tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38334454110640400082024-03-14T01:32:23.099-07:00"Cottage By The Sea"The Everyday Shenanigans Of A
Family Who Lives And Loves
By
The Sea"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.comBlogger182125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-37989575271194894522015-07-08T09:46:00.006-07:002015-07-08T09:46:59.184-07:00Cure For Empty Nest Syndrome<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This is my family. The photo was taken two years ago on the baptism day of our two youngest grandchildren. It was before our youngest son deployed to Afghanistan and before our ninth grandchild was born. It was the last time we had a family photo where all were present. Life has been happening at a frenetic pace and instead of writing about it, I've been living it. <span style="font-size: x-small;">I've been a very bad blogger/JOURNALER/KEEPER OF THE FAMILY HISTORY.</span></div>
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My kids have become adults and moved on from the cottage. I'm lucky<strike> we are such a close, loving family and they love me so much</strike> I live in a destination city by the sea because, they all come back to visit and I get to see them on a somewhat regular basis.<br />
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Some people take their midlife crisis (empty nest syndrome) to the next level by having an affair, buying a fancy car or getting a face lift. I just heard on the news about some crazy lady that had a baby at the age of 67. So my decision, that started with a little wish, about a year ago, seems <i><span style="font-size: large;">pretty tame</span></i>. A puppy! I will admit that now I have this puppy the word <u>tame</u>, is relative.<br />
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He's a chocolate and white parti, Cockapoo. <i>Of course he is! </i>His birthday was 22 February, 2015. We brought him home after he was weaned from his mommy, but still he only weighed 4 lb. and just like new babies do, he slept a lot. This penguin soon became his favorite toy. He's <i>three</i> times the size of his favorite toy now. I spent the last days of springtime just staring at him, petting his downy soft fur, SERIOUSLY downy soft; and falling in love.<br />
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If I would have chosen a female pup, I already had a name all picked out. But this is the pup who called to me. In a big box with all his litter mates he was the one who stood in the back. All the others fell over each other to get attention and pets. This was no problem for me, petting puppies is very high on my list of favorite things to do. But this guy here, he watched closely as if he already knew his fate. When I called to him he happily bounced right up for his cuddles and licked my face with his little sandpaper tongue. This happened over and over so of course it took me hours and a little bit of agony to choose. How can you possibly choose from five perfect, precious, puppies?<br />
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What finally got me, but only second after his "cool" attitude, was this. Yep, my boy has a baby blue. Remarkably, just one. One is blue, the other is green. They remind me of the colors of the sea.<br />
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Also, I could never resist freckles. We call them 'angel kisses' around here.<br />
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Because of that baby blue we considered calling him Frank, as in, Old Blue Eyes Sinatra. We added Liam because it's one of my favorite Irish names and actors (Neeson). I decided Liam was out because I'm still hoping one of my kids will have a son named Liam someday. We ended up with about six names and my phone was blowing up as my kids, friends and family called to weigh in. Finally I had to stop the madness. I texted my niece Kelsey who has exquisite taste in doggy names, (Einstein and Eleanor) just to name a couple. I always defer to to the kids in my life <u>whom I like best at the moment,</u> because that's the kind of mature, rational, decision making person I am. Kelsey is always very high on my list, so in adding that to her already proven record and success in dog naming, I gave the honors to her, and she did me proud. Henceforth, and not without much forethought and struggle, his name shall be - Kai Francis. My dogs always have a middle name, you know, so when they're naughty you can use the whole name and they know you mean business! Francis was chosen for my favorite saint. The saint of the animals - St Francis. I wear a St Francis medal around my neck that I got in Italy and I've worn it for forty-five years. I've never lost it once which is more than I can say for some people that I won't mention. Okay! I'll mention him. My husband has lost his wedding ring three (3) times. I know there is one on the bottom of the sea somewhere, but the rest are just somewhere out there... It's okay though because we just celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary so I think I get to keep him.<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Kai&defid=5925690">Kai</a></div>
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A name referring to a boy with everything good in a person. Kai's are huggable, sweet, romantic, talented, and smart.<br />
They have great hair, a playful personality, and they're everything good you can think of. Being humble, usually they don't admit or see how amazing they are. Kais are guys with good senses of humor and are fun to be around. Kais the nicest people you will ever meet. They'll be your shoulder to cry on, and they never break promises. With beautiful souls, and eyes full of wisdom, you'll know right away that they know a lot. Girls, if you ever find a Kai, hold on to him tight, because you'll never find someone as amazing as him ever again. Kais only come every once in a lifetime. With a big heart in his chest, and he'll accept who you are, what you do, and support you. You'll swear that he's an angel sent from above. He's a Kai. Simple as that.</div>
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Human A "Your boyfriend is such a Kai."<br />
Human B "I know <a data-hasqtip="0" href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=%28%3A">(:</a> I'm so glad I met him. He's everything I've ever wanted."</div>
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Our sweet guy turned out to be the Alpha Dog. "I am Kai, here me roar!!!" At 4 lb. he would stand up on his hind legs and extend his little body as far as he could, making sure the other dogs knew this fact. It worked. They let him boss them around, and after a little extra love from mommy and some pep talks, they have accepted Kai into the clan.<br />
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He has his very own toys, however...<br />
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He prefers shoes. He's eaten at least 3 pair of my flip-flops and a couple of work boots, two blankets, my favorite nighty, an earring I felt very sentimental about (right out of my ear), and a peach pit. We call him the Hoover because wherever he goes he just keeps his mouth to the ground and hoovers anything and everything right in there.<br />
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He's a furry, face tickling, snuggled with VERY sharp teeth. At 4 1/2 months old he hasn't lost those needle sharp teeth yet and let me tell you, that's something I forgot about puppies. My poor body looks like a giant teething ring. It's like getting your blood drawn 40 x per day. On the upside, when he's tired, he is a great cuddler. This is my son Cooper and his friend Danica in a snuggly moment with Kai.<br />
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Puppies are exhausting but like childhood, puppyhood doesn't last very long. He's already potty trained and sleeps through the night. When he's busy, which is for many hours a day now, we go on lots of walks and Bailey and Kai have discovered tug-a-war, which poops both of them out, much to Kieran's delight.<br />
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At the ripe old age of 16 in doggy years, some of us are just too old for these shenanigans anymore and have to take more naps. Kieran still knows how to find the most comfy spot in the house. He's up just high enough that the pup can't reach him. Just looking at that photo makes me want a nap, how about you?<br />
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We've had lots of visitors this summer and my grandson Finnegan got to experience the joys of the puppy following him all around the yard. If one of them didn't think of something to get into, the other did. Boy oh boy did they have fun!<br />
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Climbing up to the fountain to play in the water -<br />
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Kai figured out quickly how to park himself under the high chair and catch all the scraps. Finn is a very good sharer.<br />
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Did I mention that like all my cockapoo's, Kai <i><u><b>loves </b></u></i>the beach!<br />
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Picking oranges and eating them straight off the tree was a California delight. <br />
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Going for a ride in Cooper's backpack is a favorite treat.<br />
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So last weekend, Bailey Scott, Kieran St Patrick and Kai Francis came with us when we spontaneously (in about 20 minutes) decided to rent a cabin about 2 hours away in the mountains of Idylwilde. We googled dog friendly cabins and were on the road in no time. We took our puppies and walked in the woods. We enjoyed good books, exploring the town, fine (doggy friendly) restaurants and even a mountain rain storm. A real coo for a beachy Southern California couple.<br />
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Puppy's mean a lot of work and responsibility, a lot more love and life around your house. Since this is the last time I'll probably ever start with a little puppy again, I'm enjoying every minute. I highly recommend a new puppy for Empty Nest Syndrome. Just remember, they are HIGH energy, and $$$$ for food, vet, toys, and supplies. Be a good puppy owner and you will have a wonderful friend who will love you unconditionally and protect you with his life. I hope you're all having a relaxing summer doing all the things you love!<br />
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Love you more than all the puppy teething I've suffered over the last couple months!<br />
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Tia<br />
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From our Cottage By The Sea - sweet, good night.<br />
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"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-90871752368383859152014-10-25T12:34:00.001-07:002015-09-17T09:40:55.087-07:00What A Difference A Day Makes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">As most of you blog friends and family know by now, my youngest has moved to Illinois so that she and her husband can finish school. He has a Volleyball scholarship, so no transferring to the sunny side for them! Oh how I miss their smiling (and not so smiling) faces.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After a VERY long trip - changing planes three times, layovers, and a car ride; hubs and I made it from our cottage by the sea, to our daughter's house, in a little town in Illinois, USA. We had been waiting so long to see this little guy. I got to sit in the back of the car, right beside my newest grandson. The conversation went a bit like so. "Em, hey Finn. Sup? Grammy missed you so much buddy." All this in my best octave for kid talk. I smiled and smiled and talked and talked to my little guy. And do you see that face? That look was what I got for the twenty minute ride back to my daughter's house. Do you think he didn't remember me or, I just look that much worse now?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was so much fun to watch the leaves changing. Those of us who live in So California miss out on that wonderful season of Autumn. It seemed like every day I looked down the street, there was more yellow and orange and red. Amazing and beautiful to see the plants and trees turn jewel toned colors. I can definitely see the allure of living where there are seasons. Even though this<i> wimp </i>went around wearing long sleeves, socks, a sweater and a jacket the<i> entire time</i>. You'd have thought I was back in Ireland for pete's sake, and it's not even winter yet!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was a whirl-wind tour, but we fit in a trip to the pumpkin patch and a hay ride. We went to a fun street fair and a car show. Lots of fried food was consumed (which I am still recovering from). I find that in the mid west they fry everything, even chicken. I don't know what's up with that but it sure tastes good!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Eating makes Finn very happy. Apparently much happier than sitting in the back seat of the car with his Grammy. And he LOVED the Pumpkin Patch.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Told you I'd make you smile. In my humble opinion, going to see your grandson and taking him to his first pumpkin patch, is better than a trip to Hawaii!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We got to go on a hay ride. For <i>free. </i>Nothing's free back in Cali!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Seriously? Pumpkin guts? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Man I'm glad that </i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>kid can't talk yet, </i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>aren't you?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are Maggie and Ian's creations. Pretty fantastic. Finn wasn't even remotely impressed with the end result either. Maybe next year?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFILDcjygYsHvJ9jjKGMcYrqubqqRFkOVUNjos-IE-TiO52doJAX9_lWByCZE5Cc1dGwUcnuI6zti3OJJ7MAjkvnp_juEZX_9tgP-ccT1rL-1c7JiFYGAkg3U5DZt07QNbjczC7z2Z2g/s1600/IMG_0706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFILDcjygYsHvJ9jjKGMcYrqubqqRFkOVUNjos-IE-TiO52doJAX9_lWByCZE5Cc1dGwUcnuI6zti3OJJ7MAjkvnp_juEZX_9tgP-ccT1rL-1c7JiFYGAkg3U5DZt07QNbjczC7z2Z2g/s1600/IMG_0706.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then it was tubby time, and all week I got to be the sole proprietress of tubby time. See that smile? That was just for me!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxxHpRhoyt79Txx0-Fl8eBNZibTJT6vnC4GnYcV-sDl-Vrnsaz1mnbNsAW179zKeEDY9yaKaBzlwIkfGHA_BVDiq9NhYyRgzLL71pllDOtdw73Fs266cdQ2mNpZfgNs_lwE37-thK7YE/s1600/IMG_0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxxHpRhoyt79Txx0-Fl8eBNZibTJT6vnC4GnYcV-sDl-Vrnsaz1mnbNsAW179zKeEDY9yaKaBzlwIkfGHA_BVDiq9NhYyRgzLL71pllDOtdw73Fs266cdQ2mNpZfgNs_lwE37-thK7YE/s1600/IMG_0713.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I think I won him over with tubby time. Be still my heart.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQFrDVUZsiH5p-LlWwV2B8TvTdarMYONznM1GczprgU-qrTnBlr_OzlqlSfN-VZQaa77_Me01YZcjfZeTkyi_9bg-EmnKn2zDRDB9teue_uFK4W8OiNaYII4iNTjpsP2kLZC28PYUvc0/s1600/IMG_0699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQFrDVUZsiH5p-LlWwV2B8TvTdarMYONznM1GczprgU-qrTnBlr_OzlqlSfN-VZQaa77_Me01YZcjfZeTkyi_9bg-EmnKn2zDRDB9teue_uFK4W8OiNaYII4iNTjpsP2kLZC28PYUvc0/s1600/IMG_0699.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then we went to Home Depot and the Dollar Store to get all sorts of goodies that babies love but, don't usually get to play with. Such as, the toilet paper roll. Night lights, door stops, locks, switches, and velcro that you can stick stuff to. Papa Mac attached everything to a board. He and Ian screwed it into the wall in Finn's room and wallah! A sensory board just for him.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rUTVoKx9K_xfu4sdnUSkJ4ihTKHkqO-qt65HI0xJjsI31Zmnv0PcmQe_OEsKqbxIYj_B9mzq6zseWGsct1XGdyQBYeJ7rz_fQoEW17InoUo_V8U5I4rmbWRIogDx6ur-7TXQoPUmXnQ/s1600/IMG_0719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rUTVoKx9K_xfu4sdnUSkJ4ihTKHkqO-qt65HI0xJjsI31Zmnv0PcmQe_OEsKqbxIYj_B9mzq6zseWGsct1XGdyQBYeJ7rz_fQoEW17InoUo_V8U5I4rmbWRIogDx6ur-7TXQoPUmXnQ/s1600/IMG_0719.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Our little granddaughter Rebecca may or may not be getting one of these for Christmas. Shhh</span>hhh<span style="font-size: large;">.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_9tOOL9ai97ylRj8dFfl1dYVtQVMuFFRFGGYS9dDG-0FD5jpoHS0I7DR5W7HZCmdIHsRxL8BADfhXNqWbFjgKeeBSh_fZ2s7cSz0XwsMRWq4icGVQDPhh8FMUP1HLTSFBECAxK776io/s1600/IMG_0720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_9tOOL9ai97ylRj8dFfl1dYVtQVMuFFRFGGYS9dDG-0FD5jpoHS0I7DR5W7HZCmdIHsRxL8BADfhXNqWbFjgKeeBSh_fZ2s7cSz0XwsMRWq4icGVQDPhh8FMUP1HLTSFBECAxK776io/s1600/IMG_0720.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Sensory Board!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIJfXXx6NfkzjmibOMkp-4XNdeO3IcGTGY8-R0zU320FvgixTvwqdO2CGPpp8wD72mgz3iikeUYZ0yUd3QJGiJ0dgE_4dryENYGwrMXI8Ir9ZPmWUqSrEgZcxD_tppB7ybAkjlAwGo6o/s1600/IMG_1181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIJfXXx6NfkzjmibOMkp-4XNdeO3IcGTGY8-R0zU320FvgixTvwqdO2CGPpp8wD72mgz3iikeUYZ0yUd3QJGiJ0dgE_4dryENYGwrMXI8Ir9ZPmWUqSrEgZcxD_tppB7ybAkjlAwGo6o/s1600/IMG_1181.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This was the most fun trip. I taught my grandson to drive.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">With <i>two</i> steering wheels! Grammy's are fun like that.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWOLt8LP-rZlWQu87NQc_ZMlzyhwRaQzPQ8KGWCBzP20Tk3QShGYLUhdPYXIevY62cH0haa-SMMOsO3fTXysH17PFhJ_uw7z0Ke5zJFcgADnGze61goggXaasmxM95omF-hdqMmQMHl8/s1600/IMG_0742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWOLt8LP-rZlWQu87NQc_ZMlzyhwRaQzPQ8KGWCBzP20Tk3QShGYLUhdPYXIevY62cH0haa-SMMOsO3fTXysH17PFhJ_uw7z0Ke5zJFcgADnGze61goggXaasmxM95omF-hdqMmQMHl8/s1600/IMG_0742.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then, before we knew it, before we were ready for it; it was time for us to leave. Leave our baby girl, her new hubby and our wee grandson. The leaving was a tiny bit easier though, knowing that they live in this darling little cottage, with a bedroom just waiting for us to come to next time. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUZmWe1L3yUhhYqvq6PDXqsYNj3BuQrgN3AtGrB-MWbxkSXHoCubgXLJunFCU7eldcnrrudDPtahtPga5HadPVwFctlJLGj52G9gtQiCybIc0H6mJr_dVvPRvrnVM05RosRBjxQ-ohe8/s1600/IMG_0634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUZmWe1L3yUhhYqvq6PDXqsYNj3BuQrgN3AtGrB-MWbxkSXHoCubgXLJunFCU7eldcnrrudDPtahtPga5HadPVwFctlJLGj52G9gtQiCybIc0H6mJr_dVvPRvrnVM05RosRBjxQ-ohe8/s1600/IMG_0634.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">From this:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFz62xUnOxQYv53ydVf5X3wEVfsMv-kUbkwv7uB4aYoJPHvXUTa74vpYWKpdXwbpCprqKmM3t3QGdT1BzG8YFNaRUfwtqFYa7v4bYo379QTZU5zI_xzjhjMZ9B0DvS-8UJkEW-k_APHcs/s1600/IMG_1164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFz62xUnOxQYv53ydVf5X3wEVfsMv-kUbkwv7uB4aYoJPHvXUTa74vpYWKpdXwbpCprqKmM3t3QGdT1BzG8YFNaRUfwtqFYa7v4bYo379QTZU5zI_xzjhjMZ9B0DvS-8UJkEW-k_APHcs/s1600/IMG_1164.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">To this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What a difference a day makes!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_WFozaMlmmERE7xnSy5HeToSYN0qF51w-oMpPB7-ycFr7KoFegK-LgjW2STtt2a8LsoV9SxvFogHq64_pFPmh0kG3QFmJRzYqMwPdh05NllHpaXApNaH_Le1VCK6nF-vw0AVRDhCLOk/s1600/IMG_0758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_WFozaMlmmERE7xnSy5HeToSYN0qF51w-oMpPB7-ycFr7KoFegK-LgjW2STtt2a8LsoV9SxvFogHq64_pFPmh0kG3QFmJRzYqMwPdh05NllHpaXApNaH_Le1VCK6nF-vw0AVRDhCLOk/s1600/IMG_0758.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bye, Bye, Buddy. Until we see you here at the cottage for Thanksgiving - the surf's the best then! L O V E</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">GRAMMY and PAPA MAC</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tia</span></div>
