tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8571535611474744962024-03-13T21:42:10.252-07:00a journey of thinks and thoughts : mostly on my little peopleandrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.comBlogger125125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-21576609858657592152014-01-30T11:14:00.003-08:002014-01-30T11:14:52.283-08:00A year and a day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/84994015">http://vimeo.com/84994015</a></div>
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This year has been a whirlwind of pottery, acting, family,soccer, school, family,friends, pottery, camp,</div>
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friends, family, acting, pottery,</div>
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soccer, acting, school, pottery and acting.</div>
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Rohan has had a particularly busy year.</div>
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He performed in three plays this year.</div>
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The Seagull, by Anton Chekhov</div>
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(a light hearted little show. Ha!)</div>
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He played Sorin and Medvedenko.</div>
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Then he play Tranio in The Taming of the Shrew</div>
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and Last but not least, landed </div>
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a part at Flat Rock Playhouse playing</div>
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Scut Farkus, bully, for </div>
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A Christmas Story.</div>
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This was such a great year for him. </div>
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The challenges of acting keep him</div>
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grounded and fill him with determination and</div>
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purpose.</div>
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Recently he auditioned for his first commercial and</div>
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got a spot! The link above is the director's cut of the commercial.</div>
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He entered Middle School this year and</div>
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is making his way, as we all have.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p5LqmZ9CpKc/Uuqg-btI11I/AAAAAAAABvA/7tQrAkuF2Gw/s1600/%232+a+christmas+story+photo.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p5LqmZ9CpKc/Uuqg-btI11I/AAAAAAAABvA/7tQrAkuF2Gw/s1600/%232+a+christmas+story+photo.tiff" height="224" width="320" /></a></div>
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Max had a wonderful year cultivating friendships, discovering his love of learning,</div>
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playing soccer three days a week, swimming, reading, making us laugh, helping his mom,</div>
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being patient and gregarious. </div>
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Max is an independent spirit.</div>
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He is strong willed, a hard worker, and yet loves to relax and be silly</div>
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with his family.</div>
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He has developed a passion for board games, which he and his dad play often.</div>
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He is competitive and a quick learner.</div>
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He is growing up fast.</div>
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A leader.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lV_39PkH8R4/UuqiHKBmyiI/AAAAAAAABvY/jA-bK3b5dRY/s1600/IMG_6150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lV_39PkH8R4/UuqiHKBmyiI/AAAAAAAABvY/jA-bK3b5dRY/s1600/IMG_6150.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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I have made it in my first year as a business!!!</div>
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I would not say I am making a living yet,</div>
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but I am certainly busy and am constantly </div>
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filling orders.</div>
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I am working on new ways to expand the business with less time</div>
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at shows. I am guessing Etsy will be my next</div>
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focus.</div>
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Rohan and I spent a lot of time together on the road in December making</div>
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our way to and from Flat Rock Playhouse.</div>
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8 shows a week is quite a commitment for a kid (and his parents).</div>
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One late night returning home from a show, we were hit by a drunk driver.</div>
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He tried to run also. And he did. I was able to get the license plate number</div>
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and he was caught, 30 minutes away from the accident.</div>
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It was a life changing moment.</div>
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We were okay and the car was damaged but not undrivable.</div>
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But it left its mark on our hearts and souls.</div>
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I share it only because stories can be important. And you never know if a story might</div>
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help someone not drive one night, if they will take a cab instead, knowing that this could happen.</div>
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But back to Freeman Clayworks...</div>
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It has been awesome. My work has shifted and changed so much. </div>
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I am hoping to begin blogging again.</div>
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Finding it hard to be in the moment.</div>
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Here a few photos of my work:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ezhHK65WEIw/Uuqj_5o6OyI/AAAAAAAABvs/zDogDeRmXb4/s1600/IMG_6159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ezhHK65WEIw/Uuqj_5o6OyI/AAAAAAAABvs/zDogDeRmXb4/s1600/IMG_6159.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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I miss reading my favorite blogs everyday. </div>
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Life is a wild adventure.</div>
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I am so glad to be a part of it.</div>
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andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-26662911901677598252013-09-06T06:33:00.001-07:002013-09-06T06:33:06.764-07:00It's September ya'll!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Time, and how we perceive it depending on the moment,</div>
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continues to just befuddle me.</div>
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Here it is September.</div>
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Max will be 9 next month,</div>
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Rohan is now officially a middle schooler.</div>
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What happened to those cubby cheeked boys.</div>
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Those toddling wonders.</div>
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What I would say is that each step of the journey... </div>
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of this parenting thing,</div>
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amazes me.</div>
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It is beautiful and utterly, and terrifically hard.</div>
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Here are this weeks images.</div>
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(We play a game called the drawing game. Each person adding onto anothers drawing. I </div>
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am always amazed and surprised by the results.)</div>
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So long ago, yet not so long ago.</div>
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Time, slow down just a tad, would you?</div>
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The fairy is floating on clouds... oh i do love that.</div>
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The pig and being chased by a butcher and the fairy is leading him to safety, or her.</div>
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Pickles is feeling very lovey dovey this week.</div>
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Max gets to choose different ways to study for his spelling tests... writing the words in salt is one of them</div>
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So Cool.</div>
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Rohan drew this at school and hung it on my wall.</div>
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andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-39263565881053549782013-08-30T06:42:00.003-07:002013-08-30T06:42:51.099-07:00Here we go... hold on tight... It's a New Year!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This year, this beginning of a new school year, seems significant.</div>
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It seems powerful and full of possibility.</div>
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I suppose it always does. </div>
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This year feels different.</div>
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Maybe because Rohan is now a middle schooler.</div>
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And Max is in the upper elementary school classes.</div>
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6th and 3rd.</div>
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They seem so much more mature this year.</div>
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So full of responsibility and purpose.</div>
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We ended our summer with political rallies, the Taming of the Shrew (put on in two weeks, yes, holy cow), hikes in the woods, time viewing screens and revamping and rethinking and regenerating for this new year. This new school year. </div>
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It always feels new for me too.</div>
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Like this is when we should celebrate New Years. </div>
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Rohan continues to love acting. He continues to push himself and wow's me in the process. </div>
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He is loving Middle School and that right there is</div>
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something to be in awe about. </div>
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Max continues to show me just how mature he is for an almost 9 year old. </div>
