Shameful Photography 365

1/365 Here we go again...

2010-01-01T20:01:00.001-08:00

12:01 1/1//10

365/365!!!!!

2009-12-31T19:47:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year!

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2009-12-30T19:54:00.001-08:00

Nice socks Buster!

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2009-12-29T19:01:00.001-08:00

Kids...always up to no good.

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2009-12-28T17:16:00.001-08:00

Sebastian got this 789 piece Star Wars Lego set from Santa Claus...Shelby put it together last night. Very impressive!

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2009-12-27T18:05:00.000-08:00

It's been sort of a game since about June to scare my niece Jordan with creepy doll heads...yesterday her mother (my sister Lisa) and I did a little treasure hunting and I found this doll in a box with a bunch of really creepy heads so I bought the whole lot of them. Today while my niece was visiting her father's relatives I snuck into their house and hid two of the creepy heads in her bedroom...sorry Jordan (teehee). I know those things will end up hidden in my house...most likely tomorrow! Be on the lookout kids!

360/365

2009-12-26T18:47:00.000-08:00

It snowed Wednesday, it snowed Thursday, it snowed Friday...so Sebastian and I made a papa snowman and a baby snowman with the heavy wet snow. Too bad all we had for the eyes were radishes!

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2009-12-25T07:09:00.001-08:00

Thank you Santa!

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2009-12-25T07:05:00.000-08:00

Caught up in all the Christmas Eve festivities I forgot to do my pic of the day...so here's one of the hundreds of pictures I took yesterday...we've had a pretty steady snowfall since Wednesday evening so everything is clean and white. Merry Christmas!

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2009-12-23T18:45:00.000-08:00

Our new neighbors arrived today...just in time for the 14-20 inches of snow!

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2009-12-22T15:42:00.001-08:00

Ugly sweater day at work...nice...

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2009-12-21T18:59:00.001-08:00

Today was "craft day" at Sebastian's school...these are two of the seven projects he made today...so cute!

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2009-12-20T15:54:00.001-08:00

Shelby and Buster engrossed in watching Tim Burton's A Nightmare Before Christmas.

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2009-12-19T15:39:00.001-08:00

Shelby's finally home for Winter Break. We left all her ornaments under the tree so she could hang them when she got here.

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2009-12-18T18:08:00.000-08:00

A Letter from Santa...

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2009-12-17T18:19:00.000-08:00

We FINALLY found a spare moment to run see Santa...

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2009-12-16T16:59:00.000-08:00

I finally found a pair of used figure skates I actually like...see you at the ice fishing house dad!

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2009-12-15T17:45:00.001-08:00

I volunteer the first and third Tuesdays of every month for Neighbors, Inc. at their "Come As You Are" program...it's a gathering place for adults with developmental disabilities and each Tuesday there is a different theme. Tonight was our Christmas party and I'm so glad I got to help out. The adults who attend are truly special, I'm sure it sounds really corny but I feel honored that they allow me to participate...it was a great night, spending a few hours with this bunch really puts life into perspective...they are angels! I'm looking forward to the next "come as you are" gathering!

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2009-12-14T18:11:00.001-08:00

Snow much fun!

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2009-12-13T17:06:00.001-08:00

Today was my cookie baking day. I make snowballs, triple chocolate bars, coconut marshmellow crispies, peanut butter kisses and the cranberry cheese squares are just about ready to come out of the oven. Those triple chocolate bars are to die for (and probably 600 calories each!)

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2009-12-12T17:53:00.001-08:00

We went to Krueger's Tree Farm in Lake Elmo today and picked out the perfect Christmas tree. It's so pretty and the house smells fantastic!

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2009-12-11T20:19:00.001-08:00

We're going to bake Christmas Cookies tomorrow! Can't wait to eat them!

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2009-12-10T17:24:00.001-08:00

It was a very cold blustery day today...morning temps hovered around -3 and the high was 6. A perfect evening to get into cozy pajamas and slippers and watch The Polar Express.

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2009-12-09T20:46:00.001-08:00

Look at those rosy cheeks and ears from playing in the snow while dad shoveled! This child is so silly!

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2009-12-08T17:23:00.001-08:00

We have a Winter Storm Advisory here in the midwest, it started snowing around 2:00 this afternoon and is supposed to continue through the night and all day tomorrow. Sebastian is hoping for a snow day...I just hope Tom's flight from Detroit can land!

