tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69396598051525721092024-02-19T01:39:46.113-05:00The Sword and the SteinShannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11015272018218819947noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-84519986680491059712013-10-12T21:47:00.005-04:002013-10-12T21:57:25.010-04:00Helllllllloooooooo, Autumn.<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Shannon</span><br />
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Photo dump of a hayride from today. Click on the pics to enlarge.<br />
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A little bit of Cruncher, as I know you've been Cruncher-starved for months. (Maybe we'll get back to the blogging game. But probably not.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gettin' big, no?</td></tr>
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Call me car-razy, but I find crying babies so stinkin' cute. Emphasis on the "stinkin'."</div>
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Made some friends.</div>
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Hayride, y'all!</div>
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Some scenery.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heaven Hill Distillery, on the ride to the farm</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBfDMfyprHc55s8LKKiI8zRB948VqfLanHOGvuU91FSx4sxM41qN6YVCgac9bYeVASLzHZcqwCT7S_aheuYe-LymnHMs3QdzLI2wu9rhfW_kBeHIB8qvOzlCs_qs9mBP0EFov-mUsTscm/s1600/IMG_0977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBfDMfyprHc55s8LKKiI8zRB948VqfLanHOGvuU91FSx4sxM41qN6YVCgac9bYeVASLzHZcqwCT7S_aheuYe-LymnHMs3QdzLI2wu9rhfW_kBeHIB8qvOzlCs_qs9mBP0EFov-mUsTscm/s640/IMG_0977.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was told by the tractor driver that I missed an eagle in this spot. Daaaang.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZe-vHOw6giBooEJW5PZc_468aRZPFJX9aY2WQNUYLPepb7uFdheqlJSWETzS2ndl3IEZ7Aio3YHIiimJNo0pRJrFTfm6VifdIhyahDWi0VsESzD1H4OJXRgbK4OTsg2epn2UQ5QZOvH1R/s1600/IMG_1009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZe-vHOw6giBooEJW5PZc_468aRZPFJX9aY2WQNUYLPepb7uFdheqlJSWETzS2ndl3IEZ7Aio3YHIiimJNo0pRJrFTfm6VifdIhyahDWi0VsESzD1H4OJXRgbK4OTsg2epn2UQ5QZOvH1R/s640/IMG_1009.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, okay. Ya got me. I think corn is pretty. And I'm a Hoosier. Whatevs. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGXxvm6Kau-J6Kctk3rnCW8dMEnwwVzTBSDI-sXfU42jHIzLSyXLL74V3FU5OWw_tpkQPf6y6P6w-oj3haQPgF2nypQUUP2nQYe9E50-PN4tWE2Aa0q8iBhq7dj5EtNyeLGvFimWiqfnn/s1600/IMG_1021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGXxvm6Kau-J6Kctk3rnCW8dMEnwwVzTBSDI-sXfU42jHIzLSyXLL74V3FU5OWw_tpkQPf6y6P6w-oj3haQPgF2nypQUUP2nQYe9E50-PN4tWE2Aa0q8iBhq7dj5EtNyeLGvFimWiqfnn/s640/IMG_1021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Why do I let them use me like this? Like father, like ... you know that diddy.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">P.S. Selfies should never be taken from beeeeloooow.... Live and learn.</td></tr>
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<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11015272018218819947noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-31859800963848676122013-08-01T21:19:00.001-04:002013-08-01T21:19:53.872-04:00Cruncher Chronicles: How Do You Decide Who to Marry?<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">by Cruncher</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Inspired by <a href="http://dailynewsdig.com/how-do-you-decide-who-to-marry-written-by-kids/" target="_blank">this gem</a>, Cruncher answered the following questions:</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<h2 style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY?</span></h2>
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somebody that does not like yuck stuff ... somebody that has pretty hair.</div>
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<h2 style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">21 because you um maybe when your'e 25 you're gonna have children.</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">by how they look. by how they talk sooooo boring, like teenagers talk boring, or like cool people talk boring. <i>[Editor's note: "cool people" = hipsters?]</i></span></h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?</span></h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">that they look like they are my mommy and daddy and they're not strangers. <i>[Editor's note: So, the only thing we have in common is that he looks like us, and we know each other. Cool.]</i></span></h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?</span></h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">they do boring stuff like go to shops and read books at home while the kids are at a babysitter or their aunt's. <i>[Editor's note: Sounds like a good time!]</i></span></h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?</span></h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;">you could just drink it and just say "e</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: small;">wwwww, this trip's really sour!"</span></span></h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?</span></h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">when ... when you marry them.</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?</span></h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">single because priests do that and God did that. <i>[Editor's note: Ryan's THRILLED.]</i></span></span></h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN’T GET MARRIED?</span></h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">you would just sit along the street and nobody would be with you and moms would have to have babies and the dads won't have babies. </span></span></h2>
<h2 style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?</span></h2>
<div>
you would just say sorry to God and "I'm sorry that I married somebody." <i>[Editor's note: i.e. Go to confession a lot.]</i></div>
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<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD?</b></span></div>
<div>
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<div>
yeah. read it on my facebook! twitter! </div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>WE DON'T HAVE TWITTER.</b></span></div>
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<div>
okay. then don't write twitter.</div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11015272018218819947noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-81425476608551924192013-07-24T19:06:00.000-04:002013-07-24T19:06:06.973-04:00Cruncher Chronicles: Birthday Boy<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Cruncher</span><br />
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for my birthday, i got ninja turtle stuff. and singing in the rain. and wreck it ralph. and a rosary. and some fishing stuff. the end.<br />
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Shannon: That's it? That's all you want to say?<br />
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Cruncher: mmhmm.<br />
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S: Are you sure?<br />
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C: mmhmm. ... say "are you positive."<br />
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S: Are you positive?<br />
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C: mmhmm. ... say "are you ositive."<br />
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S: Are you ositive?<br />
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C: mmhmm. ... say "are you lositive."<br />
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S: Are you lositive?<br />
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C: mmhmm. ... say "are you waldo."<br />
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S: Are you Waldo?<br />
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C: mmhmm. ... [cackles with laughter]<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIy-RyPXL22-fiPo5LDzOKpq7ttrChc4o8ko_xc327reMikbTMSNAvdOSD53zt6dMUX88ToAOJukZ2mS3Z9wlg_GJ2v7qt0HVG2cGks4Kv6bo6Ty4uulo1OO74w4zWI18O3r2cP37E_0/s1600/IMG_0108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIy-RyPXL22-fiPo5LDzOKpq7ttrChc4o8ko_xc327reMikbTMSNAvdOSD53zt6dMUX88ToAOJukZ2mS3Z9wlg_GJ2v7qt0HVG2cGks4Kv6bo6Ty4uulo1OO74w4zWI18O3r2cP37E_0/s640/IMG_0108.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03289713339169797883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-42780011806321793712013-07-23T21:44:00.000-04:002013-07-23T22:06:51.294-04:00D.C. Phone Home<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Shannon</span><br />
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We <a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/07/dc-quinque.html">left off</a> in Morgantown. A junior brewer at <a href="http://www.morgantownbrewing.com/" target="_blank">Morgantown Brewing Company</a> had given us a coffee shop recommendation for the next morning, but we discovered the entire downtown is paid parking. We had no coins, and the coin machines weren't working, so Ryan ended up driving around the block a few times so I could go in and grab us some emergency lattés. The third hotel probably had the nicest rooms out of all three of our stays, but (again!) there was no breakfast included with our stay. Coffee is a must.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWUng6dNcsPsfMEphg_hFGle_QuKN0ixoZl-i2vbSytIZwDsEaz3Iw4-fP1Nv5Eux441Qml2PhmiSTWnGr-MK8OtZUlqdECgr1aIDQxESumAUE5nggDrVFfuMyD3FnjDLfS0RLhOlg8hyphenhyphen/s1600/Starred+Photos29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWUng6dNcsPsfMEphg_hFGle_QuKN0ixoZl-i2vbSytIZwDsEaz3Iw4-fP1Nv5Eux441Qml2PhmiSTWnGr-MK8OtZUlqdECgr1aIDQxESumAUE5nggDrVFfuMyD3FnjDLfS0RLhOlg8hyphenhyphen/s640/Starred+Photos29.jpg" width="348" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out in the last hotel lobby as Daddy packed the car.</td></tr>
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So, we made our way to Charleston, West Virginia. What a lovely place! We had lunch at <a href="http://www.piesandpints.net/" target="_blank">Pies & Pints</a>, which was absolutely fantastic. Probably top-three pizzas we've ever had.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMrVHxURSdVBgM3dKwIV6EIGtGt29Ws7JcGhgesQlh_Z9C5IaFfbx92S3IE2ztuoMKoeHbuikkP8adJKUZvNHKI0_IBc0N_Y0Kp-jJVCvqsRiStGuQ_kSBJr4B_ucOLjbsaLbfjMZoMAl/s1600/IMG_9338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMrVHxURSdVBgM3dKwIV6EIGtGt29Ws7JcGhgesQlh_Z9C5IaFfbx92S3IE2ztuoMKoeHbuikkP8adJKUZvNHKI0_IBc0N_Y0Kp-jJVCvqsRiStGuQ_kSBJr4B_ucOLjbsaLbfjMZoMAl/s640/IMG_9338.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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We walked around their quaint little downtown, enjoying the sights.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DOH! Department of Homer</td></tr>
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Before the final trek home, we stopped off at our final destination — Ryan and my <i>alma mater</i>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDDkHx3xIrBoURf8DK69tVs3dv9C5nTcP6qxRC16afoR3b3kYlI1VOqJS4SGm-eQP1uDFRUUsafSqypooaK6klDwBMF_mRa7wXDdXXHJ3br5MneH-RGaz635J2AfT-UM3-R8oZUHu4Swo/s1600/IMG_9401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDDkHx3xIrBoURf8DK69tVs3dv9C5nTcP6qxRC16afoR3b3kYlI1VOqJS4SGm-eQP1uDFRUUsafSqypooaK6klDwBMF_mRa7wXDdXXHJ3br5MneH-RGaz635J2AfT-UM3-R8oZUHu4Swo/s640/IMG_9401.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morehead State University, Founded 1887</td></tr>
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Ryan and I thought we'd best show Cruncher where his parents fell in love before he gets too angsty and cool to care.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The infamous <a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/p/about.html" target="_blank">gargoyle pose</a>, with Cruncher standing in for Paul.</td></tr>
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Oh, we actually started out at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Old-School-House-Antique-Mall/237362752953751" target="_blank">Old School House Antique Mall</a> in Farmers, Kentucky, before we headed down the highway to Morehead. Ryan and I spent many Saturday afternoons there back in our courtin' days. While we were there, I picked up Amy's early birthday gift — a vintage purse. Ryan actually found it (he's well-trained). They also had a BEEAAUUTIFUL Our Lady cameo, and I very much regret not making it my own.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-q1xVXeW4ycZVgH-RUb2Nq0gI_wzZV4sjQJk2kCS7M8SiM6_dPoJ7opi4zoq7btBZRk-1w5vrYlAApq6jOKzOxpz1njqseuZKDOAOUeeZCCwpFFdwEwUb_O3V8wg26rZOnzGsOyi8Ox4l/s1600/IMG_9393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-q1xVXeW4ycZVgH-RUb2Nq0gI_wzZV4sjQJk2kCS7M8SiM6_dPoJ7opi4zoq7btBZRk-1w5vrYlAApq6jOKzOxpz1njqseuZKDOAOUeeZCCwpFFdwEwUb_O3V8wg26rZOnzGsOyi8Ox4l/s640/IMG_9393.JPG" width="408" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engagement-photo pose reenacted nine years later, shot by Cruncher.</td></tr>
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We ate at our favorite Italian restaurant ever, Melini Cucina, where Ryan and I ordered our standard — fettucini alfredo. And then we were fat, happy and ready to go home. (For more Morehead pictures, click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100145450205061.1073741828.164002017&type=1&l=abb8872b45">here</a>.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLt-rgre_Z0v98w1IJtZeR1Sd_jxkIvAg6jxGkLWRiBPMq5oJ7kDEbhdodz9umHrBTGPon8yEqOxai2oAtpeTr3RKRn-iL-mxNqrlm66uFixu4jd9nN9s0GaNVPi3egh-koyRZp5k4KYGp/s1600/IMG_9406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLt-rgre_Z0v98w1IJtZeR1Sd_jxkIvAg6jxGkLWRiBPMq5oJ7kDEbhdodz9umHrBTGPon8yEqOxai2oAtpeTr3RKRn-iL-mxNqrlm66uFixu4jd9nN9s0GaNVPi3egh-koyRZp5k4KYGp/s640/IMG_9406.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">G'bye, Morehead!</td></tr>
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And our creepy little guy slept with his eyes open, per usual.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nt0RCztfLd5xeoeT0efpTFwpa7-tceSec2tojBh75EwbCNfiYnOyjkDfw2GAupnXzd9-ZskWRzvlSGxaAzFCs71w-cdzZewnTFP4aXy_neaPcFbd0N1TRZ3hQTzKIlCjSomHqc9YM-ve/s1600/IMG_9343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nt0RCztfLd5xeoeT0efpTFwpa7-tceSec2tojBh75EwbCNfiYnOyjkDfw2GAupnXzd9-ZskWRzvlSGxaAzFCs71w-cdzZewnTFP4aXy_neaPcFbd0N1TRZ3hQTzKIlCjSomHqc9YM-ve/s640/IMG_9343.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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That there ends our D.C. trip recap. It only took me about five weeks to post <a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/search/label/D.C.%202013">all six days</a>. Thanks to Jen for the <a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/2013/07/7-posts-in-7-days-a-blogging-challenge.html" target="_blank">inspiration</a> to write every day this week so I can try and catch up our readers on the summer happenins.<br />
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Tomorrow: Cruncher's 6th birthday!!<br />
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<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11015272018218819947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-19771782886095734542013-07-22T19:35:00.000-04:002013-07-22T19:35:15.070-04:00D.C. Quinque<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Shannon</span><br />
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I've been trying for a couple weeks to figure out how to make a slideshow in Blogger, and I. GIVE. UP. If you want to see pictures of the beautiful Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.420947741354111.1073741827.353487204766832&type=1&l=b6b218f053" target="_blank">go to the Facebook page</a>. You might have noticed I posted all the pretties a few days ago.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RwsB0euVc2cmygY03_jqZCmcNNtCj-91Lwz_HKLusaZXC68BwaWw44BIYfR5TKQ65ZB1MbkBWeF_T-QrzrDItl9n47zVvjpejQEA0Irhb8vzzVBMTDw2Wpvwj9FsKvpR56EgEXAfQV58/s1600/Starred+Photos23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RwsB0euVc2cmygY03_jqZCmcNNtCj-91Lwz_HKLusaZXC68BwaWw44BIYfR5TKQ65ZB1MbkBWeF_T-QrzrDItl9n47zVvjpejQEA0Irhb8vzzVBMTDw2Wpvwj9FsKvpR56EgEXAfQV58/s640/Starred+Photos23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I could go on and on and on on on about how beautiful/amazing/gorgeous/inspirational/etc. the basilica was, but you can look at the photos with your own eyes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyJslnT7I-YOne0B9eViRS9YEkMF5tpbJMocgwmKGlhSaLZsiLH982wDlUaQ88macPfiJ5GDUA5aW3ovcfUFmR_ZTMHTCwCJD6wd5pzpkDi4uw8XHdK__WdSNGWbXWiusrJkwVjKi1_nO/s1600/IMG_9098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyJslnT7I-YOne0B9eViRS9YEkMF5tpbJMocgwmKGlhSaLZsiLH982wDlUaQ88macPfiJ5GDUA5aW3ovcfUFmR_ZTMHTCwCJD6wd5pzpkDi4uw8XHdK__WdSNGWbXWiusrJkwVjKi1_nO/s640/IMG_9098.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you've not visited, you should. It was certainly the highlight of our trip.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMySQdhAD8p-jG22WA7GRHgZqfoPmSotv4Zdhs9zZXNoyKL2Y95Brl5AJxB8J9F3hhfrQr4ha1S9buc5dEgF_pPn6-hYyFI40Cv6CTFFdc7VnTOipT1YBpWdLIecRIVJ6Rk5VzHkiUKu9n/s1600/IMG_9163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMySQdhAD8p-jG22WA7GRHgZqfoPmSotv4Zdhs9zZXNoyKL2Y95Brl5AJxB8J9F3hhfrQr4ha1S9buc5dEgF_pPn6-hYyFI40Cv6CTFFdc7VnTOipT1YBpWdLIecRIVJ6Rk5VzHkiUKu9n/s640/IMG_9163.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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We also ate at the cafeteria at the basilica (food was decent but expensive), and we picked up volumes 2 and 3 of <a href="http://catalog.tonini.net/i/85631/542" target="_blank">The Baltimore Catechism</a> for Cruncher. He's a mini theology-machine! Ryan's doing a really fantastic job with his formal catechesis.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJl6XOT8rEPNsZuAtI90VjD5H0ev80PdlarldfRwbTxTXsENk3SWvmUy7an0j9eUQaicIk7JrIa-KnbvP0UXG8A-a_MPAz6wJZCz6b3QahQC4OoZDVYT9h76RJ2ov86w6HUKqWiA6zlc7W/s1600/Starred+Photos24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJl6XOT8rEPNsZuAtI90VjD5H0ev80PdlarldfRwbTxTXsENk3SWvmUy7an0j9eUQaicIk7JrIa-KnbvP0UXG8A-a_MPAz6wJZCz6b3QahQC4OoZDVYT9h76RJ2ov86w6HUKqWiA6zlc7W/s640/Starred+Photos24.jpg" width="384" /></a></div>
