tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7548522340229709232024-02-07T03:11:53.310-06:00 Bobbifer2001Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-34909874108111740422010-10-24T21:40:00.000-05:002010-10-24T21:40:10.568-05:00El Escándalo!What comes to mind when you read about camera crews, video camera equipment, and whispering of spies? No, not another TMZ coverage of yet another Lindsay Lohan court appearance... This article describes the anguish and denial Robert Estrada, former holder of the "World's Biggest Enchilada", feels as he learns of Mexico City's 230-foot long record-winning enchilada on October 17th, 2010.<br />
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<h1 style="font-size: 12px; margin: 0px;">“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting” ~Jack Handey of "Deep Thoughts"</h1><br />
Border Faceoff: Who's Got the Biggest Enchilada?<br />
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Published October 22, 2010 <br />
Fox News Latino<br />
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It’s the phone call every Guinness record-holder dreads, and for Robert Estrada, it came Sunday, Oct. 17.<br />
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"You lost the world record," a friend rang to say. That day, the residents of Iztapalapa, a Mexico City borough, had cooked their way into the records book with a 230-foot long enchilada, topping Estrada's previous 2000 record.<br />
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But judging by a story by the Las Cruces Sun News which was later picked up by The Associated Press, Estrada believes his home of Las Cruces, N.M. is still a record-holder: His certificate names him the creator of the world's largest, flat, three-layeredenchilada. Mexico City's version was rolled.<br />
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"It's not the same category that I'm in," said Estrada. "It's different."<br />
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Estrada told Fox News Latino he's been trying to reach Guinness for a week in order to get clarification.<br />
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In an email with Fox News Latino, a Guinness World Records spokesperson was crystal clear. "We do not have separate categories for different types of enchiladas," she wrote.<br />
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Estrada's enchilada, which he recreates each year, is about 10.5 feet in diameter and takes 750 pounds of corn, 175 pounds of grated cheese, 50 pounds of chopped onions and 75 gallons of red chile sauce. The same ingredients that, in smaller quantities, Estrada uses daily at his restaurant, Roberto's.<br />
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The giganto-chilada can feed up 5,000 people and does so annually, as the centerpiece of the three-day The Whole Enchilada Fiesta, which celebrated its 13th anniversary in September.<br />
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Las Cruces resident Barbara Marta said that in southern New Mexico, where Las Cruces is located, the flat enchilada is preferred. Rolled enchiladas are more common in Mexico and northern New Mexico.<br />
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"And of course, the taste of the chile—there's no comparison," she said.<br />
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In October 2000, when Estrada set out to establish the record, there was a lengthy documentation process. All the ingredients were weighed; senators, the mayor, law enforcement and U.S. representatives acted as witnesses, and the event was video taped and photographed extensively, he said. The enchilada was even measured by satellite, which sized the its circumference at 33.89 feet. <br />
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It's achievement was a point of pride, said Christine Rogel, a Las Cruces Sun-News reporter who interviewed Estrada for the story. "This is something that has been part of the community for so long."<br />
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Estrada has long been leery of losing his crown. He said he's heard whisperings of spies looking to uncover his process during this year's fiesta.<br />
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"There were a lot of people there that told me there were some people from Mexico using video camera equipment and taping us while they were making it," Estrada said. He also received reports of camera crews from Mesa, Ariz.<br />
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But folks looking to steal his secrets might want to save the effort.<br />
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"At one point Robert Estrada was the record holder for largest enchilada," the Guinness spokesperson wrote. "But since then our guidelines have changed, and we now only accept the tradition rolled enchilada for this category."<br />
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Source: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/lifestyle/2010/10/22/southwestern-enchilada-survives-attempted-coup/Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-14896921306726444092010-10-24T19:37:00.002-05:002010-10-24T19:54:58.872-05:00Zach at the "Pittsburgh Penguins" game in Nashville, Tennessee!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqYaaNvE_DhdSLAwP3YKjGe1ix65kJP6tAl1LuoUYlJQCKAvJGLjcN70Ng9xfGHwLxXVIm07JlAXJZ23-ND5Ncov1ubKPv4KjaFEkSnLvwZWQGLNJ2em92sEtAwEVKc1w50IUZ1hSjjY/s1600/PensGame2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqYaaNvE_DhdSLAwP3YKjGe1ix65kJP6tAl1LuoUYlJQCKAvJGLjcN70Ng9xfGHwLxXVIm07JlAXJZ23-ND5Ncov1ubKPv4KjaFEkSnLvwZWQGLNJ2em92sEtAwEVKc1w50IUZ1hSjjY/s640/PensGame2010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center">Here is a compilation picture of Zach and players from the "Pittsburgh Penguins" taken after the Pittsburgh Penguins played the Nashville Predators on October 21st of this year. Zach is posing with players from the Penguins, including his hero: goalie "Marc-Andre Fleury". Sidney Crosby is currently the top player in the NHL; he scored the game-winning goal during the Olympics for Canada! In the top left picture you can see Zach and his dad (Kevin) laughing as Malkin (#71) smooshes TooToo (#22) against the glass! This was Zach's fourth time meeting with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and he had a great time talking with the players!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV19qQSlo_BVGQdr2x1IQwU6ZbCEjDlKoV8vlb4sA6NekU0U3PFZDmk02FrgPcwMDcYnrUFghY4Lt5SyFC5x6BsWSSiwqXrC1glF0rJToVBvb0IL36mNUe-z-WnN-JUjjteLkKydiA2tU/s1600/ZachHockey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV19qQSlo_BVGQdr2x1IQwU6ZbCEjDlKoV8vlb4sA6NekU0U3PFZDmk02FrgPcwMDcYnrUFghY4Lt5SyFC5x6BsWSSiwqXrC1glF0rJToVBvb0IL36mNUe-z-WnN-JUjjteLkKydiA2tU/s400/ZachHockey.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Zach playing hockey... He wants to be a goalie one day!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZhe3s-E51AEih0pDhYbm3pS_r7riIoqT-o_UmvdwMPSML6m_CxaLf-Gc6fgGxQfnfuGK5mQnlvPamzmxiSlt5WEX-M0GKFV_ukKMnWECe6Indw1wYGYQspf9bUmNLWuoec6Wy222FU8/s1600/ZachHockey2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZhe3s-E51AEih0pDhYbm3pS_r7riIoqT-o_UmvdwMPSML6m_CxaLf-Gc6fgGxQfnfuGK5mQnlvPamzmxiSlt5WEX-M0GKFV_ukKMnWECe6Indw1wYGYQspf9bUmNLWuoec6Wy222FU8/s400/ZachHockey2.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-14468102924473207892010-10-17T23:30:00.001-05:002010-10-17T23:32:35.590-05:00Dreams Really Do Come True... For Those in Mexico City!I came across this article tonight, and I just had to share it with everyone! For those of you who know me well, you know I love (is love really a <strong>strong enough</strong> word?) Mexican food, so imagine my delight at the following:<br />
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MEXICO CITY (AP) — A Mexico City borough went for the whole enchilada — and got it!<br />
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Residents of Iztapalapa cooked up a 230-foot-long (70-meter-long), almost 1½-ton enchilada Sunday. Guinness record official Ralph Hannah announced that it was the world's biggest. The colossal concoction was made of corn tortillas, white onions, serrano chilis, green tomatoes, avocado, cheese, cream and a sea of salsas, among other ingredients. "With this Guinness record we are showing the world that Iztapalapa is a high-level tourist destination," said Mexico City tourism secretary Alejandro Rojas.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFIMp96f2vEQuZjIrAo9gTBWP2-59vRParxLMXakfhFSBZzKIYbtZaP-VWlmf-QQZdIs75gsLeVSc0FOK1Uq0GEmDMpIgVNOp26PsyOq7uG-02Bc3TqP39mXuvgQ2sv9z0G-qiCpSlP8/s1600/Enchilada1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFIMp96f2vEQuZjIrAo9gTBWP2-59vRParxLMXakfhFSBZzKIYbtZaP-VWlmf-QQZdIs75gsLeVSc0FOK1Uq0GEmDMpIgVNOp26PsyOq7uG-02Bc3TqP39mXuvgQ2sv9z0G-qiCpSlP8/s320/Enchilada1.