tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217159432024-03-13T08:06:40.012-04:00We Are Not in Kansas AnymoreA Blog of Ramblings from a Teacher Mamamindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.comBlogger122125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-8342278090165769612019-06-24T11:40:00.003-04:002019-06-26T15:31:32.553-04:00Teaching is HardI'm have been teaching in some capacity since 2003. I started out as a substitute teacher and did that while I went BACK to school and got my teaching certification through a <a href="https://www.odu.edu/cepd/career-switcher">Career Switchers Program</a>. This is a great way to go if you have already graduated from college, by the way. It took about six months to complete (going two nights per week and every Saturday morning) and I got a job right out of the gate. I interviewed at two middle schools and <a href="https://www.lcps.org/srms">one of them</a> offered me my first job. <br />
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I started out teaching sixth grade ELA (English and Language Arts) and did that for two years in northern Virginia. Then I got married and moved to Maryland and taught a year of seventh grade ELA there. This brings me to my first beef - it is not easy to move a teaching certificate from state to state. Each state has different requirements for teachers. Moving oftentimes means going back to undergrad to take a history class or something that you did not take that they think you need to take. Ugh. Luckily, Virginia to Maryland wasn't too bad and I could start right away. I had two interviews and got a job offer from <a href="http://elms.hcpss.org/">one of those</a>.<br />
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My husband's job has us relocating quite a bit. We are not military family mobile, but pretty mobile all the same, moving every 3-6 years. After Baltimore, we moved to Bloomington, Indiana. There I went back to subbing because there were no teaching positions to be found. Indiana University is right there and it is a teacher factory. I had a second job during this time as a medical assistant, which I kept for four years - teachers don't make enough money to live off of one job. We often need to work two. I honestly had such a hard time getting back into teaching that I almost went to nursing school. I took more classes and tests, and got my Indiana teaching license. I subbed for two years and then landed a job at a <a href="http://theprepschool.net/">private school </a>teaching pre-K and then kindergarten. I even started a <a href="https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/ms-in-education">Masters program</a>. Then, guess what? We moved.<br />
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To Illinois. For whatever reason, Illinois does not make it easy to get a teaching certificate. I subbed for a year, was an aide for a year and then got a <a href="https://www.wps60.org/GFES">job</a> as a fifth grade teacher, which then segued into a first grade position (big jump here, and not legal to make a teacher do this, but did it anyway). I loved working with a predominantly Hispanic population. The families were as supportive as they could be and the I felt like I was making a positive impact. After those two years, Illinois changed the licensing requirements and I was no longer eligible to teach - after getting a Masters of Science in Education and teaching for eight years. Soooooo, back to school I went, and became a paraprofessional in the meantime. By the way, I was also working at a bookstore and tutoring students to supplement my income during this time. Finally, I landed my <a href="https://www.whsd1.org/">dream job</a> teaching fifth grade math and science. Then we moved.<br />
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To California. For those of you who don't know, California makes it very difficult to get a teaching license. It was a big move for my girls and so I planned to take a year off to help them acclimate. I joined a gym and signed up for Pilate's. In that class, I met two teachers and they recruited me. I started guest-teaching at their school in February and was offered a job teaching fifth grade for next year. I have my substitute certificate in California, but since it is a private school, I do not have to be licensed in CA. I just have to have a teaching certification somewhere, and my Illinois license is still good. My plan is to apply for my CA certification while I am teaching and get that in place. I'm teaching in a private school again. The people are kind and the classes are small (~20 kids). I mostly teach math and science but have a reading and writing section thrown in as well. I have a teaching assistant and my partner, who teaches mostly humanities and ELA, and she has a teaching assistant as well. I feel very fortunate, and a little out of my element. The families are wealthy and the school provides for everything. Honestly, I have run the gamut in my career.<br />
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I have been in this field for 16 years. I have seen many teachers come and go. This is an honorable, difficult profession. We don't teach for the money - we do it because it is a calling. I work through the summer, planning for the next year, meeting with teachers, planning field trips, decorating and organizing my room. During the school year, I work 8-9 hours per day in the building and then work 1-2 hours per night at home. I stay late on Fridays getting ready for the week ahead. If I call in sick, I have to plan out every minute of my day for someone else to (hopefully) teach my students. If someone else calls in sick, I have to use my planning time to cover their class. I get multiple emails per day from parents, who are oftentimes asking questions that would have been answered had they read my weekly bulletin. I get emails from students asking for directions that I have already given. I go to Bat Mitzvahs, soccer games, community plays, beauty contests, and spaghetti dinners at churches to be with my students in my free time. I go on overnight field trips that take me away from my family for days at a time. I have my own children help me put stickers on papers and my husband sometimes helps me grade.<br />
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I have countless mugs, apple themed items, candles and gift cards. I love every gift I get because I know that child was right there thinking of me. I have letters that I have kept for 16 years or less. I have crafts that are homemade and even some jewelry. I love my students and their families. I have held students after they received bad news, I have sometimes delivered that bad news because their parents didn't know how. I have bandaged bloody wounds, held ice packs to swollen eyes, and packaged teeth for the fairy to come that night. I have celebrated birthdays and half-birthdays and am learning about all of the Jewish holidays. I have taught half in Spanish and and now learning (slowly) some Hebrew. Teachers are always learning, so that we can continue to teach.<br />
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Love your teachers. We are tired and trying and loving your little people. We are human. We get sick and overwhelmed and sad. We are not paid enough to live on our own on one job, but we keep showing up. We pay for your kids supplies when you don't send them in. We give gifts from our own pockets and plan parties, escape rooms and scavenger hunts. We stay late for conferences and open houses and we miss our own children's school events to be at yours. We give all that we have. It is not a thankless job, but it is a hard one. And you could not do yours without us. mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-39709102009463907902019-06-10T15:51:00.000-04:002019-06-10T15:51:10.589-04:00The Funniest Book I've Ever ReadOk, I realize that the title of this post may seem like an exaggeration, but it's not. I have read a LOT of books in my life. My guess is over 5000. I'm no expert, but I think that's a lot of books. And this one? This one is the funniest one I have really ever read. It makes me laugh out loud. In bed. To the point of tears. Dan gets irritated - maybe because he is sleeping when I read at night and most of the time this is not an issue. When I read this book, it is though. Because I laugh, snort, cry and then have to get up to go pee.<br />
