tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-317211562023-11-16T05:15:44.003-06:00Think Outside the BoxLive life.
Design. Create. Explore. Enjoy. Not necessarily in that order.Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.comBlogger233125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-68836895074431459652009-06-09T21:49:00.003-05:002009-06-09T22:12:22.224-05:00Well we're Movin' on Up!Well we're Movin' on Up! <br />To the east side! <br />To a dee-luxe apartment in the sky.<br />We've finally got a piece of the pie!<br /><br />Translation:<br /><br />I'm moving on Over!<br />To WordPress!<br />To a new website.<br />I've finally got a piece of the <em>www</em>!<br /><br />Ok, so this was a real bad attempt at being quirky and fun. If you didn't get the gist of things, this blog is moving effective, well, today. Adjust all those bookmarks out there to: <a href="http://www.thinkoutsidethebox2.com/">www.thinkoutsidethebox2.com</a>. Blogger was great while it latest but I found myself frustrated by some limitations which made me realize I had outgrown what they had to offer. No dissing of Blogger here, just reality. I'll keep this site up for awhile but will be moving some of it over to my new home labeling them as <em>classic posts</em>. My frequency of posts should improve, although your breath on that one. I'm still juggling too many hats to allow me to post on a regular basis. Just continue to view my posts as a nice surprise. A little gift from me to you!Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-49449253392275711242009-04-17T20:35:00.004-05:002009-04-17T20:58:09.762-05:00Insomniacs.Ok, so a friend of mine (lovely childhood friend that I reconnected with thanks to Facebook) and I have started a virtual book club. We have named it: Insomniacs. I found the site, she came up with the name. Such a perfect team. I love the name because I have so enjoyed reading the past several months because I do suffer from sleep deprivation. Apparently she does too. Did I say such a perfect team? Anyway, the site is public which means anyone can join. Details of how it will be handled are still in development but basically it's a for fun site, one where anyone can post books they have read, discuss books they are reading and get information on books they may want to read in the future. We will post a book that we recommend everyone reading (book of the month so to speak) to give us all a chance to be on the same page (sorry, couldn't help it!). This is of course optional and over time as we get more members we can choose the book by voting. Since it's just Suz and I at this point we have gone ahead and chosen the first book. Since we are into vampires as of late (again, no pun intended) we have decided on The House of Night Series book 1, <a class="bookTitleRegular" title="Marked (House of Night #1)" href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30183.Marked">Marked</a> by <a class="authorNameRegular" title="P.C. Cast" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17015.P_C_Cast">P.C. Cast</a> and Kristin Cast. Depending on how we like it we may know what next months book will be (book 2 in the series?).<br /><br />Right now Insomniacs is a baby site but I'm hoping it will grow and eventaully take on a life of its own. So, if you are a book reader, or are ready to begin reading again, check it out: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/17451.Insomniacs">http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/17451.Insomniacs</a> We'd love to have you join us!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">If you are not able to gain access from this link, please let me know. I will do some research and promptly get back to you with how to access.</span>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-14842785883777716552009-04-07T23:02:00.002-05:002009-04-07T23:20:39.551-05:00ItsDeductible.Working on taxes. Seems like I was just doing this <a href="http://thinkoutsidethebox2.blogspot.com/2007/04/taxes.html">yesterday</a> (and that post was from two years ago!). Since I have taxes on my mind I thought I'd share a little tax tip with you free of charge.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A TAX PROFESSIONAL. THIS IS SIMPLY A TAX TIP FROM SOMEONE WHO IS EXHAUSTED FROM DOING THEIR OWN PERSONAL TAXES AND IS LOOKING FOR A BREAK OF ANY KIND.</span><br /><br />I use TurboTax and a few years ago I received along with my tax software another software called ItsDeductible. ItsDeductible allowed me to enter in all the items we had donated to charity and it assigned a value to it and to be honest, the value it assigns is higher than I was using (by what I considered a significant amount). Yeah - love it when that happens! This year I didn't receive the software and was a bit bummed. After doing a little bit of research I quickly discovered that they have eliminated the desktop software and moved everything online - you can check it out <a href="http://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/itsdeductible/">here</a>. Now, I thought I was special because it was free for me but it appears, according to their website that this is free to all!<br /><br />To use it you simply logged in with your account information (and if you don't have an account you can set one up for free) and then click on the ItsDeductible link. At this point you must decide if you are going to work on 2007 (review previous data), 2008 or 2009 data. I chose 2008 since that's what I'm working on right now. I simply pulled out my receipts and notes and was able to enter what we had donated fairly fast. It's a simple point and click type of set-up which makes it really nice. When I was done with 2008 I decided to go ahead and enter the 2009 donations we've already made (we make a lot of donations, I get so tired of stuff lying around!). <br /><br />Here's a picture of the donation page:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7MCXgAq56Me05dccV_EXnQiJmCuSiJOzz79b3opMWbSb8dKy6sFYyfgPOzrSjeOkOf6BwQjCy7rPsb4wQUofyBkTxd6H1c0MlBnkvCRkB0oY3EWJs8TeZeeMMo_T4pldBYiq4Q/s1600-h/itsdeductible-online-zoom.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322166200489019602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 188px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7MCXgAq56Me05dccV_EXnQiJmCuSiJOzz79b3opMWbSb8dKy6sFYyfgPOzrSjeOkOf6BwQjCy7rPsb4wQUofyBkTxd6H1c0MlBnkvCRkB0oY3EWJs8TeZeeMMo_T4pldBYiq4Q/s320/itsdeductible-online-zoom.gif" border="0" /></a><br />If you have set-up an account, your data is saved when you exit. This is nice because you can access the data throughout the year. I went ahead and created a shortcut on my toolbar to this page so I can update it after each trip to our local Goodwill. <br /><br />Now here's the bonus beauty of this little tool. Since I use TurboTax I was able to download all the data in just a few steps. I was prompted to enter my username and password for my account and then I clicked the Import Now button. Viola, it was in Turbo Tax in a matter of seconds. A lot of data entered with very little effort on my part. Now that's what I'm talking about!<br /><br />Now, if I could only get this automated with all other aspects of my taxes. One of my New Years Resolutions should have been to actually use Quicken! Is it too late?<br /><br />P.S. I believe you can use ItsDeductible without establishing an account. The data just wouldn't be saved for future use.Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-73210453543507968612009-03-30T15:45:00.009-05:002009-03-30T17:06:19.935-05:00Dual Monitors.I have recently discovered the joy of dual monitors and thought I'd share some of the bits of wisdom I have learned about setting these up.