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2009-12-07T18:02:00.001-08:00

Some of my loot from out weekend in St. Charles and Geneva, Illinois.

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2009-12-06T18:36:00.001-08:00

Old time carolers in downtown Geneva (Illinois)...they had quite the historic Christmas festival over the weekend. Tom and I had a fantastic time! The house are amazing, dating back to the 1800's...I think I was more interested in looking at the architectural features of the houses than in antiquing!

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2009-12-05T15:55:00.000-08:00

Shopping in historic downtown St. Charles, Illinois. Tom and I went on a little (romantic) weekend getaway...just the two of us!

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2009-12-04T18:32:00.001-08:00

In memory of Richard Thayer, October 14, 1976 - December 2, 2009. May God bless your soul.

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2009-12-03T16:26:00.001-08:00

Oh happy day! I got my three little hangings back from Somerset Studio today...I can't wait to get Shelby's 18 Birthdays book!

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2009-12-02T16:41:00.001-08:00

Sebastian and I stayed home today...sick. We've both had colds coming on since Saturday and last night it hit us both full on, I've lost my voice (I'm sure the boys are delighted!) and we're both completely miserable. We slept most of the day in the hopes we'll feel good enough to go the work and school tomorrow. I just hope Tom and Matthew don't end up with it!

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2009-12-01T15:21:00.000-08:00

Another little project I'm working on...

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2009-11-30T19:46:00.001-08:00

Buster asked me to knit him a bear out of this adorable book I bought so I started it last night...had to get out my How to Knit book a few times since it's been over a year since I last knit. I forgot how much I like to do it...maybe I'll have to try my hand at socks next!

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2009-11-29T15:52:00.001-08:00

Tom and I put up the Christmast lights today...wanted to get it done before the cold weather sets in!

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2009-11-28T18:05:00.001-08:00

We did a little Christmas shopping and a little Christmas crafting today...I just wish we'd get some snow.

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2009-11-27T20:28:00.001-08:00

Here I am...in the pages of Sew Somerset!

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2009-11-26T20:22:00.001-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving! (picture taken by Tom)

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2009-11-25T19:43:00.000-08:00

One little, two little, three little turkeys...getting the table settings ready for tomorrow!

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2009-11-24T18:58:00.001-08:00

Aaahhh....I'll be going back to see it again tomorrow. I know, I know, total nerd but New Moon is my favorite of the four, read it twice...and I'm pleased to say I liked the movie just as much as the book. Only disappointment was it was only 2 hours long, would have really liked to see more wolf action. I can honestly say, Edward didn't even need to be in the movie AT ALL. Forget the Cullens...hello Quileutes! And...I have a total girl crush on Victoria!

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2009-11-23T18:55:00.001-08:00

mmmm...pomegranates.

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2009-11-22T16:55:00.000-08:00

This is not what I had intended to use for my pic of the day but it gets dark here between 4:30 and 5:00 so pics never turn out good in the evening (not that mine would turn out in the bright sunlight either)...these are one of the many projects I worked on today.

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2009-11-21T18:18:00.000-08:00

Today was a "glitter jitter's" day!

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2009-11-20T18:12:00.001-08:00

Sebastian lost another tooth...the one on the opposite side is ready to come out also so the tooth fairy is going to be a regular visitor at our house.

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2009-11-19T16:14:00.001-08:00

A little horsing around...

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2009-11-18T20:06:00.001-08:00

Me and my "big brother"...

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2009-11-17T19:00:00.001-08:00

Sebastian made a "Pilgrim Air Freshner"...smells good, that's for sure!

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2009-11-16T17:33:00.001-08:00

Tom took the boys to Game Stop...looks like they both scored a new game!

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2009-11-15T16:24:00.001-08:00

Tom and I spent all morning doing yard work...while Buster and the dogs played.

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2009-11-14T19:15:00.001-08:00

A little football in the house...complete with helmets. Good thing I don't have a bazillion antiques sitting around!

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2009-11-13T18:05:00.001-08:00

Went antiquing in St. Paul over my lunch hour (or should I say lunch "hour and a half") and found a big bag of little plastic Christmas figures...Frosty is my favorite.

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2009-11-12T18:17:00.000-08:00

My favorite store in Stillwater had their "annual holiday soiree" today...everything in the store was 20% off...lots of great vintage Christmas items! One of my Christmas traditions is to buy the kids a new ornament each year so when they have a home of their own they can pack up all their ornaments and hang them on their own tree (and eventually pass them along to their children)...I got this cute little owl for Shelby (I hope she doesn't follow my blog!)

