Saturday, September 26, 2009

Scout Stuff

My boys spent this morning kayaking at Show Low Lake. When they came home this afternoon, they were bursting with enthusiastic kayaking tales!
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I don't have pictures from today's outing. The shot at left is from Oct 2006, when Jacob's Scout troop kayaked the San Juan River in Utah. That's Jacob in front.
Due to Dylan's recent illness, I didn't allow him to camp overnight with the rest of the Scouts at Fall Camporee. Since they were less than 5 miles from home, I picked him up after their campfire activities last night, he slept at home, and then Jacob took him back at 6:00 this morning.
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Dylan seemed to handle it well. It was his first time to kayak, and he loved it! They couldn't even get him to paddle in for lunch.
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Now that autumn has arrived, the cold weather will limit the number of camp-outs the Scouts will take. They made plenty of scouting memories this summer, though! Here are a few of those memories:
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The photo at right was taken on June 12, as Dylan was preparing to leave for his final excursion with the 11-year-old Scouts. He turned 12 three weeks later.
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Here is Dylan (back left) with a few other members of his former troop: Elijah, Steven, Alan, and Sam.
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They were all packed up and ready for a weekend in the Linden wilderness, working on merit badges, hiking 5 miles, and sleeping under the stars!
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Both Jacob and Dylan spent the week of July 28-August 1st at a church Young Men's Camp held at Green's Peak, far from civilization.
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Dylan's experience involved more scouting, including wilderness survival training. He worked on more merit badges, and then he had to go into the woods alone, build his own shelter, and stay the night in it.
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By the time he returned home on Saturday evening, he was coated with at least an inch of dirt! I took this picture as he headed toward a nice, warm shower.
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Jacob's experiences at Young Men's Camp were more spiritual in nature. Most of the older boys have completed their merit badges and/or achieved their Eagle rank.
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Nonetheless, as this photo shows, he still returned home sunburned and covered in grime.
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Jacob had to wait his turn to shower since we all insisted Dylan go first. Dylan's socks were so disgusting they needed to be burned, quickly! Apparently he never changed his socks during the 5-day campout. Yuck!
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Dylan's favorite event this summer was a "virtual" bow-hunt on August 15th. I'm not exactly sure how that works, but I think it involved shooting real arrows at virtual game animals.
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Dylan has loved archery ever since he was introduced to his first bow as an 8-year-old cub scout.
I saw one of his Scout leaders the day after this "virtual hunt," who raved about Dylan's marksmanship. Dylan is definitely the athlete of our family. (The rest of us, not so much...)
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For Dylan, the best part of the outing was winning this deer target. I couldn't believe my eyes when he brought this home. It has, of course, been shot full of holes since then (see above picture, taken in our backyard).
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I love the Boy Scouts program. Not only has it taught my sons some great survival skills, but it has built their character and given them self-confidence. It helps fill their time with worthwhile, fun activities. As a single mom of two boys, I appreciate that!

Friday, September 25, 2009

Musician on the Mend

Dylan was finally able to return to school yesterday. He was still a little tired, but he had been fever-free for 24 hours and supposedly was no longer contagious. He got through the school day just fine.
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He even made it to Mutual last night, to work on his cooking merit badge for Scouts.
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His teacher told me Thursdays are their "easy" days, so it was a good day to return. No PE or other strenuous activities. He did, however, have his orchestra class during lunch recess.
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It was violin in 4th grade. He took up flute and drums in 5th grade. Now he is exploring the cello. He loves the instrument, but hates lugging it around.
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As always, Dylan is a natural, already playing quite well.
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Dylan has a new teacher this year. His beloved Mr. Day took a job teaching music in Japan. Mr. Day emailed us some pictures. Japan is very beautiful.
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The new teacher is Mrs. Bailey, who happens to be the conductor of White Mountain Symphony. She is very good. As a new teacher to our district, she also has a teacher-mentor... me!
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In this picture, I sneaked up on Dylan while he was practicing in his room. He soon ordered me and my camera out!