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><div class="caption">"Chefs prepare the world's largest 'Enchilada', a traditional Mexican food, during the National Enchilada Fair at the neighborhood of Iztapalapa in Mexico City, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010. The enchilada, measuring 70 meters long and 1,416 kgs, entered the famous Guinness Record book Sunday. (Marco Ugarte / AP) "</div><div class="caption"></div><div class="caption"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYxOAYsCkSuiwM19WOnoKgjZ_vcynWaF32C_846w7M7lMDtJGRi4zwMcKNHICSkFF5HEQkAt7uRKrjvQy3Vmalg85Cq1KKiFlemtZpjZJPY27JDOQARWYWPl76iWl2Q-6q0FJO0D_R04/s1600/Enchilada2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYxOAYsCkSuiwM19WOnoKgjZ_vcynWaF32C_846w7M7lMDtJGRi4zwMcKNHICSkFF5HEQkAt7uRKrjvQy3Vmalg85Cq1KKiFlemtZpjZJPY27JDOQARWYWPl76iWl2Q-6q0FJO0D_R04/s320/Enchilada2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="caption">"A boy waits to be served a portion of the world's largest 'Enchilada', a traditional Mexican food, during the National Enchilada Fair at the neighborhood of Iztapalapa in Mexico City, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010. The enchilada, measuring 70 meters long and 1,416 kgs, entered the famous Guinness Record book Sunday. (Marco Ugarte / AP)"</div><div class="caption"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBWFGwuc1G_ymBbUAalaeE0ZX2cMWKOYdFWDpBqyejKmesg2P-rm1hLoE6P3p0__6RG7lVVM4RRb8p4KV-KqJyJ9fT0kmvpoa_w8VfcqafttYy0oPXqa7oOxxHY6r0y6RVUGGhOQUWuU/s1600/Enchilada3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBWFGwuc1G_ymBbUAalaeE0ZX2cMWKOYdFWDpBqyejKmesg2P-rm1hLoE6P3p0__6RG7lVVM4RRb8p4KV-KqJyJ9fT0kmvpoa_w8VfcqafttYy0oPXqa7oOxxHY6r0y6RVUGGhOQUWuU/s320/Enchilada3.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><div class="caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="caption">"Chefs prepare the world's largest 'Enchilada', a traditional Mexican food, during the National Enchilada Fair at the neighborhood of Iztapalapa in Mexico City, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010. The enchilada, measuring 70 meters long and 1,416 kgs, entered the famous Guinness Record book Sunday. (Marco Ugarte / AP) "</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Article, pictures, and captions taken from </span><a href="http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Mexican-borough-makes-world-s-biggest-enchilada-710754.php"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Mexican-borough-makes-world-s-biggest-enchilada-710754.php</span></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67YBpJvZ4H5xtzFxgOWbAYCLOYD1DhoX9A7yN9zA32i8Gx1PQZ-raYhbMZ2po9oGKE0DOPpJYcozBwFOo-rRxLDuLz25k-mCK7zR2VamRSbN-XJLtS5m8ILSkPVBACGRuawHAon2q67A/s1600/GradenTaco.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67YBpJvZ4H5xtzFxgOWbAYCLOYD1DhoX9A7yN9zA32i8Gx1PQZ-raYhbMZ2po9oGKE0DOPpJYcozBwFOo-rRxLDuLz25k-mCK7zR2VamRSbN-XJLtS5m8ILSkPVBACGRuawHAon2q67A/s320/GradenTaco.bmp" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately, our family was <strike>unaware of</strike> unable to attend the enchilada festivities in Mexico City today! However, those who know me and love me (certainly love <strong>is a strong enough </strong>word to use here!) best can attest to the fact that from the moment of conception; I have done my best to instill a love for Mexican food in my children! Just look at the picture posted above: Graden heartily enjoying a taco bigger than his own head as a young boy! And who else would name their cats Gordo, Pancho, and Tucson?! Do you like <strike>chimichangas</strike>, cats? I mean, do you really like <strike>chimichangas</strike>, cats?! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Reckon all y'all have to be from Tucson, AZ to get that last one?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOKikN0DMwW49qydJ3XecFLV5FO4G8hfwFkR76S1IiGiAMvpkDkvwnjQStFFdsgJTWk1MABR7ga6qv4rOosXNsq6q8fSg4c3egKDXNpbJVsa0LhnmU5XF0mWraB0ugo-J0Q0FOb_PjpI/s1600/gordos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOKikN0DMwW49qydJ3XecFLV5FO4G8hfwFkR76S1IiGiAMvpkDkvwnjQStFFdsgJTWk1MABR7ga6qv4rOosXNsq6q8fSg4c3egKDXNpbJVsa0LhnmU5XF0mWraB0ugo-J0Q0FOb_PjpI/s1600/gordos.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Who can forget the tasty red chili con carne, or the teeny-tiny chicken enchiladas that were rolled tighter than taquitos? Look at the plate and serving bowls! Maybe that is why my family is eating off Fiesta Ware dishes in the South- and just looking at that picture makes me want to order the paprika collection for my own home! Oddly enough, I just now notice that the plate, beans, taco, rice, tamales, and chile con carne all seem to blend together?! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8yOiJ3MQh1QHc1NKcY9el0BhNOPii6Mdfcfe10bkPdZIkQNE7HgxcJZfXw9Kb-k5ksbuGSjoXP0sIcGtF75-IW_rurHEEizKs7BkRFDlOAOqIaSvbfe3rLgi_c6YOudN2O5xEbUPMfg/s1600/panchosindex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8yOiJ3MQh1QHc1NKcY9el0BhNOPii6Mdfcfe10bkPdZIkQNE7HgxcJZfXw9Kb-k5ksbuGSjoXP0sIcGtF75-IW_rurHEEizKs7BkRFDlOAOqIaSvbfe3rLgi_c6YOudN2O5xEbUPMfg/s1600/panchosindex.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">It was always a tough choice though... While Gordo's was definitely my favorite; the novelty of going to Pancho's and being able to "Raise the Flag" when you were ready for more was definitely fun too! Plus, Pancho's had a soft-serve machine, I didn't have to settle for sopapillas & honey for dessert... </div>Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-33616827902936142972010-10-15T22:11:00.000-05:002010-10-15T22:11:24.413-05:00"Homecoming Parade"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOS8WFPHr-0SxKMQHjvR9Yb2pj-yDNntEojF0oIuJ3aLkgP-PBrtroYIae-z7TS1CKpdvFPpo-jLaEPb-dHHuOCDMhBjCqHZpYj7KBikNjJIzmfAluM4f_VbZ8UUa-Evnx0dGpk5UPmo/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOS8WFPHr-0SxKMQHjvR9Yb2pj-yDNntEojF0oIuJ3aLkgP-PBrtroYIae-z7TS1CKpdvFPpo-jLaEPb-dHHuOCDMhBjCqHZpYj7KBikNjJIzmfAluM4f_VbZ8UUa-Evnx0dGpk5UPmo/s400/002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center">Here is the beginning of the "Homecoming Parade"; it was such a wonderful experience for everyone involved! Mrs. Wanda (the School Resource Officer) led the parade with her husband in the police car while letting her sirens roar! The children loved it!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieASb-1bY_c4h5LoZG1lKy_b3WJjgY-4gF_XFe5OiLJLHQ7oMiwHlKC0LciY5ZUXJQZKr8tP-AFfbXRMMgQIhWvVBQSnV7FEOGQC3QQOi2__0cysE9sk15ezabcRR9bz1CfDiKdAiCzv4/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieASb-1bY_c4h5LoZG1lKy_b3WJjgY-4gF_XFe5OiLJLHQ7oMiwHlKC0LciY5ZUXJQZKr8tP-AFfbXRMMgQIhWvVBQSnV7FEOGQC3QQOi2__0cysE9sk15ezabcRR9bz1CfDiKdAiCzv4/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center">Graden and Elizabeth proudly carry their sign during the parade! They are "Tigeriffic" together!!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijm_ET5zoLgxBBjWKWdL7_fPzFozNGjsljQXSjH3UEvqxATHxj5SbgtY6yVOQNerKKCPBb7RFGH6O6R9Om24zXwtPhq09qFs5IGLazP3g1ffZycBeSr0Oob6s813wd8YKuax-26MDCSz8/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijm_ET5zoLgxBBjWKWdL7_fPzFozNGjsljQXSjH3UEvqxATHxj5SbgtY6yVOQNerKKCPBb7RFGH6O6R9Om24zXwtPhq09qFs5IGLazP3g1ffZycBeSr0Oob6s813wd8YKuax-26MDCSz8/s400/006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Does anyone else notice that Graden and Elizabeth look so similar? What is so cute is that they have picked up on each other's mannerisms as well...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0602X5tYwd7sAft36GBhRTuh2n8ewVnHWQcX_K3ih3qukj6y5S14GdkvojWutUFHXZE8ShZ0NW_TOhGsmB1j4RR2-mn7-PC8q8P1LqSEh0veSya1EWrd-kAOLtPnALEMhQCUk06-zB8/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0602X5tYwd7sAft36GBhRTuh2n8ewVnHWQcX_K3ih3qukj6y5S14GdkvojWutUFHXZE8ShZ0NW_TOhGsmB1j4RR2-mn7-PC8q8P1LqSEh0veSya1EWrd-kAOLtPnALEMhQCUk06-zB8/s400/009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center">Gibson takes a break from watching the parade to wave to the camera... </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7XHPCP6DEiArt518mSFELE8x-qKHco8StkvlqFNw00jimch_EF-I7b-v_dXN4pfq69o5EWLBHVfz-WAL80b_paTY-0wz2rWVsIKwJZbcLu1f09S9HXP7T_tnyFON6hY7YYJxYCdBCN4/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7XHPCP6DEiArt518mSFELE8x-qKHco8StkvlqFNw00jimch_EF-I7b-v_dXN4pfq69o5EWLBHVfz-WAL80b_paTY-0wz2rWVsIKwJZbcLu1f09S9HXP7T_tnyFON6hY7YYJxYCdBCN4/s400/010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center">Proudly wearing his "Tiger Paw" spirit necklace; Gibson's attention is turned back to the parade once again!</div>Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-82592148205810950742010-10-13T21:06:00.001-05:002010-10-13T21:14:54.118-05:00Graden's "Class Favorites" PosterToday Graden and his close friend Elizabeth posed beside their "Class Favorites" poster. They were each voted as the boy/girl class favorite of their 2nd grade class; tomorrow they will march together in the "Homecoming Parade" holding the sign. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is another picture of these two cuties!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the class picture! Such a good looking group...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-57839887858988187692010-10-12T21:08:00.001-05:002010-10-12T22:12:33.572-05:00"Nightmare On Hatley Road"Our school is having a "Door-Decorating Spirit Contest" which involved, of course, decorating our classroom doors to show the "tigers" (us) beating the "wildcats" (them). We came up with the following for our door:<br />
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Can you guess yet which movie this was ripped off from?!<br />
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I take full credit for those lyrics; the Mr. Rogers putting on the Freddy Krueger sweater I found on the internet and couldn't pass up!<br />