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I could have taken a picture from the internet, but I really like the pattern of my mom's couch, and so I used my own non-centered, non-professional photo.<br />
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I think Jenny Lawson is supposed to be my best friend. She is neurotic and lovely and possibly my soul sister. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Pretend-This-Never-Happened/dp/0425261018">Her book</a> is the best thing ever. You have to go buy it now, or borrow it from the library. I guess you could also steal it from a friend, but not a store because they would prosecute you and then you would go to jail and not be able to read this book. Unless they had it in the jail library. Then you could borrow it, like I suggested in the first place. <br />
mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-29105503957738825442019-06-08T22:32:00.002-04:002019-06-10T15:55:48.079-04:00Taking Care of FamilyDan and I have always had an agreement about our parents. If and when our older family members start to go downhill and need help, we will go to them with no questions asked. We feel that it is our obligation, and honor, to take care of them at the end of their lives just as they took care of us at the beginning of ours. We have parents who will not want to move in with us, but will prefer to live out their days in their own homes, or at least on their own terms. That said, we are prepared.<br />
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I have a friend who has a PhD in gerontology. She is an expert on the elderly. Talking to her makes me see how sad many of our elderly have it in the United States. For the richest country in the world (or one of them), this is very, very sad.<br />
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Let me make this clear. These people brought you into this world. You would not be here at all if it weren't for them. Got it? You owe them. If they want to go into a retirement home, then put them in one - the best one you can possibly afford. They won't live forever. Make the end of their lives the best that you can.<br />
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If they want to live out their lives in their own homes, but they need help. Help them. Move in with them, or near them. It's only temporary. Do this for them. Hire help for them if you have to, but make it so they can live where they want to live for as long as it is healthy for them.<br />
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If they want to move in with you, make the space. They did it for you. It is your turn. People in the U.S. just take, take, take. It's time to give.<br />
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I know that whoever reads this may strongly disagree with me on this and I am sure that everyone thinks they have an extenuating circumstance, but I do not care. This is my blog. My opinion. My sounding board. The fact remains, and you cannot argue with it, that you would not be here if it weren't for them.<br />
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Pthhhhhhbppp. mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-47470774179539248782019-06-05T23:41:00.001-04:002019-06-05T23:51:52.231-04:00Halp! When Does This Ride End??I have two daughters and a bonus-daughter (who I sadly don't see very often). My oldest (biological) daughter is 13. Dealing with her on a daily basis is like riding a roller coaster. She is happy. She is angry. She is crying. She is happy again. IS THIS NORMAL? I have not been able to spend a lot of time with my bonus-daughter during her teen years because she is living in another state, so I don't have a lot of personal experience.<br />
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I am a fifth grade teacher, but my students are better behaved than my sweet baboo of a daughter. Plus they are younger, so maybe not on the hormone-a-coaster that A is on.<br />
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Today's episode of How the Teen Turns is brought to us by me. She loves to play the flute and has been at it for four years. I signed her up for flute camp at <a href="https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/summer/music-camps/flute/">George Mason Community Arts Academy</a>. <i>(Insert vision of riding a roller coaster up the hill. Slowly. Clackety clack, clackety clack.)</i> She is excited because she gets to stay the week on a college campus with a flute-playin' roommate and everything. <i>Clackety clack. </i>She is excited because she gets to eat at the student union and play her beloved Betsy (do all musicians name their instruments?) all day every day. <i>Clackety clack.</i> She is excited because she will be in charge of herself (with an RA nearby, of course). <i>Why can I only see sky?? Where is the rest of the track??</i><br />
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<i>Now, picture the zooming downhill at an uncomfortably steep angle and speed.</i> Here we go. Too late now. She is NOT excited because I signed her up to play at the student recital, which is where she plays part of a song for her peers. She is very upset with me for this and threatening to stop playing flute forever. Really? REALLY?? This thing costs a lot of money (to a teacher, anyway) and she is pissy with me for pushing her out of her comfort zone.<br />
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Pushing kids out of their comfort zone is what I do for a living. I am a fifth grade math and science teacher. I LIVE outside of the comfort zone. Just do it, kiddo. Like that time you didn't want to learn to ride a bike because you fell. Get back on and do it anyway. Try again. Like the time you did not want to learn to swim because the water was too cold/deep/scary. Take a breath and jump in and do it anyway. Have I ever pushed her to do anything that was bad for her?? Now, she rides her bike to middle school two miles each way every day. She loves it. She prefers it to the bus. Now she is on the swim team at our fitness club. She is a beautiful, graceful, fast swimmer. She advanced faster than Coach Bill has ever seen anybody advance.<br />
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She will succeed with the flute, too. But for now, she is angry and scared. One day, she will be past this difficult time in her life. One day, she will appreciate this. One day, she will love me again.<br />
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Oh, and she got a ukulele today from her uncle Greg. She is over the moon about it. I am off to search for a ukulele camp for next summer...mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-60648182980490849602019-05-28T00:07:00.002-04:002019-05-28T00:07:47.114-04:00Let's Start a Book Club!I am a reader. Unabashedly. Always have been. Always will be. Want to read with me? I'm going to start a book club. Right here, right now. Maybe I will be the only person in it. Maybe you will join me. Either way, I'm going to pick the first one. After that, I can entertain options from anyone who chooses to join me.<br />
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Since it is almost summer, the first book will be a summer read. This means light and easy and romantic.<br />
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Soooooo...<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/I-Owe-You-One-Novel/dp/1524799017/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=i+owe+you+one&qid=1559016373&s=gateway&sr=8-1">This</a>. From Sophie Kinsella of Shopaholic fame. Her books are always lighthearted and easy to read. I'm going to start it right away. It's already out in libraries and I don't think it will be so popular that you won't be able to get ahold of it. It's already out in paperback, too!<br />
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<br />mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-66874038254743067912019-05-27T20:36:00.000-04:002019-05-27T20:36:48.310-04:00Air Travel These DaysWe travel. We have one home in California and one home in Illinois and we go between the two. DH and I have family in Ohio and Virginia, Kansas and Missouri, South Carolina and Florida. We want the girls to see all fifty states before they leave us for their own adult lives. They have been to 23. (Holy cow, we better hurry! A leaves us in five years!) We fly a lot and, as a result, I have become a jerk.<br />
