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Buster had a "Pokemon" sleepover party last night...we picked him up this morning and he was the big winner...he won another Pokemon plush for his collection. (Buster took this picture)

150/365 Saturday's Post

I couldn't post yesterday because I was too busy making these memory books for Shelby and her four closest girlfriends. Being the procrastinator I am, I started these books yesterday around 11:00 am for the graduation party today...all four girls are having a combined graduation party at 2:00...nothing like killing myself to get something done. I finished around 1:00, I had an hour to spare...maybe I should have made a few more?

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A perfect score on the last spelling test of second grade!

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Isn't it sad when you need reading glasses to embroider?

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Tonight KSTP had a special screening of the Disney-Pixar animated movie "UP" (which opens in theaters Friday)...Tom, Sebastian, Shelby, her friend Carolyn and I all went (Matt had a ballgame). It was really cute and surprisingly very funny...we all gave it two thumbs up!

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Our dog room/laundry room tiling project is almost complete...doesn't it look pretty? My hands hurt so much from grouting this floor (not to mention my poor aching knees). All that's left is sealing the grout and touching up the paint and we're finished. I think I'll tile the bathrooms next...???

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This was our Memorial Day weekend project, tiling the dogs room/laundry room. There was ugly linoleum on the floor when we bought the house. The dogs chewed it up pretty good about a year ago (guess they thought it was ugly too) so Shelby's upcoming graduation party "forced" us to finally bite the bullet and get it tiled. It was a lot easier (but more time-consuming) than I though it would be. I measured, Tom cut and Spencer laid the tiles. Took about 7 hours total to lay it. I grouted it this morning so on Tuesday I can seal it and then the washer and dryer can be re-installed.

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Part IV - A Stroll Down Memory Lane: 4660 Bald Eagle Avenue, The Carpentier House. I remember it being green and again, it looks so much smaller as an adult. Unfortunatley, this ends the Stroll series. I couldn't get the 7th Street house because the owners were in their front yard and I didn't get St. Mary's Church due to the heavy traffic. I'll get those when the Stegers are in town.

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I have to interrupt my regularly scheduled "Stroll Down Memory Lane" series for an important announcement: After 18 grueling months of classes, papers, research, tests, presentations and stress, Thomas FINALLY received his masters degree in Business Administration! Hamline's commencement program was held outside this afternoon and we had an absolutely perfect sunny day (I won't gripe about the 3 1/2 hours we sat there). It was a very touching commencement...surprisingly I didn't cry but I did get a little teary-eyed (not sure I have any tears left with the usual streams that fall everytime I think about Shelby heading to college). Tom (and I) made a lot of sacrifices and worked really hard to get to this day and I couldn't be prouder of him! Way to go "Master" Tom!

Photo courtesy of Sebastian Rydel - age 8

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Part III A Stroll Down Memory Lane: B-line Neighborhood Grocery...Bubs Daddy, buying mom cigarettes, and getting into trouble...need I say more? The kids and I stop in here to get a soda almost everytime we pass.

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Part II - A Stroll Down Memory Lane: Lincoln Elementary, White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Still looks the same! My sister Lisa and I "acted" in the Wizard of Oz while going to school here, my dad made the Tin Man's costume and I'm told they still have it on display in one of the glass cases. I'd love to "sneak" in sometime and see how everything looks on the inside (and try to get a glimpse of the Tin Man costume!)

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Part I - A Stroll Down Memory Lane: 1010 Bald Eagle Avenue (house sadly has been altered...or in my opinion ruined, garage still intact)...sure did look much bigger when I was five! (This Stroll series dedicated to my sister Lisa)

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93 degrees today! It was hot, hot, hot and I love it!

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My crab apple tree is finally in bloom...it's so pretty!

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We spent all day in the yard...planting containers, making gardens bigger, laying mulch...and the list goes on and on. I ache everywhere, from my sunburned nose down to my toes. Time to relax and have some smores!

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This is a rosary I picked up at a flea market at the Washington County Fairgrounds today...not much there but I managed to find a few treasures.

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It was Pride/Pajama day at the elementary school so Sebastian wore his Royal Oaks t-shirt with his pajama bottoms. Sure wish I could wear my pj's to work! Trixie just had to get in the picture!

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It was a nice quiet "crafting" evening...this is my newest project for myself. That's a picture of my Great-Grandmother Alice, Great Aunt Corrine and my Grandmother Gloria circa 1925. Absolutely LOVE the outfits!

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Today's picture is courtesy of Tom...since it's my birthday! Can you tell I'm in a cupcake phase? These books are so fabulous I can't wait to get baking...actually frosting them is the best part. And in June when my nieces come to visit Jordan and I are going to make some "day of the dead" cupcakes (even though that "holiday" isn't until October!)

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More flowers today...I've been planting, planting, planting!

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The first signs of life in my backyard garden...

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A little front yard golf on Mother's day. We bought Sebastian some youth golf clubs at a garage sale for $5...maybe he'll be the next Tiger Woods!

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Senior Prom, May 9, 2009. Isn't she lovely?

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Today was the annual Woodbury Lions Club Garage Sale...it's indescribible, literally hundreds of Woodbury residents set up fabulous garage sales and this is a look at most of my haul for the day. The prices are to die for! (I got something for my sister but didn't include it in the pic since she reads my blog!)

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This is Thursday's picture of the day...I joined a swap group and this is my first project. Hopefully my swap partner doesn't look at my blog otherwise she'll get a sneak-peak of her altered thrift store find!

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My cute metal birdbath saw it's last summer...it rusted so badly that the bowl broke off of the stand so I had to find a new one for my front garden. I scored this one at Walmart for $26. Now my morning doves and cardinals will have a place to spash around.

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First game of the season...I think they won but I can never seem to keep track of the score!

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I'm back...and I will get revenge on my sister for "tagging me"...well, here's the darn forced self-portrait (messy bathroom and all!)