tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23064035790793776362024-02-06T19:09:55.177-08:00Our Family BouquetOur family is a beautiful bouquet of people designed by God. Like a bouquet of different colors, we are all from different places and we all have different talents, interests and backgrounds. We hope that God is pleased with us and enjoys the family that He built.Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.comBlogger316125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-81690277917141237212013-06-02T11:42:00.000-07:002013-06-02T11:42:51.030-07:00May 13, Monday - our last day in Europe(Yes, we forgot it was Mother's Day yesterday until during supper, Reese said, "Hey, Happy Mother's Day! I forgot!" LOL I'd forgotten too!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of the Spanish Steps, Rome, Italy</td></tr>
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The next day, we were up again and ready for one last day of adventure. The Spanish Steps were about a block from our hotel so we went there first. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8717VjRDPALagM2MBQ7B35UmEY5MKAnzy_eexWkJD0P1dTiRo6JVjnUBEwT6LywTei9tQr8oJTMICbfvhqaUt6dUByHp2-sz9zKuDrj22z_kbHqgxanojgoqq2Gao-vViqoMwgft0uRw/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8717VjRDPALagM2MBQ7B35UmEY5MKAnzy_eexWkJD0P1dTiRo6JVjnUBEwT6LywTei9tQr8oJTMICbfvhqaUt6dUByHp2-sz9zKuDrj22z_kbHqgxanojgoqq2Gao-vViqoMwgft0uRw/s640/Trip+to+Europe+031.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our hotel room. The obelisk you see is the top of the "Steps"</td></tr>
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The best thing about the Spanish Steps was the gelato we got from a stand there!! LOL! Neither of us had ever had it and we simply were hooked. We got it 2 more times before the day was out. ;o) <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were as many gelato stands (gelatorias) as pizzarias!! They were EVERYWHERE!! ...That was not a problem, as far as we were concerned, though! lol</td></tr>
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From there we walked to the Trevi Fountain - I LOVED it!! it was very crowded (like <u>everywhere </u>we went on this vacation!) but stunningly beautiful. Rome is LOADED with absolutely gorgeous marble statues and friezes and gargoyles and everything everywhere you look. It's just simply unbelievable. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0P3qvBs5GI-63gxKhFt1Ro-0aLjaV9Dw_vLQpOvxq6CGwkjMiH6OaeUWL2JRrTjcoQg2GFRFfniT1LUhmSJmQcVef_F8C541RpPmKQglSsCmj8T61eMgryqNxDiInRIzFenKS_c3zqtY/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0P3qvBs5GI-63gxKhFt1Ro-0aLjaV9Dw_vLQpOvxq6CGwkjMiH6OaeUWL2JRrTjcoQg2GFRFfniT1LUhmSJmQcVef_F8C541RpPmKQglSsCmj8T61eMgryqNxDiInRIzFenKS_c3zqtY/s400/Trip+to+Europe+037.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Trevi Fountain. I don't know the history of this place unfortunately, but I know that it is said that if you throw a coin over your shoulder into the fountain, someday you will return to the fountain with your lover.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure, but it looks like this might be Zeus. (Hubba, hubba!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVBJWUcCO1kx_hyphenhyphenO1USTSC8u8GBmP_Qdo6-GLoIX1lYa-nVWpkZHoLKfmn5JUGlrLvWPs5bPLfHl506SyV-tigH_ZdIy-hzRsemKS4Y3js_PR49-9-mFZZMDdbG_cEPiSN8KZfGfPRPM/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVBJWUcCO1kx_hyphenhyphenO1USTSC8u8GBmP_Qdo6-GLoIX1lYa-nVWpkZHoLKfmn5JUGlrLvWPs5bPLfHl506SyV-tigH_ZdIy-hzRsemKS4Y3js_PR49-9-mFZZMDdbG_cEPiSN8KZfGfPRPM/s640/Trip+to+Europe+042.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey, whatever works!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I did it too...!</td></tr>