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"What do you mean this airport doesn't have a United lounge?"<br />
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"What do you mean this United lounge doesn't have oatmeal?"<br />
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"What do you mean I'm not in boarding group 1?"<br />
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"What do you mean my purse counts as a carry on?"<br />
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"What do you mean I have to pay for my dinner? This is a six hour flight - from 4-10 pm - for crying out loud."<br />
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"What do you mean we have to walk to the Uber spot? Why can't Uber come to me where I am standing?"<br />
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"What do you mean we have to choose between these rental cars? Why can't I have that one over there?"<br />
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These are questions I find myself asking, and then I feel like a poop.<br />
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I have to work on remembering that I am privileged to live here, privileged to travel, privileged to teach and be a mama and a wife. Shut up and smile.mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-70686313691636010722019-05-21T00:13:00.000-04:002019-05-27T20:37:32.845-04:00Are We Pushing Too Hard?It took me eight years to graduate from college with a B.A. in Sociology. This is not normal. What we are supposed to do is graduate in four years. Because every kid knows what they want to do with their life when they are 17 years old, right? This is reasonable...or not.<br />
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In many countries other than ours, a gap year is the norm. Students graduate from high school and then take a year to travel, work, clear their head, sow their seeds, fulfill some sort of religious or familial obligation, or figure out what they want to do.<br />
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Many parents are concerned that this will lead to their child not going to college. Not true. In fact, not only do they still go to college, but they go with more of a laser focus and get better grades than they would have if they had gone directly from high school. Look it up. The studies are out there.<br />
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When I went to school, I entered as a psychology major, changed my major to English, and then changed it again to sociology. I graduated with every intention of going into federal law enforcement and then became a teacher. Because, duh... Teaching is actually very similar to law enforcement if you ask me.<br />
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So here I am, saving for my girls to go to college. I am married to a man who is currently studying for his MBA and I already have my MSEd. If my girls come to me and want to take a year off, will I let them? Yes. Will I still encourage them to further their education? Yes. In their own way and in their own time. mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-25580348081762020932019-05-18T14:52:00.001-04:002019-05-27T20:39:02.003-04:00It Was the TornadoSo, for toots and giggles, I thought I would see if my blog from years ago was still out there. It is! It has been five years since I posted. What?!?<br />
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First thing I thought about was whether or not the title of the page still fits. It does. We are NOT in Kansas anymore (some of us never were, but that is aside the point) and DH's job still moves us with a frequency of every 3-5 years or so. Not sure why or how it happens, but it does and every time we think we're done moving and set down some roots, we get ripped out of the ground again and moved to an entirely new state. With new people. And culture. And weather. Good thing I grew up moving every three years for my dad's job. This is old hat to me, and it is proving to be old hat for my daughters, too.<br />
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A & J are surprisingly good at this. We moved, most recently, from Illinois to California. HUGE. BIG. FAT. DIFFERENCE. We might as well have moved to Mars. We live in NorCal (get with the lingo, folks. Northern California) in the bay area. We are surrounded by homes that cost millions of dollars. MILLIONS!! And they are two-bedroom condos. No, seriously! Where these people get their money is beyond me. I am a teacher, and so I signed on for a life of destitution. Luckily, D is not a teacher, and so we can eat and not be naked and things like that.<br />
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The girls are adjusting beautifully. A is growing ever more proficient on the flute and it is such a part of her life that she is not happy without it. She is in 7th grade at a public middle school and is in both band and choir. She is, in fact, the ONLY student in her school who is doing both sides of music. You see, they only get two electives per semester and they are only supposed to take one music because they last all year and it eats up half of their electives for the year. Abby is taking two musics and so she gets no other electives. She loves it, but gets a lot of questioning glances from teachers and parents alike. Probably because, here in Silicon Valley, it is kind of expected that kids take rocket science, or neurophysics (is that a thing?) or something like that, with their free time. A is smart - she is in advanced math. Everybody breathe. She loves music. She wants it to be part of her career someday. I'm gonna let her do this.<br />
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J is in 4th grade and going into 23rd grade next year. She is smart, sassy, passionate about equality, and <span style="font-size: xx-small;">a model and actress</span>. Hoo boy. That's a whole other blog post. She loves it here. She is thriving. She is meant to be here. We will not be here forever. I am experiencing anxiety over the impending implosion that will happen when we have to move - be it in one year or five years. It will happen. We cannot stay here forever. It doesn't feel like home. It's lovely. And sunny. And smart. And fast. And tense. But we don't belong here, and by "we", I mean me. I love it but it doesn't feel right. We'll stay as long as we can. But not forever. <br />
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<br />mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-54213574764742191972014-06-30T21:45:00.002-04:002014-06-30T21:46:39.006-04:00<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9418326-to-be-sung-underwater" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="To Be Sung Underwater" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1394259421m/9418326.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9418326-to-be-sung-underwater">To Be Sung Underwater</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/253358.Tom_McNeal">Tom McNeal</a><br />
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/978355453">5 of 5 stars</a><br />
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I don't give five stars very often. This book, simply put, is a book that must be read slowly, savoring each word. It is beautifully written and eloquent and slow. The characters are multi-dimensional and lovable, despite their flaws. The last time I read a book that made me want to go somewhere quiet and shut my family out was when I read The Help. This is one of my top ten. It is amazing. Sad, relatable, exhultant. A must read. <br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/3177925-mindi">View all my reviews</a>mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-66790670045317018962013-11-11T17:58:00.001-05:002014-06-30T21:48:11.365-04:00We Have Been Reading...Halloween editionWe have been reading lots of Halloween books in the last 30 days. We love them (well, I do, and so the children are mercilessly subjected to them - I only stopped and put them away today). Here are some of our (my) favorites!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8T9zPkwOUHU/UoFX-RaYvCI/AAAAAAAABHQ/_qFQGXnO_K8/s1600/Room+on+the+Broom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8T9zPkwOUHU/UoFX-RaYvCI/AAAAAAAABHQ/_qFQGXnO_K8/s400/Room+on+the+Broom.JPG" height="357" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/room-on-the-broom-julia-donaldson/1100469056?ean=9780142501122">Room on the Broom </a>by Julia Donaldson</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/room-on-the-broom-julia-donaldson/1100469056?ean=9780142501122">This</a> is a fun book that we have read countless times. It is one of Abby's all time favorites - and not just during haunting season - she asks for it all year long. It is written in rhyme and emphasizes generosity in spirit.<br />