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If you remember <a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/06/dc-part-uno.html">way back when</a> I first started posting a review of our D.C. trip, I mentioned we were excited to go and experience a St. Francis of Assisi pilgrimage ... BUUUUUT we didn't get to go. You can't tell much from the few outdoor photos we took, but there was <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2013/06/14/june-13-2013-severe-weather-hypestorm-or-the-real-deal/" target="_blank">a crazy storm system</a> traveling over D.C. that day. We ended up cutting the day short and heading out of D.C. to our third and final hotel. Unfortunately, the storm system never came to a head, so we could have stayed. But I have to admit I was really happy to start making the trek home.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBFbzmVEQFv_rcXKLOaodnkfhul8JQtA68QRV8N24obUEIJxkgH7yAPzu3R4VxFDPRiIqw1kRoFRU-6X5kZUBjNepiTzpsYMyraDN4BFhJHKQ1AKanuwK_9ie2rv3NFcP7yRoSlSA-vC_/s1600/Starred+Photos25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBFbzmVEQFv_rcXKLOaodnkfhul8JQtA68QRV8N24obUEIJxkgH7yAPzu3R4VxFDPRiIqw1kRoFRU-6X5kZUBjNepiTzpsYMyraDN4BFhJHKQ1AKanuwK_9ie2rv3NFcP7yRoSlSA-vC_/s640/Starred+Photos25.jpg" width="348" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traveling back to hotel #2 so we could hop in the car and get to hotel #3.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSY5ZzNr0-amAlJMUZBZrjF0kLDyvQaIZP98E2oA-4uZi-7VxdJgVJADn-vXHj7T5NAt1w_D3l4ouZ-S3HitfxY99HnVfSkXrl3NDa2dWlv86ZlsyslMsWFzMPVlTMoAFdW2aMlvA2qiX/s1600/Starred+Photos26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSY5ZzNr0-amAlJMUZBZrjF0kLDyvQaIZP98E2oA-4uZi-7VxdJgVJADn-vXHj7T5NAt1w_D3l4ouZ-S3HitfxY99HnVfSkXrl3NDa2dWlv86ZlsyslMsWFzMPVlTMoAFdW2aMlvA2qiX/s640/Starred+Photos26.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving through <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sideling_Hill" target="_blank">Sideling Hill</a> for the second time. We conveniently saw a <br />display on it at the Natural History Museum. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxatN9ecin3Vll5GHXKi5SWX-7zNiFwXlHxZhXOUI11Pfn2xW2rba1jpkDOnUFscGo3OdzRnEQxWkfCGJ6oI4d3T7z5ALuwFCAGrKnvWCQgtDEhjkX-K1v-LcmA6E6wBmy-2rkBIM-OUtK/s1600/IMG_9322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxatN9ecin3Vll5GHXKi5SWX-7zNiFwXlHxZhXOUI11Pfn2xW2rba1jpkDOnUFscGo3OdzRnEQxWkfCGJ6oI4d3T7z5ALuwFCAGrKnvWCQgtDEhjkX-K1v-LcmA6E6wBmy-2rkBIM-OUtK/s640/IMG_9322.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beacon of light at our final overnight stop, Morgantown, West Virginia. <br />What a sad, sad town. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaTMPDeiPO_LvjWbqnI2jZXTFxc-lqbEHKT1_N25_qs20K3gA0MMRj6RaJv5KKMzkWv_G9J6oTheNQOEVZE1GgRS3UzNwLnWyd9L-Gl7pF66f8LTL3KkaJSlHMNQQtr6CblJynSFn0JX-/s1600/IMG_9269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaTMPDeiPO_LvjWbqnI2jZXTFxc-lqbEHKT1_N25_qs20K3gA0MMRj6RaJv5KKMzkWv_G9J6oTheNQOEVZE1GgRS3UzNwLnWyd9L-Gl7pF66f8LTL3KkaJSlHMNQQtr6CblJynSFn0JX-/s640/IMG_9269.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruncher's best souvenir from D.C. — first-time freckles. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrcOXZTh4atNIhRdtxkrs1Jwh0X-nv3EaO_6r4aBPPpKx6UyISx6avfu8C3Bj0Mfx7A82X-uWB3Xv0FKi2_dYi-3pZlPWqZZKO2NYpfPqHtSSL6ElxnMXUZGpfQDoPJKfbS4mR-VH1wUZ/s1600/IMG_9320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrcOXZTh4atNIhRdtxkrs1Jwh0X-nv3EaO_6r4aBPPpKx6UyISx6avfu8C3Bj0Mfx7A82X-uWB3Xv0FKi2_dYi-3pZlPWqZZKO2NYpfPqHtSSL6ElxnMXUZGpfQDoPJKfbS4mR-VH1wUZ/s640/IMG_9320.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The <a href="http://www.morgantownbrewing.com/" target="_blank">restaurant/brewery</a> where we ate in Morgantown, one of the few good things offered. Food was great, beer was good, service was fantastic. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5DF4zxb9-oiXpVI375PYVwqB0852xgzOLs7CG9PNlNTJkK4ZcGwwPzL8xEOSbDFXchyphenhyphenPsvd-g0OKAbxs-iJmFTF0sM45uZyABMxmKGHFmRPfPnvvLJiUMBJ6oL3iOAt72skF2aM6CY5G/s1600/Starred+Photos27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5DF4zxb9-oiXpVI375PYVwqB0852xgzOLs7CG9PNlNTJkK4ZcGwwPzL8xEOSbDFXchyphenhyphenPsvd-g0OKAbxs-iJmFTF0sM45uZyABMxmKGHFmRPfPnvvLJiUMBJ6oL3iOAt72skF2aM6CY5G/s640/Starred+Photos27.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I may not enjoy the taste of beer (typically), but there's something about <br />photographing beer that I enjoy. Weird?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAjkIm8bzpKs5JeigtJLpWQ3stOqNn26KGWtGeYsxBMDM3iDelFHLNJejM3ilWRw9tkH_c1Z3h_LqR8bzF-rwOghQUTr5Uq6WnZWgWDLR9b-hZupRRVB8At9LFMRN1w-5-ip1yzsIEKeA/s1600/Starred+Photos28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAjkIm8bzpKs5JeigtJLpWQ3stOqNn26KGWtGeYsxBMDM3iDelFHLNJejM3ilWRw9tkH_c1Z3h_LqR8bzF-rwOghQUTr5Uq6WnZWgWDLR9b-hZupRRVB8At9LFMRN1w-5-ip1yzsIEKeA/s640/Starred+Photos28.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A study in an expert at work.</td></tr>
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I'm gonna hop on Jen Fulwiler's bandwagon and hang on tight for the <a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/2013/07/7-posts-in-7-days-a-blogging-challenge.html" target="_blank">Seven Posts in Seven Days</a> challenge. I have sooooo many things we've done this summer that still need to put put on the blog, and summer's almost over! Tomorrow, I'll post the last day of our D.C. trip (if you follow on the Facebook page, you've seen <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100145450205061.1073741828.164002017&type=1&l=abb8872b45" target="_blank">pictures</a> from that day). And maybe we'll even hear from <a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/07/cruncher-chronicles-dragon-and.html">our resident adventure writer</a> and birthday boy this week.<br />
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<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11015272018218819947noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-81407424834325933162013-07-13T21:35:00.000-04:002013-07-18T21:57:47.305-04:00Cruncher Chronicles: Big Tooth Gap<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Shannon</span><br />
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We now interrupt your irregularly scheduled Washington, D.C., recap for breaking news. Cruncher has ... less ability to crunch (rimshot pun courtesy of BFF Ames).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VCRaPiRJOWRH816v2BH4ZVCpEXO3RME0TyQSWWBdyaXowy46M-B8f2-vDCDT0WVuzhSQd0lukf3iVK8iBI7Y9Wy6DwzTUhf6oWPVlveMQ6QPEQhee8QRKoRH8O2mWBdAM05crFl5nlc/s1600/Starred+Photos21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VCRaPiRJOWRH816v2BH4ZVCpEXO3RME0TyQSWWBdyaXowy46M-B8f2-vDCDT0WVuzhSQd0lukf3iVK8iBI7Y9Wy6DwzTUhf6oWPVlveMQ6QPEQhee8QRKoRH8O2mWBdAM05crFl5nlc/s640/Starred+Photos21.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before, before, before and after. That tooth had to come out before bed, <br />
for I was certain he would swallow it in his sleep.</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HvrP8qEP7rdv2G8ZscjbWkpIgOp3m4cNj1YhsOFUI7mnNqbPC3vqVblkMCLB4k2eLOhIASglfd8Rcc9pdpXsTZff9wl5zBqAaMIzAydgH7KJPRnwW34s0jVHvfpJrbB3X2Qrbd1gHag/s1600/Starred+Photos22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HvrP8qEP7rdv2G8ZscjbWkpIgOp3m4cNj1YhsOFUI7mnNqbPC3vqVblkMCLB4k2eLOhIASglfd8Rcc9pdpXsTZff9wl5zBqAaMIzAydgH7KJPRnwW34s0jVHvfpJrbB3X2Qrbd1gHag/s640/Starred+Photos22.jpg" width="448" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amy and The Artist Formerly Known as Cruncher. I'm glad he likes yogurt. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Two teeth lost in one week. Four total teeth lost before the big 6th birthday. Something something too big too fast something.<br />
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<br />
<br />Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03289713339169797883noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-23326030918675096152013-07-04T22:43:00.003-04:002013-07-23T21:45:09.912-04:00D.C. Vier<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Shannon</span><br />
<br />
<br />
So, really, I'm not blogging. I'm just watching <i>October Baby</i>, Cruncher is watching the four separate amateur firework displays out the front window since it's too noisy to sleep, and Ryan's over at a friend's house drankin' some biers. While I'm completely distracted by the film, I'll load these pictures in and give them crap captions. What better way to celebrate independence than with pictures of our visit to the nation's capitol? I totally waited weeks to post these pictures FOR THAT VERY REASON. Promise.<br />
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLaCEtqjCg0floSGCLDBzvMrvoq5uqvPXYLCOJ9PKJ0-GRSiEbtRPIZf_CX5JpNrWctZAMG8GJ-5i13Zxl_-Dmbh6wyTHalmEint9ciQzZD2bv6X0EcOwjUha79e0tZrKaGqJ93JoKuG5/s1600/Starred+Photos12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLaCEtqjCg0floSGCLDBzvMrvoq5uqvPXYLCOJ9PKJ0-GRSiEbtRPIZf_CX5JpNrWctZAMG8GJ-5i13Zxl_-Dmbh6wyTHalmEint9ciQzZD2bv6X0EcOwjUha79e0tZrKaGqJ93JoKuG5/s640/Starred+Photos12.jpg" width="410" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clockwise from top left: On the Metro (no injuries sustained), some building, <br />
one of our destinations by foot (Cap Hill), walkin' with Daddy, and posin' suave.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGu1AMta40ByQgJHdWZ77dUV0Bgk6uBDrBsQJ_4CwKWY9GYXUu3apCdIKa6uIrEtZYj7OoSaj7Kqph08DIw60-FXWAIKgMLTakoj2GqJINsPLceYzffN2RKOph2Qc_LvXCiJz_ykFvwtb/s1600/Starred+Photos13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGu1AMta40ByQgJHdWZ77dUV0Bgk6uBDrBsQJ_4CwKWY9GYXUu3apCdIKa6uIrEtZYj7OoSaj7Kqph08DIw60-FXWAIKgMLTakoj2GqJINsPLceYzffN2RKOph2Qc_LvXCiJz_ykFvwtb/s640/Starred+Photos13.jpg" width="410" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got there! It was quite a walk. And Cruncher is quite the trooper.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPxeHJq3GB1qbZGXO027l7qZEr_UuNBZPG7G9ESbRBIjXg7GDTwx__l6f_0eN6sVvK3zOZarTbW9hFcpFjsfouWNCb67wVZabjtV3aFe__WFS5EiFeCwhUiJdP7Q6nkuNEcYyWteCZzH6/s1600/IMG_8894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPxeHJq3GB1qbZGXO027l7qZEr_UuNBZPG7G9ESbRBIjXg7GDTwx__l6f_0eN6sVvK3zOZarTbW9hFcpFjsfouWNCb67wVZabjtV3aFe__WFS5EiFeCwhUiJdP7Q6nkuNEcYyWteCZzH6/s640/IMG_8894.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very few people will understand this photo. I wish I didn't. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZXU8uVk43S-ZCQgKwhXyWIe4FA1lPzoDDeO9KOhtyMy_bz6kEwA5YNQGbX0gzi9s1mMUFNSsTzA4Kk09rkm8Xyh0iXa94Zi2pxYUVkD8SYMcmaZRXpn7X8x_86pkKlmJ7rrGDIt4HX4V/s1600/Starred+Photos14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZXU8uVk43S-ZCQgKwhXyWIe4FA1lPzoDDeO9KOhtyMy_bz6kEwA5YNQGbX0gzi9s1mMUFNSsTzA4Kk09rkm8Xyh0iXa94Zi2pxYUVkD8SYMcmaZRXpn7X8x_86pkKlmJ7rrGDIt4HX4V/s640/Starred+Photos14.jpg" width="410" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Air and Space museum. Top left is the docent we evaded. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXriGxLEj4z8kmh7YGF7aIdpg-p4icPeScrbAYYRTOkuTZSbXeXeJbjQNjRNnNVnx5bz8sYLpWPZBVwQjFWDS6evMVb2lqxIQ33uQNazpam1xMBcCt2wR6mWZSUEw7_4i_AaLP6d8GuK_/s1600/Starred+Photos15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXriGxLEj4z8kmh7YGF7aIdpg-p4icPeScrbAYYRTOkuTZSbXeXeJbjQNjRNnNVnx5bz8sYLpWPZBVwQjFWDS6evMVb2lqxIQ33uQNazpam1xMBcCt2wR6mWZSUEw7_4i_AaLP6d8GuK_/s640/Starred+Photos15.jpg" width="410" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Things that fly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyNHeu5WGSKodAfsHacCEw56b6we5dEgrHPQF7GDjfJi2opXgcNNXfJftr5rpc6r61tiogrwiuYXeamakd-3lmih6-2q7kDKvmMwNjcFFUhYxv1KK_WffQ8DGxQLPsIADkafiKLUheiSz/s1417/IMG_8936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyNHeu5WGSKodAfsHacCEw56b6we5dEgrHPQF7GDjfJi2opXgcNNXfJftr5rpc6r61tiogrwiuYXeamakd-3lmih6-2q7kDKvmMwNjcFFUhYxv1KK_WffQ8DGxQLPsIADkafiKLUheiSz/s640/IMG_8936.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By Cruncher.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRn9maWHVYKfBC8Zou6NDcvo6s7A3TSML7V4KkE46FpXXyPUoITeMdA_zMbLqm1Zld4c9QhP6XA_GOeJk9_JhS2KXHhMqJMSsxDGRy0JVar6cUfWTL_r7FN04hMyrkepyjTrjYyde4Ul8J/s1600/Starred+Photos16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRn9maWHVYKfBC8Zou6NDcvo6s7A3TSML7V4KkE46FpXXyPUoITeMdA_zMbLqm1Zld4c9QhP6XA_GOeJk9_JhS2KXHhMqJMSsxDGRy0JVar6cUfWTL_r7FN04hMyrkepyjTrjYyde4Ul8J/s640/Starred+Photos16.jpg" width="410" /></a></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyl03z2OQh-AGRwrEAjQ3udeVoQZRpoeGIi6-Rt4rmMZXgTKOXpHdom0U9gTFfgrQW4qSP_Udn9zT5_8wlRvqiajrfb_586E_89jlTbE5zh1of7ZyzT3N6bqPkaz3bFJPMZ3hUzzyGZcY/s1600/Starred+Photos17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyl03z2OQh-AGRwrEAjQ3udeVoQZRpoeGIi6-Rt4rmMZXgTKOXpHdom0U9gTFfgrQW4qSP_Udn9zT5_8wlRvqiajrfb_586E_89jlTbE5zh1of7ZyzT3N6bqPkaz3bFJPMZ3hUzzyGZcY/s640/Starred+Photos17.jpg" width="410" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then we went to the National Zoo again, where I took amazing photos. <br />
Or not. These pictures were on display at the Natural History museum. <br />
You can see the florescent lights reflecting off the prints. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAQhqs6yF-2PI5GqBHyrIXuqbK5N-WnfsUPX46-g2Sb7yMD0TsIwZuYHjznekqc6vvGYHlYNNDmUktrFp5FF6ByEXwiwN3PoE9IvaM9aWSvmmaEklwB7qdUNt3Xmzudg1ct3325QDT9iL/s1600/Starred+Photos18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAQhqs6yF-2PI5GqBHyrIXuqbK5N-WnfsUPX46-g2Sb7yMD0TsIwZuYHjznekqc6vvGYHlYNNDmUktrFp5FF6ByEXwiwN3PoE9IvaM9aWSvmmaEklwB7qdUNt3Xmzudg1ct3325QDT9iL/s640/Starred+Photos18.jpg" width="448" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy shows Cruncher how it's done.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1mH2QKTj7CrxiNPAFJ9QJVjy0f4pXs0A9tvrXRtkHchNPsyPRYLeYJMCh_0WegA0jO6EveVt-Y48d3dP7tQEWlf5oSlqyY-ELi0RnR2020eBBQjTWVSSobok7En14NyggtWxO-aMBCQU/s1600/Starred+Photos19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1mH2QKTj7CrxiNPAFJ9QJVjy0f4pXs0A9tvrXRtkHchNPsyPRYLeYJMCh_0WegA0jO6EveVt-Y48d3dP7tQEWlf5oSlqyY-ELi0RnR2020eBBQjTWVSSobok7En14NyggtWxO-aMBCQU/s640/Starred+Photos19.jpg" width="448" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinosaurs and fossils and stuff.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOe9Y2nekqIbnzOr4GWpnNWzxH-s0p7IlIuW93kYSmeD6tooNuzT8o2cLrVX8GR1RoBJfPj3svIyPmrFB0KBaj242raFcGtoYDgtXLDIMsh6JZn3tCUW_7T40HCMepHSbIYsYkkDOtgnNk/s1122/IMG_8947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOe9Y2nekqIbnzOr4GWpnNWzxH-s0p7IlIuW93kYSmeD6tooNuzT8o2cLrVX8GR1RoBJfPj3svIyPmrFB0KBaj242raFcGtoYDgtXLDIMsh6JZn3tCUW_7T40HCMepHSbIYsYkkDOtgnNk/s640/IMG_8947.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water in tow. Obama needs to do something about the grass. Sheesh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQE_V0W5tg7m8XyOCsDKPrggOD1461aAgGZIOx0CJx3q-B0i2yHjy-85DvfdzZQLLdl-suneXXIQ1q07v5E0URQLO0KqBfCUtzLPh398oFfaXz_d3wvcj2I_saKggTNef40UAKZ1q879N/s1600/Starred+Photos20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQE_V0W5tg7m8XyOCsDKPrggOD1461aAgGZIOx0CJx3q-B0i2yHjy-85DvfdzZQLLdl-suneXXIQ1q07v5E0URQLO0KqBfCUtzLPh398oFfaXz_d3wvcj2I_saKggTNef40UAKZ1q879N/s640/Starred+Photos20.jpg" width="348" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treasury, White House (where he kept all the good grass for himself), <br />
and the beautiful Eisenhower Executive Office Building</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11015272018218819947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-79482294795429408762013-07-03T20:27:00.000-04:002013-07-03T22:04:04.004-04:00Cruncher Chronicles: The Dragon and the Superheroes<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Cruncher</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9MfBS0yJebahXYB7ikbpdXoWe4ULU0RS8P5CQ8EVMR-UdrhuBsSkhEpBNUk8E8yKtQXRAC_RPpnPeZ3K7Fo4eQ1UgSqnbzRgcfWjhzl9oCc8aT1oQNueQODBm4f3o3ITbgUljxJ8gBNe/s1600/IMG_8756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9MfBS0yJebahXYB7ikbpdXoWe4ULU0RS8P5CQ8EVMR-UdrhuBsSkhEpBNUk8E8yKtQXRAC_RPpnPeZ3K7Fo4eQ1UgSqnbzRgcfWjhzl9oCc8aT1oQNueQODBm4f3o3ITbgUljxJ8gBNe/s400/IMG_8756.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
once a fire dragon ruled the world. but ironman saved the day. and he said, "Tony! I forgot to blog your post."<br />
<br />
"yeah, but this suit that I made had, like, bad news because he said 'I ... I ... can defeat that dragon and I can pick him up.'"<br />
<br />
but the hulk helped him. and wolverine helped him. and then they defeated the dragon. but. he defensed him and he got the hang of it.<br />
<br />
the apostrophe was trapped in a villain. dragons that were really evil. but he was a fire-breathing dragon, and he's trying to be in disguise, and then only ironman and hulk was trying to get the dragon. and then they got it. and then he got the people that got the dragon got back to the dragon, and then, this is still not the end.<br />
<br />
and he forgot to get his armor on. his special armor, and then he almost got killed, but the hulk saved the day. and then he was looking at the hulk and he said, "you're a good superhero. I wish I had you around. but you still don't need to get me. because you could get somebody else on your own with the other dragons. and then you can rule the world, but not this place."<br />
<br />
and then he got a nerf gun and shooted him. PEW! PEW! PEW! and then he had a lot of guns and a cannonball. because he had to get that dragon because one of his superheroes was in it and then the dragon got the superhero and got him out of the dragon. and then the dragon got some soup that he ate, but he still didn't eat it all.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw78eoG_fR4Spy08P-rXBJ9NgqD9Wq-wxQM47T-fOTdYzp2s0KDY6h8nM1oncP9-20lP6KxE0WzbknNivZZvikQeVjs5ayeZnv_zP16ma0uEfOuPJdci8o1VAl8lBw0ic4w4QTAL_iQqGH/s1600/IMG_8772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw78eoG_fR4Spy08P-rXBJ9NgqD9Wq-wxQM47T-fOTdYzp2s0KDY6h8nM1oncP9-20lP6KxE0WzbknNivZZvikQeVjs5ayeZnv_zP16ma0uEfOuPJdci8o1VAl8lBw0ic4w4QTAL_iQqGH/s400/IMG_8772.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
and this is still not the end. still. it's gonna be a long time before this ends.<br />
<br />
and then. and then. there's a nerf gun that's here like this. *shoots nerf gun* and then he got back wolverine and then wolverine was trying to get a dragoncat. and then soon he's gonna get a horse by defending his self and his army. and then he had to defend all the droids that were really bad.<br />
<br />
and then he haded to do graduation and then he was all done with school and then he got to be a superhero. but. he still didn't have luck because he got the powerful guy in the world and his dark lord.<br />
<br />
i know i made up this story, but not the characters. except dark lord.<br />
<br />
and then Tony said, "can I please see you on Facebook? soon?" but his horse was really just tired so he got the horse back into the cage and he got to get his own space, but he didn't do it all. he did it by himself. so he got some water and then he turned into a real superhero. and then he got to be a superhero again.<br />
<br />
THE END.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDAMs2NkzFPgBk_lIYiBWY58yt1IH5PJxsgaJCmeRpIGmEM73KVHEX8zaJczX0IVz_BH8ZfP9zhdUrFEaFt10jg1vg37Yd1sIX8C8HxLTUW1W0mxMe3WGmHmf0eGW1lXB51n6RL1uLsp5/s1600/IMG_8762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDAMs2NkzFPgBk_lIYiBWY58yt1IH5PJxsgaJCmeRpIGmEM73KVHEX8zaJczX0IVz_BH8ZfP9zhdUrFEaFt10jg1vg37Yd1sIX8C8HxLTUW1W0mxMe3WGmHmf0eGW1lXB51n6RL1uLsp5/s640/IMG_8762.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11015272018218819947noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-48396693613617495592013-07-02T21:40:00.000-04:002013-07-23T21:45:20.758-04:00D.C. Trois<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Shannon</span><br />