<br /><br />I happened to have an extra flat panel monitor at home that I decided to try hooking up to my laptop. It was a really simple process once I understood the basics of what I had to do. To hook up the monitor I simply plugged the monitor into the open blue port on the back of my laptops docking station. If you don't have a docking station, you would just plug the monitor into the open blue port on the back of your laptop. Don't forget to turn on the power. Once that's done it's settings time. Using Windows XP you simply:<br /><ol><li>Right click on the desktop and go to Properties.</li><br /><li>In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Settings tab.</li><br /><li>Click the monitor icon labeled 2, and then select the Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor checkbox.</li><br /><li>If necessary, drag the monitor icons so that they are arranged in the same way as the monitors on your desk. Click the Identify button to indicate which monitor is 1 and which monitor is 2. (I put my second monitor to the left of my laptop. This requires me to drag the monitor icons so monitor #2 is listed first on this screen).</li><br /><li>If necessary, click the icon #2 and change the screen resolution to your liking.</li></ol><p>That's it. Now you can open different applications and leave them displayed for reference on your second monitor. Here's a picture of a laptop with a secondary monitor. This is not a photo of my set-up. It's a pictured borrowed from Flickr. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319087154102271634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmB3_CeRHqz79sWSvVAJKL8cGIVxuryyeP2AGSbM4epTpZ9wKgkxxPo0SPA7oVYBpOdClVUZWObcVFo5c6EE7Ykor5dIsJqMvTaZlGPMoHbPBadSaj-qHfZZil0UmiWJC27Uh-NA/s320/Laptop+and+monitor.jpg" border="0" /></p>However, while using this set-up I quickly found out that the task toolbar (the bar at the bottom of the screen) from my laptop did not extend onto the second monitor. This is not a huge deal but did become a bit problematic. After some quick googling I found the <a href="http://www.mediachance.com/free/multimon.htm">MultiMon Task Bar</a> which can be downloaded for free (a pro version is also available if you want more capabilities for a fee).<br /><p>I've been using this set-up for a couple of months and it works great. So great that I've been wanting to hook up a second monitor at the office so my productivity could sky-rocket! Over this past weekend I was finally able to secure a second, flat panel monitor which I promptly took to the office and tried to set-up in a similar fashion to how I described it above. Unfortunately, my desktop only had one blue monitor plug and with the desktop configuration I ended up having two that need to be plugged in. What I quickly found out is if the computer doesn't have two blue ports on the back then your video card doesn't support two monitors and you have to purchase a new video card. Uggh! Oh, and don't be fooled by one of these little devices:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319098187786324482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEiA_rJAaf6wcn-n1valsUBfuZNFXFF_wnSdhXtshRSR3S9TMtdi2NykurIFzcnJS_U5mi7qnG8qDZcrWDtSlD-DOxDuLyHXYmjzmrGi2o2QQx6M3wB1UnB9Hk8b5gH68kJSGcg/s320/8152720.jpg" border="0" /> I too thought this would work. It's a 2-Port VGA Video Splitter. While this does allow you to hook up two monitors to a desktop, using only one port, it only provides a mirrored image on both monitors. If you really want to see double of everything, this would be the way to go. Unfortunately, this was not my intention. So I have now purchased this little beauty as instructed by Dell:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319102725579121890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFq2IjYggK5e_Ik1hDeFObiiCbjsYrn_zGcF7S6LlmvxzlNdStprdE_XlD6EPp825YQeOUrcaAAL2B2XYBXfZI6ANSNyZlvDxDvZLahLBKfs3TbyfN1NqLNHINB1B2ChXY1jjTA/s320/A0683274.jpg" border="0" />I thought it was going to have two ports but now I'm thinking it will only have one and I will add it to the computer I currently have. Keep your fingers crossed it all works according to plan! </p>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-33975957977502674802009-03-13T18:43:00.009-05:002009-03-15T14:49:20.526-05:00What is my purpose out here in blog land?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VGVayHmb65cU_XQgt6qAyr7piqkSeyHUB22MQTfpKhHbcPFo0nurtR2CGdvpO6wNWt8E7uGU3XCal5xB4XL19iRq85jfjaMtaXXvLomFbpP86tluU83FcBV7J_vCdzie2JNpHA/s1600-h/purpose.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313481416260037314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VGVayHmb65cU_XQgt6qAyr7piqkSeyHUB22MQTfpKhHbcPFo0nurtR2CGdvpO6wNWt8E7uGU3XCal5xB4XL19iRq85jfjaMtaXXvLomFbpP86tluU83FcBV7J_vCdzie2JNpHA/s320/purpose.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div><p>I've been thinking about this blog lately:</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">What is it's purpose? </div><div align="center">Why am I doing it? </div><div align="center">Should I keep it going? </div><div align="center">Is there anything I can contribute to the masses that may be of interest to someone? Anyone?</div><div><p> </div><div><p>I had hoped when I started this blog 2 1/2 years ago that over time I would be able to answer those questions. I had hoped that this silly little blog would evolve into something of importance [to someone]. Although I still can't answer those questions I have realized that this silly little blog is important to me. I like the fact that it has taken the form of an online scrapbook. I've used it several times already to go back and find a photo, a date or the details of a story... So having said that I've decided to keep it going, for a little while longer anyway. The only change I'm going to provide more substance, sharing information that I personally find useful. Hopefully you will too. </div><br /><br /><div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-2289924006327320252009-01-31T11:04:00.003-06:002009-03-15T14:33:31.841-05:00Crazy Times.This is on the <a href="http://www.dominomag.com/">Domino</a> website:<br /><div align="center"><br /><strong>dear readers<br /></strong>It is with very heavy hearts that we say farewell. Over the last 4 years, in 28 issues, we have done our best to create a great magazine. We started with a real idea—that style is for everyone—and tried to carry it out with stories that provide inspiration and empower you to act on it. From your tremendous response, we know that we were onto something. In this tough economy, however, we simply weren't able to get the advertising support we needed.<br />As domino evolved, we never lost sight of our original democratic premise. Looking back at the manifesto we published in the premiere issue, the first tenet of domino is still the truest: Home should make you happy. We hope we have played a part in making this come true for you.<br />Love,All the editors of domino<br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297505656167665458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 126px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhO7WVURupJPlvKrQyBvC86keW2dH4CSgE3k40qR17m2ggkSD_VgD7ZgMo4yVpxMZL4oyxReI8LYT9C2wcd9h79YE3eZb63-aSMz9nxTMBrrc3wDe2DH4xdofPNOdZAQD7Hkzllw/s200/Domino.bmp" border="0" />I was very surprised to hear the news. Especially since I started receiving this subscription because another subscription I had closed it's doors. This was my replacement, and I really liked it. The website will be up for a few more weeks.Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-70783826936519785102009-01-01T12:56:00.009-06:002009-03-15T15:15:01.195-05:00<p align="center"><a href="http://www.glitterfy.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://img10.glitterfy.com/graphics/349/Newyearcollage.gif" border="0" /></a></p>I hope everyone had a great (and safe) New Years Eve. I'm not sorry to say I'm happy to have said goodbye to 2008. I'm looking forward to all the good that 2009 will bring to everyone!