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Another popular title in our house right now is <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cinderhazel-deborah-nourse-lattimore/1101316414?ean=9780439394710">this one</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--HvuclOLqFY/UoFY4RSVEwI/AAAAAAAABHY/Q32uPNU8cr4/s1600/cinderhazel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--HvuclOLqFY/UoFY4RSVEwI/AAAAAAAABHY/Q32uPNU8cr4/s400/cinderhazel.jpg" height="400" width="359" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cinderhazel-deborah-nourse-lattimore/1101316414?ean=9780439394710">CinderHazel </a>by Deborah Nourse Lattimore</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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As you can probably guess, this is a spin-off of a popular fairy tale. The illustrations are deliciously smudged with grime and the witches are whimsical, not scary. Cute, cute book!<br />
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The third book on the list is a Barbie book. We have three girls. We like Barbie. So sue me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yR2MG_RcdIo/UoFZx81VZvI/AAAAAAAABHg/OeLaOLRYwNE/s1600/a+bootiful+halloween.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yR2MG_RcdIo/UoFZx81VZvI/AAAAAAAABHg/OeLaOLRYwNE/s400/a+bootiful+halloween.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-boo-tiful-halloween-mary-man-kong/1113742619?ean=9780449818602">A Boo-tiful Halloween </a>by Mary Man-Kong</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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If you are familiar with Barbie books, you know that there is usually a message about friendship and kindness. This is no different, except for the glow-in-the-dark pages and stickers!<br />
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I am a huge Fancy Nancy fan. I have the privelege of knowing a little girl who is Fancy Nancy in the flesh (Penelope, Ms. Mindi misses you!!).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rrm67Xtbs08/UoFa18OzH-I/AAAAAAAABHs/0R9kU6Q9Vss/s1600/fancy+nancy+halloween+or+bust.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rrm67Xtbs08/UoFa18OzH-I/AAAAAAAABHs/0R9kU6Q9Vss/s400/fancy+nancy+halloween+or+bust.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fancy-nancy-halloween-or-bust-jane-oconnor/1104905971?ean=9780061235955">Fancy Nancy: Halloween or Bust!</a> by Jane O'Connor</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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This book, in true Fancy Nancy style, both expands the vocabulary and delights the eye with colorful illustrations that beg more than one look with lots of little details.<br />
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This next book is a Caldecott Honor book. The illustrations are to-die-for. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JaVEy_TSxZg/UoFbun8RGAI/AAAAAAAABH0/O9Lwp9nJybY/s1600/creepy+carrots.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JaVEy_TSxZg/UoFbun8RGAI/AAAAAAAABH0/O9Lwp9nJybY/s400/creepy+carrots.JPG" height="400" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/creepy-carrots-aaron-reynolds/1111756050?ean=9781442402973">Creepy Carrots!</a> by Aaron Reynolds</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/creepy-carrots-aaron-reynolds/1111756050?ean=9781442402973">This book</a> is like The Twilight Zone for children. Seriously. Get it. Read it. Love it.<br />
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I like most books written by Dav Pilkey. This one is no exception. This is about a little dachshund who is ridiculed for his size. He turns out to be a hero. I'll let you read to find out how.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kx6fEsbx4tw/UoFdI-fNCnI/AAAAAAAABIA/TidacrM9uF4/s1600/the+hallo-wiener.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kx6fEsbx4tw/UoFdI-fNCnI/AAAAAAAABIA/TidacrM9uF4/s400/the+hallo-wiener.JPG" height="341" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hallo-wiener-dav-pilkey/1102478083?ean=9780439079464">The Hallo-wiener </a>by Dav Pilkey</td></tr>
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This book is part of the popular Gossie & Friends series. The illustrations in this book are adorable. So simple.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/---mmWaQEKEw/UoFdxMFwQTI/AAAAAAAABII/xgte7fikoX8/s1600/ollies+halloween.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/---mmWaQEKEw/UoFdxMFwQTI/AAAAAAAABII/xgte7fikoX8/s400/ollies+halloween.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ollies-halloween-board-book-olivier-dunrea/1113957576?ean=9780544057203">Ollie's Halloween </a>by Olivier Dunrea</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The message in this one is sweet, too. Sharing is better than scaring.<br />
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The next book is sumptuous. The illustrations are amazing. The story is whimsical. Monsters all get together to put together the best party every for their trick-or-treaters. The party is a little too...monstrous for them, though!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3-X6LL68U_o/UoFezR7kfyI/AAAAAAAABIU/5yD9cF4P-4E/s1600/halloween+night.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3-X6LL68U_o/UoFezR7kfyI/AAAAAAAABIU/5yD9cF4P-4E/s400/halloween+night.JPG" height="346" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/halloween-night-marjorie-dennis-murray/1009320430?ean=9780061857737">Halloween Night </a>by Marjorie Dennis Murray</td></tr>
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Do you like the Scaredy Squirrel books? I do. He is absolutely my favorite worrywort. That he is featured in a book about my favorite holiday makes my year!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-paegovN6dJ8/UoFfgIfvPyI/AAAAAAAABIc/INUhjZok7Wo/s1600/scaredy+squirrel+prepares+for+halloween.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-paegovN6dJ8/UoFfgIfvPyI/AAAAAAAABIc/INUhjZok7Wo/s400/scaredy+squirrel+prepares+for+halloween.JPG" height="400" width="327" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/scaredy-squirrel-prepares-for-halloween-melanie-watt/1115144366?ean=9781894786874">Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Halloween </a>by Melanie Watt</td></tr>
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Such a great book for kids who are nervous about trying new things.<br />
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Last but not least, a treasure from<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Xsvx8ItyBY/UoFgKFiBL3I/AAAAAAAABIk/xnWzzwq2MPk/s1600/click+clack+boo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Xsvx8ItyBY/UoFgKFiBL3I/AAAAAAAABIk/xnWzzwq2MPk/s400/click+clack+boo.JPG" height="400" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/click-clack-boo-doreen-cronin/1114315865?ean=9781442465534">Click, Clack, Boo </a>by Doreen Cronin</td></tr>
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Once I read <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/click-clack-moo-doreen-cronin/1100404904?ean=9780689832130">Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type</a>, I fell in love with the farmer and his ill-behaved barnyard friends. I cannot get enough of their antics. Wonderful!<br />
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Well, friends. That's it. Our top ten for Halloween. Save the list for next year, eh?<br />