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2009-11-11T17:50:00.001-08:00

Getting my 25 days of christmas book ready to go...

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2009-11-10T17:52:00.001-08:00

Time to start working on Christmas wish lists...I wonder if Sebastian is on Santa's nice list.

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2009-11-09T18:14:00.001-08:00

Tom and Sebastian are back from Michigan...with souvenirs.

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2009-11-08T16:30:00.001-08:00

Shelby came home (again) for the weekend...now I get to make the 2 hour round-trip to bring her back to campus. Lucky me!

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2009-11-07T15:55:00.001-08:00

Took some time out from my "crafting" for my workout...then the dogs' workout, Trixie fetched until we lost her ball in the camouflage of the leaves.

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2009-11-06T18:53:00.000-08:00

I was lucky enough to get to watch Matt (and the East Ridge Raptors) bowl again, he got quite a few strikes but, of course, I didn't capture any on film!

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2009-11-05T17:41:00.001-08:00

Double Trouble

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2009-11-04T18:05:00.001-08:00

Busy working on a few things for my Etsy store...no idea what to take a picture of today so this is what you get!

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2009-11-03T16:59:00.001-08:00

Remember these Lisa? We used to make sequin ornaments somewhat like this when we were kids. I found these at an estate sale (with the Leewards price tag still on them)...Sebastian can't wait to start creating.

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2009-11-02T18:29:00.000-08:00

Snoop Tomm, what a pimp...yes, that is a fleece scarf.

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2009-11-01T15:40:00.001-08:00

A full moon on All Saints Day.

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2009-10-31T16:10:00.001-07:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

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2009-10-30T18:03:00.001-07:00

Buster has been bugging us for days for these "Glazers" donuts...they're from the gas station (yummy). Tom finally ran inside to get some when he filled up my truck and Buster couldn't be happier (oops, I mean Sebastian, he no longer wants to be called Buster).
Tom took the photo.

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2009-10-29T19:03:00.001-07:00

The best thing about carving pumpkins are the seeds!

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2009-10-28T17:53:00.001-07:00

We carved pumpkins tonight (except for Matt, he'll have to do his Friday), the big one was tricky and is so heavy that it sort of started falling in on itself so we had to "prop up his face" with skewers! Pumpkin seeds are roasting in the oven, Monsters v. Aliens, Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space is on TV, I think we're having a spooktacular night!

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2009-10-27T17:41:00.001-07:00

My pretty rainbow of felt...on a side note, I can't belive there's only 65 days left in the year! YIKES!

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2009-10-26T17:22:00.001-07:00

Here I am...the vintage lotto cards are mine! Got my complimentary issue of Somerset Studio today.

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2009-10-25T15:02:00.001-07:00

Shelby came home yesterday for a concert the girl's were going to see in Minneapolis...she brought her laundry with her and guess who ended updoing it?

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2009-10-24T19:09:00.000-07:00

YIPPEE! I got a new computer today...it was much much needed. Not only was I running out of memory but I was also running out of disk space. The Geek Squad employee at Best Buy told me the computer I wanted was "overkill" but I'd rather have that then to have to sit at the computer for 45 minutes just to do my picture of the day. I'll post my picture tomorrow...on my new computer, but in the meantime I'm posting this from Tom's laptop while he's transferring all my files.

296/365

2009-10-23T17:33:00.000-07:00

I apologize in advance because this post is going to be one big whiny mess...it's raining and snowing AGAIN in this Godforsaken state in which I live. I'm already planning a "warm winter getaway" because I have a feeling we're in for one B*TCH of a winter. I think we've had 2 whole days in October with no snow or rain. I think my SADS is kicking in already and I have 5 more months of this crap...so not only will we have to take our normal spring break vacation to somewhere warm and sunny but I'm going to start planning a January trip as well! It's so miserable here that Sebastian doesn't even want to buy a halloween costume, he's dead-set on not going trick-or-treating...and as far as the "haunted graveyard" in the front yard goes...NOT going to happen. The ground is probably too frozen to stake anything up. Thank God Tom bought me this chocolate bar, I'm going to curl up in my PJ's by the fireplace and try to keep my extremities from freezing off while munching on this little goodie! Can't even take a decent picture because there hasn't been any damn sunlight in WEEKS! (SIGH)...ok, I'm done.