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"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-12667717668496475472014-10-13T17:31:00.001-07:002014-10-13T17:31:12.962-07:00Our Forever and Ever Party<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Maggie and Ian's wedding reception.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7ojUKft63AOb93bCif9wJKvH6rKESXyw4jpbLVB6ruYYND7kWMYVhBAnHS_RJ6jpEkjYYitzTkSC5q9IrWJcvBgKmuequ3VoOfsxvvzTN8-nu6lDYLUdETM_Ae5yQfK_KuSbk9quJPI/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7ojUKft63AOb93bCif9wJKvH6rKESXyw4jpbLVB6ruYYND7kWMYVhBAnHS_RJ6jpEkjYYitzTkSC5q9IrWJcvBgKmuequ3VoOfsxvvzTN8-nu6lDYLUdETM_Ae5yQfK_KuSbk9quJPI/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0199.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">"What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><b>Now lets party!!!</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtqJr73OAFoImGNmCMsylEv57vTbArD44gbNPGvSKBhZCBRBaUWqT-TC-5obEiN0IP79MYJJ0D9LOjg9dLl0FznKC1YVc6DuuWqxN2_kL1mYdmsWkv6TZl5Zp6uQRH-LTltMkMEtP_Ek/s1600/IMG_0369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtqJr73OAFoImGNmCMsylEv57vTbArD44gbNPGvSKBhZCBRBaUWqT-TC-5obEiN0IP79MYJJ0D9LOjg9dLl0FznKC1YVc6DuuWqxN2_kL1mYdmsWkv6TZl5Zp6uQRH-LTltMkMEtP_Ek/s1600/IMG_0369.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Maggie chose Crepes and Fruit Salad for her luncheon. This guy took over my kitchen with his Crepe Station. I love it when that happens. The pups (far right floor) helped clean up.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFk0Lo51ZxorFz-KPyb73XPPclv0isQGxD0VUY031T1AXtWh16Ss7m-OCJ3vp3R60hjh55ez9G41_OPVLFmXFoOt6kFR-ZG_qMhXxcB0GxOQu7ydeBo3zYmPolBDAAJ9mghrwt0wV-bpI/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFk0Lo51ZxorFz-KPyb73XPPclv0isQGxD0VUY031T1AXtWh16Ss7m-OCJ3vp3R60hjh55ez9G41_OPVLFmXFoOt6kFR-ZG_qMhXxcB0GxOQu7ydeBo3zYmPolBDAAJ9mghrwt0wV-bpI/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0205.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our front garden was where we feasted. It was a perfect summer day. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVNcC1zrWwgIlK4Pvhnojm1ZOAwjUd7NNYLa9blzH5sU1d6pzxX1KRHy7fXtRf-TJOWjuAZKT-f8bOadCAFAjPLuMIM9jV7EfqJe_W_wbWUf-a7bVS1yN5WFBkZ5aM0AiWNvQ1X1Cj74/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVNcC1zrWwgIlK4Pvhnojm1ZOAwjUd7NNYLa9blzH5sU1d6pzxX1KRHy7fXtRf-TJOWjuAZKT-f8bOadCAFAjPLuMIM9jV7EfqJe_W_wbWUf-a7bVS1yN5WFBkZ5aM0AiWNvQ1X1Cj74/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0220.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Abigail Rose was Maggie's stubborn little flower girl. Just as Maggie stood her ground at three and refused to wear her wreath<br />of flowers at her sisters wedding, Abby declined to wear hers. What goes around, comes around. Oh well, they<br />are both beautiful as they stand alone.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YPRDaB0g8DwwiAneTpH5_VqjFnbsq7Raur_fXNJwn1HHiIxVKABV7lbo_s6yaG9fXUs-iCCSn5Hnm03zzZGBmk3X9GTpdf50AxRDVsLkOQDlpPrfhi0pngnv_DxmdXWdPWLp49C_TTo/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YPRDaB0g8DwwiAneTpH5_VqjFnbsq7Raur_fXNJwn1HHiIxVKABV7lbo_s6yaG9fXUs-iCCSn5Hnm03zzZGBmk3X9GTpdf50AxRDVsLkOQDlpPrfhi0pngnv_DxmdXWdPWLp49C_TTo/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0223.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Bare feet are the best feet.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv46QIT2W3us6Hu7O9yIAJFJ-Z5Y4BurwS_EZ-YQVeYGGa5zBoD6CT3aKyLggOFyxhTfmOl_G0NbYGJBr61a7hPjkt5BTORJUzUmKGjZLpWcFnefuvRDZPoZvSqjQkQY7IUsbQTlGJJ7w/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv46QIT2W3us6Hu7O9yIAJFJ-Z5Y4BurwS_EZ-YQVeYGGa5zBoD6CT3aKyLggOFyxhTfmOl_G0NbYGJBr61a7hPjkt5BTORJUzUmKGjZLpWcFnefuvRDZPoZvSqjQkQY7IUsbQTlGJJ7w/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0252.jpg" height="516" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maggie's Godmother gave her this beautiful Rosary which, we wrapped into her wedding bouquet.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdJgXeEiBRS0n3K6HeshMTLXQqDyMXgcwnfKBlP55pfl5t2hilfg3IEce0hb9dsrZ07KQlHe07Hesg9t6qo0siAOiJb-l0S-9jGyPBXdnBh4poj6T-5n_l-b1_djtHfmNlgDm4pWUmkM/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdJgXeEiBRS0n3K6HeshMTLXQqDyMXgcwnfKBlP55pfl5t2hilfg3IEce0hb9dsrZ07KQlHe07Hesg9t6qo0siAOiJb-l0S-9jGyPBXdnBh4poj6T-5n_l-b1_djtHfmNlgDm4pWUmkM/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0261.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Hey, watcha got there Ferb?"</span></td></tr>
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I bought these little quilted hearts just to leave out on the coffee table for my grand babies to play<br />
with. It's amazing the use they get! These photos stand on their own. Finnegan and Rebecca, aka Phineas and Ferb.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95DJvUOLah3nA90FMoyGkUr3MIEayvsm-Xt1gM1FJtBVkh6XkaDPhXSYF83rq_oPJv8FKq8wKsi3mfkBTVxNlK91oP9uGRG1_J35Ix-0kVkUGdhGPVug5SLWPY4qaXHqm_GCL9j3Sw70/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95DJvUOLah3nA90FMoyGkUr3MIEayvsm-Xt1gM1FJtBVkh6XkaDPhXSYF83rq_oPJv8FKq8wKsi3mfkBTVxNlK91oP9uGRG1_J35Ix-0kVkUGdhGPVug5SLWPY4qaXHqm_GCL9j3Sw70/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0262.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Grammy's Coasters. Wanna play?"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYRDEL1kQBrV2J1NHNF6ZXCPRS_EG3PtWt47TIjtqzCO9TwisElpijTGh5KfRP_ALwMTGmqHijO2t4ZCUrVKWHS9OSqKgtg5GzjgW-Qjndg7rEkur2bI5R95q6nI1nrFD8RIaYDry9Yg/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYRDEL1kQBrV2J1NHNF6ZXCPRS_EG3PtWt47TIjtqzCO9TwisElpijTGh5KfRP_ALwMTGmqHijO2t4ZCUrVKWHS9OSqKgtg5GzjgW-Qjndg7rEkur2bI5R95q6nI1nrFD8RIaYDry9Yg/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0265.jpg" height="390" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"You're my hero Finn"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JJ6UE93uFxkZHY4I2vXIKVJTcIARzLIUglQBEpwTwQF76i1pVG6URgEx5YpynoC61-VoS8v-5yl-TWSOTV1soT5oLGTt7gO6Fa-EsX3t3H9za3swMzF8uRHpJbeA5ZTsHZVlFua8Qnc/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JJ6UE93uFxkZHY4I2vXIKVJTcIARzLIUglQBEpwTwQF76i1pVG6URgEx5YpynoC61-VoS8v-5yl-TWSOTV1soT5oLGTt7gO6Fa-EsX3t3H9za3swMzF8uRHpJbeA5ZTsHZVlFua8Qnc/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0264.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"What can I say? That old lady has pretty good taste in Coasters."</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6vWWAKuPVXpOwvxnxRy0mv_AcwdlCPdbh-Pq2dD0b3yNwydRwlt8Am0BHQZM5wXCFikQa0zzBdH3ohHfWWaUESr2c9X6pMgb_aQ7UBPFt-8Jo6ceRbA-oSdT6A9y5_a-VWsO1sDGfRc/s1600/IMG_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6vWWAKuPVXpOwvxnxRy0mv_AcwdlCPdbh-Pq2dD0b3yNwydRwlt8Am0BHQZM5wXCFikQa0zzBdH3ohHfWWaUESr2c9X6pMgb_aQ7UBPFt-8Jo6ceRbA-oSdT6A9y5_a-VWsO1sDGfRc/s1600/IMG_0371.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maggie had her cake made at VG's Donut shop. Did I ever mention that donuts are her favorite food? Ian's aunt sewed these squares that we used on the cake table. Now she has put them together as a quilt for their bed. How cool is that?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXTGaVGdmCF0XYFVRChvQkWv_7DRjIeqq3pwUXAGjwYFjcCrD1U-Qq_NjyuYlnfmWezDSh2rGJjyLM3sIlV7nwGVtR5QhMG2AaP7TbDbWQu8DkyEvpf-SxAtom3BmVQ0FGjnabowzu5Q/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXTGaVGdmCF0XYFVRChvQkWv_7DRjIeqq3pwUXAGjwYFjcCrD1U-Qq_NjyuYlnfmWezDSh2rGJjyLM3sIlV7nwGVtR5QhMG2AaP7TbDbWQu8DkyEvpf-SxAtom3BmVQ0FGjnabowzu5Q/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0212.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The menu. It was a sweet and savory day, just like it says.</span></td></tr>
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Ah, my heart melts. My eldest son, my eldest daughter, my youngest granddaughter and my pup.<br />
This is what life is all about. This is what makes my soul sing. My family. This is how I have been blessed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QV3yaHdi5BH33_3TQOCTJQ3HaqX1g7JtioQONROi6r-TQZD0Q3rwfI0JjK1jf7lLg8x7DMmSLc9XMOKVIwpguRjN5o1z0eGfE4wZxMPU1ngc2C9pcj3_agAckQRWJUdR_aMhELJrELw/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QV3yaHdi5BH33_3TQOCTJQ3HaqX1g7JtioQONROi6r-TQZD0Q3rwfI0JjK1jf7lLg8x7DMmSLc9XMOKVIwpguRjN5o1z0eGfE4wZxMPU1ngc2C9pcj3_agAckQRWJUdR_aMhELJrELw/s1600/photo+5.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finn in his favorite place. His mama's arms.</span></td></tr>
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Now I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to show off a few of my grandchildren. Oh the cuteness!<br />
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Napkin rings make fabulous rings for beautiful little girls as well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZU9d4T4I1ilNpCUa5IQhp4a0doZQBaPvHWDGNIL3_03Oathl5yVtZpT7mKCh04ogp-dqvHADfN4i3kkbPQ0s4JY1UDW9GtkP5oMv0CIm_ZCN_RUKkvCC_vd0qyAw9vFo0umZbQZ8wek/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZU9d4T4I1ilNpCUa5IQhp4a0doZQBaPvHWDGNIL3_03Oathl5yVtZpT7mKCh04ogp-dqvHADfN4i3kkbPQ0s4JY1UDW9GtkP5oMv0CIm_ZCN_RUKkvCC_vd0qyAw9vFo0umZbQZ8wek/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0284.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A sneak peek through an open window.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgAQekwU4KggMRpPwNKxvU8tgiP-4wwBEnPit-Slr7i8jDqdKvo4Vpip3bAcz016mwIXeUojckOXxoOPBdeZENWJsmd8QuLQsbnYSefdu1yu8FfhaUpPmYRSLuulf6A-GRsBap2pf3Ds/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgAQekwU4KggMRpPwNKxvU8tgiP-4wwBEnPit-Slr7i8jDqdKvo4Vpip3bAcz016mwIXeUojckOXxoOPBdeZENWJsmd8QuLQsbnYSefdu1yu8FfhaUpPmYRSLuulf6A-GRsBap2pf3Ds/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0287.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThP94K8LCb3uzUPRRiLdM5bMyZTwVGVpaj35aKjfJPaX-WSJwTgeyreCKmwo0IvmvjCfBvHawsVggNS7x51JjkquqnyKIXJOgdV7HbfoQw5Da52KyHZmqJv1ex0saAS6DbSHFoWldXz8/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThP94K8LCb3uzUPRRiLdM5bMyZTwVGVpaj35aKjfJPaX-WSJwTgeyreCKmwo0IvmvjCfBvHawsVggNS7x51JjkquqnyKIXJOgdV7HbfoQw5Da52KyHZmqJv1ex0saAS6DbSHFoWldXz8/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0314.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a>My son-in-law Justin, propped himself right here next to the beverages. I'm sure he was just guarding them? Check out the smile. Perfectly innocent.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeD3gK_3IJQhHnzdHdk5vTcP9Vqy3bzfTy_TLpqz8SwpskkTWEwDBnrfdbM2Ij8ldqJXo0Z01Tqw4Y-yDO8m1qD72kt_06-0StshbHBm_1FUOyM_0zsvaMI0CHKm9namiHky7hczbyk8/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeD3gK_3IJQhHnzdHdk5vTcP9Vqy3bzfTy_TLpqz8SwpskkTWEwDBnrfdbM2Ij8ldqJXo0Z01Tqw4Y-yDO8m1qD72kt_06-0StshbHBm_1FUOyM_0zsvaMI0CHKm9namiHky7hczbyk8/s1600/WED_Ian_Maggie-0255.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">At last the time had come. Every good party has an ending and we were all tuckered out.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A few of us may have even been a little cranky.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, we bid our newlyweds adieu, and off they went on their honeymoon. Where to you ask?</span><span style="font-size: large;">The beach of course!</span><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mr. and Mrs. Lawson and their son Finn.</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">We wish you all the love your hearts can hold.</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">May God hold you in the palm of His hand.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.</span><br />1 Corinthians 13:13</td></tr>
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Thanks for sharing some of my most special moments.<br />
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Blessings,<br />
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Tia<br />
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"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-36347976229120877842014-09-24T10:16:00.000-07:002014-09-24T10:16:24.124-07:00Come With Me, And Be My Love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">WELCOME FRIENDS!</span></div>
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Fling open the Chapel doors, the day has come. This summer our youngest daughter Maggie, married her love, in a small ceremony with only their beloved families present. She's kinda shy and her choice was to have an intimate, morning wedding but, she said I could give you a sneak peek! I invite you now to share with Maggie and Ian, their special day. <br />
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<b>This is My commandment:</b><br />
<b>Love One Another As I Have loved You</b><br />
<b>John 15:9-12</b><br />
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Yet another daughter to wear the neckless which has been in my husbands' family and worn by all brides from his great grandmother on down. <i>I'm a sap for tradition</i>.<br />
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I just love weddings. There are so many special moments, like this one. Some love and wishes for a happy life, from her big sister before she walks down the asile. These two are my eldest and my youngest. Maggie is so lucky to have older sisters to follow in marriage. She will be able to glean advise, and to watch and learn from good examples of marriage in action. I'm so proud of my daughters, the women they are, and the men they have married.<br />
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<b>"Love those who love you"</b><br />
<b> Emily Bronte</b><br />
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When Maggie was three years old, she was her big sister's flower girl. Now her big sister's 3 year old, Abigail Rose, was Maggie's flower girl. Isn't it amazing how sometimes life seems to go in a big circle, holding so many precious moments.<br />
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Our little Chapel of The Nativity is a place of repose, close to the heart of the Father.<br />
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<a href="http://lorimcktia.blogspot.com/2009/09/black-heels-skate-boards-and-goofy-girl.html">Remember this post when Maggie wore her new heels?</a> Double click on the underlined text and you can read all about it. Well, she's still a goofy girl, this time sporting bright yellow heels on her wedding day. (Sans skateboard!)<br />
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That's our girl! Always her own person, with her own style and she <i>loves</i> her heels.<br />
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Across the courtyard, and Daddy starts the journey to walk his daughter down the aisle. This is the part where I always cry. His baby girl has become a woman now. I know he was thinking of all the memories- of bedtime stories, lifting her high in his arms to put the angel on the Christmas tree, drying away tears when her heart was broken, riding roller coasters at Disneyland with their arms flying high in the air, telling her she's beautiful, praying that the man she's chosen to marry will love her as much, take care of her as well as he did.<br />
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First Communion as Man and Wife.<br />
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Monsignor Purcell, our family priest, read the vows, and the bride and groom looking lovingly into each other's eyes said,<br />
"We do."<br />
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Then they sealed it with a gentle kiss.<br />
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The new Mr. and Mrs. with their Mimi - The matriarch of our family.<br />
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Ian's parents and family are a blessing. They raised a fine young man and are also a great example to the young'ns. We have an even bigger family now! Welcome Lawson Clan.<br />
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F A M I L Y<br />
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Oh, it's so hard to give your little girl away; no matter how wonderful a match they make. <i>Waaaaaaaaah.</i><br />
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But look how radiant her smile is...look at the sparkle he has put in her eyes.<br />
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<b>Direct your children on the right path,</b><br />
<b>and when they are older, they will not depart from it.</b><br />