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<br />mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-47994727962043305382013-09-03T16:34:00.000-04:002013-09-27T16:35:54.131-04:00August in Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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August was a big month for us. We traveled east to see the grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. We started a new school year (at least four of the five of us did - c'mon Dan, get with the program!), Samara started a new year of swimming, soccer and tennis (and her last year as an elementary schooler) and Abby and Juli started a new year of gymnastics. Daddy took the girls bowling and we also hit the local Renaissance Faire for some frivolity. Whew.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pzzlp2z932o/UkXoPF4QtVI/AAAAAAAABEc/QIZ7inbMdZw/s1600/august20133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pzzlp2z932o/UkXoPF4QtVI/AAAAAAAABEc/QIZ7inbMdZw/s400/august20133.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juli's first day of pre-k and Abby's first day of 2nd grade.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommy's first day as a Special Services Aide at LHS</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--QCtL4ZCRko/UkXop61BLLI/AAAAAAAABEs/dG_C5KNFOSI/s1600/august20134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--QCtL4ZCRko/UkXop61BLLI/AAAAAAAABEs/dG_C5KNFOSI/s400/august20134.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby playing baseball with Uncle Mike, Aunt Lou and her sisters<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice stance!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XY1akw7CdzQ/UkXpFGFqs2I/AAAAAAAABFA/t1X8da8_C-M/s1600/august20138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XY1akw7CdzQ/UkXpFGFqs2I/AAAAAAAABFA/t1X8da8_C-M/s400/august20138.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juli chose to hang out with Uncle Larry instead of playing baseball<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E9-NwTff97s/UkXpXVgH32I/AAAAAAAABFE/FDo9f8-KSpM/s1600/august20139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E9-NwTff97s/UkXpXVgH32I/AAAAAAAABFE/FDo9f8-KSpM/s400/august20139.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby and Juli always make it a point to set up to play near Dakota, their big fur-sister. We would not want for her to feel left out!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y0PzFF9I37w/UkXplNlk4GI/AAAAAAAABFM/9k2gkY7i3LI/s1600/august201310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y0PzFF9I37w/UkXplNlk4GI/AAAAAAAABFM/9k2gkY7i3LI/s400/august201310.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juli usually ends up sleeping on YaYa at some point every summer<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juli wishing Abby luck on her first day</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting up her pre-k cubby at Goddard School</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bsWGE1dirF4/UkXq5zlpC7I/AAAAAAAABGI/ARVa6pNTJ1Q/s1600/august201318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bsWGE1dirF4/UkXq5zlpC7I/AAAAAAAABGI/ARVa6pNTJ1Q/s400/august201318.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Barrel Ride</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9atc5Jxg9VU/UkXrAE4nVvI/AAAAAAAABGQ/0bgWw-83VWk/s1600/august201319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9atc5Jxg9VU/UkXrAE4nVvI/AAAAAAAABGQ/0bgWw-83VWk/s400/august201319.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister Pirates at the bow of the ship at the Ren Faire</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-evCc3PbJMmk/UkXrJuER__I/AAAAAAAABGY/tf4xHGvPLOk/s1600/august201322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-evCc3PbJMmk/UkXrJuER__I/AAAAAAAABGY/tf4xHGvPLOk/s400/august201322.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lord of our castle and his little Lady</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uEasY5RE0XI/UkXrVufdEYI/AAAAAAAABGg/c9p2uC76cXo/s1600/august201323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uEasY5RE0XI/UkXrVufdEYI/AAAAAAAABGg/c9p2uC76cXo/s400/august201323.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renaissance Faires wear some of us out</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p-yJiQGl4dE/UkXrhysdtPI/AAAAAAAABGo/e5kLpB9iuWY/s1600/august201324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p-yJiQGl4dE/UkXrhysdtPI/AAAAAAAABGo/e5kLpB9iuWY/s400/august201324.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a big ball for such a little girl...thank goodness for big sisters!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aE0XmqXTxkE/UkXrqxhmJUI/AAAAAAAABGw/Bokjz8R25O0/s1600/august201325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aE0XmqXTxkE/UkXrqxhmJUI/AAAAAAAABGw/Bokjz8R25O0/s400/august201325.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doing it on her own</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1OJNj4_4jgo/UkXrxbkbsmI/AAAAAAAABG4/MLmFzYOMg8Q/s1600/august201326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1OJNj4_4jgo/UkXrxbkbsmI/AAAAAAAABG4/MLmFzYOMg8Q/s400/august201326.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yucking it up at the local lanes</td></tr>
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<br />mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-8009854275328114682013-08-01T16:34:00.000-04:002013-09-26T16:49:17.602-04:00July in PicturesJuly was a great month for us. We had Samara for most of the month and the girls attended VBS (vacation bible school) at our church. They had a great time - in fact, Abby cried on the last day, as she did not want to leave. Work continued on the disaster that used to be our basement. The girls started selling pink lemonade at the softball games that occur at the park beside our house, which in turn funded some much needed trips to the local pool<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juli helps her daddy clear debris from the basement.</td></tr>
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Abby helps by keeping him company downstairs.</div>
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Gonna go make some pool money!</div>
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On their way to the park to sell pink lemonade. They are crossing our neighbor's side yard and then they are there!</div>
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We now have a much better appreciation for duct work. What a difference this expense made to our family. So much cooler in the summertime and, hopefully, it will be warmer in the wintertime. Pretty, huh?</div>
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While she seemed to enjoy VBS, Juli was not at all comfortable with singing her newly learned songs to the congregation. So, she performed them, with the motions, while standing in our pew.</div>
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Abby and Samara, however, braved it out in the stands. This was taken just before Juli fled the scene.</div>
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<br />mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-65124650094794069352013-07-03T13:08:00.000-04:002013-07-03T13:13:45.601-04:00June in PhotosWe have had an interesting June. The weather has been wonderfully cool here in the Chicago burbs. They say it is not normal for this time of year, but I'll take it! Here is what we have been up to..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SopNv2bO9PA/UdRYaozPE7I/AAAAAAAABAM/rfBxTTdWgvI/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SopNv2bO9PA/UdRYaozPE7I/AAAAAAAABAM/rfBxTTdWgvI/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby helped Daddy demolish the basement</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-udxAXi0qIfw/UdRY0GH1-4I/AAAAAAAABAc/EUst8iC71j4/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-udxAXi0qIfw/UdRY0GH1-4I/AAAAAAAABAc/EUst8iC71j4/s400/DSC_0017.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went to the botanical gardens</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LOxKkLmi-28/UdRYevhnWXI/AAAAAAAABAU/ABwtqnOeVog/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LOxKkLmi-28/UdRYevhnWXI/AAAAAAAABAU/ABwtqnOeVog/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juli took her turn swinging a hammer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ksxyF9nAYIk/UdRY8oqce9I/AAAAAAAABAk/yvNDc_W_EKU/s1600/DSC_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ksxyF9nAYIk/UdRY8oqce9I/AAAAAAAABAk/yvNDc_W_EKU/s400/DSC_0039.