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Day 3. We'd recovered from <a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/07/dc-dos.html" target="_blank">Day 2's</a> disasters. I again would be schmoozing and gabbing and learning and eating, and the guys went to the National Zoo. Just so happened that the zoo was in walking distance of our fancy-schmancy conference hotel, plus it's free, so that worked out nicely.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclyzwx1xT7ouQ3DDnkfwcQRBsMUiBnlJynyvyWebzFRKsrdkbWMcSJuO8nPD4opNOtHQHoTNPGjmQ0rLYRoIvXWPD61PH4L4UALQtPXz8F7jOB21sT-Qh5PuNDNTIPFHY2yLGX0Bfb48y/s1600/IMG_8834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclyzwx1xT7ouQ3DDnkfwcQRBsMUiBnlJynyvyWebzFRKsrdkbWMcSJuO8nPD4opNOtHQHoTNPGjmQ0rLYRoIvXWPD61PH4L4UALQtPXz8F7jOB21sT-Qh5PuNDNTIPFHY2yLGX0Bfb48y/s640/IMG_8834.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruncher is still talking about the panda, but Ryan said he wasn't too friendly. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpiYeW-TAj8IB838nJlmEDVs3dE_eQsbBrvoK8e-eX_azmgw-MhB9-gXHQG2N57FSSmZCbNlWfLEIR0bcKRNqSJeUi5vXN7lyXx4fIoWZmuiul9kb4ag3Wm0PCLRQaWeVweftd9gclgnC/s1600/IMG_8831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpiYeW-TAj8IB838nJlmEDVs3dE_eQsbBrvoK8e-eX_azmgw-MhB9-gXHQG2N57FSSmZCbNlWfLEIR0bcKRNqSJeUi5vXN7lyXx4fIoWZmuiul9kb4ag3Wm0PCLRQaWeVweftd9gclgnC/s640/IMG_8831.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy wanted to make friends, though. Ryan said the otters looked like rats, but were still oddly cute.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dkdoOsB5VTxuAoRQiciXhk916i_J0c12LVM726RV9-lumlnFWpqSKxCJym51NqPRZNWOPvFMgCDaxfqjnbqc_V4SiM5Um4Fwa9xA0aiq9Xni9nkYebOVj-izXTRL_IVpBWZ28MuzCflS/s1600/Starred+Photos10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dkdoOsB5VTxuAoRQiciXhk916i_J0c12LVM726RV9-lumlnFWpqSKxCJym51NqPRZNWOPvFMgCDaxfqjnbqc_V4SiM5Um4Fwa9xA0aiq9Xni9nkYebOVj-izXTRL_IVpBWZ28MuzCflS/s640/Starred+Photos10.jpg" width="384" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Other dudes. Bottom right: The bird is perched on his sign.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfz63C9rSF7KYz5BVGpsJUI_30kjIOJEWrXAdRgmYUY2Kmt_5MMDfEfW2BX5pEPyfqwuiLSuwO8oco6KrkymwD2so8H0JlyvlAvVp_hFJ1vmBaJhloNI72OPvcWks5D6w-BwURimuoDIok/s1600/IMG_8848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfz63C9rSF7KYz5BVGpsJUI_30kjIOJEWrXAdRgmYUY2Kmt_5MMDfEfW2BX5pEPyfqwuiLSuwO8oco6KrkymwD2so8H0JlyvlAvVp_hFJ1vmBaJhloNI72OPvcWks5D6w-BwURimuoDIok/s640/IMG_8848.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where they ate lunch. Some random "Irish" <a href="http://nannyobriens.com/" target="_blank">pub</a>. It was somewhat north of good food.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDnK-zxJj-Qw_0Y38KcCIcb1WCTo_8LqrVeuEknEx_8q_B2gaVCw5S10ozN6Yes1UTswD-V5NWYJyPYEAOQq-__UTbqJxqGz2oOSnDGv4KW3F6VnVwm13i3k-T0hA6VaBjDZ2COrwyDEV/s1600/Starred+Photos11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDnK-zxJj-Qw_0Y38KcCIcb1WCTo_8LqrVeuEknEx_8q_B2gaVCw5S10ozN6Yes1UTswD-V5NWYJyPYEAOQq-__UTbqJxqGz2oOSnDGv4KW3F6VnVwm13i3k-T0hA6VaBjDZ2COrwyDEV/s640/Starred+Photos11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding the Metro to our second hotel.</td></tr>
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Actually, before the zoo excursion that morning, Ryan loaded the car and drove up to our second hotel in Rockville, Maryland. Then the two of them rode the Metro back to the zoo so we could all ride on the Metro after the conference closed. We didn't want to drive in D.C. during rush-hour traffic and figured this was a good solution.<br />
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We arrived at our second hotel at around 6 p.m., checked in, and grabbed our keys. Ryan went to unload our stuff, and Cruncher and I headed up to the room to settle in ... where I opened the door to a trashed and inhabited room with soft music playing and clothes all over the floor. Yeah. The front desk clerks were floored when I told them what happened, and by the time we checked out Thursday, management still hadn't figured out what went wrong. The manager apologized and let me know next time we're in D.C., he'll take care of our stay. Not quite sure what that means, but I don't see us coming back soon.<br />
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Three days left in Family Trip Review 2013!<br />
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<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11015272018218819947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-28024242731315195322013-07-01T22:15:00.001-04:002013-07-23T21:45:29.239-04:00D.C. Deux<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Shannon</span><br />
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Basically a photo dump from Day 2 in D.C. I spent the first couple days in seminars, eating free food and schmoozing, so this post is just the guys, perdy much.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">DAY 1</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtFiHkFrrbYmpTo41dsno3zkv2UgjHw4Nj9wn-y3C682IdVwwyzEvwHQPK_2skc_F7b7d1MYgKP-evz66fMbSxnJKOUXXTqDWuzBqkv04ZE0rcFtA-QdMpCPw_c4wSd6aqvwysDK3bay2/s1600/IMG_8825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtFiHkFrrbYmpTo41dsno3zkv2UgjHw4Nj9wn-y3C682IdVwwyzEvwHQPK_2skc_F7b7d1MYgKP-evz66fMbSxnJKOUXXTqDWuzBqkv04ZE0rcFtA-QdMpCPw_c4wSd6aqvwysDK3bay2/s640/IMG_8825.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our hotel room. You can see the Washington Monument off on the left,<br />
in scaffolding due to earthquake damage. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3P6A93Ug2bprMsyKubbvtJtKM7I3CddYFsruKtpaqScnjYp8Xm4B9af_jwb1RgXCBB1Xq79BnLeZ24t-ET-JZJxhKtt3kxaT6b-tucxOMGRnAWkdT1MItGwMqJxYh_e9UHj4tQhYTUqv/s1600/IMG_8793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3P6A93Ug2bprMsyKubbvtJtKM7I3CddYFsruKtpaqScnjYp8Xm4B9af_jwb1RgXCBB1Xq79BnLeZ24t-ET-JZJxhKtt3kxaT6b-tucxOMGRnAWkdT1MItGwMqJxYh_e9UHj4tQhYTUqv/s640/IMG_8793.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While I wasted away in seminars, Ryan and Cruncher walked to the<br />
Capitol Building, and then off to the <a href="http://www.newseum.org/" target="_blank">Newseum</a>. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBbrtmjxJXO3JnUvU3zMgQCDGUJWUoJ9jJBOGopqDPWfG1PsAygaZOReXXFCNA3QvPsb3Z5Tv4r1wfhQmp9f1aOFVnxcmHM92eDzgYULNJIcjHyOvRBhYbC_UNzbwHzi0gexh1wuaZtRf/s1600/Starred+Photos4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBbrtmjxJXO3JnUvU3zMgQCDGUJWUoJ9jJBOGopqDPWfG1PsAygaZOReXXFCNA3QvPsb3Z5Tv4r1wfhQmp9f1aOFVnxcmHM92eDzgYULNJIcjHyOvRBhYbC_UNzbwHzi0gexh1wuaZtRf/s640/Starred+Photos4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the Newseum balcony (Canandian embassy on the one side, Pennsylvania Avenue in front).</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIMdfsg2EjOIvgFqPLznakdNcYi0tcsvYi6VfqHNXgJqVnNC65zxRV3DpsGL2UCLhaB1YI5nk337KKkdJeafIGdMOCBm-ROdJuSJNECZR9WNJP90HxKSzS2NMxvw6zCLRObrXu4Ww7XU1/s1600/Starred+Photos3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIMdfsg2EjOIvgFqPLznakdNcYi0tcsvYi6VfqHNXgJqVnNC65zxRV3DpsGL2UCLhaB1YI5nk337KKkdJeafIGdMOCBm-ROdJuSJNECZR9WNJP90HxKSzS2NMxvw6zCLRObrXu4Ww7XU1/s640/Starred+Photos3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Ryan TOOK PHOTOS in the bathroom because he got a kick out of real (goofy) newspaper headlines on tile. SO HE TOOK PICTURES. WITH A CAMERA. IN THE BATHROOM. Weirdo. </td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1ij84dO3J6qmPaDjuMyu46f370lSgXQ1jmi9RTHkdtTTiHcILkjQ3u9ss7CiXcT-M5Ie4wYmgCs9n0KFUjmzRQ6WKiG4SuUOwAPgAoOTodQtl95WY4plr_D5xM2re5zCap7e985e2L1q/s1600/Starred+Photos5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1ij84dO3J6qmPaDjuMyu46f370lSgXQ1jmi9RTHkdtTTiHcILkjQ3u9ss7CiXcT-M5Ie4wYmgCs9n0KFUjmzRQ6WKiG4SuUOwAPgAoOTodQtl95WY4plr_D5xM2re5zCap7e985e2L1q/s640/Starred+Photos5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Some stinkin' cute kid on TV.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Qh8w_1DWQI8wcR5ouP-4DLwb-tZHu7BiJgsKRkvVpQIgFczN2vzGaNq8eBFO_x-LqNYJ-234CFl14SzblgzIFKB2qg-tOvhauLrv2fF96Z0cMBaxXx-97QFRykdpPYhhuNd0zeNddYMR/s1600/IMG_8811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Qh8w_1DWQI8wcR5ouP-4DLwb-tZHu7BiJgsKRkvVpQIgFczN2vzGaNq8eBFO_x-LqNYJ-234CFl14SzblgzIFKB2qg-tOvhauLrv2fF96Z0cMBaxXx-97QFRykdpPYhhuNd0zeNddYMR/s640/IMG_8811.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TV broadcast antenna from Ground Zero.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXhGORAw7MXj15pAvspJo2weMpEd0fjC28dLxND7IDUY1un2DHGmvlPDJgobIdJAQi8s0jMkRFxHN9AJEyfy29uA7NQmtoKW9-1s3Ow6pV8YvxLtvs1o7bJCsWaUUWl4Y4Lxf33-80HNi/s1600/IMG_8817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXhGORAw7MXj15pAvspJo2weMpEd0fjC28dLxND7IDUY1un2DHGmvlPDJgobIdJAQi8s0jMkRFxHN9AJEyfy29uA7NQmtoKW9-1s3Ow6pV8YvxLtvs1o7bJCsWaUUWl4Y4Lxf33-80HNi/s640/IMG_8817.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Unabomer's cabin. Yeah.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRj3GD1bXmhRDp_tu75nLCVu71JkzEOnniQFURKenVeEMcnIi74FTEt6-GCe_-qIssLL4a6xnzziOVhTF6jWMZkdEOvnIkYb0HTNrj2w8jAKblwAKeTiZm9RrCa48FP-9E7uOV7eLnI45z/s1600/Starred+Photos9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRj3GD1bXmhRDp_tu75nLCVu71JkzEOnniQFURKenVeEMcnIi74FTEt6-GCe_-qIssLL4a6xnzziOVhTF6jWMZkdEOvnIkYb0HTNrj2w8jAKblwAKeTiZm9RrCa48FP-9E7uOV7eLnI45z/s640/Starred+Photos9.jpg" width="384" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top down: part of the Berlin wall, looking up into Checkpoint Charlie,<br />
sign at Checkpoint Charlie, view of Checkpoint Charlie.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwdabWNQx0o5qGwNmkQkQ_TY_Nk6Akp3zk9oeUf2TJ5Y1kXPbC5BEIwHQDFr9RyGbUNBUA-6ItaIC5Gdn7QXKIJwXCSw0D3ZD9Z5GHdPXW6uV_NTBDVunwsiZO0g58ziCj0XNBdMHSprj/s1080/Photo+on+6-10-13+at+8.21+PM+%233.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwdabWNQx0o5qGwNmkQkQ_TY_Nk6Akp3zk9oeUf2TJ5Y1kXPbC5BEIwHQDFr9RyGbUNBUA-6ItaIC5Gdn7QXKIJwXCSw0D3ZD9Z5GHdPXW6uV_NTBDVunwsiZO0g58ziCj0XNBdMHSprj/s640/Photo+on+6-10-13+at+8.21+PM+%233.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This picture warrants a story, not a caption. Those are Cruncher's shorts. And the pocket of Cruncher's short's. When I met Ryan and Cruncher in the hotel room after seminars, eating free food and schmoozing on Day 1, I was told a jaw-dropping story about how my son almost perished on one of those three-story Metro escalators. One second, he's standing there like a good 5-year-old. And then the next, Ryan is ripping my screaming son off of the moving death-stairs, which ate the pocket right off his cargo shorts. After filling out an incident report with the perplexed Metro workers (Cruncher escaped with only scrapes on his ankle), then Ryan almost died/lost Cruncher when the Metro doors slammed shut on Ryan's forearm — with Ryan standing on the platform while holding Cruncher's hand, who was <i>inside</i> the Metro train. Two strangers helped Ryan pry open the doors so he could jump on before losing our son for eternity. Sigh.... Cruncher eased my worries by saying not only did Daddy handle all of these tragedies remarkably well, but Cruncher was also relieved I wasn't there. What a thoughtful boy. Moving on.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9RZdWH9IKPP-TdsfC2h3YYbquYWITeIeolANIyhMYp58H8Mpn2I9F8pp4VgNotnxuK6-Wn8TqQwZQL7UiyXwk49xxsv3cvGnW_oYpJCpqZwE5e38mdobeR556f9WH81Ct5mvR1180-5Q/s1600/IMG_8858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9RZdWH9IKPP-TdsfC2h3YYbquYWITeIeolANIyhMYp58H8Mpn2I9F8pp4VgNotnxuK6-Wn8TqQwZQL7UiyXwk49xxsv3cvGnW_oYpJCpqZwE5e38mdobeR556f9WH81Ct5mvR1180-5Q/s640/IMG_8858.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy-long escalators. You'd think a small child would be fearful of escalators after such an incident, <br />
but he seems to love them even more. He lived to tell the tale, I guess. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iCGgDb9fwoiYwOtRLg4KNZZ0mKIsi_bsXPv5XcIUrfBOXh9NMWuq8bGpQNG0NH7GLIyu-00LepsVVSXP4_XgeC5jOGs6OCh-nqPjaDJRJCQyw4djiGBv9mrSKWn_vcjz4TIGkJY2js40/s1600/IMG_8821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iCGgDb9fwoiYwOtRLg4KNZZ0mKIsi_bsXPv5XcIUrfBOXh9NMWuq8bGpQNG0NH7GLIyu-00LepsVVSXP4_XgeC5jOGs6OCh-nqPjaDJRJCQyw4djiGBv9mrSKWn_vcjz4TIGkJY2js40/s640/IMG_8821.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.churchkeydc.com/" target="_blank">Churchkey</a>, where we met one of Ryan's Internet beer friends for dinner. <br />
And beer. Duh. We ran/walked through the rain for about 15 blocks to get there. <br />
Luckily, the food was tasty. We caught a cab back to the hotel, and the fare wasn't <br />
much more than Metro tickets for all three of us. I was pretty tense the whole <br />
eight-minutes cab ride, though, since it was Cruncher's first car ride <br />
without a carseat or booster. Okay. I was a wreck. We all slept well that night.</td></tr>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11015272018218819947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-79485810834618662962013-06-20T21:37:00.004-04:002013-07-23T21:45:37.717-04:00D.C. Part Uno<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Shannon</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><i>"At Washington, D.C., I got to see the White House. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><i>And I got to see ... I forget."</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #38761d;">~ Cruncher</span></i></div>
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So, we drove to D.C. last week. As you can see, it was a trip that REALLY made an impression on the young mind we're culturing. I'll post the happenings over a few different posts, since we traveled and toured during six days.<br />
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Here's how we decided to vacay in D.C.: After Ryan and I <a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/01/come-see-me-at-zoo.html" target="_blank">settled</a> on St. Francis of Assisi to be our family's 2013 patron, we talked about taking a Franciscan pilgrimage this year. The only Franciscan monastery is in D.C.. However, being the CFO and vice president of worry in our household, I nixed the trip due to expenses. Fast forward a few months to early May. My boss told me I had to go to D.C. for work. There was a conference coming up, and he had other appointments booked, so I needed to go in his place. "Cool. But I guess you want me to fly, right?" He knows I hate flying. "Well, I would fly if I were you, but you can drive if you want. It'll take all day." Then I got excited. I could bring the whole family, stay a couple days after the conference, get reimbursed for milage, AND the guys would have a couple extra days to explore the city while I was busy with work. Perfecto!<br />
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We hadn't been on a family trip in, like ... well, ever. There was that Thanksgiving trip to Pine Mountain. And the time we went to Chicago to visit a friend. And a long weekend in Indy and Brown County, Indiana. But never, like, a REAL family vacation. With a ROAD TRIP. Ryan was pretty psyched.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeGwmbzRLE-_J5dhok6rQOuKkRCnka167GhrQrvqgJjhccrf9vckkOKn2S2-IglVDJIx5ro_ylLYAhiQh0aeu2LYBH7rWGjWwCul1Ww2YcAGASXutVDk88vOiPpXHynyBtFd5wQAbmZTi/s1600/Starred+Photos2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeGwmbzRLE-_J5dhok6rQOuKkRCnka167GhrQrvqgJjhccrf9vckkOKn2S2-IglVDJIx5ro_ylLYAhiQh0aeu2LYBH7rWGjWwCul1Ww2YcAGASXutVDk88vOiPpXHynyBtFd5wQAbmZTi/s640/Starred+Photos2.jpg" width="448" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pine Mountain Resort, Thanksgiving 2010</span></td></tr>
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The planning began. I decided we would start out at the super-fancy conference hotel (on the company's dollar), which was conveniently located blocks from the National Zoo (free admission and fun for the guys while I attended the conference). After the conference ended Tuesday, we would trek to a second hotel for the rest of our D.C. stay. Something cheap and clean. Then on Thursday night, we would drive even further out of town to a hotel in West Virginia, so our drive home Friday could be segmented and leisurely. I researched and researched and researched, as I do, and found the perfect hotels. Aaaand I got around to booking the second hotel in Rockville, Maryland, but procrastinated on the third hotel. It'll work out in the end. Promise.<br />
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We also prepped with grocery shopping shelf-stable items. The hope was we would only eat breakfast and "linner" (a late lunch/early dinner) with snacks sprinkled through the day. The HOPE.<br />
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And I bought a few special things for the trip: a travel purse or glorified cross-body wallet, so I wouldn't get pick-pocketed: new tennis shoes for Cruncher so his feet wouldn't hurt (riiight); a few summer outfits for Cruncher; some professional clothes for the conference (our office is veeeeery casual); and I think that's it. There were enough plans to make and supplies to buy that the few weeks leading up to the trip went super-fast.<br />
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We went to confession and Mass late Saturday afternoon, packed through the evening, and drove off around 8 a.m. Sunday. We grabbed a hearty breakfast in the Wendy's drive thru, and we were off!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfv0ZN1zqC7PzhPpKGslFTdXQQHsTqGScIg75eMVt9OpfLsCMaXNaoSymwE8ZGvzx-Xcr-jTyB2o7KPGe229co7c-5cXEkkmsxz2cjkOg_hbMIrxJEpMOqDaRHTNqzPSCL1hTkaeu1rLOs/s1600/IMG_8775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfv0ZN1zqC7PzhPpKGslFTdXQQHsTqGScIg75eMVt9OpfLsCMaXNaoSymwE8ZGvzx-Xcr-jTyB2o7KPGe229co7c-5cXEkkmsxz2cjkOg_hbMIrxJEpMOqDaRHTNqzPSCL1hTkaeu1rLOs/s640/IMG_8775.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somewhere in central Kentucky.</td></tr>
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The drive was supposed to be nine hours. We only stopped for short breaks and to fill up the tank. You wouldn't believe how amazing Cruncher was.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02ciA7EvqEO3ntwKbi7EHIg7fdER0H5H86J5FGMmHUbzt3XcBVmeGRGc44v5-vbUDOAUipU5Y3ULxezDTvkO-8K6Z2AQJq8-ogxkRracCOpicdasl9W40lnYFoDWgO7WL4MPIgibwbMfs/s1600/IMG_8774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02ciA7EvqEO3ntwKbi7EHIg7fdER0H5H86J5FGMmHUbzt3XcBVmeGRGc44v5-vbUDOAUipU5Y3ULxezDTvkO-8K6Z2AQJq8-ogxkRracCOpicdasl9W40lnYFoDWgO7WL4MPIgibwbMfs/s640/IMG_8774.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruncher with perpetual sidekick Orland. <br />
He came with that goofy name, as Cabbage Patches do.</td></tr>
