. i knew i wanted to be out of my comfort zone. i wanted to go somewhere where i wouldn't speak the language but still be somewhat in my element. i don't claim to be adventurous. i like my creature comforts - my bed, my shower, my various modes of communications. as my plus and minus list grew, i had narrowed down to somewhere in europe. so, i did what any person making a possible life-altering decision would do ... i closed my eyes and pointed. prague. czech republic. done.</div>
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so january 2006 i packed my giant suitcase and jetted off to praha. i spent about two hours half-assed listening to a "learn czech" tape on the plane, touched down just outside of prague, plastered on a smile and in the words of the newsies, seized the day.</div>
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it was awesome. it was uncomfortable. it was hot. it was cold. it was confusing. it was tiring. it was long. it was too short. it was hilarious. it was somber. it was delicious. it was drunken. and yes, for the sake of school credit, it was educational. but as it goes with any study abroad program, you're not going over there to learn calculus or poetry or physics. you might pick up a trick or two in the process but you're going over there to learn about you. what you can do. what you can't. when you crack and fold and how you crawl back out. you get lost. you get scared. you get lonely. and then suddenly, you get out. you get up. you get going and those first panic-filled moments become just a gray haze that now, help push you on to what you really meant to do.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--U0mvdUj3Vc/Ung5pAhEsxI/AAAAAAAABuk/alq3CSXCxcs/s1600/dark+claire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="at the clock tower in prague" border="0" height="468" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--U0mvdUj3Vc/Ung5pAhEsxI/AAAAAAAABuk/alq3CSXCxcs/s640/dark+claire.jpg" title="at the clock tower in prague" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>i'm trying something new this month - i love me a good challenge - and joining Chasing Happy for <a href="http://www.thechasinghappyblog.com/2013/10/thankful-project-blog-challenge.html" target="_blank">The Thankful Project.</a> while i can't promise a post-a-day, maybe i'll get close? today's prompt - an experience. </i></div>
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Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-37452196776681481912013-11-03T08:00:00.000-06:002013-11-03T08:00:09.775-06:0031 days of willis being delightful<div style="text-align: justify;">
october was my month-long #poopaparty on facebook. what's that you ask? why, i posted a daily pic of mr. willis doing something delightful ... begging for string cheese, hiding under blankets, doing puppy yoga, being insanely cute ... the usual. so, let's keep the joy alive. here's my 31 days of willie nelson being willie nelson. </div>
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<br />Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com0Richfield, MN, USA44.8832982 -93.28300209999997644.838290199999996 -93.363683099999975 44.9283062 -93.202321099999978tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-62082506747827010132013-11-02T08:30:00.000-05:002013-11-02T08:30:00.660-05:00thankful - a role (aka ... the decider)<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h8Zfsx0A9e0/UnSA8O2WwmI/AAAAAAAABqI/Bej-cFDtgrc/s1600/my+decision+-+thankful+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="plains over nebraska along the oregon trail" border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h8Zfsx0A9e0/UnSA8O2WwmI/AAAAAAAABqI/Bej-cFDtgrc/s640/my+decision+-+thankful+2.jpg" title="plains over nebraska along the oregon trail" width="504" /></a></div>
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how do you pick one role you've played to be thankful for? i suppose it is easy enough to take for granted all the possibilities and options we have open to us each day. each day i wake up as a wife. i sneak in the dark, digging out socks and hoping they match, creak open the dresser drawers and tip-toe around the bedroom so lou can keep on sleeping. i turn into the commuter on my 20-minute drive to work, zigzagging around traffic and watching my coffee doesn't splash over the passenger seat. i walk into the office and i'm the state employee, typing away on my computer and setting up meetings. after work, i'm back to the commuter before heading home to be a puppy-momma and wife. some nights, i might take the role of the friend. some nights, i might be the community activist. some night, the artist.</div>
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reading over what i just wrote, i guess i'm thankful for the role of the decider. i get to decide what "hat" i want to put on each day (to overuse an overused phrase). and not only decide which role i'm going to play that day, but how i'm going to play it. is it going to be a good day? or a so-so one? am i going to wake up with a wee bit of pep in my step or more of a slow drag through the day? i'll admit, i don't always choose the correct role. but those little mishaps make the good days that much better.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<i>i'm trying something new this month - i love me a good challenge - and joining Chasing Happy for <a href="http://www.thechasinghappyblog.com/2013/10/thankful-project-blog-challenge.html" target="_blank"><b>The Thankful Project.</b></a> while i can't promise a post-a-day, maybe i'll get close? today's prompt - a role you've played.</i></div>