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Notice the "R.I.P. Wildcats Oct. 15, 2010"? Complete with little "bloodified-wildcats"? Can you tell I was raised on and addicted to horror films as a child? ;) And now, for your amusement...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyq4rkZaQjuFVx_Wm0VksEnLFWfZKOJC3QQ_safHGdlq1AR2yJNqhFea5Vxs0DdvsVyG9x0qvSRYGVSacQStTQZ0PdeKetOV6YEXWlY2bOulavKFisRmVZyI2aCe2KJPX_m4f52c2FeI/s1600/mr.rodgers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyq4rkZaQjuFVx_Wm0VksEnLFWfZKOJC3QQ_safHGdlq1AR2yJNqhFea5Vxs0DdvsVyG9x0qvSRYGVSacQStTQZ0PdeKetOV6YEXWlY2bOulavKFisRmVZyI2aCe2KJPX_m4f52c2FeI/s320/mr.rodgers.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-21171207679841834522010-10-12T20:45:00.000-05:002010-10-12T20:45:58.645-05:00Today Was "Parents Eat With Your Kindergartener" Day!Today I was able to enjoy lunch with Gibson during his lunchtime! Our school had "Parents Eat With Your Kindergartener" Day! I am sure that wasn't the official title, but it sums it up nicely... <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAk6hOdIrCqlgfUTuFEI6yQqJWemVmhqvPXLx_20W1jp03UoO-GuuI3TVkYOEtI-5umHCGC6kGH3dfZoXhpx9STsb1wTUw_YD63ixnobCbPj3ZRoPmCwq6KvJW2Rt7x_1YQ6QDF20ELGs/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAk6hOdIrCqlgfUTuFEI6yQqJWemVmhqvPXLx_20W1jp03UoO-GuuI3TVkYOEtI-5umHCGC6kGH3dfZoXhpx9STsb1wTUw_YD63ixnobCbPj3ZRoPmCwq6KvJW2Rt7x_1YQ6QDF20ELGs/s320/025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Isn't he just the cutest Kindergartener of 2010-2011 you have ever seen? Yes, I thought you would agree! In that case, enjoy another picture of my cutie-pie...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHVDMiijqbfZg5T92BRtAjzMBRM9pSnrZZMH-BNZA9LgoPL5S8FJPTFkiGbM3Dc5vzNVN3xrBtLVa6JnzZ7BIW7tAlopjXFr-t0UpvCiCyWZPrUpunl1DH5fOh76fz4l9trSNR3jqLSk/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHVDMiijqbfZg5T92BRtAjzMBRM9pSnrZZMH-BNZA9LgoPL5S8FJPTFkiGbM3Dc5vzNVN3xrBtLVa6JnzZ7BIW7tAlopjXFr-t0UpvCiCyWZPrUpunl1DH5fOh76fz4l9trSNR3jqLSk/s320/027.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><strong>John "Gibson" Jarrell ~ Class of 2023</strong>Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-34458513827739937872010-10-06T20:46:00.000-05:002010-10-06T20:46:10.045-05:00I found an interesting article this evening written by Todd Smith, entitled "Your Words Reflect Your Character". I believe it is a timely piece; I pray it touches your <span style="color: red;">heart</span> as it touched mine!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYMH7VUGJjgFgb56j_g02Pn9fr6m7eNbOtTHNGWPg3r2tUOAjWxfYGvmuIOh_FHi-he_Ysfs9TXHt7BZth-j-alS-jfY4yiocXxPwJylJIoOsOMUIrROVQV0nzEomRfAqBCG0JhHXNJ4/s1600/stix+stones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYMH7VUGJjgFgb56j_g02Pn9fr6m7eNbOtTHNGWPg3r2tUOAjWxfYGvmuIOh_FHi-he_Ysfs9TXHt7BZth-j-alS-jfY4yiocXxPwJylJIoOsOMUIrROVQV0nzEomRfAqBCG0JhHXNJ4/s320/stix+stones.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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If you are old enough to read this post, I am sure you have experienced what it feels like to have people talk behind your back. When this happens to you, how does it make you feel towards the person who spoke poorly of you?<br />
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Your Words Are a Mirror<br />
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What we say about others reflects on our own character. Specifically, when we speak unfavorably of others, it not only hurts the person our words are aimed at, but it also damages our credibility and reputation in the process.<br />
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Richard Carlson put it this way: “ When we judge or criticize another person, it says nothing about that person; it merely says something about our own need to be critical.”<br />
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When we speak negatively about someone else, others often perceive it as a ploy for our own personal gain.<br />
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When our words persuade others to our point of view as to the faults and shortcomings of someone who is not present, we are taking unfair advantage of that person. This holds true whether we’re talking about an individual, a group, or a business.<br />
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The Critical Cashier<br />
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For example, last week, I was in my local supermarket picking up a bag of ice. I took a shortcut through one of the empty lanes to get to the service desk since I was only purchasing one item.<br />
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A cashier happened to be in that lane and said he could help me. I told him I didn’t realize his lane was open because he was standing off to the side. He proceeded to tell me about the “stupid policies” of the store. He ranted about various things during my purchase and spoke nothing but ill of his employer.<br />
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All the time he was unloading his personal dissatisfaction, I was questioning his motives and forming my impression of him—and it wasn’t a good one! I immediately summed him up as an inconsiderate employee who failed to see himself as a store representative with an obligation to act and speak accordingly.<br />
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Positivity Is Good for Your Reputation<br />
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It is also important to keep in mind that where your attention goes, so goes you’re your emotional energy. Focus on positive things and your life will be positive; focus on negative things and your life will be negative. When you say destructive things about others, your emotional energy is also negatively affected.<br />
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On the other hand, when you brand yourself as someone who refrains from speaking disapprovingly of others, not only will people’s respect for you grow, but you will also be happier. When you hold back saying something negative about someone else—especially when given the opportunity—you exemplify self-control and concern for others.<br />
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“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain but it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.” Dale Carnegie<br />
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Do not, however, confuse speaking of someone in a derogatory way with participating in a formal critique, such as job performance reviews or when you are asked to point out deficiencies for the purpose of helping someone improve in certain areas. In these instances, use tact and diplomacy to focus on performance issues and always avoid personal attacks.<br />
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Tips for Avoiding Negative Conversations<br />
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•Refuse to engage in negative conversations about others.<br />
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•Refuse to be part of groups who speak poorly of others. Remember that if you are surrounded by people who thrive on cutting others down, it may be time for you to reconsider with whom you spend your time.<br />
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•Avoid making negative or unflattering comments about other people by remembering that your comments influence people’s views of you.<br />
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Sometimes figuratively (and sometimes literally) I bite my tongue when I am on the verge of saying something negative. I do so knowing that quelling the urge to speak my mind on impulse helps me show consideration for others, uphold my values, and maintain my reputation.<br />
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You can build a reputation that commands respect by refusing to speak negatively of others in all circumstances—regardless of who is or isn’t present.<br />
<a href="http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/09/02/your-words-reflect-your-character/">http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/09/02/your-words-reflect-your-character/</a>Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-43217372798711232632010-05-27T14:29:00.000-05:002010-05-27T14:29:18.134-05:00Graden's Award Day ~1st Grade~Graden received several awards on "Award Day", and we are very, very proud of him!!! <br />
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Here is Graden smiling ever-so-handsomely as he waits for the assembly to begin...<br />
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Here is Graden receiving the "Accellerated Reader" award for earning the most points in his class in AR. Graden earned over 120 points!!! Yea Graden!<br />
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</div>Graden just received the "Honor Club" award for earning all "A's" during the school year... "Amazing, Awesome, and Astonishing!" <br />
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</div>Graden is receiving "Outstanding Student" for having the highest grades in his class...<br />
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We are so proud of him, and also so grateful to his teachers! He had a wonderful first grade teacher this year who was brilliant, she really went above and beyond with Graden. We were also blessed to have another teacher from the 3rd grade who worked with Graden this year as well, she was wonderful to Graden! There just aren't enough words to thank these women enough... <br />