<br /><br />We spent last night (as we have the past +/- five years) with our neighbors. We house hop year after year, all bringing food, drinks and the ever so popluar Catch Phrase. And this year was the first year that everyone didn't run out at 12:05. We waited until at least 12:15. So proud.<br /><br />Today is a day of rest and relaxation. I'm not even putting pressure on myself to take down the tree, a task I'm waiting until Saturday to do. But, the task of removing and storing my decorations has gotten easier thanks to this little beauty:<br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286405580189240754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 187px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraNgd6-_WY87Y74ENVy0Myknr-k1_aroXWG00HixgeFKbNckYbxHMXPz7wpDvmnJtSM_SxF9nH-MZmFSC5ic0WoQFiNjjhmO4hMYzweVQHSFGMxFYcjBezRWj2r5-vxscfaxZnA/s320/Snapware+-+Ornament+Storage.jpg" border="0" /><br />Santa had brought the boys one each last year and I was able to grab another one this year so I can store each of the boys ornaments in their own box and the remaining (mom and dad) ornaments in ours. This way, many, many years from now when the boys decide they must move onto their own place and start their own traditions, I will be able to hand them their own nicely stored boxed of ornaments. I can only hope they continue with the hodge-podged ornament trees instead of the theme related trees so many do these days<em> </em>but it will be their decision at that point. Let's change the subject shall we... </p><p>It's been a long time since I've read a book. I believe the last book I read was Harry Potter - how many years has that been? I decided our time in Florida was a good opportunity to read again so I picked up Nicholas Sparks: <a href="http://www.nicholassparks.com/Novels/TheChoice/Index.html">The Choice</a>. You just can't go wrong with Nicholas Sparks, seriously. It was very good and satisfying. I was able to finish it during the week, a proud accomplishment for me. :-) I wasn't ready to read anymore until we got in the car to head back home, an 18 hour drive. While at the store I ended up picking up a second book in case I needed an alternate selection. I surprised myself when I chose Stephenie Meyers: <a href="http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilight.html">Twilight</a>. I sucummed to the buzz about the book I'll admit it. I knew the movie was out. Although I am not into vampires, would have never dreamed of ever reading a book about them, I decided to commit and give it a try. Know what? It was really good - the buzz was correct! I read for about 14 hours straight, not even getting car sick, and I finished the entire book before we got home. I'm now ready to go out and see the movie and I'm already on chapter 3 of the second book in the series: <a href="http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/newmoon.html">New Moon</a>. What's so exciting for me about this series is it's already out there, and in paperback too! With Harry Potter, I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and watching them evolve book after book, but I hated waiting for each book to come out and when it did being forced to buy the hardback copy which is more expensive and hard to hold (can't snuggle up with a hard back booked as easy!). The benefit to me for the Twilight series is I'm way behind the curve. There's something to be said for not being in the know.<br /><strong></strong><br />One of the Christmas Gifts I had asked for this year was the Wacom <a href="http://www.wacom.com/bambootablet/bamboofun.php">Bamboo Fun </a>tablet. Thanks Dad & Ione for getting it for me! I wanted it to help with photo manipulations but turns out there is so much more you can do. Here's one of Chad's masterpieces: </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286411818638423890" style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 198px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06dUkRgJrXNmuVo_E7M_R4e_ALpyESopOl5Uwc6iRdD90J17RueG6MtNwXP4WG_Iaa5yQcG2eA3nnLKZJmOV3wXfs2DYHrxHsslVVkrxTiHJzJ-s8vn2RhJuMzLnKmOOi-RwTLg/s320/Untitled-1.gif" border="0" /> </p><p>Not too shabby is it?! I can't wait to take the time to really sit down and get a better understand of everything this little beauty can do. Going to be a lot of fun! Another gift I got was one of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Targus-PAUK10U-Ultra-Mini-Keypad/dp/B00008NG7N">these</a> cuties:</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286413979713702754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 194px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 168px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJrr9QiKuyKsk6Y_xHKJ00QiInjap6MCLHaHjTy2Sr-f-9xyZ34LVuzfI78yf9UV0irMXrtUea2hSbx-RZ7SN0sQNcBLnpwzYbs03_KGdeJ2dNRUoUjeXJCIgW-tR1CKVywH_Gg/s320/51TQAN5NHPL__SL500_AA280_.jpg" border="0" />Boring right?! No, it really isn't! I was using it a little bit this morning and it was great! I enter a ton of numbers into my laptop and I really missed not having a 10-key pad. I just hate those numbers at the top of the keyboard, they are so unnatural for me. This little baby connects to my laptop via USB. I know will be a life saver. Thanks boys and JB!</p><p>I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Years Eve. I expect nothing but the best for everyone this year. I have a feeling it's going to be a great one!</p>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-54771103272502547662008-12-23T11:17:00.002-06:002009-03-15T14:36:21.789-05:00No snow for Christmas.<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_yN2NV15GJjyW7c3n2DriTG2IIvgbLlCYUirRjf2iFLaJICzIsYAV_uOKumNximkkk7a3fDYBORm9yQDPVt2Aae4lMA1VQJRHaY-iDCmcUuxm4HRAFqOzKki8ChHtaRoIBLubQ/s1600-h/Palm+Tree+with+Ornaments.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283036031524853314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_yN2NV15GJjyW7c3n2DriTG2IIvgbLlCYUirRjf2iFLaJICzIsYAV_uOKumNximkkk7a3fDYBORm9yQDPVt2Aae4lMA1VQJRHaY-iDCmcUuxm4HRAFqOzKki8ChHtaRoIBLubQ/s320/Palm+Tree+with+Ornaments.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> <em>(Random photo courtesy of Flickr)</em></span></div><em></em><br />I was a bit concerned that I might be sad having Christmas without snow or cold but as we get closer to Florida the weather has changed from 7 degrees when we left to now 72 degrees and I must say it's not at all bad! Our first time out of the car with the warmer weather was wonderful. We are listening to When My Heart Finds Christmas by Harry Connick Jr. and I'm in the front seat hoping my internet connection keeps so I can finish this post. My ds is driving beautifully! Although he's about ready to come up to a very serious decision he is going to have to make. As an early Christmas gift I got some antlers and a big red nose that goes on my car. We haven't put them on yet because we were afraid the excessive highway driving would ruin them but as we get closer to the house we are going to put them on so we can make a grand entrance. The issue is when I got them and initially put them on the car he said he would never drive the car with those on. The decision he is going to have to make is whether or not he will drive the car with them on as we pull up to the house, because he really wants to be the one driving when we arrive. I can't wait to see how this goes. At this point he is saying he is not going to pull over to put them on, but he has another thing coming if he thinks that's not going to happen. <br /><br />This trip has been so much fun. The 18+ hour drive has been relaxing. I've even pulled out my iPod and been listening to music I haven't heard in a very long time. I've spent a majority of the trip listening to a weird, variety of music; MIKA, Amy Winehouse and Darius Rucker specifically. MIKA is just fun and funny. Amy Winehouse has such a unique voice I really like and Darius Rucker is one of my favorites. I have always liked Hootie and the Blowfish and was very happy to hear he had his own album out now. I made sure I grabbed that before coming on this long trip. <br /><br />DH has adapted well to the boys and my road rules. He is normally the one "in charge" on these trips because its just easier that way but since the boys and I made this trip without him earlier in the year we are the experts. He wasn't to sure of Mandy (our TomTom GPS) at the beginning of the trip but now he understands how accurate and good (at least for this trip) she really is. We love our Mandy. He's now cat napping - you go DH. <br /><br />If I don't post before Christmas I hope everyone has a wonderul Christmas no matter where you are. Merry Christmas and looking forward to a very Happy New Year!Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-87192221852027601882008-12-14T23:15:00.002-06:002009-03-15T14:29:41.710-05:00Love this photo.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELTMtLpUXgEg49b94lHRsVF85sho_B9fiIplsNp5ya-wSdN0ED1nnv9gzu40Fmp9gmChmkfrmDm7QjtBWhRDmPXFbg-3JWN9RDFmWt8CurfAb81MLdQMQSU7y7HYS-7EHSb5W-g/s1600-h/Boys+-+Fun+Color.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279881560871064066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELTMtLpUXgEg49b94lHRsVF85sho_B9fiIplsNp5ya-wSdN0ED1nnv9gzu40Fmp9gmChmkfrmDm7QjtBWhRDmPXFbg-3JWN9RDFmWt8CurfAb81MLdQMQSU7y7HYS-7EHSb5W-g/s320/Boys+-+Fun+Color.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I love this photo. This was taken last weekend after all my attempts at getting "proper" photos failed. It was cold outside, the boys were not cooperating and dad was acting crazy at an event being held at the Central West End. We had not planned on attending and the boys were not interested in sitting on Santa's lap or at the very least next to him in his sled. So, this was my attempt at the next best thing and I liked the result. This was a spontaneous photo taken of the boys reacting to their dad's silly antics. It's honest and fun.Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-34648288400599153952008-12-03T19:10:00.003-06:002008-12-03T19:30:02.885-06:00King Tut.Had to share this beauty. Chad made this for a school project out of clay. Go figure a big block of clay could turn into this:<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275737899935620706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XMV0X9IFOag_ToQiEQkGmXLKYVRcJmMdd0s7pGHNw6RQlF4vR_Q3U4kSBbERG7dZiemoEtS_n2v-wmjAWJMyealaL-1SHsblYYikiAmi8DChR4zfsrqdPwXyitgat3MTR8pJGw/s320/IMG_1004.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275740818771369906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzs2ReacIj4Xj3BRY2xpzApk1uMqZx1_hbSIAjg_XE66swE5Hs5b1q9FH-wLHUtMGuo04rFRAKFKKXDQ6OdfxaIOB8yLv0nxl7TEsPiwKtUtQGHq4wlKOsw8BbSeLkCO3ms5bCtQ/s320/King+Tut+-+Close+Up+copy.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>Yeah Chad!<br /></p>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-17633068753295108792008-11-26T21:30:00.002-06:002009-03-15T15:15:25.216-05:00Thank goodness for the internet!Thank goodness for the internet. I mean, really, years ago, how would one at 9:30 at night, the evening before Thanksgiving, look up how long they must cook their 20 lb turkey. Seriously, I love the internet! Yeah Google and Butterball.<br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving to all, and to all a good night!Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-59898675360790025752008-11-22T09:15:00.005-06:002009-03-15T14:51:01.281-05:00My BFF.Ok, so it's been another long spell since I've been blogging. My bad - again. Remember this photo?: <div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFX_aBjLzv42yHfZzGGRay34eh-2LRMonQuoTK7cR3JRNiSROj6sKl4WZk7Lk627fjzVhV06bCVhwxp0I5cubRFkqdetCCnNofoRAtxLvU_GhSGIUvE88EgtbKdXdTJNJ4nt9_A/s1600-h/busy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271501299676210930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFX_aBjLzv42yHfZzGGRay34eh-2LRMonQuoTK7cR3JRNiSROj6sKl4WZk7Lk627fjzVhV06bCVhwxp0I5cubRFkqdetCCnNofoRAtxLvU_GhSGIUvE88EgtbKdXdTJNJ4nt9_A/s320/busy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div>Well it still applies. But not necessarily in a bad way. I've been working in the office for the past couple of months (I usually work from home) and I've been doing two + jobs at the same time which is challenging but I'm actually having a blast. The office is so much fun, lots of laughs and good things happening. I'm making some new friends along the way which is always a good thing. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>I'm also doing some work with <a href="http://www.facingourrisk.org/">FORCE</a>. Wish I could do more but I can only do so much - so I keep telling myself. My goal is to in the next few months have freed up some of my time to really devote some serious time to FORCE. Fingers crossed! Having said that I did just get done writing a short article to acknowledge their 10 year anniversary. 10 years - wow! The article focused on what FORCE has meant to me and about <a href="http://thinkoutsidethebox2.blogspot.com/2007/12/time-magazine.html">Previvor</a>. Although it only a short article one would think I was writing a novel with how long it took me to pull it all together. Obviously, from my blog postings, I'm not a writer at heart! </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>To add to my list of to do's, I'm also gearing up in my mind to carve out time to work on a design portfolio and study for some testing I want to take, design wise. Really getting excited about this. Things that have been swirling in my head for a long time are finally coming together and I'm putting together some missing pieces. Still a long road ahead but one I'm starting to move on which is very exciting. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>I'm now, today, getting ready for Thanksgiving. Have some wonderful people coming to our home, specifically My BFF:<br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Z0rK6Sv0hZ2J7Gmfz3fp57JulMVDI2WmCCgL3yMFVIG4SYt5LES9fZg1wEBKtM-R_tVuWDzZ4V7QUWZtCMkxh4OlACB90nQ3nzIc1KKIBT_7c-nVCFsWc6V7Sz58AGmUms1udA/s1600-h/Bec-&-I.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271503852713923570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 194px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Z0rK6Sv0hZ2J7Gmfz3fp57JulMVDI2WmCCgL3yMFVIG4SYt5LES9fZg1wEBKtM-R_tVuWDzZ4V7QUWZtCMkxh4OlACB90nQ3nzIc1KKIBT_7c-nVCFsWc6V7Sz58AGmUms1udA/s320/Bec-&-I.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><em>She's the one on the left for those not in the know. </em></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>I got to spend some quality time with her last night which was so much fun. We met at the mall, had a couple glasses of wine and shopped. I was able to secure a great birthday present for dh, something I've been searching for and haven't been able to find (can't share in case he is reading - will share later). We discussed Thanksgiving and how she is going to come early to help and spend the night. We are going to play games and hang out. I can't wait!!</div><div> </div><div>I have a lot to complete before then so Ibetter get going. I'm slowly starting to hyperventilate (did I spell that right?) as all of a sudden a million to do's have started popping up in my mind. So, on that note, I'd better go! If I don't *talk* to everyone before then Happy Thanksgiving! I'm going to leave you with this idea:</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uL6h_N6y8M6BR6zzQP_qxcCJJLzJ9Yd9jmGBUon1ausvyq0IogH0vxpQnSWWzvhnL0iDmAlCM0AaFewZW-X2OzwcPWuDgWpa8kj_krir5myg9EI53C5lr2N0N8csw_Jk9_UtGQ/s1600-h/clip_image001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271506888914210546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 222px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6uL6h_N6y8M6BR6zzQP_qxcCJJLzJ9Yd9jmGBUon1ausvyq0IogH0vxpQnSWWzvhnL0iDmAlCM0AaFewZW-X2OzwcPWuDgWpa8kj_krir5myg9EI53C5lr2N0N8csw_Jk9_UtGQ/s320/clip_image001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I wish I had the nerve to try this (accomplished by strategically placing pieces of aluminum foil molding appropriately). Let me know if anyone has the nerve - and share pictures! LOL.