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Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-8790590003528383892013-11-01T11:22:00.001-05:002013-11-01T11:22:41.455-05:00thankful - a person (aka ... the fam-fam)<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9lwiOMBHrlkhKvn644I2TRL34qc1gMEOvYutExHqDTTH6K4ULEUGsHDHxndllsL0MmNL6h2ugzQ5MRfo699Uk9K6ZQho9BpPoOHBmUK618jY_GH76h10z5wjwnUPYX3FvWwdLiIt20A/s1600/crazy+fam+-+thankful+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="the gahler-plank family in lake of the woods canada" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9lwiOMBHrlkhKvn644I2TRL34qc1gMEOvYutExHqDTTH6K4ULEUGsHDHxndllsL0MmNL6h2ugzQ5MRfo699Uk9K6ZQho9BpPoOHBmUK618jY_GH76h10z5wjwnUPYX3FvWwdLiIt20A/s640/crazy+fam+-+thankful+1.jpg" height="468" title="the gahler-plank family in lake of the woods canada" width="640" /></a></div>
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to pick one person in my life that i'm thankful for today is impossible. totally impossible. do i pick my cute little momma for all her tidy ways and crazy optimism that pushed me through the summer? do i pick loulou for his never-ending supply of patience? do i pick my brother for never failing to make me smile, snapchat skills and all. or maybe it's my dad and his old-age wisdom that's (oddly) starting to make some sense.<br />
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i think i'll lump them together into one giant, magical person. daily i feel so blessed to have such support. i call ma when i need a boost for my self esteem. i call pa when i need some level-headed realism. i call roy when i need to dream. i talk to lou when, well, i talk to lou all the time.<br />
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thankful.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>I'm trying something new thing month - I love me a good challenge - and joining Chasing Happy for <b><a href="http://www.thechasinghappyblog.com/2013/10/thankful-project-blog-challenge.html" target="_blank">The Thankful Project</a></b>. While I can't promise a post-a-day, maybe I'll get close? Today's prompt - a person.</i></blockquote>
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Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-11374633415012679562013-10-31T07:00:00.000-05:002013-10-31T07:00:01.032-05:00tbt - 1985 was a cute year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianO9PBNhJqkEA2FNdy8N1d_FGVxchqqbjmu3XV7q6lYlmei6SQROl1nIZtj-UADQL_rx4HYRbkD8bKQI0s1Php0ER2uYoiHeWoxvu7C12zjVOHTcWKFLamITTI4YW917xP7AZpfC51wA/s1600/claire+enjoys+halloween.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="1985 halloween claire as a pumpkin" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianO9PBNhJqkEA2FNdy8N1d_FGVxchqqbjmu3XV7q6lYlmei6SQROl1nIZtj-UADQL_rx4HYRbkD8bKQI0s1Php0ER2uYoiHeWoxvu7C12zjVOHTcWKFLamITTI4YW917xP7AZpfC51wA/s640/claire+enjoys+halloween.jpg" title="1985 halloween claire as a pumpkin" width="504" /></a></div>
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yes, i know. cuteness overload. 11-month old claire as a pumpkin. you're welcome.</div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-21545173424153984192013-10-29T07:00:00.000-05:002013-10-29T07:00:03.808-05:00i wish my life was like ...<div style="text-align: justify;">
on the way home from dinner the other night i had a thought. i know it's not the first time this wish has rumbled around in my mind ... i wish my life was like a musical from the 50s ... all doris day, guys and dolls, hills are alive kind of musical. there would be singing ... there would be dancing ... there would be awkward language from bygone days ... ohhhh, how i want it!<br />
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this is the probably why i spent my younger years making music videos. why i enjoy just dance on the wii a wee bit too much and find myself sing-speaking on an almost daily basis. my brother also happens to be an avid sing-speaker. it's not good when we spend long periods of time together. there's so much terrible singing ...</div>
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so ... since i can't go back to the 50s and i doubt i'll wake up with an amazing voice overnight, and friends would flock for the hills if i demanded they dance for their food ... i'm going to have to come up with a new plan for recreating musicals from the 50s into my daily life. for now, i'll settle for watching far too many of these delightful films</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000013/" target="_blank">doris day</a></b> pretty much set the stage for these romantic, goofy musicals. my personal favorite - the pajama game. you'd be slightly surprised (and worried) how often songs from this soundtrack apply to my daily life. and any movie with a song centered on "steam heat" is a win in my book. my original grand plan was to watch all the doris day movies. according to imdb, there's a lot. so then i said, just the musicals ... there's still a lot. so, i've settled on doris day musicals from the 50s. </div>