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Some of the buildings are absolute jaw droppers. Where did all of this marble COME from, and how the HECK did they work all of it like that?? Some of the columns we saw were MASSIVE. It's just really mind-blowing. The Trevi Fountain did not disappoint, and yes, Reese and I both tossed a coin in from behind, over the shoulder as instructed, and made a wish. ;o)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZMYBgumjaLcAG3w1PdmAgP2hUpHfYVhv-LIlelFhNPhq47D585RGmC8uZRBCrysbN0GmAHq7DInC2ZGfswRoHUjuZISpOw1F06rroZhX_fXivoDiy6rAAIF4RtJPwapEPlR1IxqApS8/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZMYBgumjaLcAG3w1PdmAgP2hUpHfYVhv-LIlelFhNPhq47D585RGmC8uZRBCrysbN0GmAHq7DInC2ZGfswRoHUjuZISpOw1F06rroZhX_fXivoDiy6rAAIF4RtJPwapEPlR1IxqApS8/s400/Trip+to+Europe+045.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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From there we walked to the Metro subway and took ourselves to the Vatican. (The Rome Metro is way better than the horrible DC Metro. Just sayin'.) <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yEMkq6UkLjUD55eSE6A-FbnWC3bUw9ROmbWPfbAQUPoOJmEn67cCzYxBZDGraWQu-8gUHHysVWOs6xwpSrGF7LfbCmtMt7jYPNWLpJDYUTXuHR2Mb6oeNfY1g0Vh5r1EOB7VA-ExVuQ/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yEMkq6UkLjUD55eSE6A-FbnWC3bUw9ROmbWPfbAQUPoOJmEn67cCzYxBZDGraWQu-8gUHHysVWOs6xwpSrGF7LfbCmtMt7jYPNWLpJDYUTXuHR2Mb6oeNfY1g0Vh5r1EOB7VA-ExVuQ/s640/Trip+to+Europe+063.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you have ever studied Rome history, you'll know that the Romans were brillant. So brilliant that they <br />
figured <br />
out how to provide this enormous city with constant, fresh, clean flowing water, constantly. They used <br />
aquaducts <br />
and I suppose other means, but they did it. Well, everywhere you go around the city, there is STILL constant <br />
flowing, clean, drinkable water!! What people do is they carry around their water bottles and simply fill <br />
up with <br />
fresh water at all of these many fountains everywhere! At first I was nervous about it making me sick (too <br />
much <br />
time spent in Russia, I suppose), but the British guy who I'll tell you about next told us it was absolutely <br />
perfectly <br />
safe. The water was not only delicious, but it was cool, too!! not sure if you can see it in this photo, but this <br />
fountain spews out of the statue's mouth.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwocLZiUIfrwC9-_AcucAC304HmectUBovjNqus92VmTRPtJBoKcUPgUujUiof2kzDBIPTf9r4iTFpkQZHVRs3yWF6LJZdg05KVGI2uHsUq0EpxL4F_XXFzjGPrxj6MHMpXpOOr4rmea8/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwocLZiUIfrwC9-_AcucAC304HmectUBovjNqus92VmTRPtJBoKcUPgUujUiof2kzDBIPTf9r4iTFpkQZHVRs3yWF6LJZdg05KVGI2uHsUq0EpxL4F_XXFzjGPrxj6MHMpXpOOr4rmea8/s640/Trip+to+Europe+046.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dome at the Vatican.</td></tr>
