tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67374154085790209982024-03-13T14:27:53.511-05:00I Am WoodyI Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.comBlogger1015125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-6901959244892879732020-09-24T11:28:00.000-05:002020-09-24T11:28:01.443-05:00Time<p> 1440 minutes in a day. Each one can seem to last forever...or they can pass in the blink of an eye. Time marches on. No matter how badly I wish it would stop...if only for a little while. </p><p>I've experienced so many beautiful minutes in my life. But today, those minutes feel far away. Maybe it's the rain. Maybe I'm tired.</p><p>More likely, it's just another stage in the process of grieving. We lost my brother, The Boss Man, in April. Today the grief feels fresh rather than months old. It is raw. </p><p>As I'm watching the rain, I remember a time when The Boss Man and I were kids. It had been raining and the ditch in the front yard was filled to overflowing. We splashed and played until we were soaking wet and freezing. It makes me smile to think about The Boss Man's infectious smile.</p><p>Damn, I miss him.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXdvTe8uQff7WCOawfg4MDW5STiwaJKXoF9n2eNJc8dzV-KLzwnJeGgfUN05aMhTSPHmowcU_VFdj7-5NZdbawIp2F7ZzICkvCy3Ajh_UJWgxUwB-_RQjymyvksgGpL5jxUTRPpoWaMtS/s642/Stephen+Nutt+sleeping+circa+1980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="613" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXdvTe8uQff7WCOawfg4MDW5STiwaJKXoF9n2eNJc8dzV-KLzwnJeGgfUN05aMhTSPHmowcU_VFdj7-5NZdbawIp2F7ZzICkvCy3Ajh_UJWgxUwB-_RQjymyvksgGpL5jxUTRPpoWaMtS/s320/Stephen+Nutt+sleeping+circa+1980.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-22951064035764915602016-05-11T10:31:00.002-05:002016-05-11T10:31:59.052-05:00Post Rock<a href="http://rlmonkee.blogspot.com/2016/05/post-rock.html">http://rlmonkee.blogspot.com/2016/05/post-rock.html</a><br />
<br />I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-4867983519268580852016-05-10T10:14:00.003-05:002016-05-10T10:14:42.327-05:00A Tale of Two Saturdays - The Second Saturday<a href="http://rlmonkee.blogspot.com/2016/05/a-tale-of-two-saturdays-second-saturday.html">http://rlmonkee.blogspot.com/2016/05/a-tale-of-two-saturdays-second-saturday.html</a><br />
<br />I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-25054255605317487262016-05-09T16:42:00.002-05:002016-05-09T16:42:24.007-05:00A Tale of Two Saturdays - The First SaturdayRL Monkee is back on the road and looking for adventures!<br />
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<a href="http://rlmonkee.blogspot.com/2016/05/a-tale-of-two-saturdays-first-saturday.html">http://rlmonkee.blogspot.com/2016/05/a-tale-of-two-saturdays-first-saturday.html</a>I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-11748429044073859662016-02-01T11:24:00.002-06:002016-02-01T11:32:10.712-06:00 A VisitOn the morning of January 3, we received the call. It was a call that we never wanted to receive. But without some major changes, it was a call that we were expecting...even though we tried so hard to push that thought from our minds. After years of struggling with addiction, Vol Fan's nephew was gone. The thing he had gone to for the easing of his pain had finally taken him from us.<br />
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A couple of weeks ago, I had a visit from him. Whether this visit was a dream or something my mind made up or what, I don't know. All I know is that I felt him reach over my shoulders and give me a hug, like he had so many times before. My heart tells me that it was him, telling me that he was OK...that he had finally found peace.<br />
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I weep this morning while writing this and I cling to that thought.I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-60196259514189313252016-01-19T18:50:00.001-06:002016-01-19T18:50:37.793-06:00Frozen Fountain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-43708864836889793022015-12-28T15:23:00.001-06:002015-12-28T15:23:13.407-06:00The Gift of Extravagant LoveLast week as Christmas was nearing, a friend posted on Facebook for all the men to remember that a vacuum or a blender wasn't really the gift their wives wanted. She was reminding them to give their spouses something that made them feel special - something sparkly or something that pampered her. The thread was full of laughter - men saying they needed to cancel the 'oil change' gift, etc.<br />
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One of my high school friends is now a jeweler and owns a jewelry store that specializes in custom jewelry. Of course, he posted some pics of pieces that he had in his shop if anyone was needing a last minute gift. But he also posted something thought provoking. He talked of a phrase that someone had given him years ago - A Gift of Extravagant Love. And I assume many that were reading the thread thought he meant extravagant as in expensive. <br />
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For the last several days, that thread and his comment have been on my mind. I think the meaning is something vastly different than monetary value. <br />
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Was it extravagant love when Vol Fan knew I wanted a nice tripod for my spotting scope? Was it the rock he picked up last week while working and brought it home because he thought it was pretty and that I might like it? [I did, by the way] Was it simply sitting in silence watching the sunset last night?<br />