Dylan's long-term musical aspiration has changed from drummer to bassist. Jacob's friend Kyle plays bass guitar, and Dylan thinks that is the coolest!
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When we went to Majestik Music to buy rosin and a music book for cello, Dylan took the opportunity to jam on the guest guitar for awhile. He actually doesn't sound too bad!
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It was frightening when we realized Dylan had swine flu (H1N1), after all the scary reports about it. I'm so grateful he has recovered quickly, without complications.
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You just keep chasing those dreams, my son!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Rorschach Test

My aide and friend, Wyndie, erased the chalkboard yesterday, leaving this smudge. At the end of the day I glanced over and was surprised to see the art she had unintentionally created there.
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I see a young black boy's profile in silhouette. His neck is at bottom left; at right are his chin, lips, nose, brow, and hairline.
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What do you see in this chalk-smudge? I'd love to hear about other images!
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On the homefront, I'm happy to report that Dylan is making progress. He has missed 2 days of school and will probably miss tomorrow, as well, but his temperature is remaining below 100 degrees now. As long as we can keep him resting (a real challenge), I'm confident he will make a full recovery.
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As for me, I received the results of all my cardiology tests this afternoon. The good news: my heart is in pretty good shape. I have a slightly leaky valve, which so far isn't a problem and can be reversed, and my heart's pumping action runs about 50-55% capacity whereas a perfectly healthy heart runs at about 55-60%. All good for my age!
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The bad news: when they took my blood pressure, it was in "stroke" range: 189/104.
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During the past 10 years my blood pressure has been strongly affected by stress, and the past month has been incredibly stressful. Even so, my most highly stressed readings rarely surpass 140/90.
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Now Dr. Meman wants to treat my hypertension aggressively by adding a new drug to control the blood pressure while quelling the arrhythmia.
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Unfortunately, the combination of medications I'll be taking are potentially dangerous, so I'll be doing it on a trial basis for 10 days. After that I'll wear a Holter Monitor for 24 hours to see if it's helping or hurting my heart. Will the good times never end?
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Meanwhile--no surprise--I was lectured about the need to get more exercise and lose weight. He dropped the word-bomb "morbidly obese" at least 3 times during our visit. I am definitely too sedentary, but if he's imagining me gorging on sweets and other decadent foods, he's wrong. I eat regular-sized meals and choose healthy foods 99% of the time. I've been knocking myself out trying to lose weight since New Years. The doctor has no idea how frustrating this is. He did admit that peri-menopause and my medications are making it near-impossible to lose weight, but he told me I MUST keep at it or my heart will not stay as healthy as it is.
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And so I got a little kick in the pants today. He is absolutely right. Even if I never lose another pound, exercise and a healthy diet can only benefit my heart and lower my blood pressure, hopefully decreasing my need for drugs.
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All in all, I feel the news was positive. There are issues, but they can be dealt with and mended. I fully expect to be around to enjoy my beautiful grandchildren someday!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

I Love You This Much!

Our Diego and Gimli shared a light moment earlier this week, and I thought I'd post their cute moment for everyone to enjoy.
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It looks like Gimli is inviting Diego down for a warm hug, but more likely he is thinking, "Come on down, pooch--I promise to keep my claws in this time...heh, heh!"
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Actually, since Diego had been sprayed by a skunk 2 nights before, he's lucky anyone wanted to play with him!
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On a not-so-light note, influenza struck our home this weekend.
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At 7:00 yesterday morning, after coughing and blowing his nose all night, Dylan came into my room complaining that his chest felt funny. I had him take some echinacea and vitamin C and settle onto the couch to rest.
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When I took his temperature later, it was 102 degrees, so I knew we had our first case of respiratory flu.
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According to local authorities, the usual seasonal flu hasn't come to our region yet, so any respiratory ailment that spikes a high temperature early on is probably swine flu. Sorry, I mean H1N1. Our county health department is reporting about 1 new confirmed case daily.
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Swine flu is highly contagious, so Sarah, Jacob and I are sucking down Airborne and popping Vitamin C, echinacea, and garlic capsules to pump up our immune systems.
Dylan and I are home from church today. He is still resting on the couch, sipping 7-Up while alternately sleeping and watching Disney Channel. He doesn't feel great and he's upset that he had to miss his friend Eric's sleepover birthday party last night, but this morning his temperature came down a bit. Believe it or not, he's unhappy that he may have to miss some school.
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Meanwhile, I'm seeing to the needs of my baby boy and holding my breath when he wants to engulf me in a good, long bear hug. Because, Dylan, I love you this much!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Still Here