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Graden and the rest of the award-winners in his class!!!Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-78454695194736311012010-05-27T13:53:00.000-05:002010-05-27T13:53:09.372-05:00Gibson's Preschool Graduation!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Gibson recently graduated from preschool! He is very excited to begin "Big Boy School" and is looking forward to Kindergarten.<br />
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Here is Gibson walking down the aisle toward the graduation stage...<br />
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</div>Here is Gibson receiving his "Preschool Diploma"...<br />
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</div>Here is Gibson with his Daddy... They are so handsome!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8hLmVdAOq1mhGmxPpZYNPrFYKzWFEMZAF6MK4U5cuqe3t02Tt7HYus31cIlMc7k2Ke4nbXPwHF_p27Iz4EUzeC2tEZvPgvEMLg2EXSgllsBjzXl41O0HnLXMBQbBmveeJuRA-YBoJwE/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8hLmVdAOq1mhGmxPpZYNPrFYKzWFEMZAF6MK4U5cuqe3t02Tt7HYus31cIlMc7k2Ke4nbXPwHF_p27Iz4EUzeC2tEZvPgvEMLg2EXSgllsBjzXl41O0HnLXMBQbBmveeJuRA-YBoJwE/s320/013.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Here is Gibson with his Mommy...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlX4WSFqymexLe5wzcECH3l5vdPjNiGsN687B9wgqBptZ1DsSIP2_g7lvyNmeiy_6k5uBmblNdD8uTDNon8eolMbI2TbKD8lB3gPao_ZchbhAXVk9ArtqzyApvOQDkBvHHZkYrc4EvEQ/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlX4WSFqymexLe5wzcECH3l5vdPjNiGsN687B9wgqBptZ1DsSIP2_g7lvyNmeiy_6k5uBmblNdD8uTDNon8eolMbI2TbKD8lB3gPao_ZchbhAXVk9ArtqzyApvOQDkBvHHZkYrc4EvEQ/s320/014.JPG" /></a></div>Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-80660392478453254022009-11-24T23:33:00.002-06:002009-11-24T23:35:30.827-06:00Typical Graden Story A "Typical Graden Story" shows great insight and an intuitive-knowledge, whereas a "Typical Jenn Story" shows the complete opposite... ;) Tonight as Graden was staring at his lava lamp, he said to his father "Dad, I know how lava lamps work. The light bulb heats up the lava. It boils to the top, then it cools down, falls back down and starts over." <br />
What 7-year-old thinks about how a lava lamp works?! I know a certain 36-year-old who has never thought about how they work... When I was seven, all I wanted to know was how did Jem & the Holograms actually meet Synergy? Where did Care Bears live, and why was it impossible to actually find the Love Bear at Toys-R-Us? And why did we throw cat food out on Christmas Eve to feed the reindeer? But that is another entry entirely...<br />
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</div>Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-74251012836466071422009-11-24T19:18:00.000-06:002009-11-24T19:18:04.275-06:00OPERATING SYSTEM NOT FOUND<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzfrZpLmd9fchWeZdA7XBilLfKqos-ivex2nLLSr1p4WlxMH5omhWfzBZLS8PXSCcBus69wTdPTxRRi9G349UgZG2Yd_aP7Jaz9pFOC5Toe-sHxmsoUIm1xbjQbICQL8XkShxtELRWac/s1600/OperatingSystemNotFound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzfrZpLmd9fchWeZdA7XBilLfKqos-ivex2nLLSr1p4WlxMH5omhWfzBZLS8PXSCcBus69wTdPTxRRi9G349UgZG2Yd_aP7Jaz9pFOC5Toe-sHxmsoUIm1xbjQbICQL8XkShxtELRWac/s640/OperatingSystemNotFound.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is what greeted me this afternoon on my HP Vista laptop! This is enough to send me over-the-edge! How on earth will I manage without my laptop?! There are certain fundamentals that I need to exist, such as oxygen, water, Milkduds, Dt. Mt. Dew, and my laptop with internet access... Luckily I took out the extended two-year-warranty from Wal-Mart when I purchased my laptop, but I still have to wait to have it repaired and mailed back to me?!? Ugh!!!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My fingers are twitching already... Friends, expect numerous texts in the meantime.<br />
</div>Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-21428971983620388742009-11-24T13:24:00.001-06:002009-11-24T14:52:35.278-06:00Why Acorns? I chose my background for my blog because it represents Fall, Thanksgiving, and mainly; the background represents Gibson's love for me. Gibson brings me acorns home from school everyday as a reminder of his love for me. It is so sweet... He will call out to me from the truck as he slides out "Mommy... I have a surprise for you!" and then he will dig deep into his pockets and pull out several acorns for me. Gibson doesn't have money to buy me presents, so I know those acorns have been chosen with love and given with pride! He points out the varying characteristics of each acorn- this acorn is small, this acorn is huge, this acorn is a beautiful shade of nearly red, etc...<br />
The gifting of acorns started with Zach when he too went to the same daycare that Gibson currently goes to. When Graden started going to that daycare as well, Graden would come home and bring me acorns as well. I have a few of those acorns in my jewelry case. They are more valuable and treasured than any of the other pieces in my jewelry case... would any other mother feel differently?!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjlB5psEneN5i7wd6BwpQSmcdzYXYDdHinlAc4WSVSgNVcDPPsa_ToVaiZ52S5g_KtQGxjlulKs0tfZcjSEBt4PqQ-dqv_3XVZXDv1RXcXFglcah4exCszyN9V946B0kY_zTEweL-DTM/s1600/Acorns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjlB5psEneN5i7wd6BwpQSmcdzYXYDdHinlAc4WSVSgNVcDPPsa_ToVaiZ52S5g_KtQGxjlulKs0tfZcjSEBt4PqQ-dqv_3XVZXDv1RXcXFglcah4exCszyN9V946B0kY_zTEweL-DTM/s320/Acorns.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
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</div>Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-91358468392806472472009-11-22T11:19:00.000-06:002009-11-22T11:19:37.263-06:00These are three of my all-time favorite songs... two are old, they have been out since I was in high school... Yikes! :) The third one came out a few years ago... I love it. "The Hardway" is like the story of my life. <br />
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"The Hardway" by DC Talk <br />
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(chorus) <br />
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Some people gotta learn the hardway <br />
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I guess I'm the kinda guy <br />
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That has to find out for myself <br />
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I had to learn the hardway, Father <br />
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I'm on my knees and I'm crying for help <br />
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Now I've been high and I've been low <br />
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I've been some places that you will not go <br />
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I never thought there would come the day <br />
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When I wished I never would've lived this way <br />
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But I've been searching for a long, long time <br />
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I thought the devil was a friend of mine <br />
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I turned my back on everything that was true <br />
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And wasted years that belong to you <br />
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(repeat chorus) <br />
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It took so long for me to see <br />
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That I'm a victim of nature and me <br />
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Left to myself I realize <br />
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I am the maker of my own demise <br />
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But you accept me every time and again <br />
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And never mention just how selfish I've been <br />
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Why must it always take me so long to see <br />
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That I have fallen but you will forgive me? <br />
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(repeat chorus 2x) <br />
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The warning signs are like flares in the night <br />
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Still I proceed my greed is in spite of the fire <br />
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I know that's bound to burn <br />
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Why is it that I always gotta learn... <br />
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The hardway, the hardway, I had to learn the hardway <br />
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The hardway, the hardway, I had to learn the hardway <br />
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"No Stone To Throw" by Sierra <br />
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Maggie lives on Second Street <br />
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Downtown by the river <br />
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She looks away from everyone she meets <br />