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No whining. I repeat: No whining. He stayed busy with his books and coloring or just playing with some small toys we toted along. Sometimes, he requested I read from Jim Gaffigan's <a href="http://www.jimgaffigan.com/" target="_blank">new book</a>, which we all loved (I read the whole thing aloud between the to and fro).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8aSbnVFSstC3NFtnIfXxenItbxlaqNgpg7tHrJ0hGh0Bx14SlWkyB_aRcwRFqFAAwXJQKbwbcOrhUhiCZ8EfS-0g3lOyfu2BYg9XFkoABv-5FirktukMkP0KUT_ZjHx7tQx8AAJ_KMHn/s1600/IMG_8781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8aSbnVFSstC3NFtnIfXxenItbxlaqNgpg7tHrJ0hGh0Bx14SlWkyB_aRcwRFqFAAwXJQKbwbcOrhUhiCZ8EfS-0g3lOyfu2BYg9XFkoABv-5FirktukMkP0KUT_ZjHx7tQx8AAJ_KMHn/s640/IMG_8781.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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We arrived at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omni_Shoreham_Hotel" target="_blank">hotel</a> about 6 p.m. It's a beautiful old building in a fancy residential part of the city. Tidbits: The Beatles reserved an entire floor of the hotel for one night back in the '60s, and this is the hotel where President Clinton played his famous inaugural saxophone solo. It was also the only of the three hotels we slept in that has had <a href="http://bedbugregistry.com/" target="_blank">reported bedbugs</a> (apparently very professionally handled). That might surprise you after you hear about the rest of our trip. Stay tuned!<br />
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We checked in, dropped of our stuff, dropped off the car with valet, and walked across the street for dinner at <a href="http://www.opencitydc.com/" target="_blank">Open City</a>.<br />
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Cruncher ordered something he didn't eat (tummy problems, which I diagnosed as Too Much Gummy Bears and Twizzlers Syndrome). Ryan had some sort of veggie sandwich with chili and a local beer. I ordered from the breakfast menu — bagel with cream cheese, smoked salmon and a caper relish with a latté.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BM4kfduTo2IpuU9yWEnSBMW1slmkCll4eQmbWBoXjNac-p3fcfOY9Eg2OFoEgmYRxAy1qErcJ9k1lFrv_Dpfhw-xdRBK_J5fISbuMQYcoPUVAQaF57W_gncokeTCybEci5IisAuDxmwQ/s1600/IMG_8790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BM4kfduTo2IpuU9yWEnSBMW1slmkCll4eQmbWBoXjNac-p3fcfOY9Eg2OFoEgmYRxAy1qErcJ9k1lFrv_Dpfhw-xdRBK_J5fISbuMQYcoPUVAQaF57W_gncokeTCybEci5IisAuDxmwQ/s640/IMG_8790.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Don't let the latté art fool you. It had NOTHING on our favorite coffee shop on the planet, and 2013 Coffee Fest America's Best Espresso Winner <a href="http://pic.twitter.com/M8j1O7hthQ" target="_blank">Sunergos</a>.<br />
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Five more days to blog about ... no promises.<br />
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<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11015272018218819947noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-38369098830201853202013-06-07T20:52:00.003-04:002013-06-07T20:52:48.373-04:00Walking in Athens<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Ryan</span><br />
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So... how was May? For the average school teacher, it's probably the busiest time of the year. All those evenings of Shannon watching Cruncher while I stay late for this-and-that reason have left precious little time for blogging. And thus — our excuse.<br />
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Cruncher finished kindergarten on Wednesday. Even in my position, I am overwhelmed with how much he's learned this year. What an amazing difference nine months make! I hope that every parent feels as optimistic about their child's future as I do now. Now, if he could prepare his own meals...<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">_ _ _</span></div>
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I joined a gym.</div>
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No, really. Stop laughing — it's true!</div>
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After my doctor told me that I was 35 pounds overweight, and thinking about the history of heart attacks in my family, I finally decided to get in shape. Going to the gym is at once inspiring and intimidating. I routinely see a man who has obviously lost a great deal of weight; his dedication really rubs off on me. When I feel winded, I often look over at him, and think "if he can do it, so can I!" Then, there's the lady who is about my wife's weight, but can bench twice what I can... inspiring and intimidating!</div>
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Unfortunately, the gym isn't all treasure. Three TVs are playing all hours of the day, and while one is tuned to the Weather Channel (really?) and the other ESPN, there is a third that's a real mixed bag. I was "fortunate" enough to catch <i>Entertainment Tonight</i> one evening, and it seemed like every glance toward that TV revealed yet another woman wearing something that only her husband should see in the confines of their bedroom. Then there was the story about the former star reviving her career with a movie where she is a stripper...</div>
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Sometimes a trip to the gym feels like a walk in Athens. In Acts 17, Paul is doing just that, or is so implied. He is appalled by the idols that surround him, yet he opens his speech in the Aero'pagus with:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">"Men of Athens, wherever I look I find you scrupulously religious." (Acts 17:22)</span></blockquote>
I love the language of the Knox Bible here; the New American Bible instead renders the end of the verse "very religious." Yet "scrupulous" shows an excessive attention to detail; an intense devotion to a thing or person. Indeed the attention to physical fitness I witness at the gym is good within itself, but to become scrupulous about one's body can lead to a disordered devotion, or even idolatry not dissimilar to what Paul was privy to in Athens.<br />
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We can also fall prey to false devotion when we misuse something; our bodies in relation to our sexuality is a perfect example. Neither the male or female body are bad in themselves, but when they become nothing more than a source of physical pleasure or visual amusement, they also become a sort of idol. We take away the healthy partnerships and meaningful intimacy that should exist in these bonds, and instead make people into commodities to be obtained.<br />
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmgPcrXu9MmdisV9DspEXHenz4x0VjGv58jJYzMfdKcQSY2o4lGMMmay_VnwihiFnD-hZdfM-sIgJabC75SJiZTqMCNPuqFDFCqQ69nK550BAmeXGbwgOJS7z6PDmYEhyphenhyphen3kGmG2sufOA/s1600/study-for-st-paul-preaching-in-athens-1515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmgPcrXu9MmdisV9DspEXHenz4x0VjGv58jJYzMfdKcQSY2o4lGMMmay_VnwihiFnD-hZdfM-sIgJabC75SJiZTqMCNPuqFDFCqQ69nK550BAmeXGbwgOJS7z6PDmYEhyphenhyphen3kGmG2sufOA/s640/study-for-st-paul-preaching-in-athens-1515.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/raphael/study-for-st-paul-preaching-in-athens-1515" target="_blank">Study for Paul Preaching in Athens</a></i>, Raphael, 1515<br />Man in the middle: "Umm, Paul, may I <i>pick</i> your brain for a minute?"</td></tr>
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If Paul walked today through the Athens of our souls, what would our idols be? Would he see devotion to God at the center of our lives, or would he see in His place idols that distract our devotion? Would it be rampant sexuality, or a religious devotion to a sports team? Maybe a scrupulous attention to physical fitness? I wonder if Paul would still find, as he did in Athens, a small shrine "to an unknown God" (Acts 17:23), a God that cries out for our devotion. Yet, would we continue to shuffle by on the way to our more familiar idols, or might we tarry a moment longer, close to the source of all goodness? In matters relating to devotion to God or to the treadmill, one must start small. Most of all, one must start in the first place — let the first place be now.<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><i>"Let us begin again, for up until now we have done nothing." </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><i>-St. Francis of Assisi</i></span></div>
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Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03289713339169797883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-44390676649244958472013-04-25T21:30:00.000-04:002013-04-25T21:30:03.801-04:00Who Down with I-O-P? Everybody!<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Shannon</span><br />
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You down with I-O-P? Yeah, you know me! À la <a href="http://youtu.be/q7soHJvtOTE" target="_blank">this</a> at 2:50. (Did you check the dubbing at 0:55 — what language was that? Ooooh, YouTube. So funny you are.) I have a serious place in my heart for <i>Sister Act 2</i>. Serious like I own the soundtrack. (Thanks, Ames!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWm66Ft4749mRonigtodcO3zbGGCw4NH7S1TLas_G6vOGoklPorZNI6_7CNozrdiMCZbfYrsQF8P9wRyZyOSbENO8JMVUF7TVymNCa2YbE-UuYqvyuCY2SzXInfhRREJ_tkRMHexXK-E2/s1600/IMG_5680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWm66Ft4749mRonigtodcO3zbGGCw4NH7S1TLas_G6vOGoklPorZNI6_7CNozrdiMCZbfYrsQF8P9wRyZyOSbENO8JMVUF7TVymNCa2YbE-UuYqvyuCY2SzXInfhRREJ_tkRMHexXK-E2/s640/IMG_5680.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Martin of Tours, Louisville, Kentucky</td></tr>
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I do not, unfortunately, have a serious place in my heart for IOP (Infant of Prague). I've never felt drawn to this image of the Christ Child. I usually prefer Bouguereau's <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:La_Vierge_au_lys.jpg" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">La Vierge au lys</a>, but probably because the young Jesus reminds me of Cruncher the Toddler.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-JI3N1U2KmumieMGjLxWfe8wgnirDerr8B0Rs68runR5_sOwm_JZ4SCSEkMu4RH2VLOZMIL0xkmlUd7oAs-iAgzIIcOtrVaJZb_W0lVDVNtcYm9hVwhSyc1e3z3guVc4MwV9ckzUDSFV/s1600/30604_575455971101_3231408_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-JI3N1U2KmumieMGjLxWfe8wgnirDerr8B0Rs68runR5_sOwm_JZ4SCSEkMu4RH2VLOZMIL0xkmlUd7oAs-iAgzIIcOtrVaJZb_W0lVDVNtcYm9hVwhSyc1e3z3guVc4MwV9ckzUDSFV/s640/30604_575455971101_3231408_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amiright?</td></tr>
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Oh. My. Goodness. Completely off topic, but look at this truly adorbs (yes, I totally said "adorbs") oooold picture of Cruncher. Eeek!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMUDllSnHvd8ibJdFmPuLBE0djJFsDgsYZ__DWvFvV2sCaRomVZ-WPTCdQcEUKK9yFQ3PQLUSl05UTE3pd7K2VubZtCua3QvNxdfbqldik2aMzBQhWKBNsVZqFhSBCQgsqNCG-dRIJfnS/s1600/14339_559093047531_3606839_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMUDllSnHvd8ibJdFmPuLBE0djJFsDgsYZ__DWvFvV2sCaRomVZ-WPTCdQcEUKK9yFQ3PQLUSl05UTE3pd7K2VubZtCua3QvNxdfbqldik2aMzBQhWKBNsVZqFhSBCQgsqNCG-dRIJfnS/s640/14339_559093047531_3606839_n.jpg" width="488" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheeks! And curls! And cheeks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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That's one of the outfits he wore during his first week home from the hospital. Now that you've witnessed the cutest cuteness ever, I'll move on. Now, what was I ... oh, yes. Infant of Prague. There He is.<br />
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQAiknc1G41m9UHauXIla8Kc9YF8wENiyKdUbcbZtBWP8pLI7dH6R8RxHqZUuP2ZWYpyVWlg9vL5Iz0_SA_Jg5df5Qi21nfwmHA8FBYpKQB8L0YnsI_wrwVHAq9bjj_6HhDeWYDQx2QOH/s1600/IMG_5679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQAiknc1G41m9UHauXIla8Kc9YF8wENiyKdUbcbZtBWP8pLI7dH6R8RxHqZUuP2ZWYpyVWlg9vL5Iz0_SA_Jg5df5Qi21nfwmHA8FBYpKQB8L0YnsI_wrwVHAq9bjj_6HhDeWYDQx2QOH/s640/IMG_5679.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Martin of Tours, Louisville, Kentucky</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There are many interesting and beautiful Catholic images, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_China" target="_blank">particularly</a> <a href="http://www.roman-catholic-saints.com/our-lady-of-lavang.html" target="_blank">of</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Guadalupe" target="_blank">Mary</a>, that reflect the culture of the image's origin. For me, the Infant of Prague always fell more under "interesting" than "beautiful." There is something about a baby Jesus dripping in jewels that just feels ... not quite right.<br />
<br />
Enter this week. Things have been rough lately. Rough for days and weeks and months, and I've had ENOUGH. I don't handle day-to-day anxiety well, so I go a bit mentally AWOL when I have too much piled on me. It is time for some serious prayer. And when I need serious prayer, I start a novena.<br />
<br />
A novena is a prayer said during a nine-day period, and there are <a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/novenas.html" target="_blank">countless</a> available. Tuesday, I started <a href="http://stcajetanscorner.blogspot.com/2011/01/novena-to-st-cajetan-patron-of-job.html" target="_blank">one to St. Cajetan</a>, patron of job seekers, since I've been thinking about finding new employment. But I'm realizing my current problems are beyond my job. While reading Alice's blog post about <a href="http://theaccidentalphilologist.wordpress.com/2013/04/21/in-which-everything-is-still-crazy/" target="_blank">things being crazy for weeks</a>, I concurred and started brainstorming about a new novena. My comment on her post:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">It’s comforting to know I’m not the only one who’s been living through insanity for the last month or so. I think I’m going to start a novena for peace and quiet. Want in on my intentions? Our Lady of Good Counsel’s feast day is Saturday, so too bad I can’t end on that day. Hmm … if I start it today, maybe Ss. Timothy and Martha? Or St. Philip. Thoughts? Oh, duh — St. Francis of Assisi is patron of peace. He is our family’s 2013 patron saint, after all…. WOAH. Know who else is patron of peace? Infant of Prague, feast day May 3. There’s my answer. I’ve never felt called toward the Infant of Prague — have you? Maybe I could even throw in some intentions for the Boston bombers. </span></blockquote>
It wasn't until later when I <a href="https://www.facebook.com/swordandstein" target="_blank">invited</a> our FB followers to join Ryan and me in praying the novena that I realized the Infant of Prague's feast day is the THIRD SUNDAY of May, not May 3. I can let that go, though, because the <a href="http://saints.sqpn.com/infant-jesus-of-prague/" target="_blank">Infant of Prague is patron</a> for all of my current problems: peace, family life, good health and good finances. If I could have some peace in those last three areas, I might might might be able to breathe again. No, seriously. I've been having chest tightness and shortness of breath and headaches and eye pain and fatigue. Did I tell you I'm a hypochondriac too? I'm a hypochondriac too. Admitting your problem is the first step to recovery. Except that I admitted the problem 20 years ago. Mooooving on...<br />
<br />
This post has been all over the place when all I wanted to do was invite everyone to join Ryan and me in <a href="http://saints.sqpn.com/novena26.htm" target="_blank">a novena to the Infant of Prague</a>. Let us pray:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Dearest Jesus, Little Infant of Prague, how tenderly You love us! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Your greatest joy is to dwell among us and to bestow Your blessing upon us. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Though I am not worthy that You should help me, I feel drawn to You by love </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">because You are kind and merciful. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">So many who turned to You with confidence have received graces </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">and had their petitions granted. Behold me as I come before You to lay </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">open my heart to You with its prayers and hopes. I present to You especially </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">this request, which I enclose in Your loving Heart: (Mention your request). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Rule over me, dear Infant Jesus, and do with me and mine according to </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Your Holy Will, for I know that in Your Divine Wisdom and Love You will </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">arrange everything for the best. Do not withdraw Your hand from me, but </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">protect and bless me forever. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">I pray You, all-powerful and gracious Infant Jesus, for the sake of Your </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Sacred Infancy, in the Name of Your Blessed Mother Mary who cared for </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">You with such tenderness, and by the greatest reverence with which Saint Joseph </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">carried You in his arms, help me in my needs. Make me truly happy with You, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">dearest Infant, in time and in eternity, and I shall thank You forever with all my heart. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Amen.</span></div>
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<br />
If you'd like to join in on this novena, feel free to leave a prayer intention in the comments, or you can e-mail or Facebook me.<br />
<br />
Perhaps before this devotion comes to a close, I'll feel more strongly toward this image of the Redeemer of the World. I hope you'll join us in praying for peace during the next nine days. Who doesn't love baby Jesus?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11015272018218819947noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-28196476474199215582013-04-21T21:56:00.001-04:002013-04-22T21:38:29.766-04:00What I Wore Sunday: An Afternoon with Inigo Montoya<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Shannon</span><br />
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I traveled alone this weekend, all the way up to my hometown, so my BFF'n'E Amy and I could have a muuuuuch needed ladies' afternoon out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLW9jQcBiG7HZ3EWwt8dDUbFOY9bPfaaNhkdZ6oDl_3GfaiU6_Dw5KLvnDo_1niDN5enALHjIBvce0MZWd1M3UDL7R9kb3j6v4wcsYFu7MFvAUHFtLSvkgDDn4p-Y44kCYCXmcZtQ_Lp_5/s1600/IMG_8172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLW9jQcBiG7HZ3EWwt8dDUbFOY9bPfaaNhkdZ6oDl_3GfaiU6_Dw5KLvnDo_1niDN5enALHjIBvce0MZWd1M3UDL7R9kb3j6v4wcsYFu7MFvAUHFtLSvkgDDn4p-Y44kCYCXmcZtQ_Lp_5/s640/IMG_8172.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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The trees are all light green with new growth, and there was tons of floral color on the roadside — yellow, purple, pink and white, not to mention reeeeally green Kentucky grass. It was a therapeutic drive in which I belted my lungs out, per usual.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATjnj5zRHlZ0vqC5Qjm_0yndQfjLiT0uo6hxI1xg_MK8uqIxvjUEwOuqyYYclUYUZxjofyi6C8_BqLYvWnhbI4CdRrm_BVXySYAR3nsLM3shnJpaRzv0tQe3s0oU6ng5IY2j4diRF7Xrf/s1600/IMG_8205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATjnj5zRHlZ0vqC5Qjm_0yndQfjLiT0uo6hxI1xg_MK8uqIxvjUEwOuqyYYclUYUZxjofyi6C8_BqLYvWnhbI4CdRrm_BVXySYAR3nsLM3shnJpaRzv0tQe3s0oU6ng5IY2j4diRF7Xrf/s640/IMG_8205.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Amy and I have been waiting for weeks and weeks and weeks to go see <a href="http://www.mandypatinkin.org/bio.htm" target="_blank">Mandy Patinkin</a> in concert with the <a href="http://cincinnatipops.org/Home.php" target="_blank">Cincinnati Pops Orchestra</a>. Ames is wrapping up a semester of grad school, so I couldn't wait to step in and help her forget her stresses for a few hours.<br />