<b>Proverbs 22:6</b><br />
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<b>Irish Wedding Prayer</b></div>
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<b>May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow</b></div>
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<b>May the soft winds freshen your spirit</b></div>
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<b>May the sunshine brighten your heart</b></div>
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<b>May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you</b></div>
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<b>And may God enfold you in the mantel of His love.</b></div>
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Maggie Colleen,</div>
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I gave you my roots</div>
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I give you my wings</div>
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Fly baby girl</div>
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And always remember who you are.</div>
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I love you more than all the miles you drove to get to your new home.</div>
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Mommy</div>
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And as for y'all - come back soon because next post I'm taking you to the reception to celebrate, eh!</div>
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Blessings,</div>
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Tia</div>
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"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-11986586161718779832014-09-09T09:52:00.002-07:002015-09-17T18:50:57.581-07:00 Afraid To See A Full Grown Man In a Speedo, Then Don't Open This Post<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Last weekend my son came home for his last leave from the Army before he is deployed. He's trying to make the most of family time and his favorite hobbies. The guy loves to body surf, so on Saturday, we went down to a the very first international body surfing competition at The Wave in Mission Bay. The park is a 30,000 foot outdoor venue which includes 'The Wave' and an 8 foot Flow Barrel called Bruticus Maximus.<br />
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This flipping white horse is 8' at the barrel. It can be a rogue wave or like being thrown into a washing machine, depending on your ride. A typical California wave in the ocean in the summertime is about 3 feet depending on the conditions so this shows you how rogue this wave is.<br />
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There's Dylan about to take his first wave in the practice run for the competition called, "Straight Out Of Whompton". Don't ask me why its' called that, because I have no idea. Number one, what is Whompton? Number two, why would anyone want to take an 8' wave for ANY reason? I know not. I do however know why it was a blast to watch.<br />
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Let me explain. Although in a way no explanation is necessary. Seventy guys competed in nine heats making it a long, fun, summer day of California party on the beach! During the trials they competed in red, white and blue speedos. But then, during the heats they competed in whatever they wanted. Extra points were given if you did tricks, flips, or any kind of showmanship. My son got one extra point for each heat he competed in these 'budgie smugglers'. I don't even know where he got them - they came in the mail. Sketchy you say? Yup, the internet opens up all sorts of opportunities these days.<br />
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I LOVE where I live!<br />
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Mission Beach in San Diego, California. A party all the time.<br />
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See way over to the left, that little red cap? That's the way you hope you don't end up when you hit the barrel. This is when you feel like you've been thrown into a washing machine and will end up at the chiropractor the next day. Guys dislocate their shoulders and God knows what happens to their heads and spines. But dude, it's <i>fun! </i>The toys in the foreground are just a few of the things the surfers may use to lend a bit of showmanship to their ride. Dylan used the shark on one ride, as if the grape smuggler wasn't enough!<br />
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Now this is how you want to enter the barrel. Some body surfers can enter the wave and then reappear from it in their original body surfing pose on their side, feet straight out, one hand over the head, kinda like a yoga pose. It's called the Chicken Wing. You get a lot of points for that one if you do it right.<br />
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So now you know what we did with our weekend. Don't blame me if you were offended by the banana hammock speedo (I warned you) but, you went there anyway. You may want to ask yourself what that says about you? I know I'm asking what this post says about me!<br />
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Love you more than all the fun we had last weekend at <i>The Wave</i>. <br />
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THE END.<br />
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Tia</div>
"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-3009237700678158842014-08-18T09:30:00.000-07:002015-09-17T09:42:07.601-07:00Missing This Guy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's been way too long since I have read or written any blogs. I think this happens to everybody, <i>at least hobbyist's like me who just do this for fun not money. </i>Not keeping up on my blog writing, which has become a wonderful place to connect with friends, and to journal what's going on in my life, and all my kids leaving the nest and not living at the cottage anymore, not for school, but for real life this time, has left me in a great big, giant, Redwood sized, FUNK. My kids are not coming back from school or travel, except to visit from all their distant new homes in (Illinois, San Francisco, Seattle and Georgia, and the far North) <strike>well, North of San Diego about 45 minutes from here</strike> <u>but, still.</u> Look above again at my little Finn. Closer. Doesn't that face just slay ya? My expression looks the very same way right now. I cry every time I look at this picture. Why keep looking at it you say? I' guess I'm trying to get all my tears out so that I won't have anymore and I can get on with my life. What do you think? Have you ever tried that remedy? How'd it work out for ya?<br />
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<i> </i>I had such a busy summer, including a working trip to Ireland for a month; my soldier coming home for the last time before deployment; and that's a whole other story, moving my eldest son to another state to start the career he worked so hard in college for, and my youngest daughter, my baby, <a href="http://lorimcktia.blogspot.com/2014/04/surprises-from-cottage.html"> got married </a>. I didn't see it <i>coming</i>. I was too busy <i>doing</i>. My daughter and her new husband went and took him with them to their new home. Did I mention that? Imagine! How rude! His face in the photo above, is how my heart feels. Yep, and about not keeping up on my blog writing. And about my baby taking her baby away just as I was getting so attached I didn't really see how I could actually let her take him. Did I mention that? <strike>I have to keep asking because all this grief has boggled my mind and I no longer think straight. That and I'm old. </strike> No seriously, the thought crossed my mind. Kidnapping that is. But I'm pretty sure that is illegal, or immoral, or something starting with im. Oh yeah, and after 37 years of parenting, now it's for real. Now I have an empty nest. I guess I'm lucky to still have my hubby, and he's kinda like a big ol baby, and he's liking empty nest just fine, so somebody around here is happy. Look again up there at Finn's face, at his body posture. Closer. Can you feel my pain? Please do, because I need to get rid of some of it. Thank you, you've always been there for me.<br />
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Okay, enough. This is supposed to be my happy place. So...Attitude, it's all about attitude. Bare, with me while a garner some. Okay, mhhh, plaa, kuu, whaah, sob. All done for now. At least right this minute.<br />
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As I mentioned, I enjoyed a trip to The Beara Peninsula in the South of Ireland again this year. The Rhododendrons were in full bloom. They're everywhere and bigger than I've ever seen. Quite a beautiful sight.<br />
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This is the Dzogchen Beara Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Center in Allihies, West Cork. I go there every time I go to Ireland. I'm drawn to the sea, and the rural peace of this place. If you ever get to this part of the country, please do stop in, or even stay. Words can't express.<br />
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This was about as cloudy as it got in Ireland in June of this year. I do love rainy days there. It's so perfect for cuddling-in, for long days of painting and writing. This year the month of June was mostly, HOT though. Just fyi; go to Ireland in May. Lots of typical Irish weather and no crowds!<br />
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Well, this may be the shortest post I've ever written. Until I recover my photos this is about all I can show you of Ireland. Hang in there because the wedding pictures will be here soon and that will be a treat and my funk should be gone and maybe I can make you smile. But for now, I'm gonna go look at the photo of sweet Finn<strike> one two three </strike>a few more times.<br />
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I won't let you go without a sunset though - so here it is.<br />
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Blessings,<br />
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Tia<br />
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Fletcher Cove Park</div>
"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-26840244270351619972014-06-15T09:55:00.004-07:002015-09-17T18:52:10.562-07:00I Know That God Must Love Me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">I know that God must love me because, he's given me my daughter Tara. Happy birthday darlin' girl.</span></b></div>
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She has a light in her soul</div>
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She opens up her heart</div>
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She shows me where the sun is</div>
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She can always ease my pain.</div>
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I know that God must love me</div>
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He showed me with His grace</div>
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I knew just how completely</div>
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When I saw my angel's face.</div>
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And in that very important moment</div>
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When she came into my world</div>
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I knew that she was so much more</div>
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Than just my baby girl.</div>
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She's my closest friend</div>
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The reason I do my best.</div>
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She has a smile that an angel might envy.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Some of these photos's are a few years old but, I'm in Ireland and don't have all my files. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">My internet takes forever to load a photo. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> I like to keep my kids suspended in time. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">I wish I could keep them strapped into their seat belts in my car forever. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">I never wanted them to grow up and leave me. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Forgive me, I'm a stinkin' mess.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I will carry on now.</span><br />
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Tara grew up to be a beautiful young woman and married her best friend.<br />
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About twelve minutes after they were married they bought a puppy they called, Hank. (Sorry, no pictures of Hank.) Just like her momma, (wink!) you could tell that she had that maternal feeling going on. First she and Jason had four strapping, handsome, boisterous boys.<br />
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Then this little ray of sunshine graced our lives. First baby girl after all the brothers.<br />
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Then about every two years she does this. Self explanatory.<br />
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When you make babies this beautiful, and you parent in a way that is admirable and full of grace, the world is every single day, made just a little lovelier.<br />
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And this is number seven, bringing us to four boys and three girls. I know what you're thinking! One more and we're even. Okay, maybe that's just what I'm thinking.<br />
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This is our big, beautiful family whom I live for. I'm off writing in Ireland on a painting and writing retreat, missing them with all my heart and soul. Tara, this is for you - for your belated birthday because, you are the poem I dreamed of writing. The masterpiece I longed to paint. You are the shining star I reached for in my ever hopeful quest for life fulfilled.<br />
You are my child and now with all things I am blessed.<br />
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Happy birthday sunshine.<br />
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Love you more than all the shamrocks in Ireland,<br />
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Mom<br />
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"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-77609817144684265852014-05-30T07:43:00.000-07:002014-05-30T07:45:22.823-07:00Surfing Soul Sisters<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>Friday, 30 May 2014</i><br />
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Since it's still Friday, even over here in Ireland where I'm on a working holiday, I decided to post a "Flashback Friday" on this here blog spot of mine. Quick and sweet, a visual treat. Two sisters, (my daughter's) about 6 years ago, on a surf outing, just across the road from our cottage by the sea. It's the sweet, sweet soul of sisters enjoying summer. Come along, let's pretend it's 2008! <br />
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How do people make it through life without a sister?<br />
-Sara Corpening-<br />
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I don't believe an accident of birth makes people sisters or brothers. It makes them siblings, gives them mutuality of parentage. Sisterhood and brotherhood is a condition people have to work at.<br />
-Maya Angelou- May she rest in eternal peace.<br />
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Ready...Get set...<br />
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JUMP!<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">A sister is a forever friend. When sister's stand shoulder to shoulder, who stands a chance against us? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">-Pam Brown-</span></div>
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Short boarding, yea!<br />
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"I think I'll just lie out here in the great outdoors and ponder life."<br />
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In thee my soul shall own<br />
Combined the sister and the friend<br />
-Catherine Killigrew-<br />
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Look at the sea, girls - all silver and shadow and vision of things not seen. We couldn't enjoy its loveliness any more if we had millions of dollars and ropes of diamonds."<br />
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My heart.<br />
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My soul.<br />
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My life.<br />
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Mutual weirdness forever!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">When I grow up I want to be a beach bum.</span></td></tr>
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Hear the sound of the waves and relax, it's <i>Flashback Friday.</i><br />
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We're rolling into summer, friends. What are your plans? Lay it on me!<br />
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Blessings from the Emerald Isle,<br />
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Tia<br />
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"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-41956853880139251512014-04-28T12:14:00.000-07:002014-04-28T12:14:29.601-07:00Surprises From The Cottage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Well hey, and welcome back to the cottage. Back in my last post I promised that I'd let you in on what I've been doing <strike>in lieu of blogging</strike>, these past few months.<br />
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One of the things I mentioned in my last post was, a "surprise" pregnancy. If you watched the movie of the baptism of our two newest grandchildren in my last post, you may have caught on to who surprised us! If you want, you can catch up a bit with our Maggie's life as it was last year, right here- <a href="http://lorimcktia.blogspot.com/2013/01/our-goofy-girl-goes-to-college.html">when we were taking her back to Illinois to go to University.</a> I'll get back to the surprise in just a sec. Okay? Okay.<br />
