tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36055933037322485382024-03-13T08:23:16.904-04:00HEATHER LESSITERIt's all for the bestHeatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.comBlogger811125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-36723707546027458242014-07-21T09:28:00.002-04:002014-07-24T14:14:32.084-04:00Book Let-down <br />
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<em>*Note: this post is spoiler-free.*</em><br />
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I am suffering from book let-down. If you've ever read a novel, you know just what I'm talking about. That strange, empty feeling you get when the words run out and the world you have just "lived" in and all of the people in it disappear in a *poof* yet still linger nearby. The echoes of the places and dialogue flit through your mind. The characters you picture in your mind are suddenly shushed and longing for more to say and do. I'm no doctor, but I believe that book let-down is a true - albeit mild - form of depression and it hangs over our heads like a dark storm cloud.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bL-NwddgOo4/U80VaZ0aS-I/AAAAAAAADIg/iaxwTtiwNY4/s1600/51dh-Hoo+QL__AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bL-NwddgOo4/U80VaZ0aS-I/AAAAAAAADIg/iaxwTtiwNY4/s1600/51dh-Hoo+QL__AA160_.jpg" /></a> I have found no cure for book let-down, other than time or a sequel if one exists. In this case, I have just finished Diana Gabaldon's 8th (yes EIGHTH) installment in the Outlander series, Written in My Own Heart's Blood, affectionately referred to as MOBY. After eight brilliant novels - not to mention the many novellas, short stories and companion books the compliment the series - you can imagine how vested I - and millions of others - have become in the lives and adventures of the characters. The book ends and I feel like dear friends have picked up and moved away. </div>
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I know at least another novel is coming in the series (per Doctor Gabaldon, herself) and MOBY was written with a portentous ending, leaving the reader anxious to continue the story. I read it on my kindle and truly was surprised when I expected another delicious chapter and was met with the Author's Notes section (which are nearly as good a read as the story).</div>
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So I will pause now and digest my new knowledge of favorite characters. I will mourn their losses and revel in their triumphs and reread MOBY again and again. I will enjoy the books forever and be so thankful that the stories I love will always be there for me to go back to at will. My mini storm cloud will soon roll away and that will be my silver lining.<script type="text/javascript">
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-82605120473321980962014-07-16T11:06:00.001-04:002014-07-16T12:03:21.746-04:00Dare I? Once occupying a large amount of my time and energy, this blog was a favorite place of mine. I composed posts in my head at all hours of the day and night. I wrote post after post and tried to post everyday so as to keep things fresh for my readers and friends. It made me feel like more than a stay-at-home mom - which is plenty in itself - and babysitter. I was able to interact with others from my own home and during the times I chose without disrupting the lives of those around me. I felt appreciated and needed and important on a whole different level. I loved it dearly.<br />
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Fast-forward a few years and things at home changed. The kids I cared for were growing up and not in need of a babysitter, my own kids were growing up and participating in sports and groups that pulled us away from home for hours on end, and I found myself needing to go back to a steady job to bump up our household income. Time became a commodity and, being a time consumer, the blog got pushed to the wayside. <br />
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I missed writing terribly and still composed in my head, as writers often do, at all hours of the day. As hubby and the boys would tottle off to bed and the house grew quiet, I would long to plop down in front of the computer and type away. I am a night-owl by nature and my brain comes alive at night. Early mornings, however, are not my thing and an early morning getting kiddos ready for school is even less appealing. Sleep always won out.<br />