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saw lots and lots of butterflies!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xnSApiZK6uU/UdRZC0R6_DI/AAAAAAAABAs/6v8xLGyd-m8/s1600/DSC_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xnSApiZK6uU/UdRZC0R6_DI/AAAAAAAABAs/6v8xLGyd-m8/s400/DSC_0059.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We explored pond life</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PaMf4V46SyE/UdRZNZP9KXI/AAAAAAAABA0/048bLsN2bog/s1600/DSC_0101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PaMf4V46SyE/UdRZNZP9KXI/AAAAAAAABA0/048bLsN2bog/s400/DSC_0101.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juli helped Daddy mow the lawn</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UyWWePNdHaE/UdRZRr6LgGI/AAAAAAAABA8/S04fv1Fpk60/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UyWWePNdHaE/UdRZRr6LgGI/AAAAAAAABA8/S04fv1Fpk60/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We celebrated Father's Day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CRm5pmuo7sY/UdRZg2RGvnI/AAAAAAAABBM/xEYGSMYfK4U/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CRm5pmuo7sY/UdRZg2RGvnI/AAAAAAAABBM/xEYGSMYfK4U/s400/DSC_0023.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We celebrated Daddy's birthday!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GDBrgFoziEI/UdRZmVxrZaI/AAAAAAAABBU/PyVKabtkejE/s1600/DSC_0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GDBrgFoziEI/UdRZmVxrZaI/AAAAAAAABBU/PyVKabtkejE/s400/DSC_0040.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went camping...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AuYr_yTbspg/UdRZ0YeFdyI/AAAAAAAABBc/4PnU2LClV9c/s1600/DSC_0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AuYr_yTbspg/UdRZ0YeFdyI/AAAAAAAABBc/4PnU2LClV9c/s400/DSC_0058.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...with some of our favorite people</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9O4f090slhA/UdRZ5j3gI_I/AAAAAAAABBk/ihOEC8HXnvQ/s1600/DSC_0115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9O4f090slhA/UdRZ5j3gI_I/AAAAAAAABBk/ihOEC8HXnvQ/s400/DSC_0115.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We played in the pool...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-su6OolaH0L8/UdRZ--Df2PI/AAAAAAAABBs/esk-WbaOGNs/s1600/DSC_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-su6OolaH0L8/UdRZ--Df2PI/AAAAAAAABBs/esk-WbaOGNs/s400/DSC_0116.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">,,,on warm, sunny days.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--z5TG2GBkH4/UdRaI5E0CuI/AAAAAAAABB0/3u5AHpbnP9U/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--z5TG2GBkH4/UdRaI5E0CuI/AAAAAAAABB0/3u5AHpbnP9U/s400/DSC_0015.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of us got her hair cut!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lNCrbqH8_P4/UdRaRneho_I/AAAAAAAABB8/9HTYKZ9QS-E/s1600/DSC_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lNCrbqH8_P4/UdRaRneho_I/AAAAAAAABB8/9HTYKZ9QS-E/s400/DSC_0037.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And finally, we got a new sump pump!</td></tr>
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We have been super busy this summer - how about you?mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-88580948348323497642013-06-20T10:19:00.001-04:002013-06-20T10:19:53.366-04:00A Must Read<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11870085-the-fault-in-our-stars" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Fault in Our Stars" border="0" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1360206420m/11870085.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11870085-the-fault-in-our-stars">The Fault in Our Stars</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1406384.John_Green">John Green</a><br /><br />My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/571927653">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br /><br />Wow! It has been a loooong time since I read a book this good. This is one of those books that I longed for when I wasn't reading it. This is one of those books that surprised me with its eloquence. This is also one of those books that requires privacy and a box of kleenex when reading it. If this book is on your list of books to read, move it to the top. If you were not planning to read it, change your plans. If you already read it, then you know of what I speak, no?<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/3177925-mindi">View all my reviews</a><br />mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-70365947898736203962013-06-05T12:22:00.001-04:002013-06-05T12:22:20.925-04:00Get the Kids Reading This Summer With These Fun ClubsHi all! Well, as of today, summer has finally begun in our house. Samara's last day of school was May 24th, Juliana's was May 31st and Abigail's was yesterday. Our plans for the summer include: gymnastics (once a week for S & A and twice a week for J), swimming at Adler Park Pool (as often as we can), weekly crafts at Michael's (have you seen their <a href="http://www.michaels.com/Passport/pti,default,pg.html">Passport to Imagination</a> club? We did this last year and it was so much fun that the girls begged to do it again!), <a href="http://www.sonlight.com/">homeschooling</a> (of course!), lots of time at the local library, camping, traveling, and reading clubs. Whew!<br />
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So, Abby's first grade teacher sent home some great links for summer reading clubs. Being the wonderful person that I am, I will share them with you here.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.scholastic.com/ups/campaigns/src-2013">Scholastic Summer Challenge</a> is a club where the kids read every day, log their minutes, and earn rewards. Pretty simple, huh? Even better - they can link their minutes to their school. The school with the most minutes gets a visit from Dav Pilkey. Don't know who he is? Then you must not have kids in elementary school. Just kidding (sort of, but not really). He writes the famous Captain Underpants series. <br />
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Another challenge we are participating in is <a href="http://www.bookadventure.com/Home.aspx">Sylvan's Book Adventure</a>. This is a club where the kids read books and take quizzes on them. Through these quizzes they earn points. These points can be redeemed for things like chocolate bars from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, temporary tattoos, eBooks, etc. <br />
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We are also going to participate in <a href="http://www.bookitsummer.com/">BookItSummer</a>. This is a fun site (although not running yet) where the kids play online, take quizzes and customize their own dragon. Fun!<br />
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We are also reading for local library. The kids have to log in 12 different places that they read this summer and then they get to pick a prize (usually a book!). Yippeee!<br />
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What are you doing this summer?<br />
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Min<br />