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The conclusion that I have reached is that the gift of extravagant love is something that takes place all year long. It is something that happens in a million tiny ways each day and when added up, they equal something that is immeasurable.<br />
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If this is happening in your world, you probably already know what gift(s) would make your spouse feel loved and special. If it isn't happening, I challenge you to join me in making this a goal for 2016. I think our worlds will be better for it. I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-66231201428243642022015-10-12T08:00:00.000-05:002015-10-12T14:46:00.938-05:00Hagerman Fossil BedsOn Saturday, I took the short drive to Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. I turned off the interstate and took US 30 from Twin Falls to Hagerman. It is ALWAYS a good idea to leave the interstate! Soon after leaving the interstate, I crossed over the Snake River Canyon.<br />
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As I was driving down canyon, I came across a place known as Thousand Springs. It was beautiful! The springs in the canyon wall are from the Snake River Aquifer.<br />
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The national monument has some beautiful views of the Snake River.<br />
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None of the fossil excavations were exposed but there were several exhibits at the visitor center, including a mastodon skull and a full skeleton of a Hagerman horse, one of the oldest species in the horse genus.<br />
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One of the things that I found interesting was the fact that the Oregon Trail ran through the monument. There were places that you could still see the ruts caused by the thousands of pioneer wagons that had travelled the 2200-mile route to Oregon. This was the best spot I could find for a photograph of the ruts.<br />
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On the way back home, the setting sun really brought out the textures of the foothills of the Lost River Range. Beautiful!<br />
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<br />I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-37456060003093933052015-10-09T11:51:00.000-05:002015-10-09T11:51:24.382-05:00Local FarmingYesterday as I drove back to the hotel from Vol Fan's job site, I went a different route to explore a little. It was a wonderfully cool evening so I had the windows down. As I was driving, I passed a field of freshly mown alfalfa hay. Holy moly! The smell was heavenly! <br />
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Even with the dry conditions of this area, it is a thriving agriculture community. The haying operations are amazing. And HUGE! I took this photo of harvested hay waiting to be shipped.<br />
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These big square bales are pretty equivalent to the round bales that I am used to in Tennessee. This stack had approximately 450 bales. And there are stacks like this (and larger) absolutely everywhere!!! <br />
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This stack included some freshly baled alfalfa hay. It is the dark green bales. I bet livestock loves that stuff!<br />
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Another things I have been enjoying is watching the potato harvest, which is in full swing. Scenes like this one are happening in field after field after field. There are several semi-trucks that run back and forth from field to storage barn where they await shipment to market.<br />
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I love it here!I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-65675543282710102162015-10-08T12:01:00.000-05:002015-10-08T12:01:02.572-05:00Idaho FallsVol Fan's current job assignment is in Idaho Falls, Idaho. I was very excited when I learned this would be our location. We had driven through the area on our way to Yellowstone last fall and I thought it was incredibly beautiful country. When I told people that we were going to Idaho, many people's response was "What's in Idaho? Other than potatoes." I didn't really know but I was excited to find out.<br />
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We found a long-term-stay hotel (a kitchen makes the travel life SO much easier!) that was about 5 minutes away from Vol Fan's job site. As a bonus, the hotel is located right beside the Snake River and the city's greenbelt runs through the hotel property!<br />
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That is our hotel from the far side of the river. It is a beautiful place. I have enjoyed my daily walks along the greenbelt. And seriously, the weather couldn't be more perfect!<br />
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Idaho Falls was named because of a series of rapids that were located on the Snake River. In the early 1980s, the city decided to use the river to generate power and created the 'falls' as they are now. And they did a beautiful job of it. <br />
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This little section of falls is located by a Japanese-style garden that my walking route takes me through. I am thoroughly enjoying my time here!<br />
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<br />I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-15796184426608239462015-10-05T15:36:00.002-05:002015-10-05T15:36:49.551-05:00A Moose-arific DayLast weekend, Vol Fan had a couple of days off from work. We decided that we were going to attempt to see a moose. We asked locals where to go for our best chances. We plotted. We planned. We mapped. And early Saturday morning, we headed into the wilds. <br />