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Here's what Amy wore:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJ6sdpeJTF7eCDVsmXrKbFPEmlhwJ2ufRGfLOTJErLygrPMPNho-daRXRCRnaCf5jseaWNcmft7hVDxgkdpeySvVM71X78_diSBYqMrksZvghj2wjNt8fWs4-JpppQEHkAY-eK3fiCDef/s1600/IMG_8202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJ6sdpeJTF7eCDVsmXrKbFPEmlhwJ2ufRGfLOTJErLygrPMPNho-daRXRCRnaCf5jseaWNcmft7hVDxgkdpeySvVM71X78_diSBYqMrksZvghj2wjNt8fWs4-JpppQEHkAY-eK3fiCDef/s640/IMG_8202.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I'm not positive of the details in their entirety, but I'll take a stab at it.<br />
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<b>Deets:</b><br />
Emerald (2013 Pantone color!) pendant: Lauren Conrad, Kohls<br />
Bangin' black dress: not sure of brand, Macys<br />
Black pumps: not sure of brand, DSW<br />
Needlepoint handbag: vintage, Etsy<br />
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[EDIT: Ames said the dress was Evan Picone — hah! — and the shoes are Life Stride.]<br />
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I wore the same thing to both Mass and the concert — my <a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/03/by-shannon-oh-sweet-joy-this-sentence.html">Easter dress</a> again — but with different accessories (and perhaps too much warpaint, in hindsight):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObbCHUSTaWt0kkHSII2xt5Ll0cP6eVt3tCymubbKueB9C5Lsif2Ojrlim2UYYn5khcOkedJn0jm1r3peM4duoKJXPVNVvy80KmmcI_sENxTNR-ZfRxolG8fXckuLhBSlxhG2RMeWKQm_i/s1600/IMG_8203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObbCHUSTaWt0kkHSII2xt5Ll0cP6eVt3tCymubbKueB9C5Lsif2Ojrlim2UYYn5khcOkedJn0jm1r3peM4duoKJXPVNVvy80KmmcI_sENxTNR-ZfRxolG8fXckuLhBSlxhG2RMeWKQm_i/s640/IMG_8203.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<b>Deets:</b><br />
Fan earrings: Target (can see them three pictures up)<br />
Triple pearl strand: Target<br />
Rose wrap<span style="font-family: inherit;"> dress: <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">Evan Picone, consignment shop in town</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Houndstooth jacket: Beaubois, Goodwill</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Tortoiseshell watch: Fossil</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2012/12/what-i-wore-sunday_23.html">Kitten-heel Mary Janes</a>: Calvin Klein, TJ Maxx</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHj1JIsuoScIOO634b7Q4qNewzJJsew5WHX1MynNPvlkhbuhPwLgVEUOxbr0a9KwAQav6klE_xm_dYmiCIGf5ouwbx0WGmFeFMDEbHslrJXDYaoQqWk4uQ6-pztB50L3tOiVGI5WE5v6LA/s1600/IMG_8209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHj1JIsuoScIOO634b7Q4qNewzJJsew5WHX1MynNPvlkhbuhPwLgVEUOxbr0a9KwAQav6klE_xm_dYmiCIGf5ouwbx0WGmFeFMDEbHslrJXDYaoQqWk4uQ6-pztB50L3tOiVGI5WE5v6LA/s640/IMG_8209.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The concert was at Cincinnati Music Hall, a beautiful venue in much need of some updating (like, I dunno, hooks in all bathroom stalls would be a nice start). Check out that magnificent chandelier. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bEEdLX7HxWyvF-9TQ8QckEujjm3YvZnN9L49QZTxjr-PxItDY4mGo7j04rbHe2nz6JrKGu98HDXdx7Kc4tM_i8OgSgdDIsBi8rc1h6hPXVbs9PxRyWQ8bMWYtYzIgtkJKiA3EBb0E8Ov/s1600/IMG_8248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bEEdLX7HxWyvF-9TQ8QckEujjm3YvZnN9L49QZTxjr-PxItDY4mGo7j04rbHe2nz6JrKGu98HDXdx7Kc4tM_i8OgSgdDIsBi8rc1h6hPXVbs9PxRyWQ8bMWYtYzIgtkJKiA3EBb0E8Ov/s640/IMG_8248.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Mr. Patikin was just as expected — charming and fascinating. Listening to him sing is like watching a painter create a masterpiece. Cheesy, sorry, but so-oh-so true. And, yes, he walked around like a peepaw washing dishes the entire concert. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LvwquNf274chH_qJ5jd9yQYhR7dHMMbtPS1NMb2vyaoQayf4SZzpWzH7138RPvylVb1-hIJoPRS8Q5HN8KZCTY4WoGWHsArPVcW_YqHRI2BBTup6SD_pj1ypbBp6AEQ5rLyW3cDcl_uA/s1600/IMG_8265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LvwquNf274chH_qJ5jd9yQYhR7dHMMbtPS1NMb2vyaoQayf4SZzpWzH7138RPvylVb1-hIJoPRS8Q5HN8KZCTY4WoGWHsArPVcW_YqHRI2BBTup6SD_pj1ypbBp6AEQ5rLyW3cDcl_uA/s640/IMG_8265.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">And, yes, he totally said <a href="http://youtu.be/6JGp7Meg42U" target="_blank">this</a> BETTER than in the movie, people. He is a magical old man. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Head on over to Fine Linen and Purple to check out what other ladies wore on the Lord's Day!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11015272018218819947noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-59420522764007096722013-04-14T21:20:00.001-04:002013-04-14T21:31:22.063-04:00What I Wore Sunday: Theorized Outfit<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Shannon</span><br />
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Posting late again this week. Just got back from Lexington where we met Ryan's family. His mother had her ___th birthday today — congrats, Bertie! Next week, I will again post late because my bestie and I are seeing Mandy Patinkin sing — AAAAHHHHHDKAOJJHHHH!! Yes, I know what I'm wearing. Duh. I've known for weeks.<br />
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And here's what I wore today:<br />
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0CTPDcoWz-8OiEvthQYXOH8vHHOqSJ5cHRH7DqyRoXasRhX7UIiNZr7087zQ8ulN4uFMWWYctIXrHGfMpoy2tv_n0sgOhk8py0fD2XBJjJK_vAXANRqVgOk9_tGRCbISG4d2F78g2zuD/s1600/IMG_8012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0CTPDcoWz-8OiEvthQYXOH8vHHOqSJ5cHRH7DqyRoXasRhX7UIiNZr7087zQ8ulN4uFMWWYctIXrHGfMpoy2tv_n0sgOhk8py0fD2XBJjJK_vAXANRqVgOk9_tGRCbISG4d2F78g2zuD/s640/IMG_8012.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wonky feet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I've theorized this outfit <a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/03/balancing-fashion-equation.html">before</a>, and this is the first I've worn it together. You've seen everything but the jacket (I think).<br />
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<b>Deets:</b><br />
<a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/02/what-i-wore-sunday-transition-outfit.html">Cameo earrings</a>: vintage, gift<br />
<a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/03/what-i-wore-sunday-honky-tonk-robot.html">Flower pendant</a>: vintage, gift<br />
Denim jacket: Riders, consignment shop in town (cropped on a normal-sized woman, but fits on me)<br />
<a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/03/what-i-wore-sunday-or-one-in-which-kids.html">Gold lacy dress</a>: Jessica Simpson, Macy's (bridesmaid dress from <a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2012/07/pretty-happy-funny-real-catching-up.html">my sister's wedding</a>)<br />
<a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/03/what-i-wore-sunday-honky-tonk-robot.html">Gold-studded belt</a>: Target<br />
Tortoiseshell watch: Fossil<br />
Kicky boots: Anne Klein, Zappos<br />
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Eh, I'll throw in some Cruncher from this weekend, since he's the real cute one 'round these parts, and I don't have anything funny to say:<br />
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Look at that boy. Pure joy and my inspiration. I was a horrible, <i>horrible</i> mother this weekend. Probably this whole week. No, really, I was. When I'm sick, I lack patience with everyone around me. I'm on the tail end of The Sinus Infection from Satan, just in time. Cruncher is in desperate need of a sane mama. He was on his worst behavior today, which is probably a 6 on a scale of 10 for any other boy his age. But for our Cruncher Muncher Buncher, that's a cry for help.<br />
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<b>By the way, if you've read this far, if there are any Texas ladies in or around Houston, hit me up. I have a high school friend down there who is looking for a good Catholic community. Thanks!</b><br />
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Oh, and check in with Fine Linen and Purple for <a href="http://www.finelinenandpurple.com/2013/04/14/what-i-wore-sunday-volume-26/">more Funday fashion</a>.<br />
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<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11015272018218819947noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-31637251385901841752013-04-13T20:49:00.001-04:002013-04-13T21:58:09.145-04:00Last Weekend in Pictures<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Shannon</span><br />
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Will it ever end? This is all I can muster for <a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/04/what-i-wore-sunday-birthday-party.html">my promise</a> to post pictures from last weekend. I've been sick all week, and now Ryan's a mess, but at least Cruncher is bouncing off the walls. I asked God to please take Cruncher's sickness away and make me sick instead, so alleluia!! Right?<br />
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Anyway, pictures. None of the birthday boys, since they're not my kids, and I didn't seek permission from their moms. Here's what I got:<br />
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWYt7Vxq2Qr9vsf5oGbh6hdyAOxYfW_xfdexv2saW70E6gX0laJ4KY_Ri1g9egt3yz05LhwLFGH8q6t3vvTP3ad-Hp8GYQbL1WkyL8NZksAbA0Zj7Na6dLMs-dxutNqZF90Si1iegyi0n/s1600/IMG_7651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWYt7Vxq2Qr9vsf5oGbh6hdyAOxYfW_xfdexv2saW70E6gX0laJ4KY_Ri1g9egt3yz05LhwLFGH8q6t3vvTP3ad-Hp8GYQbL1WkyL8NZksAbA0Zj7Na6dLMs-dxutNqZF90Si1iegyi0n/s640/IMG_7651.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horse farms on the way to Lexington.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGKzchuVi4hnl9uulPPK5j9srV3BxBvhisO9PSRX1MH0IdZuQwrxnGFugW-MSj5qUDUXbKjyWs7vCUGYASxidUU5-ZikCvcYUMWK9SN4SnrYXsXT-H8xA6KnSjqofRMYKb8uH53HXIeS-/s1600/IMG_7661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGKzchuVi4hnl9uulPPK5j9srV3BxBvhisO9PSRX1MH0IdZuQwrxnGFugW-MSj5qUDUXbKjyWs7vCUGYASxidUU5-ZikCvcYUMWK9SN4SnrYXsXT-H8xA6KnSjqofRMYKb8uH53HXIeS-/s640/IMG_7661.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan's little sister wrastlin' with mah boy. I'm sure he started it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74_yy0BdmoUaF9mnm67fnNhWdNornC1qeLTyERT2nTI1rMPB2ph0iU93HpzoMtOUiVTaC_3is7vTWdHw4z-WnyY67_p-shgV_aPpZAJSBBmaePrWy0ow-UZeorYdM2DHDSHXav_wHXKIf/s1600/IMG_7715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74_yy0BdmoUaF9mnm67fnNhWdNornC1qeLTyERT2nTI1rMPB2ph0iU93HpzoMtOUiVTaC_3is7vTWdHw4z-WnyY67_p-shgV_aPpZAJSBBmaePrWy0ow-UZeorYdM2DHDSHXav_wHXKIf/s640/IMG_7715.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A visit to the playground before the ride north.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwSCMgFLoX2-pqWCjLHjvKxh9NMvdJ5V3sfTFrmbrUav3Q5chVCznym1CkQFlTHt7AWwtx-EkwRzZW8cvC2hq4Hf5eTf8VV-EqzsE19X_Zb_Op1W0BB50mkjvYHzX-8tG7szbnh5doVhW/s1600/IMG_7718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwSCMgFLoX2-pqWCjLHjvKxh9NMvdJ5V3sfTFrmbrUav3Q5chVCznym1CkQFlTHt7AWwtx-EkwRzZW8cvC2hq4Hf5eTf8VV-EqzsE19X_Zb_Op1W0BB50mkjvYHzX-8tG7szbnh5doVhW/s640/IMG_7718.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What I wore to the first birthday party. <b>Deets:</b> Plum ruffle cardi: Ralph Lauren, <br />
Goodwill; Plaid shirtdress: Liz Claiborne, Macys; Fushcia snakeskin belt: Target; <br />
Camel penny loafers: Crowne Vintage, DSW. There are earrings and a necklace, <br />
but you can't see them in the dusk.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzc1ZRqG2JLbcuyFku58E-4ql8fy0a_WYdtlXCVzDIrF4_4DygouA4pQyIy2keqdp6aFM3uWIEePZfRZWy8O7WGSXHKf26bhqSvt9W16Qt2vw1PN3IMFc5u2xZfGvFVKXnviLGT_EsIU5f/s1600/IMG_7775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzc1ZRqG2JLbcuyFku58E-4ql8fy0a_WYdtlXCVzDIrF4_4DygouA4pQyIy2keqdp6aFM3uWIEePZfRZWy8O7WGSXHKf26bhqSvt9W16Qt2vw1PN3IMFc5u2xZfGvFVKXnviLGT_EsIU5f/s640/IMG_7775.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The next day. You know you're a hoosier when...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qhj_nWtF9TyCft3WAYkDBisBPSE2l4ZnFmMdgJp18xDF9yRx6zfUX2SNU4ZrXC2hno_0uJ5xxlx-2UQ1z8IsDmjp3FQ6k11yLh_yPkhDqWIvHW9QVpXqh58XMOj-5vxeekUWG-KkAMkW/s1600/IMG_7792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qhj_nWtF9TyCft3WAYkDBisBPSE2l4ZnFmMdgJp18xDF9yRx6zfUX2SNU4ZrXC2hno_0uJ5xxlx-2UQ1z8IsDmjp3FQ6k11yLh_yPkhDqWIvHW9QVpXqh58XMOj-5vxeekUWG-KkAMkW/s640/IMG_7792.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who knew weeds could be so pretty?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44Na5yIE6qHIeNZJWoK5zwVKu7mRCkrO8Kql6fh8SdComVtdRTQiaR506kTlKL3hrR5aLjJjcVOAF7GMQi917VgTbr7q3jJ86ad96aCAepRRMGYOUsNIPFpXOh8AkmOqTjH0vjELiLldF/s1600/IMG_7798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44Na5yIE6qHIeNZJWoK5zwVKu7mRCkrO8Kql6fh8SdComVtdRTQiaR506kTlKL3hrR5aLjJjcVOAF7GMQi917VgTbr7q3jJ86ad96aCAepRRMGYOUsNIPFpXOh8AkmOqTjH0vjELiLldF/s640/IMG_7798.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two preggos. BTW, it's a boy!!</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ixsBJcp20QabQr2x8fahSDYFtIU-x3RCxmpEdY_p3p2PDopI135sxYpOzZJdKO8S5QUuMqrs_xDyl0ovgTmGetDcfPk4-JjjtxY87PkS_LC4TTu9kv9cGby6pMq2YkuIHoqyfxTK2e7O/s1600/IMG_7944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ixsBJcp20QabQr2x8fahSDYFtIU-x3RCxmpEdY_p3p2PDopI135sxYpOzZJdKO8S5QUuMqrs_xDyl0ovgTmGetDcfPk4-JjjtxY87PkS_LC4TTu9kv9cGby6pMq2YkuIHoqyfxTK2e7O/s640/IMG_7944.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethel.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFXMp_g0pdfm5uU3U3W6MVGPp6ceazU8hbURK_PIkgBYQGLeLa_MMrxJXyuzYeD4UfN0sF4vQk15za_IlB4CQztEsAgfK14LHeG_Hxmgf4YjjNn1S7xb2pY5QRD2ZASU0gWM00u5S2vdU/s1600/IMG_7949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFXMp_g0pdfm5uU3U3W6MVGPp6ceazU8hbURK_PIkgBYQGLeLa_MMrxJXyuzYeD4UfN0sF4vQk15za_IlB4CQztEsAgfK14LHeG_Hxmgf4YjjNn1S7xb2pY5QRD2ZASU0gWM00u5S2vdU/s640/IMG_7949.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Superfluous. I was obSESSED with water pumps as a kid.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Wx88XK0PyrLmsnPAtsKhrA2NRLEqApc1GDvHI6GM5sPh8_tfzFPU5FN6tSOg-0X3xlcsT7ei3ZyMWKzZ1TM8YjSjAvqGp_SV4ICUsqGvmM7Slx-vEzICvR5deG2J677L9XXmx4VN4SCS/s1600/IMG_7954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Wx88XK0PyrLmsnPAtsKhrA2NRLEqApc1GDvHI6GM5sPh8_tfzFPU5FN6tSOg-0X3xlcsT7ei3ZyMWKzZ1TM8YjSjAvqGp_SV4ICUsqGvmM7Slx-vEzICvR5deG2J677L9XXmx4VN4SCS/s640/IMG_7954.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Gramma and Meemaw.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQctUD4JzqxZsvRBdufJmpTb43Tk8Ttv3mmu1BZPRK3hOJNbg9rbXUzxymIThy0fPPA5edLvQgT77wQxeJ0QCcp_WOg2bsLMslP3vuJHpbPHQyRRET8GkCZO9-TzFWpz6eNuWGWhm01ek_/s1600/IMG_7816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQctUD4JzqxZsvRBdufJmpTb43Tk8Ttv3mmu1BZPRK3hOJNbg9rbXUzxymIThy0fPPA5edLvQgT77wQxeJ0QCcp_WOg2bsLMslP3vuJHpbPHQyRRET8GkCZO9-TzFWpz6eNuWGWhm01ek_/s640/IMG_7816.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmm.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lOq2IUY8pTHk97RmEX8EPr7afUK_9cv9FnhM7_PvCt5WfD1-BdrNVkdW0WlsZacXlEz_j1zdraBmIigorr8VHLv-90zPIyRy-MSpYPDy8avdGpXCttdUNznd5E03jSckFW2OSI5EWT6e/s1600/IMG_7938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lOq2IUY8pTHk97RmEX8EPr7afUK_9cv9FnhM7_PvCt5WfD1-BdrNVkdW0WlsZacXlEz_j1zdraBmIigorr8VHLv-90zPIyRy-MSpYPDy8avdGpXCttdUNznd5E03jSckFW2OSI5EWT6e/s640/IMG_7938.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The big birthday gift. My brother-in-law put this work bench together from an <br />
old side table and some other bits and pieces. Too cool. BTW, it was my idea, <br />
but I didn't expect it to turn out that nice. Yeah, I said it, Kels. </td></tr>
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<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11015272018218819947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-45544502052420483582013-04-07T21:51:00.000-04:002013-04-13T20:50:04.062-04:00What I Wore Sunday: Birthday Party Extravaganza!<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Shannon</span><br />
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Posting late tonight because we've been traveling all weekend, for it was The First Annual Birthday Party Extravaganza! Our newest nephew (on Ryan's side) was born a week after our eldest nephew (on my side), so we traveled the triangle in about 36 hours: Louisville to Lexington to Cincinnati and back.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dXs6vTTSeHpymPJN4P8lCsHbJGEmsXnuiCRHdgCubb0kBF6j_5tQ4TVxwGfG3pFtG2GkbFnDawo8g6YWa8hXwyeOL2jtKGlapzQyXomXBGNmVm55oWENLCeMVKyLVMO_5UVUeQ7sly5Y/s1600/Starred+Photos1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dXs6vTTSeHpymPJN4P8lCsHbJGEmsXnuiCRHdgCubb0kBF6j_5tQ4TVxwGfG3pFtG2GkbFnDawo8g6YWa8hXwyeOL2jtKGlapzQyXomXBGNmVm55oWENLCeMVKyLVMO_5UVUeQ7sly5Y/s640/Starred+Photos1.jpg" width="448" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday boys, first and third respectively.</td></tr>
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I should get around to a better review of the full weekend (plus yesterday's fashion) in a few days.<br />
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In case you've not checked in on <a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/04/schoooools-out-for-onemoreday.html">yesterday's post</a>, Cruncher is all healed, as also evident in these pictures:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBm6HTSXRS1kwM8lhZgiaSyN3Ne6uXuwcnEzLLstJUZo7-4CQWWN0yfR_zuobO0Monu24z7XeM-7-3-1B72BLNaws8MOA2QB560mLkkr5drW2jWI8N9rH-tDnxdrUSHoC-FPUkA7TLeZ2f/s1600/Collages11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBm6HTSXRS1kwM8lhZgiaSyN3Ne6uXuwcnEzLLstJUZo7-4CQWWN0yfR_zuobO0Monu24z7XeM-7-3-1B72BLNaws8MOA2QB560mLkkr5drW2jWI8N9rH-tDnxdrUSHoC-FPUkA7TLeZ2f/s640/Collages11.jpg" width="532" /></a></div>
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All this mama wanted was a decent picture of us together in our Sunday's finest, after <a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/03/by-shannon-oh-sweet-joy-this-sentence.html">last week's</a> depressing events. I should crop in on one of those pictures for the adults present.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVqmn_Yraf8F0P7iDaWRp_vgQ65EDoDgxxmg-anfk7cC_nO4axadjxmJ9zntwToVKXkIWjLRJAmcHFRH8pw6NI0q9cWngpU9JaSdip66CVmvRNGE310nkgZISHZCqHbcZtOYSyTYPo7c5c/s1600/IMG_7739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVqmn_Yraf8F0P7iDaWRp_vgQ65EDoDgxxmg-anfk7cC_nO4axadjxmJ9zntwToVKXkIWjLRJAmcHFRH8pw6NI0q9cWngpU9JaSdip66CVmvRNGE310nkgZISHZCqHbcZtOYSyTYPo7c5c/s320/IMG_7739.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Ah, that's better. Or I guess this'll do:<br />