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<br />mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-73747534099283752892013-06-02T22:36:00.003-04:002013-06-02T22:36:43.621-04:00I might have an interview...I got a phone call - I am going to have a conversation with a person tomorrow. It is not a teaching job, but it is working with children at risk. We'll see.mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-52180459415632346992013-05-30T21:07:00.001-04:002013-05-30T21:07:48.298-04:00Advil® Allergy & Congestion Relief<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">I received a box of Advil Allergy & Congestion Relief for free through <a href="http://www.smiley360.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">www.smiley360.com</a> about a month ago. This week, I had a whopper of a sinus infection and finally tried it. I wish I had not waited so long! It is the only thing that got me through my shift at the bookstore - and I love that it does not make me hyper or sleepy! Thx Pfizer and Advil® Allergy & Congestion Relief for my free sample. Receive a $2 off coupon <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fon.fb.me%2FYI91JV&h=NAQFKGKWuAQEbLQVfHDKq_MML2USBmI6xp9Yw7JmqQcuS0w&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://on.fb.me/YI91JV</a></span></span></h5><a href="http://smiley360.com/1590214.cfm#.Uaf3tgKGnpI.blogger">Advil® Allergy & Congestion Relief</a>mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-18494152655376707662013-05-22T22:18:00.001-04:002013-05-22T22:18:41.947-04:00BIC Mark-It Permanent Markers<a href="http://smiley360.com/1785893.cfm#.UZ18dGMhRHU.blogger">BIC Mark-It Permanent Markers</a>: Thx 4 the free #bicmarkit permanent markers. Enter 36 days of spring colors sweeps http://on.fb.me/XLFLmf No Purch Nec US.18+ Ends 6/14/13 *Please remember the FTC requires you to mention that you received a free sample courtesy of Smiley360 when sharing.mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-29221873671331974152013-05-13T13:29:00.001-04:002013-05-13T13:29:24.605-04:00Please?Many moons ago, I was not a Mommy. I desparately wanted to be a Mommy, but I had some trouble getting there...<br />
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At the age of 22, I was told I had endometriosis and that it was quite severe. I was also told that I needed to get pregnant as soon as I could, as this (or alternatively, induced early menopause) was one of the only things that could cure the disease. The ironic part here is that I was one of the 10% of people who have endometriosis whose fertility was negatively affected by it. <br />
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Sooooo, I tried lots and lots of things. I tried taking birth control pills and then going off of them (because sometimes this can "fool" your body into thinking it doesn't have endo??). I tried IUI (3 times with no success) and IVF (twice). I even came really, really close to using donor eggs (a high FSH level was not helping things). It's not that I could not get pregnant - I got pregnant. Six times. I lost all of them. The first one hurt me. The second one seemed unfair. The third loss made me angry. After that, they just blended in with one another...<br />
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I had two or three laparoscopies to burn out the endo. But it came right back. And then some. By the time I was 33, I thought it just wasn't going to happen for me.<br />
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Then I started burning a fever. It lasted for nearly a year. I often wonder what that was. There were lots of blood draws and lab tests, but no real answers. For awhile, there was talk of lupus, cancer, and the inevitable hysterectomy. For whatever reason, I did not let these things phase me and I was not goaded into action - the conscious decision to sign away any chance of bearing my own child - just yet.<br />
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Then I met Dan. I knew he was special when I met him. The fact that he had a toddler already was attractive to me. I told him I could not have children. We got pregnant three months into our relationship. I lost that one very early on - my seventh loss. Then we got pregnant again a year later. We weren't concerned about birth control because we knew I did not need it. That one stuck. Her name is Abigail. She is my miracle baby. I had her when I was 34 years old. <br />
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Along with Abigail came the thought that maybe my infertility doors had been closed and I was now "normal". No such luck. The endo came back again. They found it on my lung and all over my intestines, bladder, ovaries, tubes and uterus. Again came the pressure to have a hysterectomy. Again, we (this time it was "we" and not me going through this journey alone) resisted. Eight months after Abigail's birth, we got pregnant again. We had hope for this one, even though it was earlier than we had wanted to try. We lost it two weeks later and, like the very first loss, this one hurt. Now I knew what I was losing. We focused on Abigail and Mara and moved on. <br />
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A year later, when Abs was nearly two and Mara was almost five, we decided to try again. Seven months later, we found out that we were, again, expecting. We held our breaths. I bled at 9 weeks. The doctor took preventative measures. She stuck. Juliana has always been tenacious, at that.<br />
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The endo, again, returned. Now with chocolate cysts and more pain than ever. We felt we were a complete unit and the doctors finally had their way with me.<br />
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Fast forward - my sister-in-law and her husband are getting ready to have their fifth round of IVF. Now I want something desparately again. I want to be an aunt. I want these two people to be parents. I want my girls to have first cousins, because in my life cousins are like sisters. Is it too much to ask for another miracle, but this time for someone else? I hope I have not used up all of my miracles...we need one more.<br />
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Min mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-56843802925660271572013-05-12T22:41:00.001-04:002013-05-12T22:41:36.791-04:00The Great GatsbyWe went to see a movie! I can't even remember the last time that Dan and I went to see a movie. An adult movie. Alone. Wow! This is what we saw<br />
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I really, really liked it. It was opulent in the same way that Titanic was opulent. The costumes were to-die-for and the acting was superb. I have not been a big fan of DiCaprio for awhile (since Titanic, actually), but he redeemed himself with this one. I would recommend this movie. Seriously. Great story line, great acting, great cinematography, great everything. </div>
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Our basement is taking up all of my mental space. Gotta go.</div>
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Min </div>
mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-63384185143455011142013-05-12T00:18:00.001-04:002013-05-12T00:18:00.394-04:00ARM & HAMMER(TM) Baking Soda<a href="http://smiley360.com/1469063.cfm#.UY8X2rZseus.blogger">ARM & HAMMER(TM) Baking Soda</a>mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-56147712238379539872013-04-23T10:39:00.001-04:002013-04-23T10:39:53.117-04:00Water, Water, EverywhereLast week, we had the worst bunch of rain that I have ever experienced. It came down in buckets and lasted for days. Last week, we found out that we don't have a sump pump. Last week, my basement ceased to exist on the level that we had known it before. Last week, my kiddos lost their playroom. Last week, we lost a full bathroom. Last week sucked.<div>
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This week, we have a dry basement, sans carpet and padding. This week, I have my washer and dryer back. This week, we have a guest room (although no guest bath right now). This week is better than last week.</div>
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It appears that this blog may start to take on a home-improvement angle. I will post photos soon. It is not pretty.</div>
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Min</div>
mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-27033933155117228252013-04-13T19:10:00.001-04:002013-04-13T19:10:00.402-04:00Ready For Love on NBC<a href="http://smiley360.com/1409004.cfm#.UWnlt1wJLeQ.blogger">Ready For Love on NBC</a>: Hearts be still. From the network that brought you @NBCTheVoice, comes @ReadyforLove, Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC! http://bit.ly/ZgXnqH *Please remember the FTC requires you to mention that you received a free sample courtesy of Smiley360 when sharing.mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-20696481482925012192013-04-02T22:49:00.001-04:002013-04-03T00:00:17.261-04:00NEW Toms of Maine® Wicked Cool! Toothpaste for Kids<a href="http://smiley360.com/1327599.cfm#.UVuYh11jGUc.blogger">NEW Toms of Maine® Wicked Cool! Toothpaste for Kids 8</a>: Looking for @TomsofMaine natural ingredient products? #TomsWickedCool #freesamp http://bit.ly/WRjdjY *Please remember the FTC requires you to mention that you received a free sample courtesy of Smiley360 when sharing.mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21715943.post-39710175477762250372013-03-29T23:07:00.001-04:002013-04-03T00:01:04.072-04:00Infertility's Common Thread<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4171/3241/200/Thread.2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4171/3241/200/Thread.2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://stirrup-queens.blogspot.com/2006/09/history-of-infertilitys-common-thread.html">http://stirrup-queens.blogspot.com/2006/09/history-of-infertilitys-common-thread.html</a>.</td></tr>
