tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-118308702024-03-07T10:53:35.491-05:00Ittybits & PiecesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1713125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-41960392327091960952021-01-03T00:06:00.002-05:002021-01-03T00:06:57.831-05:00Little boxes made of ticky tack<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH_KdPaEDgawW5SR6QyLGJrj-hrosOTk_j5bPD3aHqRvVyOlO4rmdQA9vXqW-muYnJ0tIZyOoC8xFWHWNwqqWAPIT_z5d8K129oPV2SJl506WhTqkKkd8U0myMcYRgqKB2XYbTA/s2048/ZOOM+POSTCARD_names.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH_KdPaEDgawW5SR6QyLGJrj-hrosOTk_j5bPD3aHqRvVyOlO4rmdQA9vXqW-muYnJ0tIZyOoC8xFWHWNwqqWAPIT_z5d8K129oPV2SJl506WhTqkKkd8U0myMcYRgqKB2XYbTA/w640-h426/ZOOM+POSTCARD_names.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>I remember you. I remember thinking everything that shifted did so like an earthquake. Sudden and violently. But I couldn't see the whole picture. I didn't register the time before. I hadn't noticed how compartmentalized our lives had already become. How precarious our connections. Of course I miss the way I thought things used to be. I miss not thinking about how a laugh or a handshake between friends and loved ones could end one or all of us. But I also think how wonderful it is that we live in a time of electric connections. And I am grateful. </p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-68902812961828960212019-05-19T05:38:00.000-04:002019-05-19T05:38:19.001-04:0080 years and change<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABGfJL9V7jkgHW3OaGB0DfCmUu179_L5Xej21s9xNFTvSFtgcTZ_4qS1e0hRBAUcsuypWLdJkG1L5Oz247tqL3EOD69Eir2GjXeLnZwqMcHPQpdvT8It433kG-gV24erAwOvC3A/s1600/Copy+of+wood+wall+photographty+familt+photo+collage+poster+template.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABGfJL9V7jkgHW3OaGB0DfCmUu179_L5Xej21s9xNFTvSFtgcTZ_4qS1e0hRBAUcsuypWLdJkG1L5Oz247tqL3EOD69Eir2GjXeLnZwqMcHPQpdvT8It433kG-gV24erAwOvC3A/s640/Copy+of+wood+wall+photographty+familt+photo+collage+poster+template.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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Happy Birthday, Dad!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-17236314347502686932018-03-03T22:40:00.001-05:002018-03-03T22:41:39.230-05:00Typically atypical<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-19104445295468069962017-05-22T10:26:00.003-04:002017-05-22T10:28:16.732-04:00Legend-ary<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; letter-spacing: -0.24px;">"Did you know our school is named after a legend? Literally, a legend!"</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-61643430912690078772017-03-22T09:28:00.000-04:002017-03-22T09:28:52.388-04:00Coming soon to a medical office near you<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Trumpcare's convenient back alley entrance</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-7070114574002899012016-12-04T21:51:00.001-05:002016-12-04T21:53:45.903-05:00The kids are growing like weeds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Of course, you knew that. Didn't need me to tell you.<br />
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Annabel has braces. And boldness. And brains.</div>
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And we are entering that crossroad.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTx-ZjRa_rri2-fCgRECkdFEq0Z_x7dkkyppEDLiSWKMzgjcdw4OamCltzFI_CDWblBoJ8eY6KKelkvWxNftWiQEeqGLD17QE6Mpm9MWZF1U_rIzi-Jo376o1YW_ohrqSHIJNhg/s1600/DC2_2927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTx-ZjRa_rri2-fCgRECkdFEq0Z_x7dkkyppEDLiSWKMzgjcdw4OamCltzFI_CDWblBoJ8eY6KKelkvWxNftWiQEeqGLD17QE6Mpm9MWZF1U_rIzi-Jo376o1YW_ohrqSHIJNhg/s640/DC2_2927.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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Sometimes I close my eyes and hold my breath just to feel the pulse running through my ears.<br />
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I pretend it's the sea.</div>
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Always changing.</div>
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She's given up dance and taken up theater. She has a voice coach as well as a basketball coach.</div>
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She no longer <i>plays</i> at dress up. She's now a professional.</div>
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She'll be T-H-I-R-T-E-E-N in a few weeks (<i>13?howisthatpossible</i>?)</div>
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I've rummaged through picture files here on the fingerprint stained laptop I somehow managed to wrestle away from her brother, but I couldn't find much of anything recent to show you.</div>
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She is more her own now, in ways that are not mine to tell.</div>
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Silas is more of himself, as well, now that he's the grand old age of nine.</div>
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His body hasn't yet caught up to his feet, but it doesn't matter his size.</div>
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These days he takes the stairs two at a time, wearing a santa hat and last year's pajamas.</div>
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Legs visible from the calves, he claims he's never outgrown things.</div>
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Beatific, barely bespectacled boy, who sings in the shower and doesn't care who's listening.</div>
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He'll hug you if you ask him. Gladly.</div>