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One of the other great events in our life back then was, the graduation of our son Cooper, from University. I wrote all about that right here on <a href="http://lorimcktia.blogspot.com/2013/05/graduation-day-baby.html">Graduation Day!</a><br />
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Oh! What a celebration we had. Four years of hard work and we all came together to stand by his side as he took his first steps into what would be a whole new life. He's moved to San Francisco, California to take a job with an Architectural Design Firm, confirming the fact that I truly now do have, an empty nest. Ahhhhhhhh euuuuu ahhh sob sob sob slurp snot sob wahhhhhhhhhhh. More about that later.<br />
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As you can easily see in this family photo, our eldest daughter Tara, is very pregnant with her seventh baby. Our little Rebecca Kathleen was born last fall and I invite you to read all about that right here with just a click. <a href="http://lorimcktia.blogspot.com/2013/10/we-welcome-with-love-our-healthy.html">We Welcome With Love</a>. Look at this face. You're not gonna want to miss it.<br />
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This is Rebecca (or, baby Brebecca) as her sister Abby tends to call her. She is in the arms of her godmother, my daughter, Kate.<br />
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Then, this guy, you might remember him if you're a regular reader. My son, Dylan, got another of his bright ideas. Oh these kids… Kids! He began a regime of preparation to enter the US Army.<br />
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Life kept rolling along way to quickly, (at least for me) and it was time for our youngest son to realize his dream. Once again, with fear and trepidation, and happiness backed by pride, we saw him on his way. You get the picture now, and you can see my handsome soldier and the beginning of his journey, right here at, <a href="http://lorimcktia.blogspot.com/2013/09/an-american-soldier.html">An American Soldier</a>.<br />
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Now let's see. Am I forgetting anything? It's been a loooong, interesting, frightening, thrilling, year full of change. Have I mentioned that I'm not a big fan of <i>change</i>?<br />
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<a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.actioncoachofelmgrove.com/blog/the-formula-for-change/" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px; text-align: center;"><img class="irc_mut" src="http://www.actioncoachofelmgrove.com/images/16_orig.jpg" height="478" id="irc_mi" style="-webkit-background-size: 21px; -webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px 5px 35px; background-color: white; background-image: linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)), linear-gradient(45deg, rgb(239, 239, 239) 25%, transparent 25%, transparent 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239) 75%, rgb(239, 239, 239)); background-position: 0px 0px, 10px 10px; background-size: 21px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.65098) 0px 5px 35px; margin-top: 0px;" width="717" /></a><br />
Friends, let me just say that, I do get it. I've been a mom for 37 years. It's what I dreamed of since I was a little girl. It's the only thing I ever really wanted to be. When other kids were hanging their star on becoming a doctor, a lawyer, a nurse or a garbage collector. All I wanted was to become a mom. I understood that when you had kids your job was to love and protect them and to help and guide them through life and into becoming an independent, responsible human being who gives back to the world through their own lives. But something in my brain just didn't click way back then, regarding the fact that all that guiding to independence would lead to them leaving me. I swear, <u>I just didn't get that part of the memo. </u> Embarrassingly enough, I thought that I'd raise these amazing people who would become my very best friends and we'd live next door to each other <strike>and live communally</strike> for the rest of our lives. Seriously, I regret to say this is true. But I found out in a face smacking, wallop upside the head way this year, that my little brain had it all wrong. These most treasured, our kids, whom we love unconditionally, <i>do</i> grow up and have minds of their own and seek, <i>SEEK</i> independence. And that's a good thing <strike>dammit! </strike> Unfortunately, in this day and age it means they will most often be spread out far and wide. I now have kids in Washington, Northern California, Illinois and Kentucky. God gave me a break and one of them lives only 45 minutes away, right here in good ol Southern California. (Tara, did I ever tell you that you're my favorite :)<br />
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I think I've caught you up on everybody except Kate and her husband Justin. They are the couple who live in Washington. (The wet one not the political one.) After getting her degree in business, Kate decided, after her husband got a job transfer to Seattle, that she would go back to Nursing school. She is loving it, and I know she will make an amazing nurse. Doctor's and nurses tend to run in our family so, she knows what she's getting into. Let me just say, although being a mom does tend to involve nursing of all sorts, it doesn't prepare you for things like cleaning <i>Pannis</i>. You'll have to look it up, I just can't talk about it. When she tries to explain all the amazing things she's learning about and doing in her practicums - I often have to put my hands over my ears and mumble inside my head to hide the horrors of her future profession. But really, <i>GOD BLESS NURSES</i>. And while you're praying, could you pray that when she graduates she and her hubby come back and live somewhere nearby? Thanks.<br />
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Moving forward now, let me introduce you to Ian. Ian is Maggie's true love. She met him at University in Illinois, where he is on a Volleyball scholarship. You might be able to see from this picture, that volleyball would be a sport he may excel in. Maggie is 5'9" tall so that makes Ian, yup, 6'7" tall. His dad is taller than that and his uncle is taller than <i>that</i>!<br />
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Maggie and Ian surprised us last year right about the time Cooper graduated and we were celebrating that, with the news that they were expecting a baby in December. Life is just full of surprises isn't it? Just when you think things are working out one way, they aren't. But the beauty of that is that, the best laid plans sometimes turn into even better ones. I don't know who made the rule, certainly not I. I would have things stay nice and cozy and expected and the same! You can't say I haven't explained to you how I feel about change. (Except for a few fun vacations now and then which I'm all for.) You may not think this from all you know about me but, I handled this surprise the best of all of us yahoo's which was the real surprise! It was quite the tactical maneuver, which even our soldier couldn't figure out, to tell mom. Oh yeah. I was the <i>last</i> to know. Which instills the fact that <strike>sometimes </strike> I don't always handle surprises well. But one thing I live by is Love. And I love my children unconditionally, even though sometimes I want to smack them into tomorrow. I know, I know, all the rules and all the regulations, all the precepts you try to teach your children, you think they hear you. You think they will adhere to your uncompromising wisdom brought down through the ages. Well, I've got news. It doesn't always happen that way. Say <i>WHAT</i>?<br />
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Phone calls were made, plane tickets were purchased, families rallied. It will always be easy to remember from now on, who is who. We are the mini family up there starting with my hubby on the left. They are the long and lean. Obviously. Maggie and Ian had a lot of decisions to make and since they are so young, they wanted their parents there to help them. And we were. We are. They are. And we are all lucky we are! I don't even know how to put into words (which is funny seeing as it's me.) But, these people who were one day strangers, then unexpectedly brought into our lives, are one of the most amazing, loving, gracious, beautiful in every way, family's I've ever known. Suffice it to say, this could have gone so many ways. I think I can sum it up by saying, God's grace is mighty! </div>
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And life went on. </div>
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And on.<br />
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And on.<br />
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And on.<br />
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And on.<br />
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It takes 9 months ya know?<br />
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Now that's a surprise to celebrate. <br />
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Labor started just after we had sat down to dinner on 16th December. Things went along slowly and gently and it wasn't until Maggie came into our room around midnight that, we panicked. Just kidding. It's not like we haven't done this before. Oh heck, who am I fooling? Every time seems like the first time and every time can go a different way. Here we are back at the crossroads of 'change' again.<br />
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After almost 24 hours of labor the little one's heartbeat was in stress and it was decided that a c-section was in order. Oh my gosh. The gnashing of teeth, the pulling of hair, the biting of tongue (and that was just me!) But in no time at all, and by the grace of God, our little Finnegan Scott entered the world and was gently placed in his mommy and daddy's welcoming arms.<br />
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Once again, baby love, has graced our lives. <br />
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Lots has happened since then, and as life goes on, so it changes. I know I'm not the only one who struggles with this. I guess I'll just have to reconcile with that. But, do tell?<br />
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Soon I will blog joyous wedding pictures, more graduations, and well, you just never know, do you? I have so many photos and there is so much action around here, I could fill up blog posts from now until… Meantime though, Finn has something he wants to say and then I'll let you go.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">CHOOSE LIFE!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm glad my family did.</span></div>
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OR I'LL COME GET YA</div>
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'CAUSE I'M LONG, TALL, AND STRONG</div>
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JUST LIKE MY DADDY!</div>
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(and can you tell I just love this swing?)</div>
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Once again, from my cottage and until the next blog.</div>
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Love you more than I hate change :) Okay, hate is a big word. <i>Dislike</i>.<br />
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Tia xoxo<br />
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"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-39605791475578522702014-04-18T09:23:00.001-07:002014-04-19T08:50:00.762-07:00Time Fly's At Cottage By The Sea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As they say, "where does the time go?" I sure have missed y'all in my long absence. My only excuse is that, I've been living my life <strike>and ignoring my blog</strike>. I'm off to Ireland again soon though so, I thought I'd get my writing skills honed a wee bit before I hit the road. <br />
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This past few months, when it seemed as if I'd dropped off the face of the blogging world, I've been intensely busy. We had a graduation from University, a <i><b>surprise</b></i> pregnancy, an engagement, my daughter started nursing school, another moved across country, two grandchildren were born, my soldier made Ranger school and my eldest son got a job with the largest design/architectural firm in the world! So…. I promise to tell all the stories <strike>to the horror of my children </strike> because, I've never been one to hold back. They don't know it yet, but that's actually why they love me!<br />
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Before I venture back to <i>the old country, </i>where I am afforded the time, space and inspiration to write and write and write; here is a little something I love watching over and over. I want to share it with you because, even though I know I've been gone for so long, I know you're still out there and will come say hi again. Isn't that why we're here? I know how much it means to me to have this space to share and to be able to come into your homes and share your lives too.<br />
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This is my precious family, <strike>didn't strangle a-one this year</strike> as we baptise the two newest members of our clan, Rebecca and Finnegan. <br />
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Come visit me and let me know how you're doing. I'll write you back and visit your blog too. I missed each and every one of you. I truly did! Until then, on this Good Friday and as always.<br />
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Blessings,<br />
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Tia<br />
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I hope you can see the following video. If you can't I've done something terribly wrong on this dang contraption again. But the video is kind of a summation of the past few months. Let me know , K?<br />
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And don't think I haven't forgotten that I owe you a sunset or two from our vantage at the cottage. I feel better already. How about you?<br />
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Love you more than all the sunsets. <i><b>Love</b></i>. Pass it on.<br />
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"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-71496531258995616852013-12-29T10:05:00.000-08:002013-12-29T10:05:36.941-08:00Epiphany House Blessing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After we remodeled our house, we wanted to have it blessed again. The traditional time for blessing ones house is Epiphany, 5 January, during the Christmas Season. Again this year we will bless our home, but here's a little tour from when we last had our house blessed.<br />
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Our family priest, Monsignor Purcell, came to do the blessing (although you can do it yourself too.) Our whole family was present and I quite embarrassed them by having every room blessed, including the laundry, and the bathrooms. <i>One never knows.</i> I spend a lot of time in my laundry room!<br />
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We gathered together to give thanks for the blessing of our home. Each room This home where we play, pray and rest together.<br />
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Monsignor Purcell is a blessing to our family. He is counselor, spiritual director, friend a priest of great inspiration. We go to him for all our sacraments and, well, just about everything!<br />
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Here he is after blessing our house, entering the date in our family Bible. We feel it is the last touch to make our home; our <b>home</b> <i>sweet</i> <b>home</b>.<br />
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May we be worthy of our blessings, and not have to mop up to many messes. I told you our priest does everything for us!<br />
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From our home to yours, this new year, may your loved ones be healthy, your life filled with true joy and your home be blessed.<br />
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If you'd like to do your own house blessing on Epiphany here's how.<br />
Items needed: chalk and a small bottle of holy water. Gather with family members, friends, and perhaps some neighbors at the from door.<br />
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<br />
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Tradition names the magi:<br />
Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar.<br />
With chalk, their initials sigh this doorway, along with four crosses of the seasons, and the numerals of the new year.<br />
(20 + C + M + B + 14)<br />
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Let us pray: Christus mansionem benedicat.<br />
May Christ bless this house, Amen.<br />
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Each room is sprinkled with holy water.<br />
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Living room:<br />
Bring us to live with you one day in heaven.<br />
Bless this room, O Lord. Amen.<br />
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Kitchen:<br />
You prepare for us a rich feast.<br />
Bless this room, O Lord. Amen.<br />
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Dining room:<br />
Feed us at the heavenly banquet.<br />
bless this room O Lord. Amen.<br />
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Bedrooms:<br />
In your alone we rest securely.<br />
Bless this room, O Lord. Amen.<br />
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Bathroom:<br />
You cleanse us from every impurity.<br />
Bless this room, O Lord. Amen.<br />
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all return to the front door to pray together.<br />
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Our Father…<br />