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2009-10-22T19:53:00.000-07:00

Matt's on my computer working on a big paper that's due tomorrow so I can't post my pic of the day...which, incidentally, is of him on my computer working on his big paper. Just like his mother...procrastinates because he works better under pressure.

294/365

2009-10-21T20:07:00.001-07:00

We are BIG into Halloween and everything creepy, scary and ghostly at our house...Tom quietly hides on me so he can scare the crap out of me every chance he gets (and I get him back once in awhile), I hide creepy doll heads in unsuspecting places, we stay up late watching ghost tales on the Sci Fi channel...we all love it, well, all but Sebastian...he HATES Halloween (claims he's not even trick-or-treating this year). So, to make him more comfortable sleeping alone, we've recruited the protection of the mean and dangerous Bellatrix (Trixie for short). She keeps watch over him every night now and he LOVES it! (Still HATES Halloween though...)

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2009-10-20T18:54:00.001-07:00

It was a "Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen" night...

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2009-10-19T16:16:00.001-07:00

Got the Halloween decorations put up...only used about 1/8 of what I have. I'm going with the "less is more" attitude this year...besides, putting it out doesn't bother me so much, it's the having to put it all away in two weeks that totally turns me off. Needless to say all three boys are thankful that I opted for minimal decorations this year. Now my costume on the other hand...that's another story!

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2009-10-18T16:11:00.000-07:00

It's been a family tradition to visit Pine Tree Apple Orchard every October...I've been doing it since Matt could barely walk but this year was a sad year because it was just me, Tom, Sebastian. Shelby's off at college so couldn't go (although she really really wanted to) and Matt just didn't want to go (he's 2 months shy of turning 17). Oh well, I guess I'd better get used to things being drastically different than they've "always" been.

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2009-10-17T19:24:00.001-07:00

We had the carpets professionally cleaned today...I'll have to wait until daylight tomorrow to see if it actually did anything, couldn't really tell when it was still damp but I'm afraid I'm going to be disappointed. (Update: Nope, I was wrong, I'm thoroughly pleased, both family room and living room carpets look just like new...and the carpet in this picture is 17 years old!)

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2009-10-16T17:55:00.001-07:00

Buster got a haircut...damn that kid is cute (even when he's trying to look mean.)

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2009-10-15T18:20:00.000-07:00

Last night the house belonging to one of my good friends burned to the ground, literally. Everyone got out safely which is the most important thing but they lost everything except what they were wearing at the time (mainly pajamas...no shoes, no coats, nothing warm and we had more snow this morning). Really makes you appreciate what you have. Make sure everyone in your house knows what to do in case of a fire!

287/365

2009-10-14T15:51:00.001-07:00

Sebastian and Gabrielle, eight years old...4 months apart. I've never noticed this before but they have the same posture, have the same funny-looking teeth, have the same smile, are the same height...you'd think they were brother and sister instead of cousins.

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2009-10-13T19:10:00.001-07:00

Went to a Vikings game tonight...ok, not exactly the NFL Vikings but just as exciting, especially when these "Vikings" scored five touchdowns to the "Jets" one touchdown. Jake "the Superstar Spencer" is #4. He scored at least two (possibly three...I was too busy talking) of those five touchdowns and is really quite a football player at the ripe old age of 11. Go Vikings!

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2009-10-12T16:00:00.001-07:00

More snow today...enough to warrant hunting down the winter coat, boots, hats and mittens! Doesn't look like Minnesota will have Autumn at all, we've jumped from summer right into winter!

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2009-10-11T14:02:00.001-07:00

The Three Muskateers...we had a great weekend with Shelby. I'm glad she decided to come home for the entire weekend instead of us just visiting her for a few hours on Saturday.

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2009-10-10T13:35:00.001-07:00

The bad news is this is what we woke up to...snow on October 10th...The good news is Shelby came home for the weekend! Yippee!

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2009-10-09T19:37:00.001-07:00

East Ridge Raptors bowling league...Matt's up!

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2009-10-08T16:58:00.001-07:00

Lame picture today, I know. I got to see the sneak peek of my layout in an upcoming "crafting" magazine and it looks so good, I'm so excited to get the actual publication (I'll blog about it when the time comes) but anyway, the point is that it made me want to create some goodies (which I haven't really felt like doing lately). No Lisa, this isn't for you, but it might be for one of my favorite nieces!