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But, no pictures, please. </div>
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And he'll tell you about his dreams: That one day he <i>will </i>be bigger than a French car.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-49295057905768017242016-05-08T21:06:00.000-04:002016-05-08T21:06:01.117-04:00Mothers and daughters<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It never gets old.<br />
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Happy Mother's Day to all the women who nurture.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-68884906082915010202016-04-08T15:26:00.000-04:002016-04-08T15:26:34.961-04:00Foam war chronicles <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/26183908546/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="Epic Nerf War #1 Capture the Flag. Yellow team."><img alt="Epic Nerf War #1 Capture the Flag. Yellow team." height="640" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1491/26183908546_ebc263d550_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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The Yellow Team.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/25605084824/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Epic Nerf War #1 Capture the flag. Blue team."><img alt="Epic Nerf War #1 Capture the flag. Blue team." height="640" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1633/25605084824_b641a96239_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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The Blue Team.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/25936992080/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Not the flag, but captured some guns. Yellow team advances."><img alt="Not the flag, but captured some guns. Yellow team advances." height="640" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1474/25936992080_98159874e5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Yellow Team advances with capture of weapon dump.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/26143955651/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="upload"><img alt="upload" height="480" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1680/26143955651_08702a6394_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Short on strategy. Tough break for Blue Team.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/26185002206/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title=""Maverick.""><img alt=""Maverick."" height="640" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1650/26185002206_cd4940316b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Regroup in higher ground.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/26223529225/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="upload"><img alt="upload" height="480" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1523/26223529225_4b3087c078_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Overtaken in their own base camp.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/26184196096/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title=""War never works out. ... Even when you win you lose.""><img alt=""War never works out. ... Even when you win you lose."" height="640" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1494/26184196096_29f85fd0a5_z.jpg" width="513" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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"War never works out. Even when you win you lose."<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/26212036695/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="upload"><img alt="upload" height="640" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1683/26212036695_95ee50706c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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War correspondant ... signing off.<br />
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<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-57157558491529638442016-01-20T23:58:00.001-05:002016-01-20T23:59:58.904-05:00Word<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/23611923074/in/photostream/" nbsp="" title="Reading genie."><img alt="Reading genie." height="500" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1635/23611923074_8fb7249666.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<br />
And today, for the second night in a row at lights out, he told me he'd "like to keep reading if that's OK."<br />
<br />
"That's fine. Let me know when you'd like broccoli as a snack."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-47604132420774711152015-11-19T22:02:00.004-05:002015-11-19T22:06:09.683-05:00Never a dull moment <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrUxpMgdE8P-pq4id4juUXP1o3J2kDp0vI8J1u8DX7AMufLeJ_YJfoW3nUfK29WMdANKGFTxdr1ZU9vth5qD1YC58PwM8JsSA042KJ2D6CXQ1n1wXsHzhszDwqNQMYBwavG2_VA/s1600/21301831919_6ed21c5c26_o+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrUxpMgdE8P-pq4id4juUXP1o3J2kDp0vI8J1u8DX7AMufLeJ_YJfoW3nUfK29WMdANKGFTxdr1ZU9vth5qD1YC58PwM8JsSA042KJ2D6CXQ1n1wXsHzhszDwqNQMYBwavG2_VA/s640/21301831919_6ed21c5c26_o+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
"I just need to be me."<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-23571957800148695572015-10-08T23:57:00.001-04:002015-10-08T23:58:31.910-04:00Making a spectacle of one's self ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
He sits in the chair and plays patty cake with the armrests.<br />
<br />