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All are sprinkled with holy water.<br />
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Bless this household through all days to come, father, son, and Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.<br />
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From our house to yours, It's still the Christmas Season. Live life to the fullest!<br />
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Blessings,<br />
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Tia<br />
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"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-38427577142462090202013-12-10T09:32:00.000-08:002013-12-10T09:38:07.111-08:00Hookin' Up In My Pajama's<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today I'm hooking up with Mama Kat's writing prompts over at </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%22http://www.mamakatslosinit.com%22">"Mama's Losin It"</a>. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> I couldn't resist when I saw this prompt </span><span style="font-size: large;">and remembered that I wrote an entire post on pajama's (cause that's just how industrious I am), a few years ago when I first started this blog. I only included the very end stanza of the song, "I Put My Pajama's On" then. It's by Livingston Taylor, (younger brother of James Taylor). But, here it is in its full glory, along with a link to the original post at the end. Just double click and there you'll be! A great song, and then my post. <i>We all love our pajama's Mama Kat! </i>If you Google it you can <i>hear</i> the song too.</span><br />
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"I've Got My Pajama's On" by Livingston Taylor<br />
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I've got my pajamas on<br />
Before I go to bed I'm going to run around.<br />
I'm standing on my head<br />
And the world is upside down.<br />
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Me and Wilson, my teddy bear<br />
We're going to do a lot of wiggling<br />
Before we go upsairs<br />
Watch out you lions you tigers you bears<br />
I've got my pajamas on<br />
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Mommy said put 'em on<br />
I said no<br />
Daddy said let's go<br />
I said all right<br />
I'm clean, I'm warm, I'm out of sight<br />
I've got my pajamas on<br />
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I'm in Daddy's lap, fading fast<br />
Wilson, if you want to mess around<br />
You'll have to do it alone<br />
I love being little<br />
And I'll love being grown<br />
I've got my pajamas on.</div>
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<a href="http://lorimcktia.blogspot.com/2009/10/ive-got-my-pajamas-on.html">And now here's the blog post that the song inspired!</a></div>
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Snuggle up tight, 'cause it's the pajama's time of year.<br />
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Blessings,<br />
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Tia</div>
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"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-50174058833175627992013-11-23T10:55:00.001-08:002015-09-17T18:53:51.287-07:00Sittin' In A High Chair, Big Chair, My Chair<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Recently, you may remember that my eldest daughter had her seventh baby. <a href="http://lorimcktia.blogspot.com/2013/10/we-welcome-with-love-our-healthy.html">Rebecca Kathleen</a> is a wee beauty who never makes a peep until she wants to eat (or can I say the word suckle here?) And then she's a force to be reckoned with. She is from a big family of kids, I like to call a gaggle. Is that a goose word? Well, I'm always mistaking ducks for geese so…<br />
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Whilst we used to be over- ridden with testosterone, with our four precious boys, the last three have been girls. <i>We're catching up!</i> It only takes five to have a basketball team and eleven for a football team so we're <i>there</i>, and almost <i>there</i>. My granddaughters are mighty and have lots of girly power though so they keep up with those boys just fine. Their daddy is Athletic Director at their local high school but his favorite team is his very own, right at home!<br />
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I gave my daughter a baby shower for her seventh child because in this day and age, unfortunately, people don't get too excited about a woman about to bare her seventh child. But I thought we should celebrate. Every child is a blessing and Rebecca needed an introduction into a family who chooses to welcome her with love! We are a pro life family. If you've read more than three of my posts you have already figured that out. One of my favorite verses in The Bible is the following from Deuteronomy 30:19<br />
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<b>This day I call heaven and earth as witness against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now<i><u> choose life</u></i>, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Issac and Jacob.</b></div>
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Now, you're probably wondering how this post is going to turn into a DIY? But it's about to. My daughter, really needed and wanted a new high chair. So being my first born, her wish is my command. Well, not always, but usually :) <br />
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I bought a completely unfinished high chair with nice old fashioned lines. I decided to use CeCe Caldwell's chalk paint because there is NO SANDING required. No sanding is a favorite of mine! I started out using Virginia Chestnut so that the chair would look like it was once very old and dark like they used to be when they were made from oak.<br />
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My sweet hubby got his saw-horse out for me so I wouldn't have to stand on my head to paint. I'm waaay to old for that unless I'm doing yoga and I didn't want to get my mat all dirty on the garage floor.</div>
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Please don't try to picture that.</div>
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After getting the entire high chair all darkened up, I covered it with Vintage White. Remember this is going to be a shabby, chippy, chair that looks like it's been around f o r e v e r.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWqXi9gi4qN-H8MqAXKsoQt_yAOmXhRrlDO4NR9x2N6wpdr1cxEePvDjWVi86DudjTvoS-8fdlEldA-Hweu74wieBU9TvzR8pF-V-psHJvd2uDy-l28VeObIJhW9P3t8FU0C-CXPfBr4/s1600/IMG_8004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWqXi9gi4qN-H8MqAXKsoQt_yAOmXhRrlDO4NR9x2N6wpdr1cxEePvDjWVi86DudjTvoS-8fdlEldA-Hweu74wieBU9TvzR8pF-V-psHJvd2uDy-l28VeObIJhW9P3t8FU0C-CXPfBr4/s640/IMG_8004.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">How old does that look? Pretty shabby so far, right? With CeCe Caldwell's paint you</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">can sand (Gakkkk) or just rub off the extra paint for that shabby look. Guess which route I took?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">After I lathered up the whole chair with 1.Virginia Chestnut 2.Vintage White 3.Santa Fe Turquoise with a bit of Destin Green mixed in; I brushed good old Elmer's Glue on with a foam brush just until it felt tacky. I only worked in small spaces at a time , such as the tray, then the seat, etc. Over the top of the glue (you can use Mod Podge if you prefer but glue is cheaper and I already had some,) I again brushed on some Cottage White. This made the chair crack and chip and exposed the colors underneath. Miracle of miracles, I got just the look I wanted! When all was said and done, I covered the entire chair with Endurance Finish. It is also by CeCe Caldwell, an Eco Friendly, Low VOC finish, just like the rest of her paint, you can feel good about putting it on a chair a baby will eat on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Now, when she gains fifteen pounds of so, this wee lass will be a part of the gang. She'll sit up at the supper table and throw food with the rest of her team mates. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Every child deserves to be a welcome addition to life. It just makes the world a better place. Ya know?</span><br />
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"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-15307098938530126792013-11-16T18:55:00.000-08:002015-09-17T18:55:42.031-07:00Cottage Inspiration - Have A Seat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, hello there! I'm so glad you stopped by today. I'm writing a post about my two most favorite pieces of furniture at Cottage By The Sea. This is not a sponsored ad, but someone from "<span style="color: red;">One King's Lane" </span>read my blog, and asked if I would write a post to help introduce their new <a href="https://www.onekingslane.com/info/">Home Decor Resource page</a>. So I said to myself, "self, why not?" This is as good a chance as any for me to have you over to see the "inspiration chairs" I bought for my cottage many years ago. They're still going strong and I only wish that you really could come by and sit a spell with me here.<br />
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Please darling's, have a seat right here in my <span style="font-size: large;">"inspiration chair."</span> When we moved to our cottage I allowed myself one special indulgence before we moved in. I saw them at a little shop nearby that sells everything cottage. By that I mean, if you have a little cottage by the sea, you can find furniture, candles, linens, robes, jewelry, vintage inspired lighting and even beachy rugs, perfume and earrings there! <br />
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And so of course I bought two. They are obviously period chairs (don't know which one, but please, if you do, let me know!) I'm guessing. I know they are called wing-back chairs. As you can see, they are covered in a glorious, vintage, chintz pattern. I don't know how old they are because they were just recovered when I bought them. The chairs are not exactly the same, note the arms and legs. One has wooden legs which show (on the right,) and on the other, the material goes all the way to the floor covering the legs. The comfort always comes first, but the material, the color, and the feelings of sunshine, beach, and shabby chic are what drew me in. Everything I was looking for.<br />
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My inspiration chairs saw me through the first original four years of cottage living, and have kept me in good stead for the four years since we remodeled. My pups are the two whom sit in them the most. Our sofa's are <b><i><u>white</u></i></b> therefore, the poor things must suffer greatly, not allowed up on them. Don't feel too sorry though, as they will wiggle their way onto your lap until you must move right onto those white sofas and out of "their" chairs if you dare to sit on one. <br />
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It's easy to see why these chairs were my inspiration. They are not only comfy and cozy to lounge in, they are the color of sunshine and happiness. I know this to be true because I look at them in my cottage every day, and can <b>feel</b> sunshine and happiness emanating from them. It's amazing what an <i><span style="font-size: large;">inspiration chair</span></i> will do for you. When I first saw them I just <i>knew</i> it. Their home would have to be my cottage.<br />
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How about this...<br />
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My sunshine chairs are very comfy for snuggling with a baby.<br />
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See what I mean about those pups crowding you out? It's happening right here. You have no choice but to scoot over, really. They were their first; just ask them.<br />
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That's better. We'll sit on our chair, you snuggle from the side. In our cottage this position is known as, "the delicious side cuddle!"<br />
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Sometimes when you are want to move your warm furry body off the inspiration chair, like this gal here, someone might just pile the clean laundry that needs folding right on top of you! Oh, woe-is-me…<br />
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Nursing baby? No problem as long as you share the space. Although you can tell from this pup's face that he's not too happy about it. He's <i>long suffering</i>.<br />
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And <i>once</i>, we even let <u>Santa Himself </u>sit on our lovely, chintz, cottage lounger.<i><span style="font-size: large;"> I hope there isn't a puppy underneath there.</span></i> <i>Yikes</i>!<br />
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As a matter of fact, this guy has discovered his secret hiding place. When too many people are in his space, or he wants a quiet get-away, he just goes under the flap and has his own hide-out. Sometimes he lets just his head stick out, so he doesn't miss anything. It <i><b>is</b></i> pretty exciting around our cottage. You don't want to miss a thing!<br />
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As you can see, and I hope you have, I made a great choice for myself. If I do say so myself. And I do. {smile} These chairs are a cottage lover's inspiration. They inspire me every day and bring just that much more sunshine into my life. I hope my fabric cleaning guy never retires, because I'm keeping these babies forever. And the puppies too.<br />
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You can experience lots more chairs if you hop on over to <a href="https://www.onekingslane.com/info/">One King's Lane.</a> Their new home decor resource page has treasures galore for every taste. If you're lucky, you might even find a vintage covered chair that inspires you too. Good luck, it's gonna be worth it even if just for the eye candy.<br />
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It was a glorious sunset tonight. Thanks for stopping by.<br />
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"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-4673110823344779222013-11-11T09:35:00.001-08:002015-09-17T18:56:18.618-07:00A Bloglift and A Great Big Thank You!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hi Guys,<br />
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By now, you shoulda, woulda, coulda, seen that I have revamped my blog! I've had it on the back burner for months. I decided I needed to step up my game and get with all the new pretty gadgets, and pages, and pictures that you now have access to. I'm darn well organized now. It's been a huge learning curve for a girl of little brain, but I did it! Of course, I had big, big, help.<br />
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After searching for a very long time, pursuing the blog of all you talented ladies, checking out all the new gadgets and seeing how much easier it now is to figure out everybody's back stories, I knew I too wanted to update my four year old design. After almost 200 posts it was about time!<br />
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When I lamented publicly, and for long enough, I was offered free help by some very dear bloggers who just wanted to help. Thank you guys. The blogging community is the bomb! I just felt I couldn't take advantage, so I also went to many web creators and checked out all their wares and prices. It came down to the fact that although someone else could do the overall design, I, yes I, would have to get off my back side and dig into my 77,000 pictures and old posts and learn how to turn everything upside down to get er done. And I was too lazy for that.<br />
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Then finally, I could take it no more. I love writing and sharing my photos, and I love chronicling the shenanigans of my family. Who knows, some day one of them might care to share the uplifting side of their lives with their successors. That or they will press the -delete- button. There's not a sentimental sap among them. (They didn't get that from their mother!)<br />
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I really, truly, wanted someone local who could come over and hold my hand while I asked ten million questions during our sessions. I wanted someone who would remove my thumb from my mouth and uncurl me out of the fetal position I in veritably find myself, when trying to maneuver a new curve on my computer. (Is this sounding familiar to any of you?) But alas, I believe that God didn't want to do that to anyone. He didn't want to put anyone through me and my shenanigans. So, He led me to someone way inland, someone so far away that she could run and hide if I got to be too much of a pain in the $%&***. But, she never did. She was always there for me.<br />
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Her name is <span style="color: magenta;">Kelsey</span> and she's BRILLIANT! She walked me slowly, patiently, through the whole process, answered ten million questions, re-did things that I wanted changed at the last minute, and all without either one of us shedding a tear. Well, I didn't shed a tear and I don't think she did. She is clear across the country of course. Y<i>ou're welcome Kelsey. God must really love you!</i><br />
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Her blog is called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kreatedbykelsey1">KREATED BY KELSEY</a>. Please go see it, she has so much to see I couldn't possibly do it justice. Give yourself the pleasure and eye candy of seeing it yourself. Not only is she brilliant in design, she is prompt, affordable, always available, and did I mention patient? She did it all in a matter of days too. She makes miracles happen. I find things every time I log on that I didn't know were there and I didn't know were even possible. <i>Although I thought they should have been!</i> But they are, and you too can have them. How about alphabetizing your labels so you can easily find all your past posts? Who knew! I didn't even ask for it, it was just a serendipitous find. Sometimes I just sit down with a cuppa and stare at my new design. I marvel at its beauty. And I can brag all I want, cause I had nothing to do with it. It was all Kelsey.<br />