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whew.</div>
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young man with a horn (1950)</div>
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tea for two (1950)</div>
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the west point story (1950)</div>
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lullaby of broadway (1951)</div>
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on moonlight bay (1951)</div>
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i'll see you in my dreams (1951)</div>
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starlift (1951)</div>
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april in paris (1952)</div>
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by the light of the silvery moon (1953)</div>
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calamity jane (1953)</div>
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lucky me (1954)</div>
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young at heart (1954)</div>
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love me or leave me (1955)</div>
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the pajama game (1957)</div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-52371912538524523312013-10-28T07:00:00.000-05:002013-10-28T07:00:05.472-05:00a frosted pomegranate<div style="text-align: justify;">
today, i spent the afternoon at menards looking at paint samples. not for the color but for the names. i wonder how often someone ends up with a color on their walls based on the name and not the actual color. frosted pomegranate may be, possibly, the best name i have stumbled on. but do i want a crazy, vivid red room? not particularly.</div>
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molly and i are on a quest to update <b><a href="http://crosstowncreativity.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">crosstown creativity</a></b>. our first step - new name. but, deciding on the.perfect.name is turning out to be a wee bit harder than we thought. there's so much riding on a name. it has to encompass everything but limit just enough. it has to be welcoming. but distinct. emotional but solid. </div>
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<br /></div>
so while we ponder over names and clumps of names and combinations of names ... here's some of the more interesting paint samples i picked up today. you'll have to use your imagination on deciding what each color is ... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqf9Nx44VFtz5uU9JjWvrZAlO9y5yYUHdmKR6QJAuxyC3sT-aFnMkdttZr_3mKsVFZnbons3fkerQnb6V4uIm46mAd9pH6V-HkG8qameQa_kNsksWxil6HyQu5ls_VDOvz4mu91hGttU/s1600/Paint+Samples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="pile of paint samples" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqf9Nx44VFtz5uU9JjWvrZAlO9y5yYUHdmKR6QJAuxyC3sT-aFnMkdttZr_3mKsVFZnbons3fkerQnb6V4uIm46mAd9pH6V-HkG8qameQa_kNsksWxil6HyQu5ls_VDOvz4mu91hGttU/s640/Paint+Samples.jpg" title="pile of paint samples" width="504" /></a></div>
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purple pencil skirt</div>
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brownberry path</div>
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cerise</div>
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scribble pad</div>
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little leaf</div>
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lined with silver</div>
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honey toast</div>
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golden cricket</div>
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sonic boom</div>
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artful orange</div>
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frosted pomegranate</div>
<br />Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-437262045736530992013-10-24T07:00:00.000-05:002013-10-24T07:00:13.809-05:00tbt - claire loves blanet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jMeAbAHZVrY/UmMk40GVpyI/AAAAAAAABow/HnIGBpfnJH4/s1600/claire+loves+blanket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="claire loves blanet" border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jMeAbAHZVrY/UmMk40GVpyI/AAAAAAAABow/HnIGBpfnJH4/s640/claire+loves+blanket.jpg" title="claire loves blanket" width="504" /></a></div>