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Fast forward a couple more years: the job has changed, the kids have grown (<em>a lot</em>), babysitting kids are fewer and only in the summer. After several weeks of thinking about it, here I am. I make no promises to write or post everyday. I have no real plan other than to write when I feel like writing. Maybe that will form into a routine - I do love my routines- and maybe not, but there it is. <em><u>MAN</u></em> that felt good!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-77393299859578943392011-02-01T11:16:00.000-05:002011-02-01T11:16:02.902-05:00Get your free cup of Yopliat!The newly reformulated Yoplait Original yogurt now has two times the calcium of the leading yogurt with 50 percent of the Daily Value in every cup. To celebrate its commitment to calcium, <a href="http://www.yoplait.com/">Yoplait</a> is giving away one million free cups of Yoplait Original! <br />
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<img align="right" border="0" height="201" hspace="10" src="http://cdn-2-service.phanfare.com/images/external/9043192_4976250_120386649_WebSmall_2/0_0_d7e8b5a48267c87f6cc6ccf9f9d61f2c_1" width="170" /><br />
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Visit <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Yoplait">Yoplait's Facebook page</a> to sign up to receive a free cup of Yoplait Original yogurt and make a personal commitment to meeting recommended calcium requirements, each day.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-37134430833110588802011-01-29T13:31:00.000-05:002011-01-29T13:31:11.377-05:00Houston, We Have a Teenager!Today, at 4:57 AM, my oldest son officially became a teenager. Am I really that old?!?!<br />
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While I'm sure the teen years will bring their own set of challenges and obstacles, Matthew is really a good boy and I have every confidence that he will continue to be. I am so proud of the way he has grown and I know he will enjoy his teen years to the fullest. <br />
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I am predicting that our home will now never have enough food to keep him fed and that these next few years will fly by even quicker than the previous years have. I will try to squeeze in every last parenting nugget I can so that my voice will always be in the back of his mind guiding him on his way. We will get on each others' nerves and have arguments over school, driving, friends, chores and much more. I also know, however, that sooner than I think, he will be out with friends and working and I will wonder what happened and where the years went. I will hang on with both hands as we venture forth into this uncharted territory together.<br />
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Happy Birthday, Matthew! We love you!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-23003292613346045452010-12-31T10:16:00.000-05:002010-12-31T10:16:00.780-05:00Happy 2011!!!Wishing each and every one of you a very happy and prosperous 2011!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-45384036450089343102010-12-29T10:07:00.002-05:002010-12-29T10:07:04.136-05:00White Deer VideoHere's a very interesting video about some very interesting deer.<br />
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<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/js/pap/embed.js?inwi10s22a3q81f"></script>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-61881535637785691862010-11-11T09:54:00.000-05:002010-11-11T09:54:49.197-05:00Thank you<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TNwDgHzWe-I/AAAAAAAAC_w/Y3pUd4g4cz4/s1600/September08+118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TNwDgHzWe-I/AAAAAAAAC_w/Y3pUd4g4cz4/s320/September08+118.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you to all of the veterans out there! You are the reason we are here and free! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TNwDJlYxyKI/AAAAAAAAC_s/Lx7RUB53cck/s1600/July09+037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TNwDJlYxyKI/AAAAAAAAC_s/Lx7RUB53cck/s320/July09+037.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">In loving memory of those who gave their lives for our freedom.</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-36642108496030874012010-10-28T09:01:00.000-04:002010-10-28T09:01:50.296-04:00I really have been writing. Just not here.It's been a while, but Football season is just about over here. Well, the season is finally over, no more shoving food in our faces and rushing out the door to practice, but we still have the awards ceremony to get through. <br />
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I am always hoping to have more time to sit down and write... maybe this will be the year??? It's too bad the ubiquitous "they" can't invent something that transfers what we think into a formatted document that I could merge into my blog as I am always writing in my head.<br />
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I truly think I have some form of mental OCD that causes me to compose every daily event in my head as if it were a blog post or part of a book. If I could harness that and transfer it immediately to written words, I'd have tons of fodder for your reading pleasure! Sadly, my mind often goes blank when I sit down to write and I move on to other things. Before you know it, it's bedtime and the whole thing starts over in the morning.<br />