</div><div> </div><div>Happy Thanksgiving!</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-68111750921995436582008-11-04T21:34:00.002-06:002009-03-15T15:13:40.424-05:00Did you?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItEjHr-FayvKQ4QAnpiqiYyklqPJZLzaSStQTkgPiBkvvRigohh-rAsYVThVFIW1WyOpwtXJG8BPNxMz3Iuo_a974IZLAxnYGQ9chztRHYpjU_niR82uPq1SkwZQg7cX0NHEUMg/s1600-h/victorystore00_2025_39343679.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265011781652600882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 128px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 70px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItEjHr-FayvKQ4QAnpiqiYyklqPJZLzaSStQTkgPiBkvvRigohh-rAsYVThVFIW1WyOpwtXJG8BPNxMz3Iuo_a974IZLAxnYGQ9chztRHYpjU_niR82uPq1SkwZQg7cX0NHEUMg/s320/victorystore00_2025_39343679.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>No matter the outcome I'm proud I woke up early, waited in line 1 hour and voted. Did you? </div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-35409285712154262752008-10-26T19:49:00.013-05:002009-03-15T15:13:56.569-05:00Meet Bob.<div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighvn9oDnHDNxqggnooH9JOnxq6qubSuc6G05-FYZvVYtfYusxDuyr17VX53FHHllksN8xYapDOxxqDe7G4-2ezVaWMZyETxw1U-jdRoouzmqYSPGzQAJO43BLz3-x-jvzis5WdQ/s1600-h/IMG_0770.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261632119271364562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighvn9oDnHDNxqggnooH9JOnxq6qubSuc6G05-FYZvVYtfYusxDuyr17VX53FHHllksN8xYapDOxxqDe7G4-2ezVaWMZyETxw1U-jdRoouzmqYSPGzQAJO43BLz3-x-jvzis5WdQ/s320/IMG_0770.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is Bob.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY458O-EDb0hzjPeDtYXbHart156jYhmESGUTJWDPG6aVeL67yu5WWBaKhvQbyGIzwRvYGKL6gQ6I2egANRFJr1vJMQR2Br7e8PMs4ZR_8r_UZJ6rxOkmpC68-1mSrvYCRMzioBg/s1600-h/IMG_0771.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261639500243728738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY458O-EDb0hzjPeDtYXbHart156jYhmESGUTJWDPG6aVeL67yu5WWBaKhvQbyGIzwRvYGKL6gQ6I2egANRFJr1vJMQR2Br7e8PMs4ZR_8r_UZJ6rxOkmpC68-1mSrvYCRMzioBg/s320/IMG_0771.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>Bob is handsome and mighty.<br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPtuQfFljyNidi8psq4seQHzHgjx1uEG8WBRJ1Quhiavx3gP4r7K7YKesM3twiIEDdwk5BA3twG1urtHp9Jl8eGOwjiIV6dyeSonUZo-7eYn-1e9au09MviglCFREkt5O_NX4nQ/s1600-h/IMG_0769.jpg"></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPtuQfFljyNidi8psq4seQHzHgjx1uEG8WBRJ1Quhiavx3gP4r7K7YKesM3twiIEDdwk5BA3twG1urtHp9Jl8eGOwjiIV6dyeSonUZo-7eYn-1e9au09MviglCFREkt5O_NX4nQ/s1600-h/IMG_0769.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261641233066029618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPtuQfFljyNidi8psq4seQHzHgjx1uEG8WBRJ1Quhiavx3gP4r7K7YKesM3twiIEDdwk5BA3twG1urtHp9Jl8eGOwjiIV6dyeSonUZo-7eYn-1e9au09MviglCFREkt5O_NX4nQ/s320/IMG_0769.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>The only thing is... </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Bob likes to taste young children.<br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0Z8j0yX8OHnvbUQ-Z88u5y7LZZCxgv8JdOxzcATEHK9w5yA68gzSicpqOi_wVO1-tEErEfunc8UtDKfR6CbNoJVaK6rqtxMNINuGuHGd0jDintrkGQ8tV7UKNcovrfwfa2euNw/s1600-h/Eat+Hand.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261645059663104066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 281px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0Z8j0yX8OHnvbUQ-Z88u5y7LZZCxgv8JdOxzcATEHK9w5yA68gzSicpqOi_wVO1-tEErEfunc8UtDKfR6CbNoJVaK6rqtxMNINuGuHGd0jDintrkGQ8tV7UKNcovrfwfa2euNw/s320/Eat+Hand.jpg" border="0" /></a>Seriously.</div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div></div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em> </div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em> </div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Names have been changed to protect the innocent - or not so innocent in this case.</span></em></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-50883813053598109792008-10-18T10:15:00.011-05:002009-03-15T14:35:21.047-05:00Life or Death? The Emperor's Proposition - The Answer<em><blockquote><p><em>You are a prisoner sentenced to death. The Emperor offers you a chance to live by playing a simple game. He gives you 50 black marbles, 50 white marbles, and 2 empty bowls. He then says, "Divide these 100 marbles into these 2 bowls. You can divide them any way you like as long as you use all the marbles. Then I will blindfold you and mix the bowls around. You then can choose one bowl and remove ONE marble. If the marble is WHITE you will live, but if the marble is BLACK... you will die." </em></p><p><em>How do you divide the marbles up so that you have the greatest probability of choosing a WHITE marble?</em></p></blockquote></em><br />The Answer: <br />Place 1 white marble in one bowl, and place the rest of the marbles in the other bowl (40 white, and 50 blacks). This way you begin with a 50/50 chance of choosing the bowl with just one white marble, therefore life! BUT even if you choose the other bowl, you still have ALMOST a 50/50 chance at picking one of the 49 white marbles.<br /><br />So how did you do? What would you have done? Can you image being in a position to make a choice like this? I stumbled upon this yesterday in the mail from Duke University TIP Program and knew immediately that I wanted to share this with you. It wasn't until I was typing the answer that I realized why this particular brain teaser resonated with me so much. See I was once faced with a 50/50 proposition and I knew the answer to my "teaser" would also change my life significantly. The possibility of an untimely death was also involved.<br /><br />In December, 1999 I discovered that the breast cancer gene BRCA1 was in my family and that it was probable that my mother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 31, had this gene. It was explained to me by a certified genetic counselor that this meant I had a 50/50 chance of having it. If I fell on the good side of 50/50 I would have a normal population of breast cancer risk. But if I fell on the wrong side, I would be at high risk for not only breast cancer but ovarian cancer as well. It was my choice whether or not I wanted to undergo genetic testing to find out which side I fell on. What would you do?Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-28923967722133947512008-10-18T10:07:00.004-05:002009-03-15T14:43:33.717-05:00Life or Death? The Emperor's PropositionYou are a prisoner sentenced to death. The Emperor offers you a chance to live by playing a simple game. He gives you 50 black marbles, 50 white marbles, and 2 empty bowls. He then says, "Divide these 100 marbles into these 2 bowls. You can divide them any way you like as long as you use all the marbles. Then I will blindfold you and mix the bowls around. You then can choose one bowl and remove ONE marble. If the marble is WHITE you will live, but if the marble is BLACK... you will die."<br /><br />How do you divide the marbles up so that you have the greatest probability of choosing a WHITE marble?<br /><br /><em>Answer tomorrow.</em>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-46062513794863116022008-09-28T22:50:00.007-05:002009-03-15T15:14:21.237-05:00Been Busy. Very Busy.