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of all the photos, in all the land, this may be one of my favorites. there's so much to take away from a quick glace - the rat's nest i have burrowed in my hair (that no one could tame until it burned off one birthday), the white bra my momma wore, the sun, and the obvious ... the unquenchable obsession i have with my blanket. that blanket and i were inseparable. it started as one piece and, after countless times it would hid under the couch and my folks would be late to this or that event while they scoured the house looking for it, it went to two pieces. i always had my favorite corner ... and after the blanket was sliced in two, the un-cornerable piece just never did. that was the piece that was cut first ... when my mom said i couldn't leave the house dragging that giant thing around, she compromised and we cut a wee piece out of the un-cornerable piece that i could take with me. it worked ... until i dropped it in the muddy driveway of aunt jennie and uncle mike's place. but the two halves lived on. i don't know when i stopped needing the blanket every night. but as with all childhood toys, they fade to the background. the blanket now lives on the dresser in the bedroom, right next to croakie ... lou's childhood "blanket". fitting, i guess. </div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-68948610733196681332013-10-22T06:30:00.000-05:002013-10-22T06:30:01.226-05:00an indulgence<div style="text-align: justify;">
an indulgence ... or perhaps a want ... or something way too expensive but way to cool not to own! so i might do, as in the fine words of donna and tom, a treat yo self day ... ... ... </div>
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/ZsABTmT1_M0/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/ZsABTmT1_M0&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/ZsABTmT1_M0&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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and buy ....</div>
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<a href="http://www.rickshawbags.com/customize/custom-bag/fabric_selection/classic-folio#!tweed-orchid/cordura-peacock/label-barn_red" target="_blank"><b>THIS!</b></a></div>
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in the world of ipads, nooks, kindles, and all sorts of other square-light-up-shiny-objects it is almost a novelty to think there's still a select number of us that rely on paper ... the thought of me without my notebook ... gasp! it's part journal, part day planner, part notebook, part list-keeper, part stress reliever, part brain. and the fine folks at rickshaw bags came up with a one of the snazzy notebook add-ons i've seen. an organizer for my organizer?! </div>
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can't take the awesomeness.</div>
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which is why i'm going to have a treat yo self moment ... and spend a crazy amount of money on something that i could probably live without ... and, fair warning, with the b-day in t minus one month, there will be plenty of treat yo self moments in the coming weeks. birthdays.are.the.best.</div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-49296866618571429862013-10-17T07:00:00.000-05:002013-10-17T07:00:10.967-05:00tbt - to my parents<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rkqj09DSZ7Y/UlyAURJwjNI/AAAAAAAABoE/JI_yyCnyRtc/s1600/parents+going+old+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="mom and dad and claire. big glasses and big mustache" border="0" height="432" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rkqj09DSZ7Y/UlyAURJwjNI/AAAAAAAABoE/JI_yyCnyRtc/s640/parents+going+old+school.jpg" title="ma and pa plank - the younger years" width="640" /></a></div>
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it's time to jump on the throw back thursday bandwagon. i do love wagons. today, i love my parents. in all their 80s glory. big glasses, big mustaches and cute little claire-overalls. faded tombstones in the background. my favorite photos are the candid ones. where the photographee is caught in a moment of unawares. a pure moment. no facade. no show. maybe they were thinking about the funeral. maybe they were thinking about me. maybe they were thinking about being anywhere but there or only there. whatever they were thinking, they sure were looking good doing it.</div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6627220844009585557.post-50234899577377923972013-10-15T07:00:00.000-05:002013-10-15T07:00:17.813-05:00majestic willis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ok07DJntaFY/UlzB7Yid-tI/AAAAAAAABoU/AcIFncVg9Wo/s1600/Majestic+Willis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="little willie nelson thinking thoughts" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ok07DJntaFY/UlzB7Yid-tI/AAAAAAAABoU/AcIFncVg9Wo/s1600/Majestic+Willis.jpg" title="little willie nelson thinking thoughts" /></a></div>
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He saw the dawn ... wistfully longed to stretch ... to achieve ... to truly live the life he was given. But he felt his age. The spring of his youth had given way to summer which was sliding into fall. Would the winter of his life be far behind? Today he would strive to do more, to accomplish more, to excel and to realize even his most impossible dreams ........... Or maybe just get off his leash for a few minutes would be good enough.</div>
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<i>- Uncle Karl</i></div>
Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06099880878189029112noreply@blogger.com1Richfield, MN, USA44.8832982 -93.28300209999997644.838290199999996 -93.363683099999975 44.9283062 -93.202321099999978