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So I have been writing, just not where anyone can actually read it or comment or anything. Isn't it funny how a hobby like blogging can change the way we view the world or go about our daily lives?Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-11579380146686704062010-09-05T05:30:00.000-04:002010-09-05T05:30:00.464-04:00Sunday Reflection<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">-Sam Keen</span></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-44123370642560419952010-08-29T06:00:00.000-04:002010-08-29T06:00:03.886-04:00Sunday Reflection<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"To me every hour of the day and night is an unspeakably</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">perfect miracle."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">- Walt Whitman</span></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-85838069054763558202010-08-22T06:00:00.001-04:002010-08-22T06:00:05.551-04:00Sunday Reflection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDpe-_Z0BLI/AAAAAAAAC78/MoIP_ahB47s/s1600/2010+238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDpe-_Z0BLI/AAAAAAAAC78/MoIP_ahB47s/s640/2010+238.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-54345235144601222752010-08-15T06:00:00.000-04:002010-08-15T06:00:02.620-04:00Sunday Reflection<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"We cannot hold a torch to light another's path without</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">brightening our own."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">- Ben Sweetland</span></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-62895395741749889862010-08-08T06:01:00.001-04:002010-08-08T06:01:00.412-04:00Sunday Reflection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDpdq8ffMTI/AAAAAAAAC70/AMiDuJt30Lw/s1600/2010+138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDpdq8ffMTI/AAAAAAAAC70/AMiDuJt30Lw/s640/2010+138.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-36807682575713129192010-08-01T06:04:00.004-04:002010-08-01T06:04:00.552-04:00Sunday Reflection<blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"I never worked a day in my life. It was all fun!"</span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">- Thomas Edison</span></div></blockquote>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-15544466180862241952010-07-28T09:51:00.000-04:002010-07-28T09:51:24.231-04:00Visit my food blog today!I'm posting at <a href="http://www.thefatbottomedgirl.blogspot.com/">The Fat Bottomed Girl</a> today! On the menu: <a href="http://thefatbottomedgirl.blogspot.com/2010/07/crispy-golden-fresh-cut-french-fries.html">French Fries</a>!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TFA1jrhEFZI/AAAAAAAAC90/9bvCDAuAj9Q/s1600/Food+141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TFA1jrhEFZI/AAAAAAAAC90/9bvCDAuAj9Q/s320/Food+141.jpg" /></a></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-35639796821472739452010-07-25T06:01:00.001-04:002010-07-25T06:01:00.646-04:00Sunday Reflection<blockquote><b>May the Lord continually bless you with heaven's blessings as<br />
well as with human joys.<br />
- Psalms 128:5</b></blockquote>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-63098354429053013752010-07-18T06:03:00.000-04:002010-07-18T06:03:00.168-04:00Sunday Reflection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDpb-JR01pI/AAAAAAAAC7s/ec2t6vXMCFk/s1600/2010+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDpb-JR01pI/AAAAAAAAC7s/ec2t6vXMCFk/s640/2010+042.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-14069889459184833022010-07-16T11:04:00.000-04:002010-07-16T11:04:03.101-04:00Summertime Tips<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TEB0yS3pbxI/AAAAAAAAC9U/zKrj_tslq98/s1600/august08+139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" hw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TEB0yS3pbxI/AAAAAAAAC9U/zKrj_tslq98/s200/august08+139.jpg" width="200" /></a>Summer has hit the half-way mark, but there is still plenty of warm weather left. I plan on enjoying every minute of it! Today, I'd like to share some various tips that come in very handy in the summertime.</div><br />