<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Sn1w2luwG8JYhEAuo_VlEzDLsd_gzMboEDYm1l-QvWAFP2Q1aZQbZYfJ15EFNxiJSJWXNzxXjY_9n4o9kg-6Zen2UigmvRwcQDyK0fdbD-tFQqsT6YN5xEXbvQqz1ytstTQTfA/s1600-h/busy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251286116810860050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Sn1w2luwG8JYhEAuo_VlEzDLsd_gzMboEDYm1l-QvWAFP2Q1aZQbZYfJ15EFNxiJSJWXNzxXjY_9n4o9kg-6Zen2UigmvRwcQDyK0fdbD-tFQqsT6YN5xEXbvQqz1ytstTQTfA/s320/busy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>This is where I'm at right now. Keep your fingers crossed I'll be able to be back soon.</div><div> </div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-84476384649309170082008-09-13T21:54:00.003-05:002008-09-13T22:32:22.522-05:00WhzzzzzUP?Too much - that's what! Some of what I've been up to lately includes (but is <strong>not</strong> limited to):<br /><div></div><br /><div>Working in the office (this is a temporary situation but one taking up most of my time lately)</div><div></div><br /><div>Nutrisystem. So far so good, fingers crossed. DH and I appear to have made it thru the hardest part (Friday and Saturday!) We ate out twice but we had salads both times and this evening we even <strong>shared</strong> one. Kudos to us! I did have sips of diet drinks today (<strong>not</strong> a favorite of mine!) but I couldn't go to McDonalds and not have a soda. Have you ever tried a McD salad? Surpringly good. I <strong>never</strong> thought I'd say that! I've only been on Nutrisystem since Monday but I feel better already. Good experience so far. Hope we can keep it up. DH and I are totally getting into trading since we are realizing that our food is basically the same. For the most part I really like the food but there are some things I'm just not a fan of and vice versa. It's kind of exciting like the rush you get when you trade cards or collect beanie babies. That of course was when I did those types of things - LOL!</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.stpetersbmx.com/">BMX Racing</a>. The Redline Cup which is the 2008 Central Finals was in our backyard this weekend and we got to spend some of our day today there watching family. I had cousins from Tulsa in to race so we got to spend some quality time with them. Sad to say but this was the first time my boys got to meet one of their cousins. Ok, it's a second counsin once removd minus four. LOL. My own little joke, sorry about that. It was my cousin and his son. So I think Nick (Rick's son) and the boys are second cousins, right? If my Grandmama was still with us she would be able to tell us. She was so good at all of that!! No matter, we still had a great time seeing them. And to top it off Nick got 1st both last night and today in his group. Way to go!</div><br /><div></div><div>Potential Haircut. I'm getting antsy and a bit anxious for a change and it's leading me towards a new haircut. I really want to end up with <a href="http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art20404.asp">this</a> but my hair is too short so I think I'm going to have to start off with a short inverted stacked bob so it could grow out to this (with slight bangs). I'm just not sure until I lose weight if the tweener look would work for me. </div><br /><div></div><div>Design. Been having fun in my spare and very limited time to help my step-mom with some custom bedding. We've been looking at fabric and design styles. Fun. Wish I had more time for things like this. It's so enjoyable and relaxing. </div><br /><div></div><div>Holiday Season. Can't believe it but I'm starting to think about this. I believe it all stems from the fact that DH and I are going to stay on Nutrisystem until Thanksgiving at which time we will eat and drink (yes wine!) normal. So I'm already really looking forward to Thanksgiving and the thought of mash potatoes. Then I start thinking about Christmas because that's the next time I'll get to eat for real because we will continue back on Nutrisystem in December. Then this leads to thinking of Christmas, gifts and plans. I'm kind of excited. Fun times ahead!</div><br /><div></div><div>Home Improvements. Our coffee table broke again. It broke about a month ago and I was so fed up with it I had the boys carry it to the basement to retire it. Having gone a month without one I'm now ready to tackle it again and re-attach the top to the base. Last night I had a dream about how I could fix it. I really want to do this. I also need to finish sewing window treatments for the kitchen. Very simple treatments but still need a good block of time. Although I haven't been up to finishing these projects I have been up to thinking a lot about each of them. Does that count?</div><br /><div></div><div>Speaking of design, I'm going to end this post with an inspirational photo for me. I just love the shelves, how they are positioned and displayed. Unique and definately thinking outside of the box. </div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245711478797943746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJkQXKOm9clWVksYWfvjJKpSmHpmg3eKTSCUo2hek-nmCMShUMoqJvchKzNWlRMI8wr45ptUAw8Uzt5-nFO9EN-dUxpaHI9CPJ3JHk86Ey9pu9ie9wpRw0ntdzC4rJ6qH8XK0uw/s320/8.png" border="0" /><br /><div></div>Off to find pictures of hairstyles!Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-31031248341176883592008-08-28T21:54:00.003-05:002009-03-15T14:47:10.975-05:00The lobsters have arrived!The lobsters have arrived. That's what Alex told me earlier today. Actually he said something along the lines of, "Come home and eat all your lobsters!" If he only knew. See, DH and I are taking a BIG step and are trying Nutrisystem. So unlike us. So crazy. But necessary. Our lives are too busy and our waist lines keep growing, significantly, so we are going to try this. Both of us, at the same time. The boys, although happy about us trying this and supportive, are worried they will never eat again. When first told what we were going to do Alex made the comment about how they were going to get nothing while we ate nothing but lobsters all the time. LOL! Today, dh's box came but mine has yet to arrive. I peeled open his box and started reading all the food. What was obvious was the portion sizes. DH couldn't wait and tried a bag of honey pretzels. LOL. I had to remind him that we have a lot to learn about portion sizes. A LOT TO LEARN obviously by the size of these portions. But, we (I'm) open minded about this whole new direction. <em>I did have to make the disclaimer that if he ate all of his 28 days of food in 15 days that he was going to starve for the remaining 13 days. And I'm serious about that! </em>We have nothing to lose but weight so we are going for it. I'll post pictures of the boxes soon. Keep your fingers crossed that we become healthy and small!Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-12589235938946237462008-08-22T10:27:00.005-05:002008-08-22T11:27:18.144-05:00Am I Cheating?<div style="text-align: left;">I'm feeling a little guilty and I think I need to confess. See, I'm a PC girl at heart but I finally gave into the prompts to download Apple's Safari. I've ignored it not wanting to give in to the temptation but this morning I had a weakness. In order to install a new gadget to my iPhone (see I've already started to turn apple-ish) I had to update my iTunes (again, another apple-ish product) and Safari was lumped in there with the download. I just didn't take the time to sort out only what I needed and I let it all download. Of course once it was sitting on my computer the temptation to open it up and try it was just too much for a PC girl to bare. So, I did it. I opened it - see the proof below: <br /></div><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhnOYboH6apm5aXUKuTHsUi7vPr7r8MWPi3D9xPc7pLdWi_jDBdCdFaWU61HIK2LPr4dApazdEPgw8ToDzK_v_cwUyaKjJXDyY7yMacpx6m0dIQ11VCVoJI_c4fwaCZzLFaMlwA/s1600-h/Safari.