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It had rained on Friday night and the clouds and mist were still hanging around. Even with the weather, we were feeling lucky. And we were right!!<br />
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Definitely a day well spent!! Unfortunately, Vol Fan started having a familiar pain in his back while we were on the way home. Yes, kidney stones. Thankfully they passed fairly quickly and did not require a trip to the ER!I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-36195374007394579142015-08-12T11:08:00.002-05:002015-08-12T11:08:34.077-05:00Silver LiningEarlier this week I was talking with Blazer. She was having a crazy busy day and had locked her keys in her car. As we texted about her predicament, she said 'I needed to slow down anyway'. I commented about her looking on the bright side of things. And that has set my mind to thinking about how to look on the bright side of things in my own life.<br />
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Dark side: We wanted to take a cruise/rail trip to Alaska to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary this year but work is preventing that from happening.<br />
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Bright side: Yay! 25 years!!<br />
Bright side: Vol Fan has a job that provides for all our needs.<br />
Bright side: This extra year will allow for more planning.<br />
Bright side: Woody has learned that an account at work takes Visa. More specifically, they take Southwest Rapid Rewards Visa. And it is an account with which they spend thousands and thousands of dollars. Rapids Rewards Visa + paying the bills for this account = Woody is planning on paying for the majority of the Alaska trip with airline points! Cha-ching!!<br />
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What is your bright side today?I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-56477938165643866672015-05-04T15:22:00.003-05:002015-05-04T15:22:30.488-05:00OMG! I Saw A Bear!<a href="http://rlmonkee.blogspot.com/2015/05/omg-i-saw-bear.html">http://rlmonkee.blogspot.com/2015/05/omg-i-saw-bear.html</a>I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-52707842222520700072015-04-03T21:12:00.001-05:002015-04-03T21:12:52.788-05:00My Two Favorite Peeps<a href="http://rlmonkee.blogspot.com/2015/04/my-two-favorite-peeps.html">http://rlmonkee.blogspot.com/2015/04/my-two-favorite-peeps.html</a>I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-84059985350327211112015-02-23T18:24:00.001-06:002015-02-23T18:24:23.329-06:00Yummy!May I offer you some <strike>bird</strike> - I mean, deer seed?<br />
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<br />I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-66443458359579232712015-02-18T16:56:00.000-06:002015-02-18T16:56:00.811-06:00Ice Storm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-43682075237662088272014-12-18T10:27:00.003-06:002014-12-18T10:28:05.470-06:0019Tuesday was my Dad's 19th birthday. Well, actually, it was the 60th anniversary of his 19th birthday. LOL! He is the best and I'm ever so thankful that he is my Dad.<br />
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AB claims that he is actually 20,000 years old. One year for each time he has told someone that he is only 19! :DI Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-63719802024021959722014-12-17T07:22:00.001-06:002014-12-18T10:28:18.799-06:00Photo Booth FunOver the weekend, we had a Christmas party with a group of friends. We set up a photo booth in the garage - unsure of whether it would be used or not. It was a hit! And the photos were hilarious :)<br />
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<br />I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-54656834290070591842014-12-05T11:03:00.001-06:002014-12-05T11:03:42.631-06:00A Tale Of MileageIn June of 2012, I purchased the shoes on the right. Merrell Moab Waterproof Light Hikers.<br />
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They immediately became my favorite pair of shoes. I needed to regularly wear a shoe with extra support due to arthritis developing in my big toe joints. And these fit the bill. As you can tell, they have held up very well! That first summer, Vol Fan was working on a golf course in Georgia. I walked all 18 holes daily - sometimes 21. The next year, I was attempting to continue my daily walks - wherever we happened to be. All that walking in these shoes.<br />
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This year I upped the ante. Setting my goal at 1000 miles. As of yesterday, I had walked 916 miles - in these shoes. Amazing how good the upper part of the shoe still looks!! One slight tear starting on the right one by my pinkie toe. Otherwise good as new!<br />
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The bottoms show the truth of my mileage. Wow!!<br />
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But the most important thing about this post is the lesson I learned. When you find a shoe that you love and that will go the distance, buy another pair just like it! My feet are ready for next year's goal!!I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-50190951320808074162014-12-04T07:29:00.000-06:002014-12-05T11:03:54.702-06:00The Scariest of ScaresOn Black Friday, Vol Fan and I were doing as his Mama taught us. We were shopping. Not buying but shopping when I got a call from The Boss Man. A call that took the wind right out of my sails.<br />