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They've got no time to give her <br />
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Because on her shoulder is a scarlet letter <br />
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And nobody told her she could do better <br />
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I've got no stone to throw <br />
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No axe to grind <br />
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I look at Maggie's life <br />
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And I see mine <br />
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I see somebody searchin' for somethin' <br />
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A little love and understanding <br />
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And the longer I know the Lord <br />
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The more I know <br />
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I've got no stone to throw <br />
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Maggie wears a cross of gold <br />
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But she don't know why <br />
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She says she tried religion once <br />
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But it made her cry <br />
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She's been to hell and back so many times <br />
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And she's done anything to survive <br />
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Maggie lives in every town <br />
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And people talk about her <br />
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'Cause it's easier to put her down <br />
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Than to care about her <br />
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But she has a Savior; He is her Judge <br />
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Oh, Maggie, you deserve to be loved <br />
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"My Jesus" by Todd Agnew <br />
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Which Jesus do you follow? <br />
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Which Jesus do you serve? <br />
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If Ephesians says to imitate Christ <br />
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Then why do you look so much like the world? <br />
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Cause my Jesus bled and died <br />
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He spent His time with thieves and liars <br />
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He loved the poor and accosted the arrogant <br />
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So which one do you want to be? <br />
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Blessed are the poor in spirit <br />
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Or do we pray to be blessed with the wealth of this land <br />
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Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness <br />
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Or do we ache for another taste of this world of shifting sand <br />
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Cause my Jesus bled and died for my sins <br />
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He spent His time with thieves and sluts and liars <br />
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He loved the poor and accosted the rich <br />
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So which one do you want to be? <br />
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Who is this that you follow <br />
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This picture of the American dream <br />
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If Jesus was here would you walk right by on the other side or fall down and worship at His holy feet <br />
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Pretty blue eyes and curly brown hair and a clear complexion <br />
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Is how you see Him as He dies for Your sins <br />
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But the Word says He was battered and scarred <br />
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Or did you miss that part <br />
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Sometimes I doubt we'd recognize Him <br />
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Cause my Jesus bled and died <br />
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He spent His time with thieves and the least of these <br />
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He loved the poor and accosted the comfortable <br />
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So which one do you want to be? <br />
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Cause my Jesus would never be accepted in my church <br />
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The blood and dirt on His feet would stain the carpet <br />
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But He reaches for the hurting and despised the proud <br />
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I think He'd prefer Beale St. to the stained glass crowd <br />
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And I know that He can hear me if I cry out loud <br />
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I want to be like my Jesus! <br />
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I want to be like my Jesus! <br />
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Not a posterchild for American prosperity, but like my Jesus <br />
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You see I'm tired of living for success and popularity <br />
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I want to be like my Jesus but I'm not sure what that means to be like You Jesus <br />
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Cause You said to live like You, love like You but then You died for me <br />
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Can I be like You Jesus? <br />
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I want to be like my Jesus <br />
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</div>Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-53413049841852917242009-11-22T11:07:00.000-06:002009-11-22T11:07:44.474-06:0015 of My Favorite Films (Not In a Particular Order...)<em>Be sure to comment afterwards and tell me some of your favorite films...</em><br />
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1. Return to Paradise <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQaBIE_Grv8VAb5cI0yYpt0RUr0u_UKyAqYQp7ffyweci-zMdiNfKjqhfo4X6_AD5iwBDbeaRl5IJ9QU6ldKkYCg4gQICPC4MN3jQAYJ37rmCAbOpNZ8LFG4krQqzubQcCdt_aGMko0w/s1600/ReturntoParadise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQaBIE_Grv8VAb5cI0yYpt0RUr0u_UKyAqYQp7ffyweci-zMdiNfKjqhfo4X6_AD5iwBDbeaRl5IJ9QU6ldKkYCg4gQICPC4MN3jQAYJ37rmCAbOpNZ8LFG4krQqzubQcCdt_aGMko0w/s640/ReturntoParadise.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
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2. Schindler's List <br />
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3. Sophie's Choice <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLQ7nw46U64XCfIRb9hXfCSZtb3MLCXbSPHh-DJsRPrqv40A0CKR8p6ewU4CK-NgDrQ5-8iOL0dfL56xka6RB_1MICHHexMV3cMU_GE-9cV25NGjc_K8GwabfKhXE0cYXfVcgbuEriHQ/s1600/SophiesChoice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLQ7nw46U64XCfIRb9hXfCSZtb3MLCXbSPHh-DJsRPrqv40A0CKR8p6ewU4CK-NgDrQ5-8iOL0dfL56xka6RB_1MICHHexMV3cMU_GE-9cV25NGjc_K8GwabfKhXE0cYXfVcgbuEriHQ/s320/SophiesChoice.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
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4. One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest <br />
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5. In The Company Of Men <br />
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6. Welcome To The Dollhouse <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPrJUVYGlmnBKhCkO6PYKFl7ifKRgusVUxGwNOgmwWMU2lFCbMJGzHjKrEQx7PBAB_b6k0Z7qBIWUYr6EUi8LijVF6NKkcr9mT25LFzhOzEprO4LifrcrTNJ-v6VwZg0iwWNHq9a9vVw/s1600/welcome_to_the_dollhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPrJUVYGlmnBKhCkO6PYKFl7ifKRgusVUxGwNOgmwWMU2lFCbMJGzHjKrEQx7PBAB_b6k0Z7qBIWUYr6EUi8LijVF6NKkcr9mT25LFzhOzEprO4LifrcrTNJ-v6VwZg0iwWNHq9a9vVw/s320/welcome_to_the_dollhouse.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
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7. Born Into Brothels <br />
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8. Office Space <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQlRiDJ90LLro8pPs-J6qbBZh6MyNtJzvIejzx9qxaHcUDz80nBC-33Urq2vTGh7PG5OeIE80p88GEs5tzHsQpSTfe3fn4v0h8e3fzsen8GHkJ2R-0ythPsVygELYBfcps07Aps6L82c/s1600/milton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQlRiDJ90LLro8pPs-J6qbBZh6MyNtJzvIejzx9qxaHcUDz80nBC-33Urq2vTGh7PG5OeIE80p88GEs5tzHsQpSTfe3fn4v0h8e3fzsen8GHkJ2R-0ythPsVygELYBfcps07Aps6L82c/s320/milton.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