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhnOYboH6apm5aXUKuTHsUi7vPr7r8MWPi3D9xPc7pLdWi_jDBdCdFaWU61HIK2LPr4dApazdEPgw8ToDzK_v_cwUyaKjJXDyY7yMacpx6m0dIQ11VCVoJI_c4fwaCZzLFaMlwA/s320/Safari.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237366674152544866" /></a></p><div>A pretty sleek looking site. Now I'm curious. I already had a feel for what Apple can provide with my iPhone. And, I have to admit that Chad and I went into the Apple store to pick up an accessory for my phone and we did stop and dare I say touched the MacBook Air. Nice. And when I see on TV shows the iMac, my heart skips a beat a little bit. I've even found myself giggling at those ridiculous Apple/PC commercials where Apple is so simple and PC so not. But NO, I'm a PC girl! I am waaaaay too invested in the PC. 15 years of learning all about the PC, messing with it, purchasing software. I'm way too emotionally and financially invested in PC, so is my family - all PC lovers. Plus, I don't want to be out of the loop with my family. We all need to communicate. We all need to be compatible. It is for these reasons I will remain with my PC. I've heard rumors that Apple is much more PC friendly these days and there might be ways to work thru this. But for me I'm sticking with PC. I'll just continue to dabble with the "accessories". Play with Safari browser. See how it goes. But hey you Apple people you. If you are ever looking for a loyal PCer to test your MacBook Air or iMac give me a call, email me or post on this blog. I *might* be tempted to give it a test drive. </div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFQUIG-7rndd_2-Hg_ZU7PidFf3dhFxN4TwdJG8BuboOjJkvs_9lZwaw-I09zq5gX_Z42mFMv_MDYkZ_r7z-aokoAK9DdGTiwWh9TJmimZRCOTa8H8DOrXIQnQ91y1Xd1z6gNPQ/s1600-h/Blog+-+Safari.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFQUIG-7rndd_2-Hg_ZU7PidFf3dhFxN4TwdJG8BuboOjJkvs_9lZwaw-I09zq5gX_Z42mFMv_MDYkZ_r7z-aokoAK9DdGTiwWh9TJmimZRCOTa8H8DOrXIQnQ91y1Xd1z6gNPQ/s320/Blog+-+Safari.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237378332959645666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></span></span></div><br /><div>And who knows, if you're as good as you claim to be, there is a huge line of PCers I know that could be converted. </div><div><br /></div></div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-79898818129281473762008-08-04T09:20:00.004-05:002009-03-15T15:39:06.942-05:00MIA - Again.My bad. Been busy - doing a little bit (or rather a lot of bit) of everything. Going in many different directions at one time and starting to wish this wasn't the case. Doing too many things, means I'm not a master of any! Got to change that!<br /><br />Getting ready to take a short trip to Chicago for a work conference. Wasn't too excited to go. I've been to Chicago a bunch of times and I'd rather stay home and work some unfinished design projects, like our master bedroom. I'm stuck because I'm trying to find a unique duvet cover so I can finalize my color pallet, but that is easier said then done. I really, really like the <a href="http://www.isawitin.com/pd_ps_i_love_you_hillary_swanks_bedding.cfm">bedding</a> shown in the movie <strong>P.S. I Love You. </strong>(Ignore Hillary Swank in her bra - really just look at the bedding!). Unfortunately I have discovered this bedding was a prior years collection of <a href="http://www.johnrobshaw.com/index.cfm">John Robshaw Textiles</a> and is no longer available. Bad news. As a side note, check out what's on the <a href="http://www.reeltalktv.com/2008/05/ps_i_love_you_bedding_1.php">wall</a> behind her bed. Isn't that cool?! Reminds me of some of <a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/2008/07/design-star-3-chatting-with-jennifer.html">Jennifer Bertrand's art on the walls </a>used in some of her designs. I'm loving swirls, in home design and scrapbooking. I'm pretty sure something like this will show up in our master bedroom somewhere. I might have to take out some fabric paint and make my own duvet with these swirls. Hmmmm, that could be interesting!<br /><br />I also want to finish our kitchen cabinets. Remember they've been painted but I need to finish the top with a build up of crown moulding and then over/under cabinet lighting. Once this is done I can move onto tiling the backsplash. I've resolved I'm not going to be getting a double oven anytime soon so I need to just finish it with the current design. The problem, I can't find the one piece of moulding I need. Here is a picture:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWsYjXsrH70qqw_IdqeG2sKk38dy8Y8jxRaWfSdW9_R4gvGHb7XJAwu1HX6SDGArnJcXfS2ifOKrxLy6X-553KsCLfn9pI-LJ7TBscAMNi2OjAOCJBImxyQ93s4fiPajE848lDQ/s1600-h/IMG_0346.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230668414529792994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWsYjXsrH70qqw_IdqeG2sKk38dy8Y8jxRaWfSdW9_R4gvGHb7XJAwu1HX6SDGArnJcXfS2ifOKrxLy6X-553KsCLfn9pI-LJ7TBscAMNi2OjAOCJBImxyQ93s4fiPajE848lDQ/s320/IMG_0346.jpg" border="0" /></a>This is a piece I picked up about four years ago at <a href="http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=home">Lowes</a> and of course they no longer carry it. It was just an average in-stock piece! They have apparently changed their distributors (last year) and no one can tell me who carried this piece. I want to use this on the bottom of our cabinets and at the top, upside down. I would then build up the top to add crown moulding (either regular or cove moulding) at the very tip top. I have already spent significant time trying to track down this piece and no such luck, visiting local woodworking companies, other home improvement stores, numerous websites. My next step is to call Lowes headquarters to see if they can provide me any direction what so ever but I'm not holding out much luck. Any suggestions?<br /><br />I'd also like to design and build a couple pieces for our outdoor living area. I want an island for cooking and a buffet table to put food and utensils on. I have ideas in my head, just need to go gather some of the pieces from a local architectural salvage store and start building.<br /><br />So, with all of these design things swirling around in my head, I see the time we are going out of town as a great opportunity for uninterrupted design work at home. But, I have to be a good spouse and go on this trip, reluctantly. But then this morning I realized that our hotel is located not too far from the Chicago <a href="http://www.merchandisemart.com/mmart/index.cfm">Merchandise Mart</a>. Be still my foolish heart, a design meca right around the corner. I've always wanted to go there and in looking at our iteniary I should have some significant time to peruse it. And, I should be able to get into the designer only areas. This trip might not be so bad afterall!Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-31191199530484002072008-07-11T11:44:00.002-05:002009-03-15T15:08:36.259-05:00You talking to me?<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v360/CBeaud5596/Blog/OscarAnimation-1.gif"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v360/CBeaud5596/Blog/OscarAnimation-1.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v360/CBeaud5596/Blog/OSCARANIMATION.gif"></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-87774160743092900502008-07-10T19:49:00.003-05:002008-07-10T20:42:47.224-05:00Birthday Bash.First there was this:<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v360/CBeaud5596/Blog/IMG_0342.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v360/CBeaud5596/Blog/IMG_0342.