<div>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/21655603490/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="The doctor chuckled when I said glasses might help him read better ... #smallchange"><br /></a><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/21655603490/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="The doctor chuckled when I said glasses might help him read better ... #smallchange"><img alt="The doctor chuckled when I said glasses might help him read better ... #smallchange" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5775/21655603490_eba2861a8e_b.jpg" width="510" /></a></div>
<div>
He is nervous, though he isn't saying so.<br />
<br />
"They won't touch my eye with any of these gadgets, will they?"<br />
<br />
"They'll just ask you to look through the goggles and tell them what you see. It's not uncomfortable."<br />
<br />
I'm just trying to smooth over his fears, and I'm not sure it's helping.<br />
<br />
Discomfort comes in many forms. Especially where small cubicles contain larger-than-life anatomical eyeballs.<br />
<br />
Experience, I suppose, is one antidote to discomfort.<br />
<br />
But it helps when part of that practice lets you choose your specs.<br />
<br />
And it helps when no one actually pokes you in the eye.<br />
Because knowing what to expect often takes practice. ...<br />
<br />
And patience. ...<br />
<br />
And perhaps answering all manner of questions that don't seem to have anything to do with the present circumstances. Such as ...<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"When I'm 20, how will you do errands?"<br />
"Maybe I'll send you to do them for me."<br />
"But what if I'm in college ... or far away?"<br />
"Then I'll just do them ... same as now."<br />
"But how? You might not be big enough."<br />
"I'm not going to shink THAT much in just 12 years."</blockquote>
<br />
After all, I'm sure he didn't expect to need glasses until he was much, much older.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/22020557306/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Spectacles"><img alt="Spectacles" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5803/22020557306_9469ec0e31_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Of course, I didn't expect him to look so much older in the blink of an eye. </div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-11573882603960570642015-07-17T23:21:00.000-04:002015-07-17T23:32:36.510-04:00So many things ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<center>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/18891700813/in/dateposted-public/" title="Evening swim"><img alt="Evening swim" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/428/18891700813_23959f4b3b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
<br />
<br />
Summer has come ... but the time I thought I'd have to fritter about and catch up here hasn't so much materialized.<br />
<br />
Another patchwork of my best intentions.<br />
<br />
<center>
****</center>
<br />
<br />
Today is Amah's birthday.<br />
<br />
The kids and I visited. A tiny little party with immediate family ... but no picture.<br />
<br />
For the first time in years she was able to eat meals made of solid food: An omlette and toast, baked fish and boiled beans, birthday cake. She is happy and ravenous. Progress.<br />
<br />
"I think her brain is getting more composed. They are really helping her get better here," observed Silas from behind his slice of cake, which he was working on digging out on the tender morsels from its thick frosting shell.<br />
<br />
Annabel's eyes teared up. Mine stayed dry. Progress.<br />
<br />
<center>
****</center>
<br />
<center>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/19480345181/in/dateposted-public/" title="Cat life"><img alt="Cat life" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/491/19480345181_6836555093_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
<br />
<br />
The cat is growing in her sleep.<br />
<br />
<center>
****</center>
<br />
<br />
<center>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/19203412858/in/dateposted-public/" title="They passed EVERYONE! #topgearheads"><img alt="They passed EVERYONE! #topgearheads" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/437/19203412858_19dc790a0c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
<br />
<br />
Annabel would prefer that her mom drives faster and her dad drives slower.<br />
<br />
<center>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/19611485482/in/dateposted-public/" title="Dressed himself"><img alt="Dressed himself" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/318/19611485482_2b19bc5178_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
<br />
<br />
Silas seems to be growing every time I check the rearview mirror.<br />
<br />
<center>
****</center>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Both Jed and I have done fun stuff ...<br />
<br />
<center>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/19210685820/in/dateposted-public/" title="Sharklegate"><img alt="Sharklegate" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/269/19210685820_6c934579ff.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/18659653401/in/dateposted-public/" title="#much #latergram"><img alt="#much #latergram" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/520/18659653401_ac277bbae9.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
<br />
<br />
<center>
****</center>
<br />
<br />
We're staying busy with running ...<br />
<br />
<center>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/19181459259/in/dateposted-public/" title="Fun run with Silas"><img alt="Fun run with Silas" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/412/19181459259_0be2cd4521.jpg" width="281" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