<br />
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgan4WH0ZYBWDXcTZsRd1nm-9lhoD0Xs44lqOTrujgv4SXLIYsRX_hDr_bRYgEpTDcS7Jos1vjhNoQHXGxoKrKlIHZN4H279BOJYbuYvZiof2Ea71isFsgZXCQhB5HxhMbyYZQ703f7Cpf4/s1600/IMG_7738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgan4WH0ZYBWDXcTZsRd1nm-9lhoD0Xs44lqOTrujgv4SXLIYsRX_hDr_bRYgEpTDcS7Jos1vjhNoQHXGxoKrKlIHZN4H279BOJYbuYvZiof2Ea71isFsgZXCQhB5HxhMbyYZQ703f7Cpf4/s640/IMG_7738.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That mischievous grin appeared before those other pictures were shot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A couple more, for good measure:<br />
<br />
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRYxOWwk0NQZHIDjVEz6QMGMizo6L7VO0-doqT_5hBsfjEYdScKEImX2pt2pc4X62XCDRQdNR_3qNBmidFz_I3FRz_lcp7eDsWbGiTDT9SKW9bL8fXG0mt1ox7dxy9OT0_nJNVEK9hc-v/s1600/Collages9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRYxOWwk0NQZHIDjVEz6QMGMizo6L7VO0-doqT_5hBsfjEYdScKEImX2pt2pc4X62XCDRQdNR_3qNBmidFz_I3FRz_lcp7eDsWbGiTDT9SKW9bL8fXG0mt1ox7dxy9OT0_nJNVEK9hc-v/s640/Collages9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruncher took the one on the left. He's more interested in being behind the camera than in front, <br />
and at such a young age.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And here's what I wore:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOooBTMtMoG-XdOrZi1I8JhAf2DmBAKnPVbC9r42dNPKthcYtN6adT8sPutjvMFp6Rreb0eIdfgGcfBagiU8vWh_7dPEiEbT64E5PQzSts4lHCPEWJbZp8jipQ6Pw-FhFvo59wGOrvVqs6/s1600/IMG_7757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOooBTMtMoG-XdOrZi1I8JhAf2DmBAKnPVbC9r42dNPKthcYtN6adT8sPutjvMFp6Rreb0eIdfgGcfBagiU8vWh_7dPEiEbT64E5PQzSts4lHCPEWJbZp8jipQ6Pw-FhFvo59wGOrvVqs6/s640/IMG_7757.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
You've seen everything but the dress before, I do believe.<br />
<br />
<b>Deets:</b><br />
<a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/01/what-i-wore-sunday-one-where-i-use-self.html">Love knot earrings</a>: Victoria Townsend, Macy's<br />
Drape-y necklace: Consignment shop in town<br />
Watercolor dress: H&M ($7! And my Easter dress from two years ago.)<br />
Magical cinching belt: Target<br />
Tortoiseshell watch: Fossil<br />
Kicky boots: Anne Klein, Zappos<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NI-hUG6obF5Ar9MA-2zYEw9ES1ZoORZGFxPBvz-WzcCW9a_gC-64qOKjoV6V1A9dQNsmRSbO8L_ibw-qw05rkJpFlEcJNyhmsqhjXngZlGeLwUIaOWODXiYNzl5rqRbm-sQ5ceOu_JO6/s1600/Collages10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NI-hUG6obF5Ar9MA-2zYEw9ES1ZoORZGFxPBvz-WzcCW9a_gC-64qOKjoV6V1A9dQNsmRSbO8L_ibw-qw05rkJpFlEcJNyhmsqhjXngZlGeLwUIaOWODXiYNzl5rqRbm-sQ5ceOu_JO6/s640/Collages10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A couple of closeups, and I'm off to bed. Oh, and don't forget to check back with <a href="http://www.finelinenandpurple.com/2013/04/07/what-i-wore-sunday-volume-25/" target="_blank">Fine Linen and Purple</a> for more Sunday finery.<br />
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<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11015272018218819947noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-81816463700165131192013-04-06T10:17:00.000-04:002013-04-13T20:51:47.912-04:00Schoooools Out ... for ... Onemoreday!<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Shannon</span><br />
<br />
<br />
If you haven't heard the good news, Cruncher is aaaaaaaall better, just in time for spring break to end and temperatures to warm up. His energy is high, and he's ready for sunshine! To celebrate, we went to the zoo yesterday. It was so, so, so, so, so beautiful outside.<br />
<br />
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAt9_NSf4TdKi5_2IbEcefxy_k8Kd674LnuD6Zo6mTlMK95jXx8308K9cFfpFG0Gg9H0ybknA1Zz5PnwxLZgg_vDNtEWlJ7edmwigvcpYZv7m6YzkyRbLCDKALGOrWErfVLlrnemXEpAw/s1600/Recently+Updated121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAt9_NSf4TdKi5_2IbEcefxy_k8Kd674LnuD6Zo6mTlMK95jXx8308K9cFfpFG0Gg9H0ybknA1Zz5PnwxLZgg_vDNtEWlJ7edmwigvcpYZv7m6YzkyRbLCDKALGOrWErfVLlrnemXEpAw/s640/Recently+Updated121.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruncher and Daddy take in the sights.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ02l0MjDqujtiGaUCKsqbU7LYqVEO4VDgALl2PMJ8FjReDdan_1nj_MX1t_ZeGx9w5T0VtLshcRxA2kym8ANgYhyopFU340NNLCPfCri2c2T6PBXC9HYc1FHUQMMZLWTfIq6-TlYJJMI/s1600/Recently+Updated118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ02l0MjDqujtiGaUCKsqbU7LYqVEO4VDgALl2PMJ8FjReDdan_1nj_MX1t_ZeGx9w5T0VtLshcRxA2kym8ANgYhyopFU340NNLCPfCri2c2T6PBXC9HYc1FHUQMMZLWTfIq6-TlYJJMI/s640/Recently+Updated118.jpg" width="442" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If there's a statue, Cruncher must sit on it. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Aj-lryBQpDjUxg9JBoPmoyoigQUvJHNJkSKDDbP61FvW_5MHHFAdmltlaa6M72APlBWiwNkJGiTbSj0eaRXUpwZaOxD5o1JTQRnG3e_cml-0OKilhOTTmDVjhVUXmtnnkSwvwTLBHks/s1600/Recently+Updated119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Aj-lryBQpDjUxg9JBoPmoyoigQUvJHNJkSKDDbP61FvW_5MHHFAdmltlaa6M72APlBWiwNkJGiTbSj0eaRXUpwZaOxD5o1JTQRnG3e_cml-0OKilhOTTmDVjhVUXmtnnkSwvwTLBHks/s640/Recently+Updated119.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small sampling of the animals we visited. I can't brag on our city enough, but Louisville has a fantastic zoo. We're finding ourselves more there now that Cruncher is able to walk without a stroller (read: not beg us to carry him every 50 feet).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_kUPC_S4pq3S5dQp7QUw-uLvCj8fmF8AxobCKYOOuoN-I_-QYVuo4YKmp8zoAm8cTYkJilwg0iHNRpWGDVDIPGWvsC6RqFfXWIb2-QGVXTAVoL-MHFuaKZuVi-7Iedg9OyTJioS_K9w/s1600/Recently+Updated122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_kUPC_S4pq3S5dQp7QUw-uLvCj8fmF8AxobCKYOOuoN-I_-QYVuo4YKmp8zoAm8cTYkJilwg0iHNRpWGDVDIPGWvsC6RqFfXWIb2-QGVXTAVoL-MHFuaKZuVi-7Iedg9OyTJioS_K9w/s640/Recently+Updated122.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does he look like a boy who was almost sent to the hospital a handful of days ago? Also, please notice his love of mixing patterns — plaid, Spiderman and ... whatever that shirt is. I wonder where he gets his fashion sense...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzo9ON3kFewuDBQX7fcNdtLo-AOQNwXbk_hlPBsv13tgYM9Z0howp1t1wG5h1v9DSeUiiK_rXrBiEKUCNb7Mtm77JJZvbGS7_WliFfrgEepsG8Z8P_uxPG28SAgJYnFEkkOecKFYoF8t4/s1600/Recently+Updated120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzo9ON3kFewuDBQX7fcNdtLo-AOQNwXbk_hlPBsv13tgYM9Z0howp1t1wG5h1v9DSeUiiK_rXrBiEKUCNb7Mtm77JJZvbGS7_WliFfrgEepsG8Z8P_uxPG28SAgJYnFEkkOecKFYoF8t4/s640/Recently+Updated120.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheer up, honey — it's spring! I know it was a rough spring break, but your summer starts in weeks. No complaining.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_wijSdrklIFvDw3FkpLyG3IZ-pVLOjgIsmehqqgaAL8sTWc06du68AwcUbElbjKDQsbFygVwyBDMTBhM67mOe_GMw9G-y9eWwD_ikRK00tOa-o-bPe7K-iK0ajiokFVKncqAVvzrphU/s1600/Recently+Updated123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_wijSdrklIFvDw3FkpLyG3IZ-pVLOjgIsmehqqgaAL8sTWc06du68AwcUbElbjKDQsbFygVwyBDMTBhM67mOe_GMw9G-y9eWwD_ikRK00tOa-o-bPe7K-iK0ajiokFVKncqAVvzrphU/s640/Recently+Updated123.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What I wore.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Deets:</b><br />
Crazy coral top: Olive & Oak, TJ Maxx<br />
Chunky striped cardi: Old Navy<br />
Cuffed skinnies: Old Navy<br />
My Happy Boots (Official): Doc Martens. These are some seriously old shoes. Like, 17 years, at least. They're a hand-me-down from my cool cousin Jessie. I adored them as an awkward pre-teen, and she mailed them to me when I was in college. Best. Package. EVER.<br />
<br />
I'm pulling through a congestion bout myself, so we're all looking forward to a weekend without the confines of illnesses. We're super stoked to spend time with family for the next couple days, so check back Sunday for a weekend review and more spring fashion! I'm wearing dresses without tights all weekend, and there are TWO birthday parties in TWO days. Party dress review to come? Why, yes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03289713339169797883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-66434978758630244922013-04-05T17:09:00.000-04:002013-04-05T17:10:26.280-04:00Regality and Simplicity<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Ryan</span><br />
<br />
<br />
Being a (microscopic) part of the Catholic blogosphere, I've read quite a bit about Pope Francis in the last few weeks. While most commentaries have been favorable, some take issue with our new Pope's rejection of the position's traditional regalia: Where are the <a href="http://wdtprs.com/blog/2013/03/i-am-thinking-about-those-red-shoes/" target="_blank">red shoes</a>? The <a href="http://wdtprs.com/blog/2013/03/of-the-popes-mozzetta/" target="_blank">mozzetta</a>? And more recently, rejecting life in the papal palace for the Vatican's "<a href="http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2013/03/home-sweet-domus-no-palace-for-pope.html" target="_blank">hotel</a>."<br />
<br />
One could be pardoned for thinking that the papacy rested on the papal wardrobe and the papal residence; indeed, it rests on something substantially more solid: Jesus' proclamation to his first apostle, <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2016:15-19&version=KNOX" target="_blank">Peter</a> (Matthew 16:15-19) that earthly authority in the Church would rest with him.<br />
<br />
Now, don't get me wrong — I am not some anti-tradition, neo-Catholic who thinks that everything not chiseled in the dogmas of our faith is fair game for the ecclesiastical trash bin. I love and appreciate <i>both </i>the <i>Novus Ordo</i> and Tridentine Masses. I see the glorification of Our Lord in the regality of the Pope, his brother bishops, priests and deacons — may these men continue to glorify God through the reverent celebration of the sacred liturgy, no matter who sits upon the <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedra_Petri" target="_blank">Cathedra Petri</a>. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Yet there are those who would claim that Pope Francis, and others like him, are more authentically living out the call to poverty that Jesus demands in the Gospel (ex. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:19-21&version=KNOX" target="_blank">Matthew 6:19-21</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:25-34&version=KNOX" target="_blank">6:25-34</a>; <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%206:20-21&version=KNOX" target="_blank">Luke 6:20-21</a>). Without a doubt, Jesus was himself a servant, and set the ultimate example of servitude in his life and death on the cross.<br />
<br />
May we not forget that Jesus is also a King, and accepted the gifts that were lavished upon Him by the humble of heart. The anointing at Bethany, found in Matthew 26, is a particularly striking example — a woman approaches Jesus and anoints his head with a costly perfume. The modern reader would probably react in a similar way as the apostles:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">"What is the meaning of this waste ... it would have been possible to sell this at a great price and give alms to the poor!"(Matthew 26:8-9)</span></blockquote>
We hear this same cry today, when one of the most charitable organizations in the world (hint: The Catholic Church) is asked to give even more, yet we, as individuals, will not so much as give up a meal, a movie ticket or some other meaningless comfort to help those in need. Jesus Christ, our King, responds to His apostles:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">"Why do you vex the woman? She did well to treat me so. You have the poor among you always; I am not always among you. When she poured this ointment over my body, she did it to prepare me for my burial."</span></blockquote>
In another instance, Nicodemus, most likely the Pharisee that appears early in the Gospel of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:1-21&version=KNOX" target="_blank">John</a>, comes to bury Jesus with a mixture "of myrrh and aloes weighing about one hundred pounds" (John 19:39). Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI commented that this amount of balm was "extraordinary ... exceeds all normal proportions: this is a royal burial" (<i>Jesus of Nazareth Part Two; pg. 228</i>).<br />
<br />
So, is Jesus a servant or a king? He is both; he is a Servant-King. So is the Papacy an office of simplicity or regality? It is both — not of its own merits, but for the sake of the Servant-King. A parting thought: If the Pope were manifested in beautiful music that ascended
heavenward, perhaps Benedict XVI would be favorably compared to the rigorous, determined strains of Bach’s <i>Toccata and Fugue in d
minor;</i> maybe Pope Francis would call out with the gentle restraint of the <i>Adagio </i>from Albinoni’s <i>Concerto for Oboe No. 2</i>. Would we then
be provoked to argue which sounds would be more pleasing to the Lord, or would
not both have their humble place at the feet of Divine Beauty and Divine Truth?<br />
<br />
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<br />Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03289713339169797883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-19011699420731793222013-03-31T17:59:00.001-04:002013-04-01T11:30:22.745-04:00What I Wore Sunday: Resurrection Sunday Alone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Shannon</span></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><i>"Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives: </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><i>I know that my Redeemer lives!"</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>~"I Know That My Redeemer Lives"</i></span></div>
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<br />
I didn't intend on posting an Easter review until later in the week, but I have bad news — Cruncher is sick. He's had it coming out of both ends for three days (sorry for the TMI). He's pretty miserable, and we're having a tough time getting him to take in liquids. Stubborn little fella — I <i>wonder</i> whyyyy? This is the third-THIRD-third Resurrection Sunday he has been too sick for Mass. He usually only gets a stomach bug once a year, so hitting the same holiday three times is quite the feat.<br />
<br />
Since Ryan is napping (tired from a three-hour vigil Mass, having a brave overnight guest to entertain, and getting up in the night to help a sick boy), and Cruncher is chilling in bed, I have time I didn't know I had today. No cooking a big meal. No traveling around town to visit friends. No having dessert guests over this evening. Too bad I have a big, beautiful cake and no one to share it with.... Aaaaand I'm a Debbie Downer on the most sacred day of the year. Sigh ... sorry.<br />
<br />
Ho hum. Here's what I wore this morning to Mass, all alone, while worrying about my sweet little boy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RdclJriIdcnejUEmvb95vrn2kd9HW47yBccIFSjH-IxdcixJtf-OhsCitapllkluh0jvXYAltMKCSL7gAv9ip3ttiLtGC2ugN6seXBqJKODsqv9nHoXeGuEUubIEbBRh0gGRgKLn2bh8/s1600/Recently+Updated116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RdclJriIdcnejUEmvb95vrn2kd9HW47yBccIFSjH-IxdcixJtf-OhsCitapllkluh0jvXYAltMKCSL7gAv9ip3ttiLtGC2ugN6seXBqJKODsqv9nHoXeGuEUubIEbBRh0gGRgKLn2bh8/s640/Recently+Updated116.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What I wore: walking into church; during Mass; after I got home; closeup on the veil; closeup on the shoes; and for the rest of the day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Mass outfit deets:</b><br />
Eternity veil: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/123928425/eternity-veil-headcovering-in-luxury?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=eternity+veil&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all" target="_blank">Liturgical Time</a> (I feel a little odd posting pictures of me in a veil, but I thought I'd share since it was my Easter gift. The shop was amazing to deal with, <a href="http://liturgicaltime.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">her blog</a> is just lovely, and I imagine they've gotten very popular since <a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/2013/02/notes-from-beneath-the-veil.html" target="_blank">Jennifer Fulwiler's</a> post a few weeks ago. I was excited to read Jen's post because I had been admiring a lady at church's eternity veil, and could never seem to catch her after Mass to ask where she found it. <i>And</i> I ordered mine before the price increase — woohoo! I had no idea I was getting luxury bridal lace. What can I say? I have good taste.)<br />
<a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/01/what-i-wore-sunday-one-where-i-use-self.html">Love knot earrings</a>: Victoria Townsend, Macy's<br />
Houndstooth spring co<span style="font-family: inherit;">at<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">: Beaubois, Goodwill</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Faux wrap dress: Evan Picone, consignment shop in town</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Tortoiseshell watch: Fossil</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/03/what-i-wore-sunday-worth-thousand-words.html">Everyone's favorite oxford shoes</a>: Gianni Bini, Dillards</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Mom uniform deets: </b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Miraculous Medal: Tonini's (Wanted to wear it to Mass, but was in such a hurry between breakfast, getting ready, and Cruncher being clingy.)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Elegant sack top: Dalia Collection, TJ Maxx</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Skinnies: Old Navy</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">First sandals of spring!!: Not sure. The brand has long worn off. Maybe Report?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">Can you tell I'm an anxious mess in those photos? I'm pretty good at faking normalcy. I'll bet my mama can tell.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">And now for a slew of pictures for my mama.</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCW5fwmddj-fojknCY8ekNudAAhSI5tkYgbXyzfrftr9_9idesCW9aVqlTIGKM0ykaNCbdUrFykwTTF9sPQpHpIRm_iL1bVvkZDSYfN16ZgMmAG0kOTdQndfPJnCQA_5ef8wrM9Dt3Ve8/s1600/Collages6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCW5fwmddj-fojknCY8ekNudAAhSI5tkYgbXyzfrftr9_9idesCW9aVqlTIGKM0ykaNCbdUrFykwTTF9sPQpHpIRm_iL1bVvkZDSYfN16ZgMmAG0kOTdQndfPJnCQA_5ef8wrM9Dt3Ve8/s640/Collages6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">This year, I naturally dyed our eggs. My friend Gwenny taught me about <a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/customseastertide2.html" target="_blank">red eggs</a> last year, and I used food coloring then. I'm leery of toxins in food coloring, though, so I tried <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-onionskin-easter-e-81574" target="_blank">naturally dying from Spanish onion skins</a> this year. I was able to snag a bag of onion skins from Meijer for free, since they just toss them. It was really easy to dye the eggs (lots of time, but not much effort), and I think they look better than last year's. The wreath around the eggs was part of <a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/02/craft-binge.html">our Lenten decorations</a>, as a crown of thorns, reused for Eastertide as a nest. Sorry no other pictures of our big breakfast. I was too distracted. We had potato latkes with goat cheese, pepper bacon and mustard; baked oatmeal with maple syrup; fruit salad; and local coffee. Luke had Jello, Gatorade and toast.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_xARUD2c-Jk6wS4f-VpS12tboBt02tZl3OXSfMSblrXteD31PlppcMUsjsoCwR4_NHJMPALoejouFfy5I8iwoneDI6hF77zS8eDG1PggnFl4isYG938VC6Zf2hs4-IZM1Y7tdxjLiCx-/s1600/Recently+Updated115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_xARUD2c-Jk6wS4f-VpS12tboBt02tZl3OXSfMSblrXteD31PlppcMUsjsoCwR4_NHJMPALoejouFfy5I8iwoneDI6hF77zS8eDG1PggnFl4isYG938VC6Zf2hs4-IZM1Y7tdxjLiCx-/s640/Recently+Updated115.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">1. Preach it, sister. This year, I went with Easter lilies, for obvious reasons, and <br />