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9. The Last Supper <br />
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10. American History X <br />
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11. Hostel (I admit, made me cry when I got back to my hotel room alone, go ahead... laugh!) <br />
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12. Changeling <br />
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13. The Pianist <br />
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14. Shopgirl <br />
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15. Notes On A Scandal<br />
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</div>Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-76290397505737039282009-11-22T02:00:00.000-06:002009-11-22T02:01:04.866-06:00My 25 Random Things about Me...1. I was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona.<br />
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2. I had to go to speech therapy for three years to learn to pronounce my "sh" sounds. <br />
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3. I walk on my toes when I don't think about it, so I wear heels most of the time so people don't notice!<br />
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4. I have a SERIOUS case of ADHD! (But honestly now... Who "knows me KNOWS me, and can't tell?!)<br />
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5. I was in the United States Air Force for four and a half years. I miss working at USAFA. I had some of the best laughs there... <br />
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6. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and a Master of Education in Special Education. I am certified in Mississippi to teach Family & Consumer Sciences, Elementary Education, Mathematics, Social Studies, Spanish, Psychology, and Special Education-Mild/Moderate and Severe/Profound.<br />
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7. I have been to England, Paris, Amsterdam, and Guam. I want to go back to Paris so badly... England is where I met three of my greatest friends ever- Teddi, Julie, and Suzanne!! :)<br />
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8. I have a very dry sense of humor. My favorite game is to play "Ask a stupid question with a straight face" and watch people answer it. <br />
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9. My favorite television show is "The Office". I would love, love, love if I worked with my own "Dwight Schrute, Jim Halpert, and Michael Scott" daily! <br />
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10. I love Mexican food! I could eat Mexican food for the rest of my life and not grow sick of it... That is why I like my nickname to be "Jennchilada"...<br />
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11. My best friend since elementary school is Jacqueline Framm Alquist. We are still best friends but live in different states. Her daughter was born on June 19th, which is my birthday. My son was due on her birthdate, but came early... Jacqueline invited me to church in high school, and that is when I accepted Christ as my Saviour and was baptized at Tucson Baptist Temple. <br />
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12. My second oldest and dearest friend is Kimberly Mackel Munger, who also lives in Tucson, Arizona. <br />
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13. I love to read books. I could read all the time if I had no other responsibilities! I just finished the "Twilight" series which I loved! I bought a poster from the American Library Association which has "Edward" and "Bella" on the poster holding a copy of "Twilight" and it says "READ" at the bottom for my classroom!!<br />
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14. I teach special education grades K-4 inclusion. My students love me because I am "goofy". Lately they have enjoyed earning "Vampire Smiles" on their papers because of the "Twilight" craze that has hit. Today Aden challenged me to a "Twilight" trivia contest... I won!! ;)<br />
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15. I love Milkduds and Hot Tamales. I love Ding-Dongs and glazed donuts. Cinnamon flavored salt-water taffy. Toblerone candy bars. John Wayne Casserole but the school cafeteria won't serve that anymore...<br />
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16. Every morning I start the day with a Dt. Mountain Dew. Seriously. Others have coffee, so don't judge!<br />
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17. I have three wonderful boys: Zachary Allan Divers, Bobby Graden Jarrell III, and John Gibson Jarrell. They are my stars in life. They make me want to shine brighter, and they brighten up my world as they shine!<br />
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18. I really wish I had a daughter... but I was told never to even bring up the subject of having another child again. ;) <br />
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19. I love pop music. I know I have awful taste in music. I love my Milli Vanilli, NKOTB, Debbie Gibson, Vanilla Ice, and other cheesy music on my iPod. I had a friend tell me once that if someone gave him enough money to buy 200 CD's he still couldn't buy a collection as awful as my collection. <br />
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20. I LOVE J.C. Crew "Critter" pants. They are cordorouy pants with embroidered bugs, animals, or other whimsical designs. They have been discontinued for women, so I have to hunt them down to find pairs that are still available.<br />
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21. I collect "Precious Moments". Recently the company came out with a new collection of "Disney Precious Moments" that have "Beauty and the Beast" ones, so that was a double score because I also collect "Belles". I love "Belle" because she was the first Disney heroine that had brown hair and brown eyes, and read books like me!<br />
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22. I have a really good heart, and I always try to "fix" things for people... but somehow I always manage to make things worse. I see someone hurting and I try to intervene, and somehow, inevitably I make things ten times worse?!<br />
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23. I am very tender-hearted and sensitive. Maybe insecure. I easily get my feelings hurt.<br />
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24. I have "book-smarts" but not a lot of "common-sense". The Christian rap group D.C. talk has a song called "The Hard-Way" about "some people have to learn the hard way... I guess I'm the kind of guy who has to find out for myself..." It is like the theme song for my life! Some people were blessed with wisdom, not me. I know the bible speaks about wisdom, and lays it out for us, but that has not been my gift.<br />
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25. I do have the gift of compassion. I have gone through a lot in my life. Divorce and other heart aches that I wouldn't wish on others... but I believe in the end it is so I can encourage others as they go through similar trials in their own lives...<br />
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"What a wonder God we have--he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us." (2 Cor. 1:3-4 TLB)Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-39619558575343663682009-11-22T01:38:00.000-06:002009-11-22T01:38:36.855-06:00Funny Flashback~ a.k.a. Typical Jenn Stories...Monday August 3rd, 2009 (Looks like SOMEONE had a case of the MUUNDAYS!!!) <br />
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So today for lunch I decided to order a hamburger for .89 cents at the Wendy's drive-thru... Unfortunately, when I get up to the window to pay I realized I had forgotten my debit card, and I did not have a dollar or any change either in my van! I asked the cashier if Wendy's accepted checks as payment, and apologized for not having .89 cents for one lousy hamburger?!? Ugh, how embarrassing, right?! Well, not quite as embarrassing as her shaking her head at me as she yelled "CANCEL!!!!!!!!!!" and shut the glass window in my face!!! Seriously?!? That was so embarrassing... I was so glad Kerri was on the other end of the cell phone able to enjoy the exchange and laugh her head off-sigh... ;)P<br />
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</div>Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-20243307671038479222009-11-22T01:32:00.000-06:002009-11-22T01:40:37.438-06:00Poems By Graden to Celebrate His 7th Birthday!!!Yesterday was my sweet baby's 7th birthday! As a special treat for you... the reader... here are two poems he wrote earlier this year!<br />
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<strong>Mom's Poem</strong><br />
when I stand beside the ocean blue, <br />
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I think that its true, <br />
that I love you, <br />
and then I say what the heck <br />
of course I love you! <br />
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<strong>Dad's Poem</strong><br />
As the night goes by, <br />
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the sun comes by. <br />
I love my dad, <br />
so very much. <br />
he does a lot, <br />
I don't have a robot. <br />