1.) <a href="http://all-4-thebest.blogspot.com/2008/08/wfmw-comfortable-summer-sleeping.html">Get Rid of Fruit Flies.</a> It's amazing what you can do with common household items. A dish of cider vinegar on the countertop will get rid of fruit flies!<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">2.)<a href="http://all-4-thebest.blogspot.com/2008/08/wfmw-comfortable-summer-sleeping.html">Comfortable Summer Sleeping</a>. Treat yourself to a luxury with something as simple as baby powder or cornstarch. Sprinkle a little on your bed sheets and relish the comfort!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">3.) Banish Flies! Fill a zip-top bag (the freezer type work the best) 1/3 to 1/2 way with tap water. Place 3 pennies in the bag. Hang bag near a screen door or every 8 feet or so around a picnic area to keep flies away. I had heard this gets rid of flies before, but never believed it until I went to a picnic and saw it work first-hand. I now have one bag near each of my screen doors and the flies are gone!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>4.) Keep your cooler cool without ice packs. This tip is great for those times when you need a completely disposable lunch or if you run out of room for ice packs in your cooler. Freeze part of your lunch! You can freeze all kinds of things that you'd normally take in a lunch and by the time you get to eating/drinking them, they are thawed, but still cold. Freeze grapes, orange slices, almost any kind of berry, bottled water or other drinks and yogurt. You now have a healthy item in your lunch and it helps keep it all chilled to perfection!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-40541014296519981002010-07-15T10:00:00.000-04:002010-07-15T10:00:21.139-04:00What I've been up to...During my long break from blogging, I began doing some family history research. I've put in a lot of hours and made many phone calls. I am hoping to make some trips to the farm that three generations of our family have owned and to several cemeteries and libraries yet this summer and fall. <br />
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I'm in the process of organizing the info I've found (and am still finding) into a book... possibly a couple of books at the rate I'm going. In true modern fashion, though, a website gives instant gratification and makes for an easy way to disseminate the information to everyone at once. I already have a handful of blogs, what's one more? LOL!<br />
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So here is the link to The Hanna Family. It's a site dedicated to my Mom's side of the family. I have only added a few photos at this point, but I have so much more to share and I hope you'll enjoy reading and looking there as much as I have had putting it all together.<br />
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Let me know what you think!<br />
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<a href="http://ohiohanna.blogspot.com/">The Hanna Family</a>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-88976301145645201072010-07-11T06:07:00.001-04:002010-07-11T06:07:00.703-04:00Sunday Reflection<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em>I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">~Helen Keller</span></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-23221462620385234052010-07-10T08:17:00.003-04:002010-07-10T11:54:17.724-04:00'Kung Zhu' Zhu Zhu Pets!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDiR75EhhGI/AAAAAAAAC7M/2YaT4f65xss/s1600/2010+599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDiR75EhhGI/AAAAAAAAC7M/2YaT4f65xss/s320/2010+599.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Remember the 2009 holiday season? You couldn't turn on the television or radio without hearing all about the hot toy called Zhu Zhu Pets. Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles were scouring every toy store and the entire internet in search of the hottest new toy, Zhu Zhu Pets. There is a reason for that craze and it is about to happen all over again with the release of the Kung Zhu Pets. </div><br />
The reason for the craze is that Zhu Zhu Pets are super cute, interactive and fun. They have all the benefits of a real hamster without the maintenance. No food to buy, no mess to clean up. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Thanks to MomSelect.com, my boys and 9 of their friends got the opportunity to test out the new Kung Zhu line from Cepia, LLC., the makers of Zhu Zhu Pets. </div><br />
The Kung Zhu line is geared more towards boys between the ages of 6 and 10, but as you will see, are just as loved by both girls and boys of a larger age group. It gives a whole new dimension to the "Zhu-niverse" and I am excited to see what they have planned for these cute little guys next.<br />
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Our party package included 11 hamsters, armor or tanks for each one and 13 pieces of the Kung Zhu play set. The Kung Zhu Hamsters consist of two teams, Special Forces (think military) and the Ninja Warriors (for the Kung Fu fans). <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The kids couldn't wait to get the play set out, so they dove in and put together the entire play set in about 20 minutes. They did a much better (and quicker) job than I would have and had absolutely no trouble. The play set pieces are simple to assemble, do not require tools and are interchangeable. They can be connected, but many of them can be used as an individual piece.</div><br />