red tulips, because they reminded me of His Precious Blood. The little nests <br />
were on clearance at Target last year, and I made the runner from some sale <br />
upholstery fabric at Hobby Lobby, running me $6.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tA6G5ycjq5R2_dV3TNu2LtL6LKLK8L5EW4jUZUKDxiC1boSIgTUhyphenhyphennaYMUVC9qTZOzZKoDLfdzSIVgDgiJwv7dtmviBJcQwZnfrvuuXmr98b1VUZgzcygHcALn_lUU4d_rVCaISeUUWM/s1600/Recently+Updated107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tA6G5ycjq5R2_dV3TNu2LtL6LKLK8L5EW4jUZUKDxiC1boSIgTUhyphenhyphennaYMUVC9qTZOzZKoDLfdzSIVgDgiJwv7dtmviBJcQwZnfrvuuXmr98b1VUZgzcygHcALn_lUU4d_rVCaISeUUWM/s640/Recently+Updated107.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">For the last three Easters, I have bought a new piece of art for our home. This year, I bought a vintage linen tea towel of the <a href="http://www.stalbanscathedral.org/" target="_blank">Cathedral and Abbey Church of Saint Alban</a>. Unfortunately, the building is not home to Catholic worship, as it's now under the Church of England, but St. Alban is buried beneath. Between the linen, the fabric backing and the frame, I put it together for about $25. Oh, and I got lucky this year and found the Lindt lambs before they sold out. Too. Cute.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVsoSQJcRlK-6p9gYryaJeKtWdMS7cm4eiw5IZC2JYv0VwyVdA411Rse1Bhnjxw6WsNovrhnwZ2WpdWgzA2T_-Jq2Hc8fXsQIPFUpVBKGtPOBWJEvmF99cwJF7L7k1g_SeeVRPsSGJxFi/s1600/Recently+Updated108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVsoSQJcRlK-6p9gYryaJeKtWdMS7cm4eiw5IZC2JYv0VwyVdA411Rse1Bhnjxw6WsNovrhnwZ2WpdWgzA2T_-Jq2Hc8fXsQIPFUpVBKGtPOBWJEvmF99cwJF7L7k1g_SeeVRPsSGJxFi/s640/Recently+Updated108.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rest of the goodies: books, books and more books; lion and lamb; spring puzzles and a Stow & Go — genius!; and a St. Luke figurine. We gave our overnight guest Robert <i>The Seven Story Mountain</i> and a book of short readings by Matthew Kelly. I was really excited to find a book on St. Francis of Assisi by Chesterton for Ryan, as well as <i>Not Your Average Joe</i>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSY_RHmS7tYwpIcIzpypDLPwQyPnc9fimu-2cvHQMcWPehE-PPoUgCh4Xzy1CX-8lqu7KgpQiu0tG7x7qVes_93yzFmqHCRzjLIp6_LC9gl9nacypmtEjedgbz-ldedcwFEVAtIjW0FG8V/s1600/Recently+Updated113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSY_RHmS7tYwpIcIzpypDLPwQyPnc9fimu-2cvHQMcWPehE-PPoUgCh4Xzy1CX-8lqu7KgpQiu0tG7x7qVes_93yzFmqHCRzjLIp6_LC9gl9nacypmtEjedgbz-ldedcwFEVAtIjW0FG8V/s640/Recently+Updated113.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The loot in the hidden eggs: St. Francis coin; Sacred Heart of Jesus coin; <br />
rosewood finger rosary; and St. Michael figurine. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHg2FxLhatXNfakkvQilHVucAWWwCONQyskpcJgnTTYeqJTEI8JnsHJb-Y7m4H38CZNWiPnzlH0zKplSuDw9OIZgCcPyrijbbZvL4QiDMbSgqedk-ZB9FDRo9icemyIrn2V-0xsu9WrJ5U/s1600/Recently+Updated109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHg2FxLhatXNfakkvQilHVucAWWwCONQyskpcJgnTTYeqJTEI8JnsHJb-Y7m4H38CZNWiPnzlH0zKplSuDw9OIZgCcPyrijbbZvL4QiDMbSgqedk-ZB9FDRo9icemyIrn2V-0xsu9WrJ5U/s640/Recently+Updated109.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peek-a-boo egg, hidden-in-plain-sight egg, bookworm egg and sleepyhead egg.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzQFsxZhv3K_XfYbaKQenVDjeHJOHYe4RySPZRpnrmBOuUh3TvL151XLKi8HsIdqB6pReQQTmeziR4KdR8slL0UPzYX5md821Z3L7tahZfLtWaVgx4ggr8JfCZLKKEPBtN1dtAvhJ2INO/s1600/IMG_7564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzQFsxZhv3K_XfYbaKQenVDjeHJOHYe4RySPZRpnrmBOuUh3TvL151XLKi8HsIdqB6pReQQTmeziR4KdR8slL0UPzYX5md821Z3L7tahZfLtWaVgx4ggr8JfCZLKKEPBtN1dtAvhJ2INO/s640/IMG_7564.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What Cruncher would have worn today. He's pretty opinionated about his clothes, so the last Easter he got sick, we all joked it was because he hated his outfit (because he really did hate it). This year, that's not the case. Oh, well. He'll wear it next week. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDvUEKpRE-J1GdfEBt1_vmA5yJyRnwnKrlQ_rvcnITnuBRjpQIJGEzUY9_GFFOfxUQ7_YizRv3ZgLbqMyyl8s7XwxgSUwbIhj6nGoe-l4kaSVfaC8Ru68fQuyQI0eOu8ZCCcTcECoTBCx/s1600/Recently+Updated117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDvUEKpRE-J1GdfEBt1_vmA5yJyRnwnKrlQ_rvcnITnuBRjpQIJGEzUY9_GFFOfxUQ7_YizRv3ZgLbqMyyl8s7XwxgSUwbIhj6nGoe-l4kaSVfaC8Ru68fQuyQI0eOu8ZCCcTcECoTBCx/s640/Recently+Updated117.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What he wore instead. Or at least one of four outfits so far today, since he keeps getting them ... erm ... messy. Here he is looking for his eggs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTgWS0kg7UucpTtbCXxNfwvdBfugzTLBGmq0CrJ43xj09PVce1pggMgIyP32V9rFoAE309f95noKZJOFjSaRMjIiG2RH_kZNRpGnl2uHBTKF5HXGrMzSIe4Baq9ySx8sICjeKdhqBBWnH/s1600/IMG_7482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTgWS0kg7UucpTtbCXxNfwvdBfugzTLBGmq0CrJ43xj09PVce1pggMgIyP32V9rFoAE309f95noKZJOFjSaRMjIiG2RH_kZNRpGnl2uHBTKF5HXGrMzSIe4Baq9ySx8sICjeKdhqBBWnH/s640/IMG_7482.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">And here he is in outfit two, dueling with Robert. One minute, Cruncher is bouncing off the walls, and the next minute, he's groaning in pain. Such the boy. </td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">I feel HORRIBLE that I didn't think to get a picture of my handsome husband before he left the house last night. Like I said, he's sleeping, or I'd totally make him put on his outfit for a quick staged photo. I'm that kind of wife.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Linkin' up with <a href="http://www.finelinenandpurple.com/2013/04/01/what-i-wore-sunday-volume-24/" target="_blank">Fine Linen and Purple</a> tomorrow and <a href="http://www.camppatton.com/2013/03/easter-outfit-oti-linkup.html#.UVioqKV8tUQ" target="_blank">Grace at Camp Patton</a> today. Now I'll continue sitting in Chruncher's beanbag and asking him, "How do you feel?" every five minutes.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11015272018218819947noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-77983791953114829042013-03-24T21:18:00.001-04:002013-03-24T21:19:27.935-04:00What I Wore Passion Sunday: Anatomy of a WIWS Post<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Shannon</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<i>(Editor's note: Talk about how much we didn't blog last week and how much we definitely won't blog in the next week. Beautiful Basillica pictures <a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/03/basilica.html" target="_blank">here</a>, sappy mom post <a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/03/cruncher-chronicles-love-note.html" target="_blank">here</a>, Saint Joseph dinner/my church family is awesome/a cute outfit <a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/03/by-shannon-o-god-come-to-my-assistance.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Maybe do some short meditation posts this week? Or picture-only posts this week? Don't talk about how Ryan didn't post at all this week, and definitely don't say he's a loser or something.)</i><br />
<br />
———<br />
<br />
Notes from earlier:<br />
I'm a crier. That means I cry when <a href="http://youtu.be/qmMbm78sEB4" target="_blank">a toddler</a> plays basketball, <a href="http://youtu.be/UQ7N9lM1OMA" target="_blank">Pope Francis</a> kisses a disabled man, <a href="http://youtu.be/3ziBJOi7cDY" target="_blank">wedding guests</a> flash mob Les-Mis style or <a href="http://www.npr.org/2013/03/15/174328613/a-good-enough-dad-and-his-special-son" target="_blank">this man</a> opens a restaurant (I wonder if NPR realized what an awesome pro-life message that story was). I also regularly miss out on some of my favorite hymns during Mass, like today's "All Glory, Laud and Honor," because I'm a blubbering fool.<br />
<br />
This morning, as I watched Father process around the church, I thought about how that procession and today's Gospel reading fully immerse priests in such a physical way. Outside of consecrating of the Eucharist and administering the sacraments, a priest's role on Passion Sunday is such a strong example of why women will never be ordained priests. It's not that a woman standing in as Jesus during the palm procession or speaking as the role of Jesus during the Passion reading would merely be unconventional, odd, etc. It just can't be. It <i>literally</i> cannot be. The priest during Mass is as Jesus, the Lamb being lead to the slaughter, and the Lord chose His Son for this role.<br />
<br />
I feel so blessed to be Roman Catholic, a faith which has appropriate places for each men and woman, places that are both so different and essential. During Deacon's homily, he asked us each to examine our hearts this week, to make sure we're holding to God's will as we approach Good Friday and Easter. As I prepare our home for Resurrection Sunday this week, I will meditate on my roles as mother and wife, and ask for Our Lady's intercession so I may be a loving example of womanhood to those around me, especially my husband and son.<br />
<br />
———<br />
<br />
Segue here, then talk about <a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/03/what-i-wore-sunday-honky-tonk-robot.html">last week's hair</a> and how bad it was. Tried something new today, drumroll, big reveal...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0nWLPoE5E08DIj-QBRqUyTPSXiNroWyvuZELuSCd4W8tgNyrb7pT2VBgRAGtBXI4H5y-Y3P6Yr5MclhDTJGFbppJvhLY6LJlY-jCT0B2iUpiJbRPqCKC28Huah1XNMFZUB9DSSF0nN53/s1600/IMG_7361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0nWLPoE5E08DIj-QBRqUyTPSXiNroWyvuZELuSCd4W8tgNyrb7pT2VBgRAGtBXI4H5y-Y3P6Yr5MclhDTJGFbppJvhLY6LJlY-jCT0B2iUpiJbRPqCKC28Huah1XNMFZUB9DSSF0nN53/s400/IMG_7361.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
Michael Voris-inspired hair! Talk here about how I'm mean, but don't care because it's funny yada yada. Say something sarcastic here.<br />
<br />
Just kidding, blah, blah, real hair here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyzIJ-vqxp5bt9zwCZB4itVhFVNTQyMFEpq_v42G0snzzjdUUbH8t1s64SKIkgC4mWrQ5l0jk2ZbcrHD0pZKIQMc4EHdKeBUXcQLr3vIoIhyphenhyphenkhHaNnpQR4gk8nSjn3kD1g5NFmZvw18hY/s1600/IMG_7362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyzIJ-vqxp5bt9zwCZB4itVhFVNTQyMFEpq_v42G0snzzjdUUbH8t1s64SKIkgC4mWrQ5l0jk2ZbcrHD0pZKIQMc4EHdKeBUXcQLr3vIoIhyphenhyphenkhHaNnpQR4gk8nSjn3kD1g5NFmZvw18hY/s400/IMG_7362.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Talk about what I did to fix it since last week, but will people care? Do I mention makeup colors? People seem to care. Talk about how the pixie worked nice and mod for today's getup.<br />
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<br />
<b>Deets:</b><br />
Flower button earrings: Target<br />
Checkered cape: vintage, consignment shop in town<br />
Gold sweater: Old Navy<br />
Tortoiseshell watch: Fossil<br />
Purple wool skirt: H&M, consignment shop in town<br />
Gray textured tights: who knows, do I know? I don't think I know...<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatle_boot" target="_blank">Beatle boot</a>: Report, Zappos<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TShOJ571TqpEKgjymIjCKuhj77_AsLL4SNvtyqUifmwnDNFIzAKGFS_e42JIv9Yn8jJ0SfX_m254ctQJtHoE61DpVSBN_RH2Nt78gvBISIpuSUcbKkPcOdDuPRPD4sjyryULebhQngTh/s1600/Recently+Updated104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TShOJ571TqpEKgjymIjCKuhj77_AsLL4SNvtyqUifmwnDNFIzAKGFS_e42JIv9Yn8jJ0SfX_m254ctQJtHoE61DpVSBN_RH2Nt78gvBISIpuSUcbKkPcOdDuPRPD4sjyryULebhQngTh/s640/Recently+Updated104.jpg" width="532" /></a></div>
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Talk about my silly personal fashion rules to always have earring holes filled and necklace/scarf/brooch/etc. accessory on, but this cape is loudloudloud, so no jewelry other than earrings and watch. Try to remember exactly what Cruncher said this morning about my silly fashion rules.<br />
<br />
Segue something clever/funny here, and link back to <a href="http://www.finelinenandpurple.com/2013/03/24/what-i-wore-sunday-volume-23/" target="_blank">FLAP</a> ladies for more fashion finery.<br />
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<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11015272018218819947noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-78718331131092092282013-03-22T20:40:00.001-04:002013-03-23T17:11:17.183-04:00Eating Everything<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Shannon</span><br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">"O God, come to my assistance. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Lord, make haste to help me."</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">~Psalm 96:2</span></i></div><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></i><br />
On Tuesday, Ryan and I enjoyed an evening at church for Vespers and a dinner in honor of Saint Joseph's feast day. (Thanks to Paul and Caitlin for watching The Crunchmeister!)<br />
<div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQ886_Pju12wW278_xwLTct2BgOA7oAsgy1heVPJZV3BnU0eW6r9Mt_fJlVcYMhX6sba_lgKY7-379rRQgjujKTJqbDtBRyRCzIqhfVx14GR61OS4RAxxruP148XtxNA48yrWj4BL_vOt/s1600/IMG_7261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQ886_Pju12wW278_xwLTct2BgOA7oAsgy1heVPJZV3BnU0eW6r9Mt_fJlVcYMhX6sba_lgKY7-379rRQgjujKTJqbDtBRyRCzIqhfVx14GR61OS4RAxxruP148XtxNA48yrWj4BL_vOt/s640/IMG_7261.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Father had a lovely homily, and here's a bit: The Lord has entrusted in all of us a task: be it priest, religious, husband, wife, father, mother. Pray that, through Saint Joseph's intercession, we care for our vocation and those entrusted to each of us. </div><div><br />
</div><div>The dinner that followed is an annual thing put on my our parish's youth. It. Was. Fantastic. Wine (not from a box!); hot baked bread; tossed salad with parmesan, tomatoes, cucumber and a vinaigrette; a choice of spaghetti with meatballs, linguini with sausage and peppers, grilled chicken fettuccine alfredo, or baked ziti with meatballs; and <i>tons</i> of desserts. I got the ziti and cheese cake, and Ryan got everything, since it was a feast day and all. </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyc1Ns4vis__mlB9RKMMYZ5ho0juvVgQp4YOcoW7sYaMozBXCWGkrwySc0GDfBySKD4geiIycY4ABQdaiDOxUgLa2fFiGK8LsXp0sZSPZsYZApKN4UxnMKAjlx7KWI2E8MUv_3IazysGpy/s1600/IMG_7259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyc1Ns4vis__mlB9RKMMYZ5ho0juvVgQp4YOcoW7sYaMozBXCWGkrwySc0GDfBySKD4geiIycY4ABQdaiDOxUgLa2fFiGK8LsXp0sZSPZsYZApKN4UxnMKAjlx7KWI2E8MUv_3IazysGpy/s400/IMG_7259.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>With Julia and Michael seated to our left and Rob and Ally seated to our right, we were in for a fantastic evening away from the kiddo. </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUCxy7WxISGd8MGSRAAG9Drxswy7lKUqm5xh5OK82MBi2BdHG6dnBbxEBp4e5Zw6enwH7UMqH_Gfe9O0UovsDAvBRbytPeAj84tDNSWAz69jr2v8W26j2hzn21D3OYqqFItHxwyt-usIy/s1600/Recently+Updated100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUCxy7WxISGd8MGSRAAG9Drxswy7lKUqm5xh5OK82MBi2BdHG6dnBbxEBp4e5Zw6enwH7UMqH_Gfe9O0UovsDAvBRbytPeAj84tDNSWAz69jr2v8W26j2hzn21D3OYqqFItHxwyt-usIy/s640/Recently+Updated100.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>We have a large parish, and there are lots of people in different age groups, which made it really easy for us to make friends. It's a great place to be in our city and archdiocese.</div><div><br />
</div><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fI-y1M1UXggEyXHKFcTjH99VzKXK9kRwWg-L7CYTXnks2XFevCcOUc1qgp3IfyrSqDvM3PQsXj8yjhiknYzx_FJyyHfMOF2zWms3J6hIOuSuutuQHy1BAUudFuhOrhED0uBYEO3uzD70/s1600/IMG_7257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fI-y1M1UXggEyXHKFcTjH99VzKXK9kRwWg-L7CYTXnks2XFevCcOUc1qgp3IfyrSqDvM3PQsXj8yjhiknYzx_FJyyHfMOF2zWms3J6hIOuSuutuQHy1BAUudFuhOrhED0uBYEO3uzD70/s400/IMG_7257.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only picture I got of Ryan,<br />
and I treasure the side-eye Julia is giving him.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br />
</div><div>Say it with me: But Shannon — WHAT ... DID ... YOU ... WEAR?!</div><div><br />
</div><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9M52sYnUIqmrmqa_Uo_JfNVq5GSfpMxNst2g6UfxRdI1f99KKBHsaweVk-6ffgT-OEVP9Ic_YyMKeGmbts-sGdtIIZJmPUWRq_RzYp5IRPhdnVqWA-mWZsQoovU0DgwnUlGQM3JFoAReB/s1600/IMG_7294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9M52sYnUIqmrmqa_Uo_JfNVq5GSfpMxNst2g6UfxRdI1f99KKBHsaweVk-6ffgT-OEVP9Ic_YyMKeGmbts-sGdtIIZJmPUWRq_RzYp5IRPhdnVqWA-mWZsQoovU0DgwnUlGQM3JFoAReB/s640/IMG_7294.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry 'bout the bad photography.<br />
I don't normally take picture in the house after dark.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><b><br />
</b><b>Deets:</b></div><div>Stripey zipper sweater: Banana Republic, flea market</div><div><a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/01/what-i-wore-sunday-one-where-i-use-self.html">Love knot earrings</a>: Victoria Townsend, Macy's </div><div>Gold locket: heirloom</div><div>Tortoise-shell watch: Fossil</div><div>Needlepoint bag: Vintage, antique mall in town</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Denim A-line skirt: Style&Co, Macy's</div><div>Gray cable-knit tights: probably TJ Maxx</div><div>Navy socks: who cares</div><div>Stompin' boots: Anne Klein, Zappos</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSby-kcTBic3laAOH6v6qsDep0LA6SI1aV7FmRZSi9M_RKGfEO7v7OvSpuZTl5KB2w4FEdCH0iQaVEIdVj9gA0BMIWXgXYHtymQ839b00Q0n0BsbVm-JhGw7nvc0Z3gdwwLRls7oPJ7Rw5/s1600/Recently+Updated98.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSby-kcTBic3laAOH6v6qsDep0LA6SI1aV7FmRZSi9M_RKGfEO7v7OvSpuZTl5KB2w4FEdCH0iQaVEIdVj9gA0BMIWXgXYHtymQ839b00Q0n0BsbVm-JhGw7nvc0Z3gdwwLRls7oPJ7Rw5/s640/Recently+Updated98.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Well, I sure look tired. I should have taken the pictures in the morning before work. I'm posting that horrible picture to show that my hair might actually be under control a little better since <a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/03/what-i-wore-sunday-honky-tonk-robot.html">Sunday</a>. I parted the other way. Who knew?</div><div><br />