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Max is a kid who feels safe with himself... He feels confident.</div>
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I love his free spirited attitude and his seriousness about about which he goes forth in the world, on his own. </div>
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As August becomes September, I always stop, and pause and reflect on just how fast it all happens. </div>
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This life thing.</div>
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North Carolina is passing laws that are directly affecting the kids.</div>
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If we get the kids involved, things will change. Yes, they will.</div>
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Dress Tacky Day. I am so proud. :)</div>
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Friends and laughter</div>
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Rohan/Tranio in the Taming of the Shrew</div>
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A special order for a friend heading off to college.</div>
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something I try to do everyday.</div>
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our beautiful world</div>
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Rohan picked this flower for me.</div>
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The first day of school. Morning.</div>
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The first day of school evening. </div>
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(He did love school, just his way of unwinding, making potato art)</div>
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Fooky's first bath by the boys... it went well. And Mom is thrilled they have a new job!</div>
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Happy New Year to you All. </div>
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andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-87281560900096134452013-08-01T08:30:00.003-07:002013-08-01T08:30:52.822-07:00Rohan and Max.... growing like weed. Beautiful Weeds.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A few images of our year so far...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Rohan continues to love acting... performing in The Seagull this past June and Taming of the Shrew in a week. I love to watch him perform. He always surprises me with his talent. Rohan is officially a middle schooler and begins 6th grade in three weeks! Holy Cow.</div>
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Max continues to love Soccer, building, helping and inventing. He loves school and is a natural leader.</div>
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I admire his determination and fire.</div>
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I am making pots and loving it. I am struggling a bit with the business part but slowly but surely it is coming together. I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity to even try my hand at being a potter.</div>
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Jay, my other half, makes this possible with his working a soul sucking job. </div>
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I am a lucky lady and wife. </div>
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Here is to summer and all it has provided us. Here is to an approaching fall full of</div>
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possibility.</div>
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Hope you all have been well.</div>
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I miss blogging.</div>
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Not sure I will be consistent but I sure do miss it.</div>
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andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-32798469982242178992013-03-03T09:14:00.001-08:002013-03-03T09:14:30.988-08:00encouraging courage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My boys just went on their first walk in the</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(almost a mile from home)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">alone.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay.. yes, this is a different time,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">yes, media makes the world</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so much scarier.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes.. we did so many things our kids don't do.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are too scared for them.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The past month the boys have begun walking the dog around our small block.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They each take a turn. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each building up their own confidence </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">about what feels safe.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About feeling like a part of the community.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today they went together</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(not always a safe option: brothers are not always nice to each other)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and I gave them $5.00.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are on their very first adventure to a candy/soda/convenience</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">store.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They get to buy what they want.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They get to experience freedom,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and decision making,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and real life learning.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yeah, we did this all the time as kids.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, though, is their day.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May it be successful.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May they be excited </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and may they come home safe and </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wiser for their experience.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am excited for them.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will also be happy when they come barreling in the house,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">out of breath and full of their stories.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life is a beautiful adventure. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hold on tight, take a deep breath</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and love.</span></div>
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andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-77477581944873084872013-02-27T05:20:00.001-08:002013-02-27T05:20:11.771-08:00time...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Three or four times a year I get this deep aching sense of time passing.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">As I see my kids grow and inch, listen to their wise words,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">notice them needing me less.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I want to grab them and wrap them up and duct tape and savour the moment.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Most often I do not do this. I wallow for a moment </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and then move on.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I say promises to myself about how I will spend more quality time,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">how we will be more purposeful.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">But more often we just move about our day. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I am not saying I do not cherish them.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The boys.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I just sometimes forget to stay put.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">To absorb the hug given</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">or the plea for my time.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I forget to be present.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Parenting is a </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">wild and</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">awesome</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">ride.</span></div>
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andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-53447427310116484562013-02-21T09:37:00.002-08:002013-02-21T09:37:46.390-08:00Live Big<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have not forgotten this blog.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have not forgotten how awesome it is to have</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">children.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To be a mom.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even when it seems insane and</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">completely out of control,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would not change any of it.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have kids who are funny.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are intense.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are creative</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and whiny</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and argumentative,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and huggy </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and gift me with words I do not deserve.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My kids are growing up so quickly.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Breathing and watching and being, in the moment</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">seems impossible sometimes.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But we all want it.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We seek it.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rohan now 11, a magical year.. a year that brinks the magic of </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a young child to the beginnings of a man.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5th grade has been good. It has been a year of yes's,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">of finding friends who get us, of feeling frustrated and misunderstood, but loved and safe.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rohan continues to blow my mind with his creativity </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and test me with his swinging emotions. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All part of the beautiful package.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He will begin working on a play The Seagull by Chekov next month,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The play goes on at NC Stage The last in June.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Max is 8 and strong and determined. He works hard in school, annoys the heck out of brother, continues to like to play soccer and challenge himself with other venues. He still cooks, and like to vacuum, and to emulate his brother while despising him all at the same time. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a year of finding his own way. Of making some small breaks from his attachment to his brother and find his own friends and spaces to figure out who he is. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Max is a lover. He is also a mini tornado or volcano. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we moved now into this new year... we find much to be celebrating.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WE are blessed. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have many people we adore and who adore us. That is all we can ask for.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carpe Diem.</span></div>