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Kelsey never yelled at me once and we did it all over email. If you've been thinking of a remodel for your blog, or just want a new button or gadget, do yourself a favor and pop on over to Kelsey's. You'll be glad you did. I am! I still have a lot of my own work to do, filling in all the pages with pictures, etc. But I'm well on my way and I feel great about it. So - Cottage By The Sea, is like a whole new gal now. I hope you like her and will come visit us often. We'd love to have you and as always, I'll come visit you back. Aren't you just in love with this blog community we have? I feel so lucky to have such devoted and dear people to chat with, share the good and the bad with, and a few prayers back and forth never hurt either. Now go see Kelsey's site, it's a wonder. Thank you, gracias, danke, Kelsey. I love you more than all the frustration this blog has given me since day one! Now y'all <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kreatedbykelsey1">GO! GO SEE KELSEY!</a><br />
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And just because I never write a post without a photo or two, here they are. But then you have to promise me you'll go see<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kreatedbykelsey1">KELSEY</a>.<br />
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Because it's veteran's day, "Happy Veteran's Day", my son Dylan, currently serving in the military.<br />
Thanks for your service sonny boy. <br />
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"If there is trouble, let it be in my day, that my children will live in peace."<br />
Memorium - Oil<br />
Collection of the artist 7.11<br />
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We love our blessings!</div>
"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-35186718231350837062013-11-11T08:07:00.000-08:002015-09-17T18:58:00.061-07:00Turning Blue and Graduation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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02 SEPTEMBER 2013</h2>
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An American Soldier</h3>
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My son Dylan<br />
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When I grew up, I thought I wanted to be a soldier. I was about eighteen, throwing around the idea of college, when suddenly I saw a sign. " Join the Army", "Be All You Can Be", "See The World". And those were just a few of the catchy slogans they were throwing around to entice a generation where the draft was no longer in place.<br />
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I actually saw a recruiter and he told me that we would be the perfect fit. I thought, <strike>well, you're cute enough but I already have a boyfriend </strike> yeah, the army could make me into all that I can be and I could get my education right there as well. Besides, they already thought we'd be a perfect fit. Good idea!<br />
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My new friend in uniform, (I've always been a succor) told me that I could choose from any occupation I wanted in the Army. I went down the very long list and chose, Photography. I could be a foreign corespondent, or a photographer and put my love for writing AND photography both into play. I practically had my future tied up with a big red bow, and I was a happy camper, feeling very proud of myself, when <i>it </i>happened.<br />
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I revealed my exciting new plans to my boyfriend, who was in South Africa serving his time in their Army for the next two years. (Another story entirely.) He quickly burst my bubble by telling me that the Army and I would not be good for each other. I was not good at taking orders. (Me?) I was not good at sharing a bathroom, having people too close in my space, getting up early, having my food touch, being yelled at or not getting my way. I was too peace loving and a semi-quasi-boho-hippie to boot. Well, you're just <strike>being rude</strike> looking at the negatives, I said. They told me I could travel the world and study photography! Plus I'll get to go to boot camp and that's like three months free at the gym! "The Army will own you", said he bluntly from personal experience. Believe me, you would die trying. Well, needless to say, he had some good points and after throwing around the idea a few more times, I seceded that the Army was not the place for me and went on to accomplish other things in a civilian world. To this day though, every time I <i>pay</i> to work out at the gym I think fondly back on my memories of getting it for free.<br />
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Last week had us traveling from Southern California to Columbus, Georgia, for an event that had me in tears from beginning to end. This momma literally cried for 4 days. Why? Because my son officially became an American Soldier, and I"m a huge sap. Like, a <i>Hallmark</i> sap! Dylan has spent the past 4 months in Boot Camp, being drilled, grilled, smoked, worked, broken and built up again. He learned unwavering discipline, impulse control and unbending comradiere for his brothers in Arms. He crawled through mud, learned to shoot weapons and threw grenades (on his birthday!) He ate MRE's (meals ready to eat), not your momma's cooking. He has accomplished CPR and First Aid; how to react to conbat, how to use a map and if I tell you anything else, I'll have to kill ya.<br />
He is... <span style="color: blue;">An American Soldier</span>.<br />
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Some of you may remember this post, <a href="http://lorimcktia.blogspot.com/2013/05/be-all-you-can-be.html" style="color: #f47b21; text-decoration: none;">Be All You Can Be</a>, about Dylan, from back before he left for Boot Camp. Dylan isn't just any kid. Because of his circumstances, he's had to work twice as hard at all he has accomplished to turn into the man he is today. It has been an uphill battle. All of us have braved trials in life, and the trial of this kid, of MY kid, was the biggest trial of my life. Our trial has literally been a <span style="color: red;">Heart Cry. </span>And the <i>best </i>thing that God ever did for me. Except maybe turn my head all those years ago when I though<b> <i>I </i></b>wanted to be in the Army.<br />
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After months of his being away, we first saw our soldier as he marched up the hill at FT Benning. I was on the edge of my seat but knew it would not be <strike>cool</strike> appropriate to run over the parade grounds and through the woods to catch him in a huge momma bear hug. Hey! Maybe while he was gone I learned some impulse control too. Not.<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The Soldier's Creed</span></div>
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I am an American Soldier.</div>
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I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States</div>
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and live the Army Values.</div>
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I will always place the mission first.</div>
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I will never accept defeat.</div>
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I will never quit.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will never leave a fallen comrade.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am an expert and I am a professional.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of the United States of America in close combat.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: blue;">I am an American Soldier.</span></b></div>
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I was a child of the 60's. Peace, Love and Swell Things. My family wasn't military. I had no ever- loving idea how important the military was in keeping me and my country safe. Regardless of all the politics and different views on war, I now know how important our military is. And as proud as I feel that my son is now one of them, I am scared to death of the implications. <b>Not my son.</b> Isn't that the war cry of every parent of a Soldier? We are now, and have always been a nation whom everyone looks to, to police the world. We are the strongest, bravest, <i>most free </i>country because of our military men and women. I found out that I had, and still have, a <i>lot</i> to learn. But, that free gym part was true. They do get you in the best shape of your life!<br />
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"I want to go mom. I want to go fight for the country that's been so good to me." And you know what? The Army suits him. He thrives on discipline and regiment and order. He's good at being part of a team. He could care less if people yell at him. He survived his teen years with me, didn't he?<br />
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I received the honor of pinning my son's blue Infantry cord onto his new dress blues. This is called,<span style="color: blue;">"The Turning Blue Ceremony".</span> They say that God loved the Infantry so much, he made the sky blue and that is why the infantry cord these men earn is blue.<br />
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The second day was the graduation ceremony. It consisted of squad demonstrations, trooping of the line, speakers explaining what our sons have been doing, etc. <i>They had me at The Star Spangled Banner, and then went on to sing others.</i><br />
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From Concord Bridge to An The appenedhe Ridge,</div>
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Through swaps and mountains and sand,</div>
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They fight and die where brave men lie,</div>
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Against all tyrants they stand.</div>
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These men are strong and the land they love,</div>
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They fought hard through history.</div>
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Because of them in years to come,</div>
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All children will be free.</div>
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You can hear it in the heat of the jungle,</div>
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You can hear it across the sea.</div>
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It calls to every freedom loving man,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The cry of the U.S. INFANTRY!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Follow Me, Follow Me, Follow Me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"The Infantry Song"</div>
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Now he's a soldier. It could have gone any way. One never knows when you hold your baby in your arms what will become of him. My heart is in a whirl. We've come such a very long way, to this very proud day. He did what I couldn't. He made it through boot camp and is on his way in a country that is now constantly at war. He's an American Soldier, and I'm sure glad he's on our side.<br />
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Sadly, we hold them for only a short time. As my son said, "Mom, it's time, it just feels right." In less than 7 days he leaves us for the hard earned duty of Airborne School in yet again, another state. For the next couple of months he will be learning to jump out of airplanes and helicopters into enemy territory. He will then be deployed. I know he will be brave, he will be true. You will always know that he is out there with thousands of others, whom are ready to protect you and me.<br />
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Please pray for our troops, And<br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">GOD BLESS AMERICA </span></b></div>
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"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-38267679486537029002013-11-09T18:11:00.000-08:002015-09-17T18:58:16.177-07:00Sweet Goodnight<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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From my cottage to yours, from me to you, sweet goodnight.</div>
"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-52548749781492119442013-10-17T09:54:00.000-07:002015-09-17T19:00:08.593-07:00Fake Fall<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well friends, we are now well into autumn here in Southern California. I am a native of this region, however I did live in the North West for a brief period. So I can say with some authority that I have seen a "real" autumn thus living here in So Cal, I must now refer to our autumn as, "fake fall". No degradation intended. I happen to be a big fan.<br />
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Although we live in a semi-arid climate, around here, we like to artificially change our seasons. It is easy really. A trip to the local craft store and a bit of scavenging and voila! Colorful dried leaves, soft candle light, pumpkins (adorned with a smidgen of raffia) go a long way to create that mid season weather we crave. If I open all my windows, I can even light my gas fire and the ambience is enhanced. One can almost imagine living on the East Coast with the flames licking the fire screen and (sorta) brisk air wafting in on the breeze.<br />
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I always decorate with a new Fall wreath. Of course the starfish and shells must stay, just so I don't look <i>too fake, </i>recreating<i> </i>fall in a Southern California beach town.<br />
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During the summer time, the hooks on the right contain a beach bag, a sun hat and a light, airy, summer scarf. (For those cold evenings when it gets below 70 degrees.)<br />
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When I decorate for fake fall, I exchange all of those summer trinkets with what I imagine to be fall accessories. A warm fall-toned scarf or two. An umbrella of course. Even though with 146 days of full sunshine, we do have 117 that are partly cloudy. Now you see why I try to spend at least a month in Ireland per year. A girl has to watch out for the moisture in her skin, and a little rainy good luck is always in order. Fake fall leaves fully adorned with glue gunned acorns, adds an autumn touch to the driftwood mirror. I think the driftwood mirror has a bit of an earthy fall feeling anyway. Yeah?<br />
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I change all my annual flowers to yellows and oranges. (These are actually real.) A few reds are tucked in so that when I decorate for fake winter they actually fade smoothly into the Christmas season. Notice my three tiered pumpkins. Again, the craft store - but I decorated them myself by inserting a pole through the three, wrapping burlap around the base and stringing fake fall leaves around the whole thing. I think fall is in the air!<br />
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You may notice that the dutch door is open a tad. It's just too dam hot inside to keep it closed.<br />
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I welcome you to fake fall in California where the Santa Ana's (easterly winds) are the most fall we ever feel because even thought they aren't crimson and yellow, we get a lot of leaves on the ground. We get less than 12 inches of rain here per year, but rain doesn't always mean fall, right?<br />
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You can always tell it's fall around our house because all the soaps change to Sweet Pumpkin. "Bath and Body Works" does a booming fall business in So Cal.<br />
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Of course I light Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin candles for that just came in from a long, brisk, walk through the fields with the hunting dogs effect. I'm telling you, I LOVE fall!<br />
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Of course nothing says fall like Halloween! You may notice that our stash is getting a little low already. Why are you looking at me?<br />
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These are for the trick-or-treaters. We don't get many, because we're about the only ones who decorate and turn on the lights in our neighborhood. Some of our neighbors come over for chili and they bring all their candy too. Then when all those cute little ones come a knocking in their Ninja Turtle, Justin Bieber, witch costumes, we share the loot and each kid gets a whole handful of baby packages containing their favorite (or is that my favorite) candy? And we don't get our cottage egged for turning off the lights!<br />
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So - to sum it all up. If you want <i style="text-decoration: underline;">real fall.</i> Don't come live in So Cal. Especially at the beach. Today, it's 78 degrees and sunny. And that's <b>h o t</b>. We don't usually get above 72 degrees in December more-less October.<br />
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Well, it's a nice day for a swim in the sea. Not even wet suit weather yet. I'll see ya all later when I come back to fake fall this afternoon, open my windows and turn my gas fireplace on.<br />
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No matter where you live, I hope you have a beautiful day!<br />
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Blessings,<br />
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Tia</div>
"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-18439699750603825582013-10-10T09:50:00.001-07:002015-09-17T19:04:07.184-07:00We Welcome With Love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">We welcome with love, our</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">healthy, beautiful, sweet, baby girl</span></div>