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Having lost a few pregnancies myself, I thought this post was important to pass along. I found it originally on my sister-in-law's blog www.OhAirBiscuits.blogspot.com. She got it from another blog, and so on...<br />
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I
will link it to here and paste for others to see. Thank you for helping
to raise awareness.<br />
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<h1>
The History of Infertility's Common Thread</h1>
<div class="post_author">
<i>by</i> Lollipop Goldstein</div>
<div class="format_text">
For anyone who has experienced infertility or who is currently
experiencing infertility. For anyone who has suffered through pregnancy
loss. For those who have conceived naturally, utilized treatments,
adopted, used third-party reproduction, or chose to live child-free: a
movement.<br />
It all began when Paz lamented that there should be <a href="http://stirrup-queens.blogspot.com/2006/08/secret-handshake.html">a secret handshake</a>
for those who have experienced or are currently experiencing
infertility. She was finally pregnant after multiple miscarriages and
she wanted infertile women to know when looking at her pregnant belly
that she was one of them still–in heart and mind. She was open to
questions and to passing along any information she had obtained along
the way.<br />
This led to a lengthy discussion about a signal we could give one
another as well as a tangible object that would invite questions and
subsequently discussion about infertility. The conversation jumped from
idea to idea–a pomegranate-shaped charm, a Livestrong-esque
bracelet–until it finally settled on a simple thread.<br />
With the idea being that it was an item that was easy to obtain no
matter where you lived. It posed a minimal cost. It could be ornamented
or braided any way the wearer chose. It could be sent through the mail.
It was simple. It was discreet. We picked the embroidery floss #814
because it was the colour of pomegranates. Which was one of the
fertility symbols considered along the way.<br />
Royalyne stepped forward and got the ball rolling with a write up that we tweaked until it became this statement:<br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b>Pomegranates, a longstanding
symbol of fertility, serve as a strong analogy to those suffering
through infertility. Though each pomegranate skin is unique in colour
and texture, the seeds inside are remarkably similar from fruit to
fruit. Though our diagnosis is unique—endometriosis, low sperm count,
luteal phase defect, or causes unknown—the emotions, those seeds on the
inside, are the same from person to person. Infertility creates
frustration, anger, depression, guilt, and loneliness. Compounding these
emotions is the shame that drives people suffering from infertility to
retreat into silence.</b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">In addition, the seeds represent
the multitude of ways one can build their family: natural conception,
treatments, adoption, third-party reproduction, or even choosing to live
child-free.</span><span style="color: #660000;"></span></b><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b>The
pomegranate thread holds a two-fold purpose: to identify and create
community between those experiencing infertility as well as create a
starting point for a conversation. Women pregnant through A.R.T.,
families created through adoption, or couples trying to conceive during
infertility can wear the thread, identifying themselves to others in
this silent community. At the same time, the string serves as a gateway
to conversations about infertility when people inquire about its
purpose. These conversations are imperative if we are ever to remove the
social stigma attached to infertility.Tie on the thread because you’re
not alone. Wear to make aware.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><b><a href="http://stirrup-queens.blogspot.com/2006/09/history-of-infertilitys-common-thread.html">Join us in starting this conversation about infertility</a>
by purchasing this pomegranate-coloured thread (#814 by DMC) at any
craft, knitting, or variety store such as Walmart or Target. Tie it on
your right wrist. Notice it on others.</b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;"></span></b><br />
<span style="color: black;">Paz also created a write up that people could place on blogs, bulletin boards, and email forwards:</span><br />
<b><span style="color: #330033;">For anyone who has ever had a
miscarriage, struggled with pregnancy, and all things infertile…there is
a movement upon us that you might want to join. It’s rather simple
actually: a discreet ribbon on your right wrist to signal to others that
they are not alone in their struggles.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #330033;"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #330033;">As
someone who has had 5 m/c but am currently 5 months pregnant (YEAH), I
wonder who looks at my big belly with sadness because they are in the
month-to-month struggle. I mentioned to a friend that I wished there was
some secret nod or international sign as if to say, this belly was
hardwon. Well, she posted this quandary on her blog (</span></b><a href="http://www.stirrup-queens.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #330033;">http://www.stirrup-queens.blogspot.com/</span></b></a><b><span style="color: #330033;">) and the response has been quite overwhelming…and a movement has been born!</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #330033;"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #330033;">The
pomegranate-colored thread holds a two-fold purpose: to identify and
create community between those experiencing infertility as well as
create a starting point for a conversation. Women pregnant through any
means, natural or A.R.T., families created through adoption or
surrogacy, or couples trying to conceive during infertility or secondary
infertility can wear the thread, identifying themselves to others in
this silent community. At the same time, the string serves as a gateway
to conversations about infertility when people inquire about its
purpose. These conversations are imperative if we are ever to remove the
social stigma attached to infertility.Tie on the thread because you’re
not alone. Wear to make aware. Join us in starting this conversation
about infertility by purchasingthis pomegranate-coloured thread (#814 by
DMC) at any craft, knitting, or variety store such as Walmart or
Target. Tie it on your right wrist. Notice it on others. Just thought I
would pass the word along!</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #330033;"></span></b><br />
<span style="color: black;">Lastly,
we have a graphic people can add to their side bars in order to get the
word out (and create a link to this post or a similar one so people
understand what Infertility’s Common Thread is about). Feel free to take
and place on your blog or create your own in order to get the word out
to others:</span><br />
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4171/3241/200/Thread.2.jpg">http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4171/3241/200/Thread.2.jpg</a><br />
and please add a link back to this post: <a href="http://stirrup-queens.blogspot.com/2006/09/history-of-infertilitys-common-thread.html">http://stirrup-queens.blogspot.com/2006/09/history-of-infertilitys-common-thread.html</a>.</div>
mindigayle71http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261930852745716509noreply@blogger.com0