The hamsters come ready to go right out of the package. They maneuver easily through the habitrail-type tunnels and training runs. They make cute little "hi-ya" sounds, marching cadence calls, and bugle calls mixed in with the hamster coos, purrs and squeaks.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Our party was made up of 7 boys and 4 girls between the ages of 4 and 12. They all loved their new furry friends and were even more excited when they were told they got to take their pets home with them. Even my little one-year-old nephew enjoyed chasing the hamsters around! The kids made their Kung Zhu Pets race, compete and play all afternoon (read: hours of entertainment!).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here are the pictures:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDiVMWI6_hI/AAAAAAAAC7c/ZLyo-a311pQ/s1600/2010+6262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDiVMWI6_hI/AAAAAAAAC7c/ZLyo-a311pQ/s200/2010+6262.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDiRim0YnKI/AAAAAAAAC60/Kq7XHkO4crU/s1600/2010+623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDiRim0YnKI/AAAAAAAAC60/Kq7XHkO4crU/s200/2010+623.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDiRXrSgveI/AAAAAAAAC6s/rNjxqaofQcg/s1600/2010+624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDiRXrSgveI/AAAAAAAAC6s/rNjxqaofQcg/s200/2010+624.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDiRszYBPrI/AAAAAAAAC68/sqtNKrOa9Dk/s1600/2010+625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDiRszYBPrI/AAAAAAAAC68/sqtNKrOa9Dk/s200/2010+625.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDiR06zslSI/AAAAAAAAC7E/oHOV33_65ks/s1600/2010+621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDiR06zslSI/AAAAAAAAC7E/oHOV33_65ks/s200/2010+621.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDiTQcM6dtI/AAAAAAAAC7U/fc7zccrri4E/s1600/2010+628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDiTQcM6dtI/AAAAAAAAC7U/fc7zccrri4E/s400/2010+628.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-70967023134606598722010-07-07T13:00:00.001-04:002010-07-08T19:59:26.392-04:00Rose-Petal Jam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDSybfupiWI/AAAAAAAAC6E/XpizzlIXraE/s1600/2010+360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDSybfupiWI/AAAAAAAAC6E/XpizzlIXraE/s320/2010+360.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>Check out my latest recipe posted at The Fat Bottomed Girl: <a href="http://thefatbottomedgirl.blogspot.com/2010/07/rose-petal-jam.html">Rose-Petal Jam</a>!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-47940812355846046342010-07-06T10:06:00.000-04:002010-07-06T10:06:31.044-04:004th of July Boat Parade<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here are some pictures for you to enjoy from the Portage Lakes Boat Parade. The parade isn't very long, but it grows a little bigger each year. The entrants decorate their boats, mostly pontoon boats, and cruise around the lakes waving and throwing candy just like a regular parade. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There were more boats than this, many with cheerleaders, local political figures and kids throwing candy or squirting water, but these are the highlights.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Safety Boat- On the back was a huge sign that read: "Caution. Men NOT Working."</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDM1s3z8FNI/AAAAAAAAC50/i7Ii2nQ1-5U/s1600/2010+468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDM1s3z8FNI/AAAAAAAAC50/i7Ii2nQ1-5U/s320/2010+468.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The Mystery Machine complete with Scooby Doo and Gang.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDM0_UO2aDI/AAAAAAAAC5E/JW41_WU45r8/s1600/2010+484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDM0_UO2aDI/AAAAAAAAC5E/JW41_WU45r8/s320/2010+484.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory- They played the "Oopma-Loompa" song while 'Willy Wonka' zipped around them on a jet ski. There was also a "chocolate" fountain pouring off the back.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDM1GL1VpGI/AAAAAAAAC5M/RVCIbDabmCc/s1600/2010+480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDM1GL1VpGI/AAAAAAAAC5M/RVCIbDabmCc/s320/2010+480.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The Fire Boat</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDM1OhKsluI/AAAAAAAAC5U/xOTSqkd56hk/s1600/2010+479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDM1OhKsluI/AAAAAAAAC5U/xOTSqkd56hk/s320/2010+479.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The Military Tank-</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDM1XMeP2yI/AAAAAAAAC5c/JjPfOLsnwSU/s1600/2010+476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDM1XMeP2yI/AAAAAAAAC5c/JjPfOLsnwSU/s320/2010+476.