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The evening before Thanksgiving we had met for our family Thanksgiving dinner. AB has always been a kid that likes to point out her boo-boos. She was sitting on my lap and was showing me her 'rash'. There were a handful of the tiniest little red spots that I've ever seen - like a tiny pinprick. I looked, asked if they itched, if they hurt, etc. No, they didn't itch or hurt. They were just there. <br />
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We were talking about AB liking to show off her war wounds and Prima Ballerina said that she had been complaining about her hip. Prima Ballerina assumed it was a copycat thing since Prima Ballerina has been complaining of hip pain for about 2 years now and is scheduled for surgery on Dec 13. We all laughed.<br />
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Later that evening as Pita and AB were doing backbends in the den. I saw why AB had been complaining about her hip. She had a HUGE bruise on it. She couldn't remember what she did. We all examined it, determined that with all their bouncing around she probably crashed into a piece of furniture, and didn't think another thing about it.<br />
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On Thanksgiving Day and the day after, AB's 'rash' got worse. Enough that it concerned The Boss Man and Prima Ballerina. They texted a photo of the rash to AB's pediatrician who told them to go to the ER - that she was sending orders for some bloodwork to be done. When the bloodwork came back, the hospital staff promptly put AB and Prima Ballerina in an ambulance for a fast ride to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. The Boss Man called me while he was following the ambulance.<br />
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AB's bloodwork had showed that her platelet count was low - like seriously low. Like low to the point that internal bleeding was a serious possibility - thus the ambulance ride. The 'rash' was actually where she was bleeding.<br />
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What did all this mean?? There were two possibilities - it could be nothing more serious than a virus or it could mean leukemia. When he said that, I seriously almost fell to my knees in the middle of the mall. Struggling to keep the tears under control, Vol Fan and I immediately left for the hospital. <br />
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Once AB arrived, the staff at Vanderbilt immediately kicked into action. More blood was drawn and it was sent for examination. And the scary wait continued.<br />
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Several agonizing hours later, we received word that there were no abnormal cells in AB's blood. Thank heavens - no leukemia!<br />
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Apparently she had a virus within the last month and it had caused her antibodies to attack her platelets. It is a condition called ITP. As long as her platelet count continues to improve on her own, no intervention will be required - other than having to be careful since she will bleed more freely until the levels normalize.<br />
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I have never been so scared and then so very thankful in the span of just a few hours.I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-54028406304650180092014-11-14T12:45:00.000-06:002014-11-14T12:46:05.179-06:00Party At The House of WoodLast night, the family gathered to celebrate November birthdays - Pita, Crafty, and Vol Fan. <br />
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Since it was the actual day of Vol Fan's birthday, I attempted to create a 'Go Vols' cake. It was much more 'Go Vols'ish in my vision but it's the thought, right?!?<br />
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There were several intense games of Hi-Ho Cherry-O.<br />
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We arm wrestled.<br />
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And leg wrestled.<br />
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And made silly faces. Do we know how to party or what?!?<br />
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<br />I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-53177118472471612592014-11-04T12:00:00.000-06:002014-11-04T12:00:01.592-06:00Has It Been 10 Years Already?It's hard to believe that it has been 10 years since the day we were sitting at the hospital, anxiously awaiting the arrival of Pita. She has been an absolutely joy since Day 1. I get a little teary thinking about how fast time is passing. So to brighten your day and mine, here is a little clip I found last night. It was from the summer of 2006 :)<br />
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Happy Double Digits Birthday, Pita!I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-15679518830659680542014-10-31T19:19:00.002-05:002014-10-31T19:19:44.311-05:00Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cop Cutie, Hip-Hop Girl, and one tough hombre. :)</div>
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I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-91375054479830685932014-10-21T08:10:00.001-05:002014-10-21T08:10:34.169-05:00Grandaddy's FarmLast Saturday, we visited Grandaddy's Farm - the local pumpkin patch. My normal job is to document the day in photos. In years past, I have gotten lots of great photos. This year I was too busy sliding down the 150' slide.....<br />
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<br />I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737415408579020998.post-10818823778781415872014-10-14T09:07:00.003-05:002014-10-14T09:07:18.669-05:00Back To SLC<a href="http://rlmonkee.blogspot.com/2014/10/back-to-slc.html">Back to SLC</a>I Am Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10103866761536902069noreply@blogger.com0