but I still love him a bunch.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">I think my favorite part of this picture is Gibson jumping and preening at the same time in the back... Just so that he too could be included in the picture!!!<br />
</div>Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-78950916719367310032009-11-22T00:54:00.000-06:002009-11-22T00:55:15.899-06:00Conversation Peace Bible Study<em>This is the bible study I am going to begin leading next month! I plan to start it on Friday, December 4th from 7:00 to 8:30 P.M. :) </em><br />
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Would you like to join a monthly bible study for women only? The bible study is called "Conversation Peace: The Power of Transformed Speech". I bought the member's book from Lifeway Online for only $11.95 and I will purchase the 7 videos (I have already purchased and downloaded the first 2). All each of you would need to purchase is your own copy of the member's book! The videos seem to be rather short, only 20-30 minutes each. I am thinking if we met monthly we could meet for an hour and a half? <br />
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Here's a women's study that really hits home. Mary Kassian masterfully presents the biblical principles to help women revolutionize their speech habits and improve their relationships by focusing on ways to positively avoid sharing gossip, throwing negative barbs, or snapping sarcastic replies throughout everyday life. Includes leader helps. (7 sessions)<br />
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Editorial Reviews<br />
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About the Author <br />
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Mary Kassian is an award winning author, internationally renowned speaker, and a distinguished professor at Southern Baptist Seminary in Lousiville, Kentucky. She has published several books, Bible studies and videos, including: In My Father's House: Finding Your Heart's True Home, Conversation Peace, and Vertically Inclined. <br />
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<em>I have my copy of the workbook, and thought I would post what the back cover says:</em> <br />
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Have you ever left a conversation feeling like shredded wheat? Stuck your foot in your mouth? Been at a loss for words? Had difficulty getting your point across? Or been talked into doing something you didn't want to do? Do you find it difficult to connect with others? Do you suspect that your speech patterns are hindering your relationships? If so this study is for you! You need some Conversation Peace.<br />
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Conversation Peace: The Power of Transformed Speech is an interactive workbook and video study designed for six weeks of individual study and seven small-group sessions. Each week through video Mary Kassian will introduce your group to one powerful speech-transforming element for communication. Then for five days you'll study and apply what you've learned.<br />
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* Discover seven powerful speech-transforming elements.<br />
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* Master the skills of effective communicators.<br />
* Strengthen your vocabulary with Words from the Word.<br />
* Connect with others in a small-group experience.<br />
* Freshen Your Breath with weekly scripture memory.<br />
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If you're the type that can't resist sharing that choice morsel of gossip, throwing that negative barb, or snapping a sarcastic reply- or if you bottle up those impulses inside- this study will revoluntize your speech habits and improve your relationships. Let God's Word change you from the inside out! Be transformed! Get Conversation Peace!Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-85203057249983275862009-11-21T22:31:00.000-06:002009-11-22T00:56:26.449-06:00Welcome "Back" To My Blog... It has been a couple of years!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMgDlGmdPVuUqvMPNGVltVhC8yC7TyFLahMJqNp4hPr9duQhvAdwOMcsgygNIJzsSEVbN6F8U4wfrENipuNYNOIeao4O1a8ssGnSDJcX98DSLP8TtpnE3xkK3WXblBp9PPvTsm5XleFk/s1600/s714301492_1133138_3736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMgDlGmdPVuUqvMPNGVltVhC8yC7TyFLahMJqNp4hPr9duQhvAdwOMcsgygNIJzsSEVbN6F8U4wfrENipuNYNOIeao4O1a8ssGnSDJcX98DSLP8TtpnE3xkK3WXblBp9PPvTsm5XleFk/s640/s714301492_1133138_3736.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hi! My name is Jennifer, and I created this blog so I could keep family and friends posted on "Jennchilada's Shining Stars". I plan to post news about our family and daily events, and I invite my family and friends to check as often as they like... <br />
</div>Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-64145399697163657232007-12-21T14:08:00.000-06:002007-12-23T14:10:11.917-06:00What Is On My iPod!There are two possessions of mine that I absolutely adore- My Stairmaster 4100 PT stairstepper, and my iPod! The following is a newly compiled list of what is on my iPod, though I couldn't list everything of course!<br /><br /><br />100% Funk, 90210 Soundtrack, A Night at the Roxbury Soundtrack, Abba, Acappella, Aerosmith, Alan Jackson, Allison Krause, Amazing Grace 1, 2, & 3, Amy Grant, Andrew Wommack, Amy Winehouse, Anna Nalick, Avalon, Ayeisha Woods, Barlow Girl, Beastie Boys, Beatles, Bebo Norman, Bee Gees, Benjamin Gate, Bethany Dillion, Black Crowes, Black Eyed Peas, Bonnie Tyler, Brad Paisley, Britney Spears, Brooks & Dunn, Caedmon's Call, Carrie Underwood, Casting Crowns, Celine Dion, Chris Daughtry, Chris Tomlin, Christina Aguilera, Cindy Morgan, Coldplay, Crystal Lewis, Culture Club, The Cure, Cyndi Lauper, Cyndi Thomas, Darlene Zschech, Darryl Worley, DC Talk, Debbie Gibson (all of her albums!), Dietrik Haddon, Depeche Mode, Destiny's Child, Dierks Bentley, Eagles, Elvis, Erasure, Eve 6, Expose, Faith Hill (again, all of her albums!), Fatboy Slim, Fergie, Flashdance Soundtrack, Eighties Music, Gary Allan, George Michael, George Strait, Grey's Anatomy, Gwen Stefani, Hinder, Jaci Velasquez, James Blunt, Jeremy Camp, Jewel, Jon Gibson, Josh Turner, Kanye West, Kathy Troccoli, Keith Urban, Kelly Clarkson, The Killers, KJ-52, Lee Ann Womack, Lone Star, Luther Vandross, Madonna, Mandisa, Mariah Carey, Mark Schultz, Martina McBride, Mat Kearney, Matchbox 20, Melissa Etheridge, Mercy Me, Michael Bolton (umm, yeah... what can I say?! I celebrate his entire collection-Office Space quote!), Michael Jackson, Michael English, Michael W. Smith, Milli Vanilli, Miranda Lambert, MTV Party to Go 3,7, and 8, Nelly, New Kids on the Block, Newsboys!!!, Nickelback, Nicole Nordeman, Nicole C. Mullen, Nine Inch Nails, Now! 22 & 23, N'Sync, Oasis, Office Space Soundtrack, Our Hymns, Pam Tillis, Patsy Cline, Petra, Plumb, Point of Grace, Prince, Pulp Fiction Soundtrack, Pussycat Dolls, R. Kelly, R.E.M., Rachael Lampa, Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire, Rebecca St. James, Romy & Michelle Soundtracks, Sandi Patti, Sara Groves, Sarah McLachlan, Say What, Sierra, Songs 4 Life Collection, Spice Girls, Stacie Orrico, Staind, Still Blessed, Superchi[k],Taylor Swift, Teen Riot, Third Day, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, TobyMac, Tori Amos, Vanilla Ice, Wedding Singer Soundtracks, Whitney Houston, Worship Jamz 1 & 2, WOW cds, Yolanda Adams, ZOEgirl...<br /><br />I like a little bit of everything!Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-38459806910479451362007-12-14T02:36:00.001-06:002007-12-23T14:45:46.369-06:00One Year Down, One More Year to Go!I have completed my first year towards my Master of Science in Special Education/Emphasis on Dual Disabilities/Deafblind. The first year our courses were through Texas Tech University. Our second year our courses will be taken though University of Southern Mississippi. I earned straight A's for the six classes I took this year, I am very proud of myself! I copied and pasted my grades from the TTU website... And when I have completed this degree, I am going to give myself a couple of years off, and then I plan to go to Mississippi State University and earn my Specialist degree in Community Counseling. I am so excited about that!