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Hoping to make it back here more often. Like once a week. I miss reading blogs and</div>
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I miss sharing my own thoughts and ideas....</div>
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andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-23661634576836471312013-01-07T08:45:00.001-08:002013-01-07T08:45:14.664-08:00Wowzeers 2013 Here we Come!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It feels like a thousand years since I have posted here.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Really.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A lot has been happening on Annie street.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">People are getting bigger, taller I mean, and more mature.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I find myself wondering how these little humans grew so fast</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and how I relate to them as they are now.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rohan is approaching 11. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a magical age for humans.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That limbo between boy and teenager.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An age where you are beginning to seek out</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">your adult self.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am excited for this year for him. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It will be a year of finishing elementary school </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and entering the middle grade years.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Such a pivotal time and somewhat</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">emotional.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, very emotional.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PUBERTY!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rohan is an incredibly creative,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lively,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">compassionate,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sensitive,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">combative,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">testing,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">silly</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">boy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Max is 8.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is precocious,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">loud, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">funny, loving,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">agreeable, argumentative,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">passionate, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">determined and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">entirely his own person,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">goof ball,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">boy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are all moving into a place of belonging.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finding what makes us happy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Together as a group,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and/or as individuals.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This has been</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hard,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">enlightening,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">challenging,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">stressful,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">encouraging,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">delightful,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">new.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I am spending more and more time in my studio,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the boys are finding more ways to combat one</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">another.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as we set up guidelines, structure,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">understanding and,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">expectations,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We become more grateful for the moments that do work.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That each of us is able to explore what makes us whole.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To celebrate the paths we are choosing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and support each other. (as much as possible)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is like a coming of age.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel like I am able to finally explore some things that make me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">feel excited and challenge me,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that are completely separate from</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my connection to being a MOM or Wife.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am finding solitary me again.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I hope everyone will benefit.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not just financially,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but benefit from having a Mom, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a woman roll model,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">delighting in herself and her accomplishments.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My boys deserve that.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So Here's to Making a Go of IT.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whatever that IT is for you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://freemanclayworks.blogspot.com/">Freeman Clay Works</a> is moving to the forefront.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My kids will always have me... but now that will have to share.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week I begin making it official. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paperwork, here I come.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-41919103125858174912012-07-22T15:20:00.001-07:002012-07-22T15:20:20.733-07:00Wild<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
It has been a wild summer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lots of good.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Camping,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pottery (sales), </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
rivers,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pools,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
New York City,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Friends,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
working,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
more friends,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
more rivers, and pools and thunderstorms.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The boys have been like thunderstorms.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Beautiful but hard.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unpredictable.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ferocious.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Loving.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Calming.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Explosive.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Battling Brothers.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have been looking inward a lot.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Reassessing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Questioning.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Reading.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(lots of parenting books)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And gathering ever bit of patience</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
from every corner of the globe.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have not been taking care of me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That is the key.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now to do something about it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Right now.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-10274248312284928922012-05-29T16:28:00.001-07:002012-05-29T16:28:55.286-07:004 days and 3 hours<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Summer is here.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Did you get the memo?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">4 days and 3 hours more.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Of school.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Of my days potting, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">well, partially anyway.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I am taking deep breaths and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">creating</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">joy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Seeing the joy that will be.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Imagining scenarios where I can </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">do pottery</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">go swimming</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">hiking</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">adventuring</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">brother refereeing </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">celebrating our time,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">our time together</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">while they are still</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">celebrating time with me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and still doing pottery, for me,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">while they are home.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">My mission.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I will achieve it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I am certain.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It may not look pretty in the beginning</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">but it will end up beautiful.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Here we go.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Seven, Ten, and two Forty-three year olds.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We will make magic this summer.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">With the help of our community,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">of hard work,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and hard play.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Deep Breath.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and Summer.</span></div>