It's been a rough couple of weeks.
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Following up on my birthday visit to the cardiologist, I returned on 09/09/09 for my all-day stress test. I arrived at 8:20 am, having eaten nothing since the prior evening, per their instructions.
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They were a bit behind schedule, but they got me into a room at 9:00 and put an IV into the back of my right hand, injected an isotope into my system, and wrapped up the needle-pierced hand to save the IV for later use.
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A little bit pinchy, but I could deal with it.
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I returned to the waiting room for about 30 minutes to allow the isotope to circulate through my system.
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My next stop was in the room with the machine pictured below. The talkative tech, George, had me lay on the table for 20 minutes while the round attachment orbited my upper body, stopping every 15 seconds to scan my resting heart.
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So far, so good.
I was supposed to start the treadmill at 10:30, but Dr. Memon had an emergency at the hospital and would be an hour late. It was 10:00 when they sent me away. Go run some errands and come back at 11:15, I was told.
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I went home and took a 1-hour nap.
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When I returned, I waited. And waited.
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The doctor's emergency had become emergency heart surgery, but he'd be back in another hour. I felt bad for this unknown patient, but my mind's ability to focus was diminishing as my blood sugar dropped.
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I informed George that I was hypoglycemic and feeling a bit loopy from fasting so long. I warned him there was a real chance that I'd pass out on the treadmill, and it would have nothing to do with my heart.
It was after 1:00 when they finally hooked me up with electrodes and started me on the treadmill. Maybe I've seen too many medical shows, but I expected to start slowly and work up to the target heart rate.
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Instead, they started me at a power-walk, almost a trot, on a very steep incline. The first time they increased the speed, I literally had to run to stay upright.
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I was already weak and shaky before I'd begun. Now I surpassed my target rate within minutes. It felt like my lungs were on fire. I became so light-headed I was afraid I was going to fall. I stammered, "I'm...about...to pass...out."
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George quickly injected more isotope into the IV. I knew that meant I had to keep going for at least another minute so it could circulate, and at that point I had a full-on panic attack. All I could think was that I needed to stop NOW and they wouldn't let me. Seeing I was about to collapse, they stopped the treadmill as soon as they could and put a chair right there on the machine for me to fall into. I was trembling violently from head to toe.
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They brought me pomegranate juice and a blueberry muffin, and I recovered quickly. I was sent to have a small lunch and ordered to drink something carbonated to wash the bile out of my stomach. Then I went back for one last heart scan, lying on the table. It was almost 3:00 when I finally got home, exhausted.
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Next time I'll just take the heart attack straight up, thank you!
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Four days ago, Monday, I returned once more for my echocardiogram. This test was more to my liking. I had one almost 13 years ago, when I was pregnant with Dylan, so no surprises.
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This tech was also friendly and chatty. He said my heart looked pretty healthy, based on what he was seeing. But when he started looking at the bottom of my heart, he clammed up and began taking numerous measurements. Hmmm.
I'll get my results this coming Tuesday, Sept. 22nd. I admit I'm a little nervous. (The image at right is not of my heart, by the way.)
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Today is the first day since the stress test that my heart has been normal all day. I'm thanking God and enjoying each moment for as long as it lasts.
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The whole treadmill experience was extremely traumatizing. My arrhythmia has been worse for the past 8 days. I can't seem to get my electrolytes stabilized. With no energy, I drag myself to work each day and then sleep or veg out the rest of the day. I've been too unfocused to even sit in front of the computer and post to my blog. Imagine that!
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Thankfully, at bedtime last night my heartbeat finally returned to its normal rhythms, and today I'm feeling awesome. Which means I want to accomplish all the tasks I've left undone these past weeks! Don't worry, I'll restrain myself until I get clearance from the doctor.
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Still, for today, life is good!

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Small Treasures

Several years before my mother died, she came into possession of this little photo album. It had been found in a relative's basement with other old family treasures, exposed to the dirt and damp, and starting to fall apart.
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It's small, about 4x5 inches, but heavy with thick cardboard pages. It is bound in leather and has a metal clasp.
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Inside are 51 very old photographs, many of which are tintypes.
My dad now has possession of the book, but I asked to borrow it so I can scan the old photos before they decay any further.
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So far I've scanned 23 of the 51 photos. Just 28 more to go!
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Look at the fine detail! The edges of the pages are beautifully embossed.
This is a view of the inside of the book. Many of the pages are torn and many are falling out. The binding has completely disintegrated.
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The photos themselves aren't in horrible shape, although some are scratched or bent.
Most of the pictures are slid directly into the pages, like the two above, but others were first placed in paper sheaths before being slid into place.
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The embossed sheath at right is the only one of its kind in the book. The sheath below is more typical of those used.
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A few of the photos were printed on cardboard, almost like a baseball card. These identify the photographer as "Indiana College of Fine Arts and Photography" or "Indiana College Studio," both of Wabash, Indiana.
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Other than that, nothing is labeled. I assume the people portrayed in these photos are ancestors and/or distant relatives, but I have no idea who they are.
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Time for some detective work!
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I discovered that tintype photography began to be used in 1856, but it was only popular for about 40 years because the more convenient use of film began in 1884.
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Based on the range of photography methods used and the period clothing worn by the subjects, I'm placing the dates of the pictures between about 1860 and 1900. It appears that many generations of family members are pictured, and I'm sure at least a few of them were the same persons photographed at different ages.
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How I wish I knew who they were!
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The reason these items always found their way to Mom was because everyone knew she loved genealogy. So I turned to her old pedigree charts and found a clue. Now I may know who this family is.