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My baby girl had a baby girl yesterday.<br />
Her 7th child. We're still out numbered at 4 boys, 3 girls. (But the girls are mighty!)<br />
My daughter, she is a shining example of, <b>The Culture of Life</b>.<br />
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Her stats. Her middle name is Kathleen. It's for Tara's younger sister Kathleen who will be Rebecca's godmother. Wait. 7 babies and not one named for her Grammy. Not even a middle name...<br />
<i>We'll think about that later.</i><br />
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St Mary's Kindergarten class welcomes baby Rebecca!<br />
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Look how my daughter, <i>my baby girl</i>, may<i> first</i> baby girl, beams.<br />
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There's lots of rejoicing going on around here. Thanks for sharing with us St Mary Kindergarden.<br />
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Grandma Ger (Jason's mom) and I have taken over kid, house and hearth duties. We drove back and forth in the rain (a California phenomena) yesterday, at least 3x, introducing the kids to their new baby.<br />
Driving in the rain is unnatural for us Southern Californian's. I got lost all 3 times. Wait, maybe one of those times was when I lost my car. There's a reason you are the Grammy and not the Mommy when you are as old as dirt! (Only myself Ger, you rock the socks off being a Grandma.) I'm just still tired from my own fearsome five.<br />
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Abigail Rose was first to meet Rebecca, since she's still at home. Abby says it's okay that she's not the baby anymore because, now she's a BIG sister! Now she doesn't wear diapers and she shares a room with her big sister Emma. <br />
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Abby was a little overwhelmed at first, but with great wonderment, was soon holding the baby like a champ.<br />
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Daddy was a gentle helper.<br />
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Hmm, that looks like a real baby.<br />
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She's soft, I kinda like her.<br />
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APPROVED! We'll keep her. It's<i><u> almost</u></i> official.<br />
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She just has to meet the rest of the family. The only one missing is Ty, the eldest. He was at football practice and yet to meet, as Abby calls her, <i>Baby Brebecca</i>. He met her after practice and I can official say, fell in love at first sight. Folks - she'ssssss in there!<br />
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Dayne, holding precious cargo.<br />
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Cael, overjoyed, announced that she is perfect, and beautiful. He's a natural.<br />
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Emma was a little overwhelmed and needed Daddy's help. She was not very happy that the baby wasn't dressed yet. (Don't worry Em's - there's a princess dress all ready for the baby in her closet at home.) I think Rebecca will grow on her. Emma's about as sweet as they come and will be a great, big sister.<br />
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Back safely in Mommy's arms. <br />
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Well, that's it for now. I'm back on Grannie duty in less than an hour. The troops get out of school half day today, and Mommy, Daddy and Baby Rebecca are coming HOME.<br />
Grammy with so many blessings she has enough to overflow!<br />
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Tia</div>
"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-15493439599208054612013-09-02T14:48:00.000-07:002015-09-17T19:04:27.715-07:00An American Soldier<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My son Dylan<br />
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When I grew up, I thought I wanted to be a soldier. I was about eighteen, throwing around the idea of college, when suddenly I saw a sign. " Join the Army", "Be All You Can Be", "See The World". And those were just a few of the catchy slogans they were throwing around to entice a generation where the draft was no longer in place.<br />
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I actually saw a recruiter and he told me that we would be the perfect fit. I thought, <strike>well, you're cute enough but I already have a boyfriend </strike> yeah, the army could make me into all that I can be and I could get my education right there as well. Besides, they already thought we'd be a perfect fit. Good idea!<br />
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My new friend in uniform, (I've always been a succor) told me that I could choose from any occupation I wanted in the Army. I went down the very long list and chose, Photography. I could be a foreign corespondent, or a photographer and put my love for writing AND photography both into play. I practically had my future tied up with a big red bow, and I was a happy camper, feeling very proud of myself, when <i>it </i>happened.<br />
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I revealed my exciting new plans to my boyfriend, who was in South Africa serving his time in their Army for the next two years. (Another story entirely.) He quickly burst my bubble by telling me that the Army and I would not be good for each other. I was not good at taking orders. (Me?) I was not good at sharing a bathroom, having people too close in my space, getting up early, having my food touch, being yelled at or not getting my way. I was too peace loving and a semi-quasi-boho-hippie to boot. Well, you're just <strike>being rude</strike> looking at the negatives, I said. They told me I could travel the world and study photography! Plus I'll get to go to boot camp and that's like three months free at the gym! "The Army will own you", said he bluntly from personal experience. Believe me, you would die trying. Well, needless to say, he had some good points and after throwing around the idea a few more times, I seceded that the Army was not the place for me and went on to accomplish other things in a civilian world. To this day though, every time I <i>pay</i> to work out at the gym I think fondly back on my memories of getting it for free.<br />
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Last week had us traveling from Southern California to Columbus, Georgia, for an event that had me in tears from beginning to end. This momma literally cried for 4 days. Why? Because my son officially became an American Soldier, and I"m a huge sap. Like, a <i>Hallmark</i> sap! Dylan has spent the past 4 months in Boot Camp, being drilled, grilled, smoked, worked, broken and built up again. He learned unwavering discipline, impulse control and unbending comradiere for his brothers in Arms. He crawled through mud, learned to shoot weapons and threw grenades (on his birthday!) He ate MRE's (meals ready to eat), not your momma's cooking. He has accomplished CPR and First Aid; how to react to conbat, how to use a map and if I tell you anything else, I'll have to kill ya. <br />
He is... <span style="color: blue;">An American Soldier</span>.<br />
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Some of you may remember this post, <a href="http://lorimcktia.blogspot.com/2013/05/be-all-you-can-be.html">Be All You Can Be</a>, about Dylan, from back before he left for Boot Camp. Dylan isn't just any kid. Because of his circumstances, he's had to work twice as hard at all he has accomplished to turn into the man he is today. It has been an uphill battle. All of us have braved trials in life, and the trial of this kid, of MY kid, was the biggest trial of my life. Our trial has literally been a <span style="color: red;">Heart Cry. </span>And the <i>best </i>thing that God ever did for me. Except maybe turn my head all those years ago when I though<b> <i>I </i></b>wanted to be in the Army.<br />
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After months of his being away, we first saw our soldier as he marched up the hill at FT Benning. I was on the edge of my seat but knew it would not be <strike>cool</strike> appropriate to run over the parade grounds and through the woods to catch him in a huge momma bear hug. Hey! Maybe while he was gone I learned some impulse control too. Not.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Soldier's Creed</span></div>
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I am an American Soldier.</div>
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I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States</div>
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and live the Army Values.</div>
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I will always place the mission first.</div>
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I will never accept defeat.</div>
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I will never quit.</div>
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I will never leave a fallen comrade.</div>
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I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient</div>
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in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.</div>
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I am an expert and I am a professional.</div>
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I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies</div>
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of the United States of America in close combat.</div>
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I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.</div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">I am an American Soldier.</span></b></div>
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I was a child of the 60's. Peace, Love and Swell Things. My family wasn't military. I had no ever- loving idea how important the military was in keeping me and my country safe. Regardless of all the politics and different views on war, I now know how important our military is. And as proud as I feel that my son is now one of them, I am scared to death of the implications. <b>Not my son.</b> Isn't that the war cry of every parent of a Soldier? We are now, and have always been a nation whom everyone looks to, to police the world. We are the strongest, bravest, <i>most free </i>country because of our military men and women. I found out that I had, and still have, a <i>lot</i> to learn. But, that free gym part was true. They do get you in the best shape of your life! <br />
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"I want to go mom. I want to go fight for the country that's been so good to me." And you know what? The Army suits him. He thrives on discipline and regiment and order. He's good at being part of a team. He could care less if people yell at him. He survived his teen years with me, didn't he?<br />
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I received the honor of pinning my son's blue Infantry cord onto his new dress blues. This is called, <span style="color: blue;">"The Turning Blue Ceremony".</span> They say that God loved the Infantry so much, he made the sky blue and that is why the infantry cord these men earn is blue.<br />
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The second day was the graduation ceremony. It consisted of squad demonstrations, trooping of the line, speakers explaining what our sons have been doing, etc. <i>They had me at The Star Spangled Banner, and then went on to sing others.</i><br />
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From Concord Bridge to An The appenedhe Ridge,</div>
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Through swaps and mountains and sand,</div>
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They fight and die where brave men lie,</div>
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Against all tyrants they stand.</div>
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These men are strong and the land they love,</div>
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They fought hard through history.</div>
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Because of them in years to come,</div>
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All children will be free.</div>
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You can hear it in the heat of the jungle,</div>
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You can hear it across the sea.</div>
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It calls to every freedom loving man,</div>
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The cry of the U.S. INFANTRY!</div>
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Follow Me, Follow Me, Follow Me.</div>
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"The Infantry Song"</div>
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Now he's a soldier. It could have gone any way. One never knows when you hold your baby in your arms what will become of him. My heart is in a whirl. We've come such a very long way, to this very proud day. He did what I couldn't. He made it through boot camp and is on his way in a country that is now constantly at war. He's an American Soldier, and I'm sure glad he's on our side.<br />
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Sadly, we hold them for only a short time. As my son said, "Mom, it's time, it just feels right." In less than 7 days he leaves us for the hard earned duty of Airborne School in yet again, another state. For the next couple of months he will be learning to jump out of airplanes and helicopters into enemy territory. He will then be deployed. I know he will be brave, he will be true. You will always know that he is out there with thousands of others, whom are ready to protect you and me.<br />
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Please pray for our troops, And<br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">GOD BLESS AMERICA </span></b><br />
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Blessings,</div>
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Tia</div>
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"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-26518310125658351392013-08-23T08:48:00.000-07:002013-08-23T08:48:59.397-07:00Bless The Little Children<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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GOD, "I <i>love</i> and <i>adore</i> this kid."</div>
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Introducing Nick. Ah, what can I say about Nick that hasn't been said - see shirt above.</div>
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But.. One never knows what lay deep in the heart of a child. <br />
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<i>Really</i> deep, man.<br />
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Nick is packed full of energy, obviously adorable, crazy as all get out with his stealth karate moves, his wicked good football strategies (run full force right at 'em) and his wild break dance moves would bowl you over. Literally.</div>
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But it's his heart, his precious blessed heart that endears me to my youngest grandson Nick. In first grade, this summer, Nick decided to write a song book for the family's Priest. If this doesn't melt his heart, well it did mine, and I dare you not to smile. <br />
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He wrote these all by himself. The boy knows how to keep busy and he's a pretty good speller too!<br />
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His penmanship is to be admired. I should write this well!<br />
I believe that Eve gave Adam the apple though, but lets not get picky.<br />
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Ah, and this is so true. Their souls ARE alive!<br />
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Don't do it again!<br />
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So true. Nick has it down pat.<br />
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I may or may not have been shedding tears by now.<br />
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That's correct Nick and I think you might be a saint when you grow up. But that could just be the grannie in me talking.<br />
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<u>Take the stuff </u>all you seven year olds (and older!)<br />
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Sorry, but if you knew Nick, this is more his usual position. Standing on his head! I couldn't resist.<br />
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Not only did Nick write these all by himself. When he presented them to me he chanted them all, one by one, in <i>Gregorian Chant</i>. Don't y'all tell me kids don't listen in church. They're like sponges!<br />
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All of these songs are now bound in a home made folder, ready to present to Fr Rich. Personally, I think he should be matriculated directly to his next Sacraments, don't you?<br />
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God bless the little children, they are precious in His sight. <br />
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Wish I could say I love you more than I love Nick. But... Well you know.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfD40WUKzVzhasg_mnUlh-fmQlc3-rII2KSZ8rNiy2H7qVkyRAcSkxf6qFlfHPL4l8O7p3J3okP0fAUVMwSuBxn-RwmqI4zE8mBeZG3dMeI-8RLobNMtcsNzeTS_e5dYg7RDcx3EO0o-s/s1600/IMG_9155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfD40WUKzVzhasg_mnUlh-fmQlc3-rII2KSZ8rNiy2H7qVkyRAcSkxf6qFlfHPL4l8O7p3J3okP0fAUVMwSuBxn-RwmqI4zE8mBeZG3dMeI-8RLobNMtcsNzeTS_e5dYg7RDcx3EO0o-s/s640/IMG_9155.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
Stay just the way you are little buddy. God loves you and I do too.<br />