</div>andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-48710270966292836972012-05-01T17:38:00.001-07:002012-05-01T17:41:26.204-07:00Wow... I have been gone a long time.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is darn warm out there if you didn't notice.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am making it warmer by firing a bisque.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It should be up to temperature in another 30 minutes or so.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, while I was gone....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I fractured my right hand (by hitting a chair when I got too angry),</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and no I would never have hit my child, I was just at my limit and had to hit something. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In my defense, I did choose a cushy armchair, it was just not cushy enough.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So while I was moaning about not being able to run in my one and only marathon,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I decided to do something anyway.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I decided to make hand-built functional pottery.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I haven't stopped since and it has been almost 8 weeks.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It seems that wonderful things really can come out of rotten situations.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is hard to see it when you are in it. For sure.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am cast free, throwing and hand building and trying, for the first time in my 25 years of living with clay, to make a go at it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I mean to make a it a way to supplement my families income.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am not delusional. I understand how hard this is and how many hours it takes and most of all that I might actually have to learn the business part of all this mess.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But I am excited. Like want to be in the studio all the time excited.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am firing almost once a week and am working on a "line" that I feel proud of </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and that I hope will enrich people's eating experiences.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have continued being a mom, which tends to happen when you have two kids who are 7 and 10, and have struggled with rebellious, confused, angry children. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not every minute, of course, but enough for me to anticipate it happening every day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am officially reading Love and Logic: Teaching Children Responsibility.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The premise is to hold them accountable for their actions with consequences while maintaining empathy about the situation they are in. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The empathy part is quite challenging. :(</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This could all be applied to other people I know and love and live with too ;).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, life is about learning and it is about being the best person we can be for those we love.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So here I go, trying again, like I will, over and over.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have been cherishing my friends as of late. Well, I always do, but sometimes you</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
just realize</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they are incredible and they make</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the days</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so much more</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
incredible</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
meaningful.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So thank you </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
friends.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I am potting, parenting and partying </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(not really partying just sounded good)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh and I have a new pottery blog... like really new, as in only one post new</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
freemanclayworks.blogspot.com/</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Come visit and see my new pots and leave comments on how they can make you happier.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy almost summer. Only 23 more days of school. Yikes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-79532712538699058082012-03-05T12:22:00.001-08:002012-03-05T12:22:42.940-08:00it's all in a name, or is it....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Several months ago </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I was thinking about names.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Names for my potter studio.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">At one time I had, I thought, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">cleverly named myself </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Functional Earth</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">That name does not suit me now.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I thought maybe I wanted a funny name.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I am finding that I am way less serious</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">about life in general then I used to be.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Several friends offered great ideas,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">suggested I ask my kids for help,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and after plotting and thinking </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and scheming </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and wondering,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I think I will just be</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Andrea Freeman.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Now should I be: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Andrea Freeman Pottery</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Andrea Gardiner Freeman Pottery</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Andrea Freeman Studio</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Andrea Freeman Works</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Not sure.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I want to figure it out soon. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Like Yesterday.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">For my blogger friends,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I had my first batch of earthenware pots come out of the kiln.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">They were very exciting to me and have put some</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">embers burning in my soul!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I will post some photos later!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So here I go. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Next a tax number,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">a light box,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and batches and batches of slip tests.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Including some terra sig, I hope!!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Whoo HOOOOOOOOOO~</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-63508196968317500762012-02-21T15:48:00.001-08:002012-02-21T15:48:23.002-08:00innocence, power and perspective<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would much rather be me now</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">43, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">married with two children, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">then that 20 something year old who felt the world so hard and so deep.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I rarely miss being young and unencumbered. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I do miss the wild passion and the endless thoughts that swarmed my </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">head.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wrote two short quotes, way back then, that have stuck with me,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">have stayed with me and are still me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">~ Be open to unthinkable wonders</span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">~ The Spirit runs silently on</span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although these have meant different things to me over the last 20 something years</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">they have continue to inspire me and make know that I am okay,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that I have a lot that is worthy inside of me and that celebrating that</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is what makes me a better Human, better Mom, Friend, Wife, Alien (in case I ever get to travel out there in that magic).....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Somedays we just need to celebrate parts of ourselves, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">mostly because we don't </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">want to </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">really, truly </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">need to.</span></div>
</div>andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-47480810050000009532012-02-14T15:17:00.001-08:002012-02-14T15:17:08.200-08:00hearts and me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today is heart day. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The kids made awesome valentines for their friends,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I bought the token small(est) Whitman's heart shaped boxes for my boys.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a "special" beer, mint cookies and sourdough bread for my man</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and in turn he gave me my best give ever... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
he bought art supplies in my name for kids who need them through</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oxfam.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I loved this gift so much. He thought about this and really showed me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
how well he knows me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In turn I realized this would be the best gift for my (other) MOM on her</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