Last night while I was on the computer, Dylan decided to fix up my hair. He liked the finished product so much he just had to capture it on film, and I just had to share it.
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At least he got my best side!
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Oh, sorry...Did you want to know whose family album this is?
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When I'm done scanning in the remaining pictures, I'll tell you about their possible identities and share all these great old photos in 3-4 posts.
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Meanwhile, stay tuned!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Fiesta!

Last night the kids and I had our traditional birthday dinner at El Rancho. We usually try to go on our actual birth dates, but it doesn't always work out that way. Sarah had classes on that evening, so we waited until the following night to go out.
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Besides, what kind of birthday dinner would it be if one of my children were missing?
Here are Jacob (age 18), Sarah (19), and Dylan (12) enjoying their Mexican feast. Afterward, the servers sang "Happy Birthday," took my picture in the sombrero, and brought me deep-fried ice cream, which I shared with the kiddoes.
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Although they didn't come gift-wrapped on my birthday, my children are the best gift I've ever gotten!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Double Nickels

My thanks to everyone who sent cards, e-cards, emails, blog comments, Facebook comments, phone calls, and other birthday wishes my way.
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All that positive energy and love took the sting out of turning 55 today!
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Well, most of the sting. My son Jacob helpfully reminded me this morning, "Well, Mom, at least you're old enough to get senior discounts now!"
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Sigh...
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He redeemed himself at school today. With the help of my wonderful colleagues, Michele and Nicole, he lured me out of my classroom and I returned to find my desk covered with gifts.

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There was a Tasmanian Devil balloon tied to a large jar of lavender bath salts, and a carton of devils food chocolate cream rolls. Mmmm!
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And then there were these beautiful pink roses, a dozen of them. I couldn't wait to get them home and put them in a vase.
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My children always treat me well on my birthday, but this was the first time Jacob had ever thought to do something like this on his own. It was so very sweet to me.
My special day wouldn't be complete without a visit to the cardiologist! Luckily my 1:30 appt. was fairly short.
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He said my current heart rhythms are normal, reminded me to get more exercise and lose weight, doubled my anti-arrhythmia medication dosage, and scheduled an echocardiogram and stress test.
I returned to school and finished the day, staying until 4:30 while my sons attended the weekly Big Brothers-Big Sisters activity.
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We barely got home in time to trade the car off to Sarah, who has her college composition and biology classes on Tuesday evenings.
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I walked in to find she'd made this banner and taped it to the fireplace.
Before she left for class, Sarah insisted that I open the wrapped gifts she had hidden away for me.
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She knows the way to my heart!
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I'm a huge fan of the old Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series, and Sarah bought me the 6th season DVD collection. Now I only need seasons 5 and 7!
She also got me the sweet little Willow Tree figurine, "Kindness." It makes the 7th little girl in my adored Willow Tree collection.
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Around dinner time my dad and step-mom came by to bring me a birthday card, and they stayed to visit for awhile. They'd just returned from visiting family in Fresno, CA. Hard to believe my dad will be 75 on Friday!
Then my friends Wyndie, Gwen, and Charla whisked me away for a girls' night out. We went to catch a movie at the local theater.
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I'm not really into "chick flicks." I love to see science fiction, fantasy, and adventure movies. Sometimes a little comedy if it isn't too raunchy.
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I suppose The Time Traveler's Wife is something of a chick flick, but I am totally intrigued by the idea of time travel so I wanted to see it. It was practically a whole new genre: romatic sci fi! I truly enjoyed every minute of this movie.
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However, our opinions of the movie ranged from my loving it, to Charla's "I didn't hate it as much as I thought I would."
Despite our varying reactions, we all had a great time. We stayed out way too late, talking and laughing.
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Here we are in the lobby after the movie. L to R: Charla, Gwen, Mary, and Wyndie.
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It was a great birthday, thanks to all of you who continually make me feel loved and cared for.
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I love you all!