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Happy Sunset.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SG5_1O_4P7wr12-sVZU57Z3732GCE-o4RsfkTcb84x7jd91vBKZ9yLV45eKhdiUO6XlveG3wkBfZeVyJea3NxUR18SuNsIaGc3TwYrHdJ7XrvThzNzWSt_bGozWDutwWV2I5NUEV31M/s1600/IMG_0212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SG5_1O_4P7wr12-sVZU57Z3732GCE-o4RsfkTcb84x7jd91vBKZ9yLV45eKhdiUO6XlveG3wkBfZeVyJea3NxUR18SuNsIaGc3TwYrHdJ7XrvThzNzWSt_bGozWDutwWV2I5NUEV31M/s640/IMG_0212.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Blessings,<br />
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Tia<br />
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<br />"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-33333047940457666972013-08-22T17:11:00.002-07:002013-08-22T17:11:28.816-07:00Curly Locks<span style="font-size: large;">I once heard it said, that people expect more of you when you have naturally curly hair.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Lucy"(from Snoopy).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMuPJ2bKPicQv6Kz9S7hbzHHZ5wRyy30oH4q3WzPIs6xhOeNiIRp4adQ0JtlChhJiP8mI_pC0mJFiRFvc2l2tiJ4sR934QpVmIHp29Dt6s5uwk94tc6Yc8ZMr014Hz02KHHFTh8prDWI/s1600/IMG_7670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMuPJ2bKPicQv6Kz9S7hbzHHZ5wRyy30oH4q3WzPIs6xhOeNiIRp4adQ0JtlChhJiP8mI_pC0mJFiRFvc2l2tiJ4sR934QpVmIHp29Dt6s5uwk94tc6Yc8ZMr014Hz02KHHFTh8prDWI/s640/IMG_7670.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">By the looks</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuOVQIhr37uAcgk3foIHboYPpVpRl5sYOSdSytVDeLd1eLA6yEaMihrwqjT5xiOTAaB1QE1082nKb65ZxCQ6IBZ79goTQX6Ic1CPrQHPik2OHhHjFRokU8xd-j3W_I9M8BnJhdFtOrW0/s1600/IMG_7671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuOVQIhr37uAcgk3foIHboYPpVpRl5sYOSdSytVDeLd1eLA6yEaMihrwqjT5xiOTAaB1QE1082nKb65ZxCQ6IBZ79goTQX6Ic1CPrQHPik2OHhHjFRokU8xd-j3W_I9M8BnJhdFtOrW0/s640/IMG_7671.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Of things</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEbC312N3-EL2J_Fwvtm9rNG6-F9LGm0dQZ1VJTGi-Hg7X7mw4RxKWOsvteegFrGluClvd4upr2VA0Z1rjwxuQyBJECImnATYllXdjzh6LWYxPL7AGpObOtKqUBKiHF37elqWhF6xH-o/s1600/IMG_7672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEbC312N3-EL2J_Fwvtm9rNG6-F9LGm0dQZ1VJTGi-Hg7X7mw4RxKWOsvteegFrGluClvd4upr2VA0Z1rjwxuQyBJECImnATYllXdjzh6LWYxPL7AGpObOtKqUBKiHF37elqWhF6xH-o/s640/IMG_7672.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Around here today</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WCOL25AgqGSaRAuUOI0m5lsRZuzdxQLN9vtwC5DWKLtnfK2dcuca-UR74SRn0h6cSgdL721W4XI8Wsoa7cEgTovyQ2YFBCH9e9c1LDxySuoaSQf26IAZnjj6rTEXe6dNT3i3HfGliVA/s1600/IMG_7669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WCOL25AgqGSaRAuUOI0m5lsRZuzdxQLN9vtwC5DWKLtnfK2dcuca-UR74SRn0h6cSgdL721W4XI8Wsoa7cEgTovyQ2YFBCH9e9c1LDxySuoaSQf26IAZnjj6rTEXe6dNT3i3HfGliVA/s640/IMG_7669.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's absolutely true.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Curly locks rock, no matter how you try to tame them!</span><br />
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And blue moon's do too. Here's what ours looked like at The Cottage last night.<br />
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Love you to the moon and back...<br />
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Tia<br />
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<br />"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-43177119755628714902013-08-20T12:56:00.004-07:002013-08-20T12:56:59.965-07:00FRIENDS AND BABIES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz3eZ66eBhMpRPyinyYTI47aXPpY6rroG6juJlNl6pW0LQ_jhPhriDyeYMIaflbOjwaEAfyO8isbbsoq3TUvw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
CLICK ABOVE AND ENJOY A SNIPPED OF PHOTOS I TOOK OF A FRIEND'S BABY SHOWER. THEIR NEW SON WAS BORN A FEW WEEKS LATER JOINING HIS LITTLE SISTER AND PARENTS. CAN WE EVER REALLY REALIZE WHAT A BLESSING A NEW BABY IS?<br />
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ENJOY - BABY LOVE!"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-51300766555518017922013-08-17T11:21:00.000-07:002016-08-17T16:48:07.924-07:00Let There Be Light<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCTsMSYmuHGAZKrYwpHtkqKXXAQbVsH0rGRnQ6VbPMzPjCCHl8ggWBoLYYeL5-VqveI6dsAP6cfdo_-QsTO9O7NHcawRomSnZRqzQ1A8MwGw2Kni01HeGlC8jKrQ04REF6isEIdm6jkA/s1600/IMG_7635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCTsMSYmuHGAZKrYwpHtkqKXXAQbVsH0rGRnQ6VbPMzPjCCHl8ggWBoLYYeL5-VqveI6dsAP6cfdo_-QsTO9O7NHcawRomSnZRqzQ1A8MwGw2Kni01HeGlC8jKrQ04REF6isEIdm6jkA/s640/IMG_7635.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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I apologize in advance for this DIY post. I think the first post I tried to write that was a DIY, I called<br />
a D Y I. This blog, as it says in the intro, is about remodeling our beach cottage and has, as of now, mainly turned into a blog chronicling the Shenanigans of a family who lives at the beach. But today, I am once again going to try to give you a DIY post. So here we go!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCfd_goK-eJ2YwzwnVcDDOyo2pQ2JRsoBrolvio-egu-pc7O9lA_eUJ0z6280Xzq2GLK7rbXXndfj6BrMRjyP3HbxC1lc6VVZgnID6kXgIF63B7t6HmMzviX6lE4F9kTwqepAAFFJhw0/s1600/IMG_7636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCfd_goK-eJ2YwzwnVcDDOyo2pQ2JRsoBrolvio-egu-pc7O9lA_eUJ0z6280Xzq2GLK7rbXXndfj6BrMRjyP3HbxC1lc6VVZgnID6kXgIF63B7t6HmMzviX6lE4F9kTwqepAAFFJhw0/s640/IMG_7636.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm going to start off with the finished product so I don't lose you before I even start. </div>
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This is son #1's bedroom. Not #1 because I love him the most, (just a disclaimer) but, because he was born in said chronological order. We spent an exorbitant amount of money for him to go to University and now like most University grads, he is back in his old bedroom while he ardently looks for a career job, doing odd jobs in the meanwhile. I absolutely LOVE having him home though, and I know he longs for a <i>real </i>job in his chosen field but, he's so much fun and brings so much light and joy to the house that when he leaves for good I'll probably go live in a hole and cry myself to death. I am not prone to exaggeration. I am not prone to exaggeration. I am not prone to exaggeration. I am not prone to...<br />
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We went shopping one day recently, and found these beautiful retro sconces at "West Elm". They were on back-order so it took a lot of <strike>growling, gnashing of teeth and pacing</strike> patience for me to wait for the tracking order to show up in my in-box to tell me they were on their way.</div>
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This is what the previous lamp looked like. Pretty nifty. Did I just say, nifty? Why, yes I did and I do believe that shows my age. Do the youth of today even know what nifty means? I know they don't know what thrifty means. Oh well, nobody under 50 reads this blog anyway. So, as <i>nifty</i> as this was when I changed out the end tables to a more retro look, I was ecstatic to find the new sconces to go with the new look. </div>
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Of course we needed help to install the sconces when they arrived so we enlisted hubby #1 (yes, I had another one once but in this case <i>I am </i>putting them in order of whom I like best.) The little doggy on the bed there helped too. Moral support is the most important part of any project.<br />
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Hubby #1, I guess I don't need to keep calling him that since the other one hasn't counted for the past 34 years. Don't worry, he doesn't read my blog either. Well, he decided to make this a teaching moment for his son, adding to his list of talents - sconce installation. Do you hear that potential employers!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7O45sqxgggz2YajmxChmi8RBwLcawaGO-Pl1jCFULfpVtpKxU_7UDTYpgeanMC_21vP4Wdx62sWm49JxNSnxJf2vywpztooDlGWMIi6apf8-yF6mRXJsxQw0h-YT1VwHj0SF-merXfs/s1600/IMG_7620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7O45sqxgggz2YajmxChmi8RBwLcawaGO-Pl1jCFULfpVtpKxU_7UDTYpgeanMC_21vP4Wdx62sWm49JxNSnxJf2vywpztooDlGWMIi6apf8-yF6mRXJsxQw0h-YT1VwHj0SF-merXfs/s640/IMG_7620.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Look at him wield that electrical tool like a pro. Just like, "Tim the tool man Taylor." Aging myself again? My son can design anything as simply as Steve Jobs; is a brilliant culinary artist (makes dinner for the fam on Tuesday nights); and surfs like Kelly Slater. I am not prone to exaggeration. I am not prone to exaggeration. I am not prone to exaggeration. I am not prone to exaggeration. I am not prone to...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCovFSRe7cAmAuHSY0rjE4n7-JKoOD3ae3NLyzpQcUhTb-MxoPty922pZ4Zo9GbGJsemntcDCDxD75YSrxO-YMJ51HOIVzBK8YB7dFsbUlNIOcaMmyTyPyUZ9Hn8OvDiYxfKCpgrUaDYs/s1600/IMG_7624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCovFSRe7cAmAuHSY0rjE4n7-JKoOD3ae3NLyzpQcUhTb-MxoPty922pZ4Zo9GbGJsemntcDCDxD75YSrxO-YMJ51HOIVzBK8YB7dFsbUlNIOcaMmyTyPyUZ9Hn8OvDiYxfKCpgrUaDYs/s640/IMG_7624.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
This job entailed nuts, bolts, a pencil, a flashlight, an electric screwdriver and a level. And that's about as technical as this DIY project is gonna get. So if you want to bail now, do what you must. But, you will lose out on more photos of my #1 son if you do so, and I wouldn't do that if I were you. Just sayin'.<br />
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In between photos, I laid on my back on the bed and shot photos of the ceiling fan. These projects while wildly fascinating, get tedious for people with <strike>ADD </strike> a lot of other things to do.<br />
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Apparently I'm not taking this seriously enough. Obviously, I'm more tongue in cheek about this than realistic. Look how staid he is. Do you see him with his very serious face on? Electrical installation is much more serious than you think. I'd say from the look on his face you could compare it a little bit with spinal surgery.<br />
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Intense man, very intense.<br />
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How cool is this vintage light bulb? Just a heads up, we had to buy this on the sly. The one it comes with is the <i>warm white 2700K lumens curly cued snobby rimmed shorty fob</i>. In other words, <b>UGLY</b>. And we don't do ugly even if the estimated cost to run it is only $1.57 per year. We were trying to amend ugly, so we retrofitted for vintage and as you can see, it worked!</div>
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He even made his bed for our um, photo shoot. Of course he's just like that. "Practically perfect in every way." Three points if you know what movie that's from.<br />
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Wallah! Two beautiful retro sconces, DIY'd by my #1 husband and my #1 son, with a lesson in electrical installation to boot. You're welcome.</div>
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Now turn off the lights and let there be a beautiful sunset at the beach. Have a blessed week, pets.<br />
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Love you more than how lucky I am that I can see the handiwork of God every single day!<br />
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Tia<br />
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"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3833445411064040008.post-86125409796992489032013-07-17T13:01:00.002-07:002013-07-17T13:01:40.700-07:00"Whole Lotta Hope Garden"<br />
Here at the beach we don't get the heat that (they say) is required to grow a hearty garden. Apparently, tomato's need days of intense heat. But as I take my dogs on their daily walk about, I keep seeing little gardens on our precious plots of ground in the neighborhood. I say precious because land is at a premium by the sea, and you usually get more house than yard. Your yard is the beach and your pool is the ocean. Not a bad trade off for sure and I'll take it!<br />
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Matter of fact, it's so cool and damp that we even get a wee bit of moss on our cliff sides.<br />
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<i>On a completely different note, just because from my 57,000 photos I found this one whilst perusing for blog fodder. This is a sign that my sister gifted me with, which I put on my mantel for a fresh summer look. Now, what are the chances there existed a chippy old sign that says the name of my little ol blog? Thanks sissy. <b>I LOVE IT!</b></i><br />
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Meanwhile we have been gallantly <strike>throwing our money into the money pit </strike>remodeling, building, constructing and decorating our Cottage by the Sea for about four years now. About the same time I started this blog. Here's a 'before' picture.<br />
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We pretty much gutted the old cottage and started over.<br />
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If you're interested in a reminder of the <a href="http://lorimcktia.blogspot.com/2010/05/birth-of-arch.html">"Birth Of The Arch"</a>, and other shenanigans we've been up to since 2009, head back over and have a look-see. We've come a <i>long </i>way since then.<br />
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It's amazing how far a<strike> little</strike> lotta wood, cedar shakes and stone will go to invent the cottage of your dreams!<br />
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This pic was from last Autumn. The courtyard was looking great with smiling pumpkins and all. This is after we installed our Ipe (pronounced in the king's english as Epay). Beautiful isn't it?<br />
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These are the <u>official</u> design architect's plans for our back yard. Well... You know how I mentioned that pit we've been throwing money into? We done run out of money for the pit way before we completed it. I, for one <strike>always </strike> never complain about this.<br />
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But I like to think that while we dream our dream, we've made the most of our little plot of backyard.<br />
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We decided, beach or no beach, to try growing a garden where the spa should be. It's a sunny little space and you can see how we professionally outlined our new garden.<br />
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First, we headed on over to, The Home Depot and bought 12 bags of <i>very heavy</i> soil, and a little cedar garden kit, us being garden newbies and all. I say, <i>very heavy</i> because we, and by we, I mean the hubby part of we, lifted and carried each and every bag from it's perch at Home Depot to our gigantic industrial cart, to our vehicle lined with plastic. After a leisurely drive home, HE lifted and carried the bags one by one, down the stairs and around the corner where they came to rest right here. To me it seemed like a piece of cake, but HE said they were <b><i><u>very heavy</u></i></b>! Our little garden begot its name when, the lady standing behind our huge overloaded cart of<strike> dirt</strike> organic soil, rolled her eyes and exclaimed, "you guys have got a whole lotta hope!" Oh boy :)<br />
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All it took was a little wood, (the gardening kit made it easy, peasy), you should try one! A power tool here and there and some tiny, ready made startings of our favorite plants.<br />
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First was a blueberry bush because every morning I start off my day with a bowl of Irish Oats slathered in blueberry's.<br />
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Then we added tomato's, both Early Girl and Big Boy. Very <strike>erotic</strike> exotic.<br />
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And since then they grew, and they grew and they grew. And now they look like...THIS!<br />
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I made markers from old wine corks and chopsticks. This one now sits under our enormous Serano pepper plant. My salsa has never tasted so hot! <br />
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I'm growing two kinds of mint because, I love them both and couldn't make up my mind. Something which <strike>hardly ever</strike> always happens around here. The one on the left is Peppermint, and the one in the foreground is Mojito. I hear that's a cocktail which I've never tried, but it's also a mint which grows wild in France. It's a shoe-in for my favorite cocktail, iced tea.<br />
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This is a fabulous, gorgeous, happy yellow, pumpkin flower. And from it blooms:<br />
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A pumpkin! I'm told this pumpkin will thrive and grow into a big orange smiling Jack O Lantern. This Autumn we will adorn our front porch with as many of these as our Whole Lotta Hope garden supplies.<br />
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Our zucchini is enormous thank you. How's yours doing?<br />
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So now, only 6 weeks later, wallah! Not only do I have a green thumb - I think it may be florescent!<br />
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Maybe it helps that we have Our Lady of Hope reposing beside our Whole Lotta Hope garden but, something's working over here at the beach.<br />
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Love you more than all the bounty in all our gardens,<br />
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Tia<br />
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Today, instead of the promised sunset, I give you the sunrise over our Whole Lotta Hope garden. Who needs a spa anyway?<br />
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Blessings!<br />
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<br />"Cottage By The Sea"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04016670928484219905noreply@blogger.com0