most special birthday.... 75 years. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We love art. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She taught <i>me </i>to love art </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I could not think of a better gift to share with her.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Also for heart day Max's class were privileged to have an awesome</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
SURPRISE</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Party.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While they were gone delivering Valentines to their newly adopted older adult friends...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
some parents decorated the room and brought lots of special things in...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
SURPRISE!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They really were surprised.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rohan was so excited to have a party too... he said,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Hey, would you rather get candy or no homework?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
His friend said no homework.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He said, "We got both!"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh Joy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So that sums up our heart day. It was lovely.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(poor jay is working tonight so we will go out tomorrow night</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to the new neighborhood restaurant: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Walk.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We will walk there, of course.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Onto me... wallow, wallow~ </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will start with the good and end with the good.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I ran today. It was beautiful. It sleeted for a while.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was with a friend. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Friends make running better. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In between I will discuss my bleeping part of my day</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and well, frankly, my life.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Those who know me well know I suffer from minor headaches.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I spare you from reading this....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In my early twenties I began getting headaches regularly..</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I call them sinus headaches.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They tend to be a dull but aching <i><b>pressure</b></i> on my forehead</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and by my nose and sometimes behind my eyes and back of my head.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Okay so why am I talking about this now?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have had these every day for at least 14 years.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know.... why in the bleep have I not done anything before now?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not sure.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I really do have them EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some days and weeks are harder then others.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But they do not go away. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, Just so you know, I am finally doing something about IT!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I officially do not have allergies,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I do not have a deviated septum or any other ENT issue,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so now I am on to the neurologist.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They certainly are not migraines, I function daily with these...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am just finally tired of it and think that I just might end up a</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
better, funnier, and more exciting</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mom, friend and wife </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
if my head cleared up even for a few days a week.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(wink and smile)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This day, heart day, my headache left me feeling lonely for no reason.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It does this at times.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I guess lonely can come in many forms.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Headaches can deter me from doing things I really want to do:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
like studio, garden, play with kids, well, anything.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
BUT....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some times a phone call from a friend who is willing to listen to you grip and</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
moan and bitch...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
makes you feel better </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
makes feel like you are not crazy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and that </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
this is an amazing and beautiful thing we are doing....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
living.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am looking forward to finding out what is causing my daily headaches but until then</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will try to keep my bitching down to a minimum. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Happy Heart Day to you ALL </div>
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And to ALL</div>
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a Good Night!</div>
</div>andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-78686773013549293232012-02-06T09:32:00.000-08:002012-02-07T14:22:00.459-08:00Like my brother-in-law David, I blame it on the moon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Sometimes we need no prompting to dwell on a subject.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Other times one word, a glance or a breeze can</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">bring on the flood.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">I am consumed with parenting at this. moment.... or rather</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">what</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> I</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> am as a parent. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">What</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> I</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> am modeling, teaching and demanding as a parent.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Looking up some inspired quotes today, these spoke to me deepest, funniest, or</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">truest:</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">The trouble with learning to parent on the job is that your child is the teacher. </span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">~Robert Brault</span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">If you have never been hated by your child you have never been a parent. </span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">~Bette Davis</span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you. ~Robert Fulghum </span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">The quickest way for a parent to get a child's attention is to sit down and look comfortable. ~Lane Olinghouse</span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. </span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> One is roots. </span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> The other is wings. </span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> ~Hodding Carter, Jr.</span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">The thing that impresses me most about America is the way parents obey their children. ~Edward, Duke of Windsor, </span></span></i></b><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Look</span></span></i></b><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">, 5 March 1957</span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Do not ask that your kids live up to your expectations. Let your kids be who they are, and your expectations will be in breathless pursuit. </span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">~Robert Brault</span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">As I go about this day tasking it away ,</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">It occurs to me that this life I have chosen,</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> (some of us do choose our lives, some do not)</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">so complicated</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">and wordlessly beautiful,</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">has beings, two of them, growing up before my very eyes,</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">and counting on me to be what </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">they</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> need, </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">which changes</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">virtually everyday.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Right Now I am working on being a role model,</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> one that they can respect, admire </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">and sometimes get pissed off at.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">And I am going to the studio this afternoon</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">whether they like it or not.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span></div>
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</div>andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-56305632226838123032012-01-30T17:28:00.000-08:002012-01-30T17:29:46.798-08:00I want to be improbable<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Lots to celebrate.</div>
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Running.</div>
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Messy hands.</div>
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Good friends.</div>
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A wonderfully loving in supportive family.</div>
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Having what we need.</div>
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I want to be light </div>
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and Frolicsome.</div>
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I want to be improbable.....</div>
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Oh this needs to be painted on the wall of my studio</div>
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REAL BIG.</div>
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(p.s. This wonderful photograph/wood print is taken from Pinerest!)</div>