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>Then there was this:<br /></div><br /><div></div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v360/CBeaud5596/Blog/IMG_0331.jpg" border="0" /><br />And let me tell you, there has been a lot of that over the last few days! My baby is now 15 and driving with a permit. He is offering to go everywhere he knows I like to go, as long as he gets to drive of course. lol. Despite gas prices, we are getting in the car a lot and taking back roads (which means longer drives) so he can get experience. I'm already anxious for him to get good enough to be able to drive on more traveled on roads. He's doing really good, although at times he forgets it's not the same as driving his old kart. <br /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v360/CBeaud5596/Blog/0516697-R1-046-21A_edited-2.jpg" border="0" />No Alex. You do <strong>not</strong> accelerate at the apex of a turn! I know you had to do that in your kart so you could get the most from the turn but you do not do it now! It took me several turns to figure out what the heck was happening. LOL. <br /><p></p><p>Alex's hat in the first picture is actually Oscar's birthday hat. We celebrated his birthday a couple days earlier so it was already out. Later that evening Alex had some friends over for a movie on the deck. I think they had a really good time.</p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v360/CBeaud5596/Blog/IMG_0344.jpg" border="0" /><br />And to wrap things up, fireworks just for him. <br /><br /><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v360/CBeaud5596/Blog/IMG_0317.jpg" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v360/CBeaud5596/Blog/IMG_0290.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>Ok, not just for him but we like to think so. These are my horrible attempt at photographing fireworks. I need to figure out how to master this skill. Kind of hard when you really only get to practice once a year. </p>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-1734688306711457412008-07-10T12:04:00.011-05:002009-03-15T15:08:36.260-05:00Smooch.Look how handsome and strong Oscar looks.<br /><br /><p><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v360/CBeaud5596/Blog/IMG_0205.jpg"></a><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v360/CBeaud5596/Blog/IMG_0205.jpg" border="0" />I think I must take a closer look...<br /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v360/CBeaud5596/Blog/IMG_0206.jpg" border="0" />Oh, he's so smoochable. Maybe just a bit closer so I can really study his handsomeness. <em>Is that a word?<br /></em><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v360/CBeaud5596/Blog/IMG_0207.jpg" border="0" /> I wonder what he's thinking? I can't get over those crooked teeth. So unique. So him. Very smoochable, and I'm not the only one wanting a closer look as you can plainly see.<br /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v360/CBeaud5596/Blog/IMG_0230.jpg" border="0" /> I dare you to look this close into his handsome face without feeling the urge to follow it up with one of these.<br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v360/CBeaud5596/Blog/IMG_0231.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>See, I'm not the only one thinking he's smoochable. Oscars got a face not only a mother should love.</p>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31721156.post-25152220036181529302008-06-26T12:37:00.010-05:002008-06-26T13:44:24.141-05:00My new baby.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBGB-2mKaJ5IFlO4IRsIF2GxOHpcVz-cCFH8K1KMeb3ZI2kJvP8RuhoDDey5KX_QGFWGSqD57ZOL13LEDvCwGZSc2m2cOaIA_o1w0IQhC17p_djGeOnuI8PjInYh-9P9NWwDGpw/s1600-h/IMG_0223-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216245999287423330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBGB-2mKaJ5IFlO4IRsIF2GxOHpcVz-cCFH8K1KMeb3ZI2kJvP8RuhoDDey5KX_QGFWGSqD57ZOL13LEDvCwGZSc2m2cOaIA_o1w0IQhC17p_djGeOnuI8PjInYh-9P9NWwDGpw/s320/IMG_0223-1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Saved up my pennies (with a little help from an early birthday gift) and got *her*. I stuck with Canon since I already had two other lenses from my 35mm days and I really do *heart* Canon. She is the newest arrival from Canon and is literally the baby of the dslr bunch. She is smallest and lightest of them all, so petite is she! (I should have put a pink bow on her darn-it!) As I did my research I realized that the weight issue ended up being a big deal for me with how I wanted to use the camera. I'm not a professional, although I wouldn't mind being a <a href="http://en.mimi.hu/photography/prosumer.html">prosumer</a> someday. I believe this camera will take me to where I need to go even as my needs change. And, to make it even better, she was the least costly model (even though this newest arrival apparently has significant upgrades from the previous one). Yeah!<br /><br />I'm having fun trying new things and looking forward to taking a couple classes on how to use it from Creve Coeur Camera. I decided to go to the pro's when getting this baby so I would have more support and direction then I've ever gotten before. Best Buy, although a great store, just doesn't care too much once you've left the premises.<br /><br />Just as with any new baby you have to buy cute clothes. So, I'm looking closely at one of <a href="http://www.zoescollection.com/camerastrap.php">these</a>:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdFaTcGOAQtiyPDxAkflA_qCklZfad53h6JXvK2dxSDzCkSg6xTlxv1OuOCqOdFebHo2efejuMF4KcTL_e80bpypdrZLhjR3-qE3fQ1LrHngXzy5GWd_ib4CXyvlnGI20SJ-MUA/s1600-h/IMG_4162.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216259079117609442" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdFaTcGOAQtiyPDxAkflA_qCklZfad53h6JXvK2dxSDzCkSg6xTlxv1OuOCqOdFebHo2efejuMF4KcTL_e80bpypdrZLhjR3-qE3fQ1LrHngXzy5GWd_ib4CXyvlnGI20SJ-MUA/s200/IMG_4162.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZ9Da1Ks-CfRGKL4TQgJCw-AeUyAyM0g3VXdlGyoIKhGop8jmztxOdRFVxSvUn2rA4JTX49J2hfjTcC_m7dn5KqV7SNb21IosjYwqNpHi4LapDUiC63ib3ghYlLxQ8cehEUYWqw/s1600-h/IMG_4235.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216259382801505138" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZ9Da1Ks-CfRGKL4TQgJCw-AeUyAyM0g3VXdlGyoIKhGop8jmztxOdRFVxSvUn2rA4JTX49J2hfjTcC_m7dn5KqV7SNb21IosjYwqNpHi4LapDUiC63ib3ghYlLxQ8cehEUYWqw/s200/IMG_4235.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSK8SGKEZiaRN3TcHhAd6zMdc_MpQjQGZRTWVaRP64_T4jvq_vU-nZpYDBunYHhc5vQFOkx-k1SOw8nycez6KIP7JnI8T5eRPo1XrismQ7Z4X2IfeEsgCTl3dVfilPPzcGadTBJw/s1600-h/IMG_4222.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216259294973292002" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSK8SGKEZiaRN3TcHhAd6zMdc_MpQjQGZRTWVaRP64_T4jvq_vU-nZpYDBunYHhc5vQFOkx-k1SOw8nycez6KIP7JnI8T5eRPo1XrismQ7Z4X2IfeEsgCTl3dVfilPPzcGadTBJw/s200/IMG_4222.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRRFf5xs-b0tdHBGvwt6Pz_qjFngmMYXj0lxh5hKqDfGt79VKdNv_VKn6lQEmCez3U1Ead-nxGlSb0NahDzucLSYc0yIDVCnueRQX00wdvf9JWixG336_TvLJPI5SmfndOLRzlA/s1600-h/IMG_4196.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216259210491190338" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRRFf5xs-b0tdHBGvwt6Pz_qjFngmMYXj0lxh5hKqDfGt79VKdNv_VKn6lQEmCez3U1Ead-nxGlSb0NahDzucLSYc0yIDVCnueRQX00wdvf9JWixG336_TvLJPI5SmfndOLRzlA/s200/IMG_4196.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and also <a href="http://www.jill-e.com/med_choc_suede_cb.html">this</a>:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJfw7QcGB__Mp2QZQANfTOfJf8r3iXDZTSmXesrXj5UkYbW1rjy1zfoiDftKJJGIIHcUIlxA2svjiu__nGguiUmmTZhz8PMZYkh0QRmVpbKO2DZOZocOmU8E8hiX7RMInQsxA0g/s1600-h/DSC_9783-chocolate_med.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216260449787175090" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJfw7QcGB__Mp2QZQANfTOfJf8r3iXDZTSmXesrXj5UkYbW1rjy1zfoiDftKJJGIIHcUIlxA2svjiu__nGguiUmmTZhz8PMZYkh0QRmVpbKO2DZOZocOmU8E8hiX7RMInQsxA0g/s200/DSC_9783-chocolate_med.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The strap I can swing now, but the uber cool camera bag will have to wait. So, which strap do you think?Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805765467072418019noreply@blogger.com2