<br />
<br />
<center>
****</center>
<br />
<br />
And plays ....<br />
<br />
<center>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/18763604288/in/dateposted-public/" title="7537"><img alt="7537" height="500" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/334/18763604288_fee072d7b8.jpg" width="332" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
<br />
<br />
<center>
****</center>
<br />
<br />
And enjoying Mothers and all their Natures ... whenever we can.<br />
<br />
<center>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/18813999362/in/dateposted-public/" title="7118"><img alt="7118" height="425" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/318/18813999362_92fce03443_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></center>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-20032754937588076442015-05-19T23:21:00.000-04:002015-05-19T23:21:00.062-04:00Legitimate conversations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<center>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/399262238" title="our wedding by Siobhan, on Flickr"><img alt="our wedding" height="414" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/180/399262238_7ce8b7425b_o.jpg" width="622" /></a></center>
<br />
<br />
"Mom ... When you and dad got married did he stay near the front while your dad walked you down an aisle?"<br />
<br />
"Yes, Silas, that's pretty much how it went."<br />
<br />
"Who was your caterer?"<br />
<br />
"Tommy Carlucci. I don't think you've ever met him."<br />
<br />
"And who made your cake?"<br />
<br />
"Karen Casey ... she lives across the street from papa."<br />
<br />
"Did it have bride and groom on top that looked like you and daddy?"<br />
<br />
"No. We weren't that fancy. We had edible flowers ... pansies."<br />
<br />
"When is your anniversary?"<br />
<br />
"September 28."<br />
<br />
"Wait ... you mean your anniversary comes AFTER I was born?"<br />
<br />
"Well not the first few."</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-27637857895350396752015-05-18T22:18:00.002-04:002015-05-18T22:21:11.643-04:00411<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0K1NyTl6tEsSRLOvoKd8OrQCVIUapwH40nuOP6cEE-kmmQYmF7yTjRv2wog8MJ7aR_WxizAq6nE0cyEr9qWN3gmPni5c3Ok1hLuynK30-TVIPrDk8SoTyhS2XTtvPQM_5RehuQ/s1600/panshadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0K1NyTl6tEsSRLOvoKd8OrQCVIUapwH40nuOP6cEE-kmmQYmF7yTjRv2wog8MJ7aR_WxizAq6nE0cyEr9qWN3gmPni5c3Ok1hLuynK30-TVIPrDk8SoTyhS2XTtvPQM_5RehuQ/s1600/panshadow.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
5/17/15<br />
<br />
13.1<br />
<br />
2:05:08<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-52746231929349227292015-05-11T14:25:00.000-04:002015-05-11T23:16:05.223-04:00Pear shaped<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I don't know what shape I expected life to take back when was waiting for my experiences to gel.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<center>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/17504800892" title="not Mothers Day by Siobhan, on Flickr"><img alt="not Mothers Day" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8739/17504800892_b4bd7029b8_z.jpg" width="416" /></a></center>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But I can't complain it hasn't been straight up and down.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/17409887316" title="Monkey boy by Siobhan, on Flickr"><img alt="Monkey boy" height="320" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7660/17409887316_e2a421752a_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/17227042989" title="Handmedowns, huzzah! by Siobhan, on Flickr"><img alt="Handmedowns, huzzah!" height="320" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7776/17227042989_ed17a14853_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-27343803184341776552015-04-01T16:58:00.002-04:002015-04-01T16:58:57.970-04:00Don't count your chickens before they're hatched<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<center>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/16967288191" title="Don't count your chickens before they hatch. by Siobhan, on Flickr"><img alt="Don't count your chickens before they hatch." height="500" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8730/16967288191_74471102ce.jpg" width="500" /></a></center>
<br />
<br />
An illustrative reminder.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-27538443449646521972015-03-25T21:54:00.001-04:002015-03-25T21:54:36.360-04:00Privacy?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
<center>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/16720423278" title="Peeping Tom. by Siobhan, on Flickr"><img alt="Peeping Tom." height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8708/16720423278_0c3c82be21_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></center>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What's that?</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-47066727915099742222015-02-25T20:36:00.000-05:002015-02-25T20:36:19.609-05:00Eleven<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Times change.<br />
<br />
You wake up one morning. The number after your name ticks up by one.<br />
<br />
And you realize something just isn't quite right with your little world.<br />
<br />
The sun peeks through your windows and its light is set further ablaze by the color of your soundings.<br />
<br />
This can not stand.<br />
<br />
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="425" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/16433466919/player/86d58ab269" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe></center>