<br /><br /><br />Jennifer Jarrell<br /><br />Unofficial Graduate School Academic Record<br /> <br /> <br /> -----------------------2007 Spring-------------------------<br /> <br /> Admitted Program:<br /> Graduate School<br /> Non-Degree<br /> Major: Continuing Professional Education<br /> Development<br /> <br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> EDSP5383270 ANATOMY & FUNCTIONS VISUAL SYS<br /> A 3.00 12.00<br /> EDSP5388270 PRGMS/SERV FOR DSI STDS<br /> A 3.00 12.00<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> Readmitted<br /> <br /> AHRS EHRS QHRS QPTS GPA<br /> Current 6.00 6.00 6.00 24.00 4.000<br /> Cumulative 6.00 6.00 6.00 24.00 4.000<br /> <br /> --------------------2007 First Summer----------------------<br /> EDSP5384270 BASIC ORIENT & MOBILITY SKILL<br /> A 3.00 12.00<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> AHRS EHRS QHRS QPTS GPA<br /> Current 3.00 3.00 3.00 12.00 4.000<br /> Cumulative 9.00 9.00 9.00 36.00 4.000<br /> <br /> -------------------2007 Second Summer----------------------<br /> EDSP5390270 SEMINAR IN SPEC ED A 3.00 12.00<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> AHRS EHRS QHRS QPTS GPA<br /> Current 3.00 3.00 3.00 12.00 4.000<br /> Cumulative 12.00 12.00 12.00 48.00 4.000<br /> <br /> ------------------------2007 Fall--------------------------<br /> EDSP5389270 MTDS/MTLS TEACH DSI STDS<br /> A 3.00 12.00<br /> EDSP5390271 SEMINAR IN SPEC ED A 3.00 12.00<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------<br /> End of Matriculation<br /> <br /> AHRS EHRS QHRS QPTS GPA<br /> Current 6.00 6.00 6.00 24.00 4.000<br /> Cumulative 18.00 18.00 18.00 72.00 4.000<br /> ---------End of Graduate School Academic Record-------------Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-78438981460647968222007-11-25T01:53:00.000-06:002007-12-23T14:15:38.807-06:00My Last Day in Guam!Today was my last day in Guam, and we went to visit "Two Lovers' Point". The "Legend of Two Lovers' Point" by Puntan Dos Amantes follows:<br /><br />"In ancient times, a beautiful maiden, the eldest daughter of the most powerful Chamorro chief was ordered by her father to wed a Spanish Army Captain. The maiden was so young, shy, yet strong-willed, she had no intention of allowing her heart to be just given away. She had chosen her love: He was a strong handsome Chamorro warrior. Alas, her parents forbade their daughter from seeing her chosen one. Despair filled her heart because without the blessing of her family, they could never marry.<br /><br />The lovers met in secret at the waters edge planning to flee the island by canoe. The moon's silver veil of shimmering light danced across Tumon Bay, annointing its surface with magic. Suddenly, Spanish soldiers appeared ending the lovers' dream of life together. With their freedom gone, the two lovers fled. High up on the summit of the cliff, the lovers united for the last time, sharing their love to its full ecstasy, fulfilling their hearts and souls. Moonlight touched their beautiful faces. They were so young, so perfect, their beauty unblemished. As one, they tied their long shining black hair in a single knot. Now they were united, inseparable. Holding hands, they fearlessly walked to the edge of the cliff and gazed down to their destiny. The soldiers appeared breathless. But too late. Soft moonlight caressed the lovers' journey to eternity as they leapt to their fate. Now they would be together forever.<br /><br />To this day, there are those who claim to hear the whispers of the two lovers upon the waves, proclaiming their undying love." <br /><br />It was a beautiful site, I will post pictures soon! Afterwards, we went to the Navy base and swam at "Gab Gab" beach. Shannon and I went snorkeling together, and it was so cool to be underwater looking at all of the fish! Fish were literally swimming by our faces... I loved the fish that appeared to "glow in the dark" underwater! I saw many sea cucumbers, and sea urchins too. <br /><br />While we were at the Navy base, I happened to see an old man who had been at the same showing of "The Mist" as Shannon and I earlier this week. I went up to him and asked him how he had liked the movie, and he said while the movie was scary, he knew most of the movie had been computer-generated so that did not bother him very much. He then said that the last five minutes of the movie did bother him very much, that he found the ending to be very tragic, and he cried afterwards. I had to agree with him!<br /><br />We ended the day at "Jamaican Grill" and I had the "Serious Seafood" platter of tuna steak and shrimp again. It is so good! Now Jerry and Shannon are making their characters on "World of Warcraft" dance (Jerry's character does a dope dance to "Lean like a Chollo", ha ha...), and I am ready to go to bed. I have 20+ hours of flying to look forward to in the morning, ha ha...Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-86373554715844679172007-11-23T01:47:00.000-06:002007-12-23T14:14:21.644-06:00Stephen King's "The Mist"- The MovieWow!!! What a movie! This movie was awesome, I am sure it was much better viewed in Guam than if I had seen it in Mississippi... The suspense literally had me jumping during the movie, especially when my soda was "sweating" onto my hand and I was like "What is on my hand?!" All I could imagine as I felt drops on my hand was "It is blood! I know it is blood on me!" Shannon kept laughing at me when I would jump... but she wasn't laughing when the movie ended!<br /><br /> The movie was so intense right up to the very end, I won't give away the ending, but it was heartbreaking! The last five minutes of the film are the most intense minutes of the entire movie. If anyone read Stephen King when he wrote under the name "Richard Bachman", you will love this ending! "The Long Walk" was a favorite story of mine by King when he wrote under Richard Bachman, and this tale of his is now right up there! This movie was more than a horror movie, it had several messages about humanity, a few of the points the movie made were very reminiscent of "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. <br /><br />I found this review and quote at http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/2007/11/on-mist-best-stephen-king-quote-ever.html.-<br /><br /> "In what could be the best Stephen King quote ever, I heard word Tuesday morning that he said the following at a press conference on Monday about "The Mist," which is based on his novella:<br />(Director) Frank (Darabont) ("The Green Mile," "The Shawshank Redemption") wrote a new ending [I love]. It is the most shocking ending ever.<br /><br />There should be a law passed stating that anybody who reveals the last five minutes of this film should be hung from their neck until dead.<br /><br />The statement is designed to both be a blessing of the film adaptation as well as a chilling message to anyone who dares to give away the film's ending."<br /><br /><br />And for the record, here is one of my parental-double standards, MY children will not be watching horror movies while they live with me... seriously.Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-754852234022970923.post-44793230794260677862007-11-22T14:11:00.000-06:002007-12-23T14:13:03.026-06:00Thanksgiving Day in Guam!We just finished Thanksgiving dinner, and it was delicious, if I do say so myself... I made enchiladas for dinner, that is what my sister and her family wanted! She said they aren't really into turkey, and she also said she loves my enchiladas. Tonight Shannon and I are going to see "The Mist" by Stephen King at the mall. I love when I am able to watch scary movies with my sister! We grew up watching scary movies together... I still remember the first one I watched when I was 10 and she was 8 called "The Funhouse"- Pay to get in, pray to get out... I love the suspense of not knowing what is going to happen horror movies, but I don't like the blood and gore... Tomorrow we are going to the water park along the beach, Cameron is dying to go!<br /><br />Yesterday Shannon, Cameron, and I went to the beach on base. It was so pretty! The beach has white sand, and black reef in the water. On the reef were several crabs that were sunbathing. I tried to take pictures of all of the crabs, but they would get really shy and hide in the crevices of the reef. My sister told me that the reef was actually very dangerous, that people often get cut on the reef, and many had drowned after being sucked into the reefs by the strong underwater currents! I stayed close to the edge after hearing that! <br /><br />In the evening Jerry, Shannon, Cameron and I went to the aquarium called "Underwater World". It is a gorgeous aquarium! The seahorse display was adorable, some of the seahorses even had horns. There were Spider Crabs that were huge, if I saw one of those without glass surrounding it I would run! I even saw a case that had Clown Fish in it, just like the little fish from "Finding Nemo". I took several pictures of those, to show the boys when I get home. After we visited the aquarium we went to eat at "Planet Hollywood" which was a lot of fun! They played two songs which nearly everyone in the restaurant got up to dance to... I laughed so hard and took pictures of all of the people dancing! We were the only Americans in the restaurant, apparently Guam is a very big tourist attraction for the Japanese. Everyone here is so friendly, the locals and the tourists. After dinner and the aquarium we visited stores like Channel, Louis Vuitton, Coach, Tiffany and Co., Tag Heuer, Pucci, Gucci, etc... It was fun to look at those stores, but I can't imagine paying those prices! In one store there was a cute denim dress by DKNY, and I looked at the price tag and it was $495.00!!! For a denim summer dress?! I looked inside at the seams and other details, and it didn't look as if the quality would be that much better than something at the mall in Tupelo to make it worth that price! I did fall in love with these purses that are sold in a store called "Le Sport Sac", the brand of purses that caught my eye are called "Tokidoki". They are a cartoonish-type print of purses, with a little grim reaper named "Adios" and his girlfriend named "Ciao-Ciao". The prints are very cute, very emo... but way too expensive! A wallet-sized purse was $97.00, and the prices went up from there. In the states I love a brand called "Bobby-Jack" which has a cute little monkey, and here the island sells a popular brand called "Julius" with a little monkey and his friends.Shine Like Starshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16754682270351659570noreply@blogger.com0