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Under the Sea- I loved the mermaids on the front!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDM1eam8Z3I/AAAAAAAAC5k/PLRj_TyHXtg/s1600/2010+473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDM1eam8Z3I/AAAAAAAAC5k/PLRj_TyHXtg/s320/2010+473.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">National Parks- This was probably my favorite. Smoky the Bear was on the front, the "wheels" actually turned and on the back was a sign that said: "Go PARKing!" Very cute.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDM1lul92vI/AAAAAAAAC5s/w2_W7zPVPVg/s1600/2010+470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TDM1lul92vI/AAAAAAAAC5s/w2_W7zPVPVg/s320/2010+470.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">What does your community do to celebrate teh 4th?</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-22818555326552312492010-07-04T06:20:00.001-04:002010-07-04T06:20:00.419-04:00Happy Birthday, USA!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TC_hD6PT6DI/AAAAAAAAC40/N9UO7L2mQgU/s1600/2010+423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TC_hD6PT6DI/AAAAAAAAC40/N9UO7L2mQgU/s320/2010+423.jpg" /></a></div>Here's hoping everyone has a happy and healthy Independence Day! Enjoy it with your family and friends.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Take some time to remember those who have fought and died for our freedoms over the centuries. Remember their families left behind. Remember the brave souls who crossed a treacherous sea to find a new and better life, those who took matters into their own hands and formed a nation out of an idea, a handful of colonies and acres of unexplored land. Also remember those who were forced to leave their ancestral lands in the white man's quest for more and how the decisions of people over the ages has forever changed the face of North America.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TC_iPgwObyI/AAAAAAAAC48/yA1wwPRzPTY/s1600/July09+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iEtwjhtlx08/TC_iPgwObyI/AAAAAAAAC48/yA1wwPRzPTY/s320/July09+019.jpg" /></a></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3605593303732248538.post-85832591508471306012010-07-03T07:07:00.000-04:002010-07-03T07:07:00.291-04:00How I lost 10 Lbs. OvernightWhile I have never been one to obsess over my weight, I do try to maintain a healthy one. I never panic if I gain a pound or five and I never, ever ask anyone if something makes me look fat... they may answer with a "yes" after all. :o)<br />
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I try to eat healthy, but I don't deprive myself and I do have a very strong will power. I am notorious for refusing birthday cake and/or ice cream. I like to listen to my body and if I get a craving, I often ask myself if I am truly hungry or simply thirsty. It is almost always the latter.<br />
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With that said, I have a bathroom scale like most American households do. It's a digital one, but not one that talks to you like in the Garfield cartoons. I'm pretty sure I couldn't handle that kind of abuse. I hop on occasionally just to see where I am at. I have a weight range I like to stay in and I would be thrilled if I dipped below that range a bit more, but I don't really 'diet' to get there.<br />
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A couple of weeks ago, we celebrated Steven's 8th birthday with a family party. Some of my family members who are keeping track of their weight loss were contemplating cake and ice cream and took turns on the scale. Mandy suggested that my scale was over by 10 pounds. I hadn't had any problems with it, so I didn't worry about it too much until a few days ago when Matthew (who is 12) said he was so close to hitting 90. He went in to weigh himself and said he was now at 86. Now, no 12 year-old boy under 90 lbs. should be losing 3 lbs. in a day, so I thought maybe the batteries were going out.<br />
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I flipped the scale over to find that the battery cover was popped out slightly and so was the battery. I popped it back in and Matthew stepped on to find that he only weighed 84 lbs. He was disappointed because he's been trying to put on a little more muscle for 7th grade football. What can I say? He got his dad's metabolism for sure!<br />
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The scale issue being resolved, I decided it had been a couple of weeks since I had weighed myself. I've been getting into the upper regions of my ideal range and avoided getting on the scale too often so as not to beat myself up. So I hopped on and held my breath in anticipation. Sure enough, I was 10 lbs. less than I had weighed the last time! I guess Mandy was right and I'm so glad she was! :o)Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10720538592229420776noreply@blogger.com2