<br />
<br />
And so ... we change.<br />
<br />
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="425" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/16432256270/player/360db48748" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe></center>
<br />
<br />
But as we do, we have to remember. ...<br />
<br />
Some things always stay the same.<br />
<br />
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="400" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/3693707783/player/bdfded9c02" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe></center>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-62441798344873393962015-01-28T08:44:00.003-05:002015-01-28T08:45:35.597-05:00These days<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I know I'm going to miss these days ...<br />
<br />
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="640" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/16165652855/player/bf4f19a729" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe></center>
<br />
<br />
Messy, lazy, blurry days.<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-26827713803898326592014-12-14T22:29:00.001-05:002014-12-14T22:30:27.427-05:00Snow day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="640" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/15839042397/player/1996e48fdf" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="425"></iframe></center>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He could not contain himself.<br />
<br />
I couldn't contain him, either.<br />
<br />
She knew I didn't want to go out in the cold and the wet.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She didn't want to go out there either.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But something in my face ... </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She's called it The Look of Disappointment ...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Made her haul on her dayglow coat and too-small boots and pretend to care about snowmen of the smallest stature.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-89213687744770255692014-10-22T10:25:00.001-04:002014-10-22T10:26:01.926-04:00Karma and the kitten<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXg8amgTozYIn1RNkdI4dcmRw_LJjjZ6M1hhj3UjHxvkKg5ka6ca6ot2T_NGwv7HGHyh0EL_rVLLTVpsUu-Vh8Y9gz3CgaufPlZYDK3-dH8RGzO1TmlRzP_7Ff8U_ZdB-6rNDNEA/s1600/3315bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXg8amgTozYIn1RNkdI4dcmRw_LJjjZ6M1hhj3UjHxvkKg5ka6ca6ot2T_NGwv7HGHyh0EL_rVLLTVpsUu-Vh8Y9gz3CgaufPlZYDK3-dH8RGzO1TmlRzP_7Ff8U_ZdB-6rNDNEA/s1600/3315bw.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
Life and death.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-63811387132949881012014-10-07T22:11:00.000-04:002014-10-07T22:32:28.937-04:00Hat Trick <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
I think I have finally reached a parenting trifecta.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Some things are just important ...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="640" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/15209692100/player/fa1b1a56dd" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe></center>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For instance, not risking "love" by crossing it out ... (Stepping on cracks, though ... that's cool.)</div>
<div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
*****</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Getting them to fall asleep can seem like an art form ...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="640" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/15287388557/player/cd2d78e6c5" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe></center>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But really it's just the material of nightmares.</div>
<div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
*****</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Best of all is what your daughter will learn from watching all 208 episodes of "How I Met Your Mother" ...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<center>
c<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/15287609358/player/64e8fa397b" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe></center>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Hey mom! Come look at the strip club I built in Minecraft. I call it 'Barney's'."</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-87499603522117626092014-08-28T20:03:00.000-04:002014-08-28T20:03:31.727-04:00From the Why I Married Him department ... Brought to you by the Mouths of Babes department ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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MOM! Dad is doing his own dental work!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-14918071584063728292014-07-04T21:27:00.001-04:002014-07-04T21:28:27.353-04:00How we roll <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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... or, more accurately, how we <i>would have rolled</i> if the People's Parade wasn't rained out.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11830870.post-14287879197747232192014-06-30T22:53:00.002-04:002014-06-30T22:53:55.413-04:00Isn't everyone?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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"My sister thinks she's black toast intolerant."</div>
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"I don't think there's any black toast in this milk, though."</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0