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<br /></div>andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-26941086339019081992012-01-27T09:08:00.000-08:002012-01-27T09:08:12.754-08:0010 year~ Holy Camoly<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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ROHAN LLEWYS QUINN MYERS</div>
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JANUARY 27TH 2002</div>
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A glimpse of the boy wonder:</div>
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Rohan turned 10 today at 12:06 am. </div>
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He woke at 3 am, 5 am and waited until 6:10 for us ALL to get up.</div>
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This vibrant, creative, eccentric, loving, thoughtful boy is now </div>
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double digits. </div>
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To see more of the Rohan Journey go to</div>
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https://picasaweb.google.com/102230359588005491523/HomageToTheLifeOfRohan</div>
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He sure does keep us on our toes and makes us prouder then he will ever know.</div>
<br /></div>andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-63858516345043026652011-12-24T04:53:00.000-08:002011-12-24T04:53:26.298-08:00Keeping the Magic Alive<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><i>For my blogger friends and family.</i></b></span></div>
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We wish you the merriest Christmas, holiday, celebrations.</div>
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Hoping your homes are filled with laughter, hugs, silliness, dances, </div>
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smells of cookies and pine needles and magic.</div>
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Every year the boys dress up and I take photos of their silliness.</div>
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I always love it.</div>
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Always.</div>
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What will you be concentrating on in the new year?</div>
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I have my resolutions set.</div>
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Glaze and slip exploration. </div>
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My friend Mary has become my kiln expert fixer and my confidence in working and experimenting has gone up! I am moving toward low fired work while keeping a little space open to work in cone ^6.</div>
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Feeling excited and giddy about all of this... oh and she is also putting plugs in for me and a sink for water! Really. (She's my friend, you can't have her) ;o) hee hee.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ornaments made from the thousands of clementines we are eating.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lid for a box I made for somebody for Christmas ;o)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">earthenware experimenting begins ;o) (a max design with Mommy additions)</td></tr>
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Wishing you all joy and peace and love and magic and delicious things to eat and drink and taking <b><i>time</i></b>.</div>
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<b><i> Time</i></b> to let it all soak in, just how fortunate we all are and how fleeting life can be.</div>
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Carpe Diem , carpe diem.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>L.O.V.E.</b></span></div>
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</div>andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-3860911975313957462011-11-26T11:02:00.001-08:002011-11-26T11:16:16.570-08:00noggy and unnoggy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Rohan is on a creative drawing kick.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We are (rohan and I) </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">struggling with so many issues right now </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">around attitude and </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">taking responsibility for our actions...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> when Rohan is </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">creative he inspires me </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">and helps me celebrate him</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">He needs to be celebrated.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This is his newest creation about Egg Nog.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fKwau_vxHX0/TtE4Uek93nI/AAAAAAAAAzk/J8RmCd4_zvw/s1600/100_5348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fKwau_vxHX0/TtE4Uek93nI/AAAAAAAAAzk/J8RmCd4_zvw/s400/100_5348.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"let your egg boggy dreams come true"</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JTGpSIOw39g/TtE4XDJn84I/AAAAAAAAAzs/EKCGj8lJOKs/s1600/100_5347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JTGpSIOw39g/TtE4XDJn84I/AAAAAAAAAzs/EKCGj8lJOKs/s400/100_5347.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a very small book rohan made for me ;o)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fiYGhwOq_OY/TtE4Y-PcCAI/AAAAAAAAAz0/lteJhkEKhCI/s1600/100_5346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fiYGhwOq_OY/TtE4Y-PcCAI/AAAAAAAAAz0/lteJhkEKhCI/s400/100_5346.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these guys have had WAY too much egg nog!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HuhVYwcmlng/TtE4atKgP6I/AAAAAAAAAz8/LLS4VF1zqcE/s1600/100_5345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HuhVYwcmlng/TtE4atKgP6I/AAAAAAAAAz8/LLS4VF1zqcE/s400/100_5345.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Egg nog clouds... its a "cristmas mirical"</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-teEFuKYt2Ls/TtE4cm1PgfI/AAAAAAAAA0E/CSgSoWJDetQ/s1600/100_5344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-teEFuKYt2Ls/TtE4cm1PgfI/AAAAAAAAA0E/CSgSoWJDetQ/s400/100_5344.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Buda" contemplating milk egg nog or soy nog</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SyKhWMbsgpI/TtE4d928ypI/AAAAAAAAA0M/hNh4-evmxIc/s1600/100_5343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SyKhWMbsgpI/TtE4d928ypI/AAAAAAAAA0M/hNh4-evmxIc/s400/100_5343.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buda deciding which egg nog to take to Zeus Party~ Hermes is delivering the "evetation"</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ms2VC3mEwf4/TtE4gm46bLI/AAAAAAAAA0U/86c1Urdz43c/s1600/100_5342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ms2VC3mEwf4/TtE4gm46bLI/AAAAAAAAA0U/86c1Urdz43c/s400/100_5342.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hope I never go to jail for wanting too much egg nog.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LbVncMUoEbM/TtE4i8n8BqI/AAAAAAAAA0c/ypWKXWX6Mi8/s1600/100_5330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LbVncMUoEbM/TtE4i8n8BqI/AAAAAAAAA0c/ypWKXWX6Mi8/s400/100_5330.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rohan's first egg nog drawing</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VsmN-HckRIk/TtE4lOzlkWI/AAAAAAAAA0k/lskjOvLumcw/s1600/100_5341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VsmN-HckRIk/TtE4lOzlkWI/AAAAAAAAA0k/lskjOvLumcw/s400/100_5341.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my absolute favorite of all the drawings... it might just become our Christmas card.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I have been in an out of the blogging world. <br /><br />Still reading others but not taking time or creative energy to share.<br /><br />Kiln just went kaputz again.... mid firing (poo and tears)<br /><br />Working with a friend to make money so I can keep the kids magic alive on Christmas.<br /><br />Planning to check off a big one in May. Running a marathon. Have wanted to since I was 17.<br />Just one. Nothing heroic but a goal that seems achievable.<br /><br />Hope everyone is enjoying a glass of egg nog. I prefer rum in mine but am not too picky.<br /><br />Love.<br /><br /></td></tr>
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</div>andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-54590232298434355872011-10-26T14:19:00.000-07:002011-10-26T14:19:24.122-07:00It's always the little things, a moment. Always.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I had a moment this week.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">One of those slap you in the face,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> make you feel sad, happy, distressed, awe inspired,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">appreciative, relieved, full of it: that life thing, moments.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">A small person brought me to this moment. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Not one of mine, although they do a lot.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This was a small person whom I recently met, on a walk downtown.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Our moment:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We were walking, beautiful day, a group, single file.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We walked a long way and saw many different buildings, people, smelled wonderful things and well, not so wonderful things. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We waved to people, talked about things we like to do and be and think.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">A friendly man waited for us to pass as the large group swarmed the sidewalk. This man had a beautiful smile, a bag and a drink. My little friend said, "Hey" and waved excitedly. The Man smiled and waved back. My little friend looked at me with bright eyes and said, "That man lives in the same house as me!" </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We walk a few block further. There are several people sitting on the sidewalk with their bags, talking, smoking and waiting. They were waiting for the Salvation Army to open.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">As we walk passed my little friend says, with the most joyful voice, "My family eats there all the time!" </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">My heart dropped. I am a mom. I was only imagining what this meant to his mom, to his family. But in the same split second I felt my heart warm and melt at the innocence and pure happiness that radiated from my little friends voice.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">He was content with this life, his reality.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">He has joy and felt joy about it.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It was me having the "feelings".</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">As we continued walking I asked him what his favorite meals were there. He rattled of a huge list. The other kids oohed and ahed at the list. They too wanted to try this restaurant.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">A single moment can change everything. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The way you look at everything and everyone.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It is the little things in life. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">These are the most meaningful and the most remembered.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I may not remember my little friends name in 20 years but I will always remember this moment.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I will always remember that reality is what you make of it, of what YOU choose to feel about it. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Little friends are the most powerful teachers.</span></div>