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2009-10-07T16:26:00.001-07:00

The rain took a break today (it's due to start up again tomorrow with a chance of snow Friday night) so Tom took the opportunity to mow the lawn...which was about knee length after 7 days of rainfall! and yes, he's wearing his Detroit Tigers t-shirt even thought they choked last night in the 12th inning!

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2009-10-06T17:46:00.001-07:00

Tom was seriously scaring me and the boys this afternoon while watching the "tiebreaking" baseball game (Tigers @ Twins...Tom is from Detroit for those of you who don't know), he was getting so mad at the Tigers he was yelling and screaming at the TV...so we left to do some shopping (and you know it must have been bad in the house if the boys wanted to shop.) Anyway, we ended up at Goodwill and found this little vintage treasure for a mere $1.49. Now we're home and the game STILL isn't over...Lord help us all if the Tigers lose!

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2009-10-05T17:43:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how quickly my boys grow...they both had to dig out their winter clothing due to our cold weather but everything was too small...so we were forced to make an Old Navy run (I snuck in a few sweaters for myself!)

277/365

2009-10-04T15:58:00.001-07:00

Tom and I don't get a chance to have many "dates" but when the networks started showing trailers for Zombieland I knew I had to plan a "date night" for opening weekend. Last night was the big night and I was REALLY looking forward to some fun time...just me and Tom (although don't tell him I said so!). We had a fantastic dinner at a little swanky joint in Lake Elmo, Minnesota (appropriately called Lake Elmo Inn) then went to see Zombieland! It was a very funny movie...not fabulous...but definitely a good, digusting, gore-y, fun movie...just the right thing to get you into the pre-halloween mood. I think the bottle of wine we drank with dinner helped with the laughs!

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2009-10-03T13:57:00.000-07:00

Today was the Boston Scientific 5K Fun Run/Walk at Como Lake. It benefits Camp Odayin, a camp for children/teens with heart disease. Because the four of us participated (in the 44 degree rainy weather), four children are now able to attend camp for one week. Many of the "campers" are at the run each year and it's really touching to hear how excited they get when they talk about the camp. Camp Odayin allows the children to 'rest their worries' and have a week filled with total fun! One of the teenagers told us that her week at camp is the "best week of my life!". This is our second year doing the 5k and it's so worth it, even if it means getting up at 7:30 on a cold and rainy saturday.

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2009-10-02T16:57:00.000-07:00

Check out the size of this pumpkin! We were at Sam's Club last night and when we saw these giants we knew couldn't leave without one!

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2009-10-01T17:19:00.001-07:00

It's been so cold, windy and rainy all week, I'm beginning to worry that we may skip fall altogether and jump right into winter. Even though it's only 63 in the house we refuse to turn the heat on...thank God for the fireplace!

273/365

2009-09-30T16:57:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me knows that I think cooking is a waste of precious time, food is just not that important to me; however, when I'm going to bother with cooking, I want to do it right. Tom is the weekday cook in our house and I do it up big on the weekends. For some reason though I ended up cooking Monday and Tuesday (rosemary roasted potatoes and corn stuffed porkchops on Monday and homemade chicken chili Tuesday) so I told Tom he's definitely cooking Wednesday. Well, isn't he getting fancy? He made seared steak with balsamic cherry tomatoes (on a bed of arugula)...it was delicious!

272/365

2009-09-29T17:23:00.000-07:00

We get these funny little spiders that build webs in the juniper and in the grass...they seem to build them overnight because each morning there's a new crop of webs all over the yard...I've never actually seen the spiders though...very strange...

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2009-09-28T18:21:00.001-07:00

The view crossing the lift bridge from Stillwater, Minnesota to Somerset, Wisconsin.

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2009-09-27T17:30:00.001-07:00

Baked apples for dessert...it's a very windy and chilly day here in MN, the leaves are starting to drop so they're really blowing around, I though thsese would be a perfect treat for this fall day!

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2009-09-26T16:19:00.001-07:00

This is what we awoke to this morning...a whole lot of creepy fog!

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2009-09-25T19:29:00.001-07:00

Is Buster sleeping or hiding from something scary on TV?

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2009-09-24T18:00:00.001-07:00

My picture of the day is actually Matt singing along with his ipod while playing XBox...obviously he did not know I was taping it just as he doesn't know I'm posting it here. I've already been warned that if I show anyone he'll "kill" me...now is that anyway for a boy to talk to his mother?