</div><div>I luuuuurve the zipper on that sweater. Can't tell in the picture, but there's a little brown leather piping on the sides of the zipper, to tie in with the boots. That $6 flea-market find was screaming my name from across the building. </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jxBdDv2bMyp3vwSy98MOH9vEHsV3z9KN3Su-u2olQmTTAHvXf5iS2gMeTrocNjh1Vh01Hwh8MJfEonCHus5NFHegAzWGEAQbXKSvpY3wbGjmJ4zCvwn4zUE7QKFyf3w4g7BC4jfJRAVd/s1600/Recently+Updated99.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jxBdDv2bMyp3vwSy98MOH9vEHsV3z9KN3Su-u2olQmTTAHvXf5iS2gMeTrocNjh1Vh01Hwh8MJfEonCHus5NFHegAzWGEAQbXKSvpY3wbGjmJ4zCvwn4zUE7QKFyf3w4g7BC4jfJRAVd/s640/Recently+Updated99.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Beautiful, right? I'm vice president of the Old Lady Handbags Club. </div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnq0tkBPb9mXQ3smA77hCwOeGmpwDphzBc3AheLFHpOUvjbYzB168I9p5qFIRxCfO5Rxa1SdtNYoV1V22L_WsWIhXgqGgpn3OeunpZWSrexiGhLBizPUmXIBiM9RvDBwu_AZJH0oDTaq0/s1600/Photo+on+3-22-13+at+8.36+PM+%233.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnq0tkBPb9mXQ3smA77hCwOeGmpwDphzBc3AheLFHpOUvjbYzB168I9p5qFIRxCfO5Rxa1SdtNYoV1V22L_WsWIhXgqGgpn3OeunpZWSrexiGhLBizPUmXIBiM9RvDBwu_AZJH0oDTaq0/s400/Photo+on+3-22-13+at+8.36+PM+%233.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Now off to spend some time with my beloved sister, Kelsey. We have plans for crafting, antiquing, consignment shopping, and etc. etc. etc. My favorite kind of weekend. : )</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11015272018218819947noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-28237201029511891452013-03-18T21:46:00.000-04:002013-03-19T22:02:50.159-04:00Cruncher Chronicles: A Love Note<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Shannon</span><br />
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He disagrees with me. "Mama, I will cuddle with you forever."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyY9m7CEISHg1XjN4bj_gdPUZt2j4ADxUUmfK5fvMR1WKcgwgUVvX2LGCbXFiDmftoBbOEjVf6Eh7tU1tgBlUhLalnxfXQPvq8V2BSbOu2NGiDGQcExbmb9CyqWJ4BpcR9JJLJl9bECFO9/s1600/IMG_7139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyY9m7CEISHg1XjN4bj_gdPUZt2j4ADxUUmfK5fvMR1WKcgwgUVvX2LGCbXFiDmftoBbOEjVf6Eh7tU1tgBlUhLalnxfXQPvq8V2BSbOu2NGiDGQcExbmb9CyqWJ4BpcR9JJLJl9bECFO9/s640/IMG_7139.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
He doesn't believe that, one day, he won't want me to hold him, even though I carried him inside of me. He won't want me to read him a story, even though I use awesome accents. He won't want me to hold his hand, which has gone from holding one of my fingers to grasping my entire hand. He might even roll his eyes when I tell him he's a hard worker, creative thinker and a smart boy, and Daddy and I love him sooo much.<br />
<br />
So, for now, shhhhh...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqosgyzF0ghoQOLf1HZMoN_RajJOp_xi7a9fyl745yyVat481h5tdvCrQ8H9xcT7rsOKCFw_oOsQIazHXeCT6KXCFns6UwRl5z942fiI3rfc5nnG4wfOxjDC-quxIUuPfnqHCMq_7iy9s/s1600/IMG_7137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqosgyzF0ghoQOLf1HZMoN_RajJOp_xi7a9fyl745yyVat481h5tdvCrQ8H9xcT7rsOKCFw_oOsQIazHXeCT6KXCFns6UwRl5z942fiI3rfc5nnG4wfOxjDC-quxIUuPfnqHCMq_7iy9s/s640/IMG_7137.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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We'll cuddle-pray when Daddy's not home.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkp-A5sLKbjoLCbrJ3a2HNLKY5VzPXJg3AteKCRgAM0a8gdniMxuUUvyFhqqI36v7slxu6NhvT2GIFRo-dx99J1SwPc-z6H7XsaCnsMYI59bDHHQ7ik2F5mFxuVZH43HKo_2GmU18Tyy8/s1600/IMG_7141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkp-A5sLKbjoLCbrJ3a2HNLKY5VzPXJg3AteKCRgAM0a8gdniMxuUUvyFhqqI36v7slxu6NhvT2GIFRo-dx99J1SwPc-z6H7XsaCnsMYI59bDHHQ7ik2F5mFxuVZH43HKo_2GmU18Tyy8/s640/IMG_7141.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
Because it won't always be like this.<br />
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<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11015272018218819947noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-5207959145339709592013-03-18T21:12:00.000-04:002013-03-18T21:21:35.467-04:00Basilica in Covington: Praise and Beauty<span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Shannon</span><br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Praise and beauty are before Him: </i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>holiness and majesty in His sanctuary.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;"><i>~Psalm 95:6</i></span></span></div>
<br />
On Saturday, Ryan, Cruncher and I visited <a href="http://www.covcathedral.com/frame1.htm" target="_blank">St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption</a> in Covington, Kentucky. I don't think any of us knew what we were in for when we walked through those doors. It. Was. Just. Gorgeous — FULL STOP. I'll let my camera do the talking. Lots and lots of talking. Some short captions are mixed in, so watch for them.<br />
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPJhQemFANvNHq5i8zyBYKG-ipIvKN1w2xZrEwuCh8Yl0hYoJ6f9xGGdA5SWMrv4ZZavyFebg9QzDaToTobI5JDM3rKxYnHBL8RQIQKgJHR5YziE5bJ_xZcMkvqh28dzLvWaDgizaXpFV/s1600/Recently+Updated84.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPJhQemFANvNHq5i8zyBYKG-ipIvKN1w2xZrEwuCh8Yl0hYoJ6f9xGGdA5SWMrv4ZZavyFebg9QzDaToTobI5JDM3rKxYnHBL8RQIQKgJHR5YziE5bJ_xZcMkvqh28dzLvWaDgizaXpFV/s640/Recently+Updated84.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The largest church stained-glass window in the world, outside and inside views.</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfYvggGdcvUQeVKtXXGMQ5vKngmRcin8aJQfdT1Jqf6JoBZ7LFGO_eZ-au2O5ZbATRv4Wh0MbnaZY9dqw_zyHlQJP1e56rLRHfAloJZN0_sZeF_I4qLHx_0VTakrrQYB4-DN2EwDZ-0d0/s1600/Recently+Updated90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfYvggGdcvUQeVKtXXGMQ5vKngmRcin8aJQfdT1Jqf6JoBZ7LFGO_eZ-au2O5ZbATRv4Wh0MbnaZY9dqw_zyHlQJP1e56rLRHfAloJZN0_sZeF_I4qLHx_0VTakrrQYB4-DN2EwDZ-0d0/s640/Recently+Updated90.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the front doors.</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjmWPBH3mKyIe8NyIP9MBqmvUo1af7R6REhtRn-4bbMXe1E9FViw_RybDy698xBmzYKSG3R3XS4AS3Nx8eYu1Sz8GvuQmB2dDp95uZByFWICSanh2s9gL-NuEUCvabOv_BGj_8FFDh2bs/s1600/Recently+Updated83.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjmWPBH3mKyIe8NyIP9MBqmvUo1af7R6REhtRn-4bbMXe1E9FViw_RybDy698xBmzYKSG3R3XS4AS3Nx8eYu1Sz8GvuQmB2dDp95uZByFWICSanh2s9gL-NuEUCvabOv_BGj_8FFDh2bs/s640/Recently+Updated83.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baptistry.</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADG6wq6xUPEY2OjVbFZ1-6NJxYMUganFmVeLePfh-DNl7tIEU1Gk6xVsGMcJPa5sn7kYqqNDE5GsVZJJSSSrX1Qgutc55HVWVTi0BsT9Cegn3p7B88MfgOGcpv02rTKGJIOyokCGz9J_L/s1600/Recently+Updated89.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADG6wq6xUPEY2OjVbFZ1-6NJxYMUganFmVeLePfh-DNl7tIEU1Gk6xVsGMcJPa5sn7kYqqNDE5GsVZJJSSSrX1Qgutc55HVWVTi0BsT9Cegn3p7B88MfgOGcpv02rTKGJIOyokCGz9J_L/s640/Recently+Updated89.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The <i>tintinnabulum</i> and <i>umbraculum</i> for if a pope ever visits.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0B575ym656BHGwbupMiV3Wnpw4qcvzH9fIUv-khffH3PvTRdtb91Rf3z5wj12Jv9ezpDKd6iZEzEtlBoUHAmxzNFB7REalOeD53FUd9JklmYRwSklrPlcDesaOvxDdJA0DTJmgrSTiCEF/s1600/Recently+Updated96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0B575ym656BHGwbupMiV3Wnpw4qcvzH9fIUv-khffH3PvTRdtb91Rf3z5wj12Jv9ezpDKd6iZEzEtlBoUHAmxzNFB7REalOeD53FUd9JklmYRwSklrPlcDesaOvxDdJA0DTJmgrSTiCEF/s640/Recently+Updated96.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like the window in the center, showing the Nativity, paired with the station below, Jesus Meets His Mother.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAwGfHpJJFhy7gqsBnRsJJBgJTYjdh9sgTvSGvZB88ONLYuyzTweWG5Lox7cKyWWELT9CN4-b_qbO5T0I2nxQe3RR9pWLHcnr4GgRc-1yo73n6kqT1NcDXExR772XlovTcTtfCjx7UbFk/s1600/Recently+Updated93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAwGfHpJJFhy7gqsBnRsJJBgJTYjdh9sgTvSGvZB88ONLYuyzTweWG5Lox7cKyWWELT9CN4-b_qbO5T0I2nxQe3RR9pWLHcnr4GgRc-1yo73n6kqT1NcDXExR772XlovTcTtfCjx7UbFk/s640/Recently+Updated93.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Center: Rose window and main organ.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMriGFQMfakXJmWnYqhMo3brMCh0s8b7FHlZYZAkD08sjHZjVdj0DX5amow6GO7p1DA0SlU4qOchi2YQGWYnU6RbpcjwMmNoG3DSGnhGZNNZs_GpyS_IWRIO_7Huw97RfClc6iTUaJ_lf/s1600/Recently+Updated88.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMriGFQMfakXJmWnYqhMo3brMCh0s8b7FHlZYZAkD08sjHZjVdj0DX5amow6GO7p1DA0SlU4qOchi2YQGWYnU6RbpcjwMmNoG3DSGnhGZNNZs_GpyS_IWRIO_7Huw97RfClc6iTUaJ_lf/s640/Recently+Updated88.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Confessional.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eLNDPLzBcO1NlCY13sENZhIXtOztpTrzpIci3dXuKG6-AzDNftLxqKJB91VFVDp2pQpfOZW9jamrt28w4vi-d5vtEyg6E8xnKanoruYvOzS2P7m235hdlL1pvVfMJrwAi3TmqVnK9qcb/s1600/Recently+Updated92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eLNDPLzBcO1NlCY13sENZhIXtOztpTrzpIci3dXuKG6-AzDNftLxqKJB91VFVDp2pQpfOZW9jamrt28w4vi-d5vtEyg6E8xnKanoruYvOzS2P7m235hdlL1pvVfMJrwAi3TmqVnK9qcb/s640/Recently+Updated92.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blessed Sacrament Chapel with Frank Duveneck murals.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. John Vianney, pray for my godsons!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIFuGq3a85J0euI77lHvb3qPb6y3dzvKND5kYGSeYzEZuetzzBPsi5QzQCxNgYtWWZwjz1gzBtNJZjlkdfMDmMg75fGFm1UP34X3sc6Rf-VsMDcObEf8qSOQdcahIrJcB4XLYYvJaaRtQ/s1600/Recently+Updated97.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIFuGq3a85J0euI77lHvb3qPb6y3dzvKND5kYGSeYzEZuetzzBPsi5QzQCxNgYtWWZwjz1gzBtNJZjlkdfMDmMg75fGFm1UP34X3sc6Rf-VsMDcObEf8qSOQdcahIrJcB4XLYYvJaaRtQ/s640/Recently+Updated97.jpg" width="586" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two organs and two rose windows.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsOeIXl6VJ0F2VepcPA7DF7DCB_tu-BWJ3DbnQKDA8DwXeLCFNE6Ix5FTF7L2TDzkQ1RU5OujhJkgT-7WoBYId3pg4mcp53zTExFMSRMeuzaF0yMEuxnP8ExP4Odui4Vpduq7t6SQXEDy/s1600/IMG_7168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsOeIXl6VJ0F2VepcPA7DF7DCB_tu-BWJ3DbnQKDA8DwXeLCFNE6Ix5FTF7L2TDzkQ1RU5OujhJkgT-7WoBYId3pg4mcp53zTExFMSRMeuzaF0yMEuxnP8ExP4Odui4Vpduq7t6SQXEDy/s640/IMG_7168.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Altar and with largest church stained-glass window.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhke1cOxN3aBCERQuMLeo8lr0ZqkrEfDuXrkXLJ8BpXYH_QmfavDdYgjh8NbGcErh5rJtDzDTWCRWx4G_jVuwI47ybLnrPkM-u06mG-Jmb6QfgZGJN46oyVDJnC-xlUPJqAWxwEYn6Dy8Oe/s1600/IMG_7175.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhke1cOxN3aBCERQuMLeo8lr0ZqkrEfDuXrkXLJ8BpXYH_QmfavDdYgjh8NbGcErh5rJtDzDTWCRWx4G_jVuwI47ybLnrPkM-u06mG-Jmb6QfgZGJN46oyVDJnC-xlUPJqAWxwEYn6Dy8Oe/s640/IMG_7175.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view up was my favorite.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiKqUCX3Cgq7x2X-P3FDJwGoi33l7ztnqo_YssuQ8cg6tpekL7-aKJY-_Phlk8itu9FhxCDsbe8PWUwkdKB3aGaStZ5GqCYfOJeXN3S2AnC2C-_EnTnEieL3nc8QgF1wva25LMOTxfjMn/s1600/IMG_7174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiKqUCX3Cgq7x2X-P3FDJwGoi33l7ztnqo_YssuQ8cg6tpekL7-aKJY-_Phlk8itu9FhxCDsbe8PWUwkdKB3aGaStZ5GqCYfOJeXN3S2AnC2C-_EnTnEieL3nc8QgF1wva25LMOTxfjMn/s640/IMG_7174.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stations are mosaic, from Venice, Italy.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2MAxatU1vle54QGydQosbkwNgCi1BCYKIrygnQgB3Eebf9tmndy4jcXzSIRsNMxc7-X2vM1mkjT4WeP09fa3PMWjKvw0AXleTN-oDT-tFWkUVChG0RfOhtTJAIcf8HlTsJaNGzcNi7Kt/s1600/Recently+Updated85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2MAxatU1vle54QGydQosbkwNgCi1BCYKIrygnQgB3Eebf9tmndy4jcXzSIRsNMxc7-X2vM1mkjT4WeP09fa3PMWjKvw0AXleTN-oDT-tFWkUVChG0RfOhtTJAIcf8HlTsJaNGzcNi7Kt/s640/Recently+Updated85.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-55CK0_4BczBT3g-6BxkornehjqRF_eUMCB-PJI8sabB6zWeRDRk0fLDbvpn8-VAC71m5_HYc1iL5bBVvji3TAkmyZTD_BuBDFUmDv0q9J8cYGGVk5jKyaowcd4GoS4rAAHE8IJKTOAR/s1600/Recently+Updated86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-55CK0_4BczBT3g-6BxkornehjqRF_eUMCB-PJI8sabB6zWeRDRk0fLDbvpn8-VAC71m5_HYc1iL5bBVvji3TAkmyZTD_BuBDFUmDv0q9J8cYGGVk5jKyaowcd4GoS4rAAHE8IJKTOAR/s640/Recently+Updated86.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then my camera battery died. True story.</td></tr>
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<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11015272018218819947noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6939659805152572109.post-9784162718696743622013-03-17T16:07:00.003-04:002013-03-17T16:09:25.364-04:00What I Wore Sunday: Honky-tonk Robot Afro Inspiration<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">by Shannon</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">(Editor's note for the day when I get blog hits that aren't just my mom and sister: This week, my blogging partner Ryan, a.k.a. my husband, had <a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/03/feelings-and-pope-francis.html">a thoughtful post</a> on the election of our new Holy Father. Show him some love. Our <a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/03/five-favorites-ii.html">only other post</a> was with Hallie Lord's new link up. I would recommend the video in that post if you love Catholic architecture. On that note, we'll be sharing some great pictures of the basilica in Covington, Kentucky, later in the week. You can also swing back in for some date-night fashion, which will feature a really unique vintage needlepoint handbag, for all you accessories luvahs.)</span></i><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted." </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;"><i>~Psalm 34:19a</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On Friday, I took off work early for a much-needed Mass. Don't you love when the readings and homily seem special-picked just for you? Here's a snippet: Have consolation in the new Holy Father. He has a simple way of identifying with the brokenhearted. We desperately need this consolation. Our cries do not fall on deaf ears, the broken Lamb of God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Linking up with <a href="http://www.finelinenandpurple.com/2013/03/17/what-i-wore-sunday-volume-22-2/" target="_blank">Fine Linen and Purple</a> for What I Wore Sunday again. It's so fun when all the fashion bloggers show a Pinterest look and interpret it with their own pieces. I didn't <i>exactly</i> do that this week, but I did have modeling inspiration: <a href="http://thisfelicitouslife.wordpress.com/2013/03/16/style-and-the-stay-at-home-mom-building-the-uniform-part-2/" target="_blank">This Felicitous Life Laura's husband Patrick</a>. He can really work a lens, totally inspiring my photo shoot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Strike. A. Pose.</b></span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIR6nXa66lCFcDr_ln2T0pxmJclTpFWIh2aJpIjma7UVZ0QWdk0NDOxQAGKe4GPfm3Vq1vk_ukhpLlqfDHGIcbNx9Ssbv8vSG5irNfN8FQFua4HyeIUil3lXSPZ7zYVGS3uQCidWEngG_/s1600/Recently+Updated81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIR6nXa66lCFcDr_ln2T0pxmJclTpFWIh2aJpIjma7UVZ0QWdk0NDOxQAGKe4GPfm3Vq1vk_ukhpLlqfDHGIcbNx9Ssbv8vSG5irNfN8FQFua4HyeIUil3lXSPZ7zYVGS3uQCidWEngG_/s640/Recently+Updated81.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From left to right: chicken robot, proud robot, sad robot and losing-balance robot</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hmm. That didn't go so well. That Patrick — he makes it look so <i>easy</i>. Laura, he's a keeper. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In hindsight, I realized this outfits hearkens back to my little sister Kelsey, punk-rocker turned pregnant farmer's wife. Happy birthday, Kels!</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lcEFx6yLvPJ4eELANbyt6Dk2HeSCd8XnOpwllaJmKrKknyiPfl_1K4eRZZCJHQxgKrXo1Gfg7gL5faROogHRKRO60Hu9T5V0F4HkiXakjRvz8RAsEnj9HrtxHTBwQqmXhxVJuz4RaDTU/s1600/Recently+Updated80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lcEFx6yLvPJ4eELANbyt6Dk2HeSCd8XnOpwllaJmKrKknyiPfl_1K4eRZZCJHQxgKrXo1Gfg7gL5faROogHRKRO60Hu9T5V0F4HkiXakjRvz8RAsEnj9HrtxHTBwQqmXhxVJuz4RaDTU/s640/Recently+Updated80.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Work jacket + dress shirt + denim skirt + boots = Yeeehaw!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Deets:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Plaid coat: <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">Daughters of the Liberation, consignment shop in town</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy earrings: Francesca's</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Striped oxford: J. Crew, consignment shop in town</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Flower pendant: vintage, gifted</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Gold-studded belt: Target</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Denim skirt: LOFT</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Country boots: Anne Klein, zappos</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgaPIW8rmjvX6yQPHV0kGVj-ii_zfQN_UcO-WhClbji_9gCcDvVPxOFBHfv2X9Di-E_kMukqNf56ODVQP0UuGTVSNlphw87fNVcgWgYng6k0bMEd6cmi336Hy07GhKhvg4BjMGlzKZQJh/s1600/Recently+Updated82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgaPIW8rmjvX6yQPHV0kGVj-ii_zfQN_UcO-WhClbji_9gCcDvVPxOFBHfv2X9Di-E_kMukqNf56ODVQP0UuGTVSNlphw87fNVcgWgYng6k0bMEd6cmi336Hy07GhKhvg4BjMGlzKZQJh/s640/Recently+Updated82.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Have I told you I love gold accessories?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Speaking of inspiration, my hair isn't cooperating like <a href="http://swordandstein.blogspot.com/2013/03/five-favorites-ii.html" target="_blank">Annie Hathaway's</a>. It's been more than a year since I cut off my locks, and I think my 'do finally remembered, "Oh, yeah — I'm curly!" Not sure what to do about that, with the Kentucky summer around the corner...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VdL2_sORDKNZaAR5pbxqp8_VTIgYTmadJrvoGZ9RLUwteqgkUSvYw5gXJOgbl22COdi_6b_JPc6Q2FLx0Agh5nuAJySu-sayijvO8b8DWB-RKBT0oYyS-Weg3oWoEECI2Z5gj-IrhM66/s1600/IMG_7254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VdL2_sORDKNZaAR5pbxqp8_VTIgYTmadJrvoGZ9RLUwteqgkUSvYw5gXJOgbl22COdi_6b_JPc6Q2FLx0Agh5nuAJySu-sayijvO8b8DWB-RKBT0oYyS-Weg3oWoEECI2Z5gj-IrhM66/s640/IMG_7254.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Maybe I'll try my hand at <a href="http://chicvintagebrides.com/index.php/bridal-looks/finger-marcel-waves-stylish-hair-of-a-bygone-era/" target="_blank">finger curls</a>. Thoughts?</span></div>
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Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11015272018218819947noreply@blogger.com34