</div>andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-63595071789158634482011-09-23T14:09:00.000-07:002011-09-23T14:09:38.622-07:00A new kind of fall, at least for me.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This behavior is perplexing.</div>
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This is not how I look in fall.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I turn inward, spend more time at home,</div>
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less time running, or swimming or exercising at all, except maybe walking,</div>
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which I usually do a lot of in the fall.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This fall I have an obligation. A contract. A commitment.</div>
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I have been training for a run. </div>
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<br /></div>
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A 10 mile run.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It is October 9th in Washington D.C.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My friend Barbara (Barbie) Burger, my close friend from Nepal. ( I was twelve when we were buddies.</div>
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We have stayed in touch since then. She is in the Army.... a big wig). She talked me into signing up for the race as a team! We are Helter Skelter! Another friend from Nepal will be running it with us. I have not seen her since we were in 6th grade together at Lincoln School in Kathmandu.</div>
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I am so excited, and a little nervous.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I am excited about this mini reunion of friends.</div>
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I am also excited about this fall transformation.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Fall is usually a time I move into a mini seasonal depression. Not a deep sadness but a time</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of introverted heaven. Spending time with me. Too much time ;o). A home body to the fullest.</div>
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This year I have broken that mold and it feels awesome.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I have many friends I can say thanks to, but mostly, something that is really hard for me to do,</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I want to say:</div>
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I am proud of myself!!!!, </div>
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for moving outside of my comfort zone and pushing myself to </div>
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"do more and be more" ~ dead poet society quote</div>
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<br /></div>
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So here is to surprising yourself. To seeing a change that was unexpected yet purposeful at the same time.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is believing and surrounding yourself with those who also believe.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I have new running shoes. So Watch Out World.</div>
</div>
andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-75834809676138392012011-09-18T15:08:00.000-07:002011-09-18T15:08:48.841-07:00thirty moments and long time no see<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-icXpX8qUS9s/TnZmxrTWZYI/AAAAAAAAAy0/fNEwly3Kf5I/s1600/100_4867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-icXpX8qUS9s/TnZmxrTWZYI/AAAAAAAAAy0/fNEwly3Kf5I/s400/100_4867.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Sometimes we just need to regroup.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We need a moment.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">or thirty.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">or in my case, at least today, I could have used </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">102 or so.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The do not disturb sign has been taken down for the day, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">the boys are playing together and no one is getting hurt.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">A new goal of ours.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b> No one should get hurt.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I am not a boy. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I do not understand.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">But I do know... hurt does not feel good.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Sometimes I just want them to go outside to hurt each other though. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>So I don't have to hear it.</i></span></div>
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my prepreteen. </div>
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Sometimes he says things that make my head spin and my heart swoon.</div>
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I wish he was not right sometimes.</div>
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Our play is action-pact .... full of movement and "accidents"</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So this has been an amazing Month! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My little sister April, part friend, part sister, part soul-mate, got married</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to her long time companion Chris.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was beautiful, gorgeous, simple, pure and full of love.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I felt blessed to be a part of it all,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To be a witness,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To remember why it is we do this thing, marriage.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love her so much and wish her years of</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">burrito trucks and tree swings.</span></div>
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april and my mom, fran</div>
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the joy of life</div>
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September was also the month Logan Anthony Myers was born!</div>
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We have had so much fun getting to know this cute little man.</div>
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He was born right before my other sister (in-law)</div>
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Karen was married to her long time</div>
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companion, Peter.</div>
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(I don't have any pics :( ) sorry. It was also beautiful, full of spirit, promise,</div>
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family and friends.</div>
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What a special month. </div>
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I am Still recovering from all the goodness.</div>
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Max and Logan</div>
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I miss blogging but have not felt the inspiration.</div>
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I hope this weather will change that for me.</div>
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I have been running (training for the Army 10 miler), painting walls, trim and ceilings (work),</div>
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hanging out with Axel, my little buddy, making some pots and traveling a lot to witness all these promises of love.</div>
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Blankets are back. </div>
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Morning sweaters are snuggling </div>
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and soups are being made.</div>
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Hello fall, my introspective friend.</div>
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andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-20193631057087874502011-08-09T15:36:00.000-07:002011-08-09T15:36:27.914-07:00things happen for a reason, right? and makin' it.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Sometimes I feel like I never grew up. I make seriously ridiculous mistakes or over-sites and not sure exactly why. Well, I did that recently and it made me sad but also inspired to make. things.<br />
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The ECU art department is having an Alumni show. I was really excited about having a goal to work toward.... something I often need. Well, I have been making this summer... not as much as I would have liked but more then I have in a long time. I was working on two tall pedestal stools for the show (2 to 2 1/2 feet tall). Well, they blew up.... I guess I raised the kiln's temperature too fast... big, explosive, lesson learned.<br />
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So I busted a move to work on some other things I have been enjoying... the Max dinnerware sets and a series of hand built pieces inspired by architecture and sacred spaces.<br />
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I signed up for the show... waited for the second reply and it never came... oh, well, I thought, I told them I was going to do the show so they must have my info... well, no. June 8th a email went out that I failed to read or something.... the week the kids got out of school and my busiest week working of the summer. (all excuses here to make myself feel better ;o)).<br />
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I did not make it into the show because I failed to respond to the email. I found out this week after I became more curious why I did not have more details..... I was very sad, mad and almost in tears. But..... it was all me and it is about life lessons and moving forward with grace.<br />
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I fired some work yesterday... I love some of the ideas, a lot. Here are a few.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">each architectural sculpture has an eye hole at the top for looking down into the piece</td></tr>
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The Max series makes me smile.</div>
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There will always be other opportunities to share my work.... </div>
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life is beautiful that way.</div>
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andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-87410151603877257702011-07-29T15:30:00.000-07:002011-07-29T15:30:37.183-07:00for my sister Annie, Ann Mary, Ann: i love her so<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I am sitting here listening to Simon and Garfunkel pandora station, thinking of you, Ann Mary.</div>
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Thinking of our growing together. </div>
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Our moments of sisterhood.</div>
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My first memory is of 38th street, Washington D.C. summer on the front steps, drums in hand,</div>
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singing our song, we still know. Our audience having to listen over and over and paying to do so.</div>
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Then Cullowhee, N.C., blackberry picking for the day. Camping on the ridge, walking to town with Tom, our first real night staying up all night, even if unwillingly.</div>
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An airplane ride, a long airplane ride, collecting hard liquor bottles up and down the isles.</div>
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Then landing in, what has to be the hottest place I ever been at night. 2 a.m. and 103 degrees, </div>
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Dehli, India~ before flying through the clouds or mountains, not knowing which is which, into our new home for the next year for me, two years for you: Kathmandu, Nepal.</div>
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Our year together in our bedroom with views of the tallest mountains in the world. </div>
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Rickshaw riding, with you. (do you know that Bodeans song)</div>
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I loved Rickshaw riding with you. </div>
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And our three day trek, just you and me, a Shirpa and porters. I was 11 and you were 8. Holy Cow. </div>
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I loved being your big sister. </div>
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I loved being there for you. </div>
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You were so brave.</div>
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I have always thought so.</div>
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Back to D.C. with porches, books, jolly ranchers, pools and long walks, continuing our journey of sisters who do not always live together, and always excited to see each other again.</div>
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We grew up a lot... we are so different, yet have always been able to find ways to bring comfort to one another with our ways.</div>
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I miss hanging out with you Ann Mary.</div>
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You will always be Ann Mary to me ;o).</div>
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We missed you at the beach and this long viewing session is for you</div>
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so you might feel a little bit of what it was like. </div>
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I found the magic this time thanks for encouraging me:</div>
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My big ass beautiful family:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my amazing dad</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vIX4PCPKbF4/TjMuqfDo92I/AAAAAAAAAwY/EZjjN5iZ9c0/s1600/IMG_0846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vIX4PCPKbF4/TjMuqfDo92I/AAAAAAAAAwY/EZjjN5iZ9c0/s400/IMG_0846.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rick and gracie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uk6mEIcFxfM/TjMuvoXq7CI/AAAAAAAAAwc/xUZU8BQQNQ0/s1600/IMG_0850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uk6mEIcFxfM/TjMuvoXq7CI/AAAAAAAAAwc/xUZU8BQQNQ0/s400/IMG_0850.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my family</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P7UNVj8cSb4/TjMv1jLfP4I/AAAAAAAAAxA/j0LJ2hOEUAY/s1600/IMG_0858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P7UNVj8cSb4/TjMv1jLfP4I/AAAAAAAAAxA/j0LJ2hOEUAY/s400/IMG_0858.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my sister Kathy, Big Tim, Little Tim and Matt</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R6vWJ4Nh4vk/TjMv63LHJyI/AAAAAAAAAxE/2qW77pCcHUM/s1600/IMG_0865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R6vWJ4Nh4vk/TjMv63LHJyI/AAAAAAAAAxE/2qW77pCcHUM/s400/IMG_0865.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike, Angie, Zach, Ben and Claire</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GHB9zhz5gOg/TjMwHnYeOZI/AAAAAAAAAxM/SE1XE9SKalc/s1600/IMG_0988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GHB9zhz5gOg/TjMwHnYeOZI/AAAAAAAAAxM/SE1XE9SKalc/s400/IMG_0988.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom, Maria, Rachel and John</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OQ1bRARmSCQ/TjMwBnfwv9I/AAAAAAAAAxI/-Ys1E-hIsKg/s1600/IMG_0876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OQ1bRARmSCQ/TjMwBnfwv9I/AAAAAAAAAxI/-Ys1E-hIsKg/s400/IMG_0876.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Crandalls Elizabeth, Steve, Emily, Charlotte, Margaret, Paul, Caroline, Mark,<br />Jon Michael, Andrew, Harriet and Audrey</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cW48IVT43pY/TjMwOf0XX4I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/UpF4Qpw7Naw/s1600/IMG_0955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cW48IVT43pY/TjMwOf0XX4I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/UpF4Qpw7Naw/s400/IMG_0955.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">April, Chris, Max and Dash</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cDBM1tHL0NI/TjMwU6rZ27I/AAAAAAAAAxU/aqbjyf0rD_U/s1600/IMG_0936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cDBM1tHL0NI/TjMwU6rZ27I/AAAAAAAAAxU/aqbjyf0rD_U/s400/IMG_0936.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the siblings minus Ann Mary</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WSMUOgaODBw/TjMwir-WgzI/AAAAAAAAAxc/9bY5b2HKl6c/s1600/IMG_0920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WSMUOgaODBw/TjMwir-WgzI/AAAAAAAAAxc/9bY5b2HKl6c/s400/IMG_0920.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our big ass beautiful family (37 in all)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f1Ulg41gXSM/TjMsVRVxz2I/AAAAAAAAAu8/avPH_xs5rk8/s1600/100_4322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f1Ulg41gXSM/TjMsVRVxz2I/AAAAAAAAAu8/avPH_xs5rk8/s400/100_4322.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the two Max's snuggling: buddies for life</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nifpnC797tk/TjMsWP_sEwI/AAAAAAAAAvA/1LhnJUK5Om4/s1600/100_4332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nifpnC797tk/TjMsWP_sEwI/AAAAAAAAAvA/1LhnJUK5Om4/s400/100_4332.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">max and Jay</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom/Fran and I</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sisters</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sisters</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jyZlJmlbjFM/TjMszEboWdI/AAAAAAAAAvk/tLQECDxDWd4/s1600/IMG_0448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jyZlJmlbjFM/TjMszEboWdI/AAAAAAAAAvk/tLQECDxDWd4/s400/IMG_0448.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the first of a new tradition: parents night out!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wasabi fun</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my boys</td></tr>
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Ann Mary, I can't wait to hang out with you at the wedding in September!!!</div>
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Then we will plan another sister get together. </div>
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I need more Annie time.</div>
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I love you to the moon.</div>
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andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-857153561147474496.post-58116694476172224592011-07-15T12:50:00.000-07:002011-07-15T17:41:51.688-07:00and it all began with a game of Ninja<div style="text-align: center;">
So I am not great at packing </div>
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and not stressing.</div>
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I try not to get all ADD while I am sorting</div>
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and planning </div>
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and puzzling all the bags </div>
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and pillows </div>
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and boogies boards </div>
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into every inch of the van.</div>
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There is a magic to getting everything in the right place.</div>
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A deep satisfaction.</div>
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But while trying to breath this satisfaction into the van, the boys are doing their thing.</div>
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Some of these "things" I approve of, while others drive me to the infamous,</div>
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"Go. Out. Side. Now." saying.</div>
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Well, they are up to it again. A well planned and thought out game of </div>
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<b>Ninja</b></div>
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(the boys)</div>
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<i>verses</i></div>
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<b>The Stuffed Animals</b></div>
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For some reason they all had to wear hats.</div>
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Maybe they hid their weapons in there.</div>
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Who knows?</div>
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As I was reminding them, for the 50th time today, not to play in a certain room,</div>
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Rohan pipes up and says, so matter-of-factly, as Rohan does so well,</div>
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"STOP STRESSING OUT!!"</div>
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"It's kind of annoying!!"</div>
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"It is not KIND OF ANNOYING, It is ANNOYING!!"</div>
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Well, yes, Rohan it is. </div>
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So there you have it. </div>
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At least my kids are still super creative while I am off being </div>
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SUPER ANNOYING!</div>
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My super hero name for the day.</div>
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I should get an award too.</div>
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It is a talent.</div>
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Tomorrow, though, I will be the Mom who the minute we get to the beach,</div>
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puts my suit on with them and runs straight to the water</div>
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screaming with glee.</div>
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I hope they rename me tomorrow.</div>
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But for today:</div>
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I am stressing out. </div>
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Like it or Lump it.</div>
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:o)</div>
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andrea gardiner freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17651815843778923759noreply@blogger.com0