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While walking to the Vatican, a young British man stopped us and wanted to know if we would like to skip the lines and buy a tour with a tour guide through the new Vatican museum (built in 2000) and Sistine Chapel. We said yes. Good thing, too! I'll bet there were 5,000 people in line to get in!! The line was 5 or 6 people wide and wrapped all the way down the Vatican Wall and around the corner. Boy, were we glad we went with the tour!! Worth every penny, and in fact, I got 30 Euros (~$50) back because Reese was disabled! How cool was THAT?!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrGrUIIpgJh7wqIyFC5lSRYB6Il8L0x_oE1pvURH1LG0DxJCtqeCuEZVSXSZsNuTtQZRygEXcXKlUHgbFYFGmad80Lzgb0_kZNo1LJaqD3KWC8qxfk9fdI7wUa8E9jNVq0wPCAx4vxMg/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrGrUIIpgJh7wqIyFC5lSRYB6Il8L0x_oE1pvURH1LG0DxJCtqeCuEZVSXSZsNuTtQZRygEXcXKlUHgbFYFGmad80Lzgb0_kZNo1LJaqD3KWC8qxfk9fdI7wUa8E9jNVq0wPCAx4vxMg/s640/Trip+to+Europe+047.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My ticket in.</td></tr>
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The Vatican and museum were simply too amazing for words. Marble busts, tapestries, coffins, celings... the whole thing was quite overwhelming!! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0pn_K0UhJIA_Yi6meoNon9oqnIDwvG_TsclVRimKgwR7lO-Ctb9nF1q1__QvGZaEjd7ukPijODLYi1AH8zwyYgtKxJLXw_V1ya6A1oKdA578wBJlAdanrsUjQQ5iim2x6CeDVDAE4GE/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0pn_K0UhJIA_Yi6meoNon9oqnIDwvG_TsclVRimKgwR7lO-Ctb9nF1q1__QvGZaEjd7ukPijODLYi1AH8zwyYgtKxJLXw_V1ya6A1oKdA578wBJlAdanrsUjQQ5iim2x6CeDVDAE4GE/s640/Trip+to+Europe+049.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nope, don't know who this dude was (or hardly any of them which was a shame, but there was only so <br />
much <br />
time to show us stuff...) but the detail on his and some of the other busts was incredible. I mean, look at the <br />
hair - you can see STRANDS of this dude's hair!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZN-TLyP7SzTaZDeKMeGJA7j9Qwpxi2HaddEDWxmsXloPTkD0Po8RKB03OdsexUxq6XrKn-M-aTWo2kla_H9ORPVyzQ6FgmFi864tQoqDpj_dRvRJRH8r9y4BUL8xjnpsnBpdKbv_kgg/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZN-TLyP7SzTaZDeKMeGJA7j9Qwpxi2HaddEDWxmsXloPTkD0Po8RKB03OdsexUxq6XrKn-M-aTWo2kla_H9ORPVyzQ6FgmFi864tQoqDpj_dRvRJRH8r9y4BUL8xjnpsnBpdKbv_kgg/s400/Trip+to+Europe+050.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were hundreds and hundreds of these lined up on the walls within the museums. I was just dying to <br />
know their history, who they were, etc!!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UQTDauHFEhXAaPJgBCDRwFx055nAXcwqIi3xAe2SxV0oKhyzYbDfG0bTtFrNVA3umIo5M37czgzGaNsGLHtx93gZuXL-JjCOnIhICHRNP4Hb1SKB11sA7KOWkL8oZAqp5RoK1PONEQI/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UQTDauHFEhXAaPJgBCDRwFx055nAXcwqIi3xAe2SxV0oKhyzYbDfG0bTtFrNVA3umIo5M37czgzGaNsGLHtx93gZuXL-JjCOnIhICHRNP4Hb1SKB11sA7KOWkL8oZAqp5RoK1PONEQI/s400/Trip+to+Europe+051.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPnS68TNs6Vq1ZhjYI5vbUPMsFFehDfF9VffM6jJnK3DoNSCjWCBKGD5QiSqHRzjwLZinUCv35hG7pHUYCFL3PPv66ificRWK1P8mi6rT0LyJPqr2cVfjHtPSnyHxSsSa0P4Q9ehkvWI/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPnS68TNs6Vq1ZhjYI5vbUPMsFFehDfF9VffM6jJnK3DoNSCjWCBKGD5QiSqHRzjwLZinUCv35hG7pHUYCFL3PPv66ificRWK1P8mi6rT0LyJPqr2cVfjHtPSnyHxSsSa0P4Q9ehkvWI/s400/Trip+to+Europe+053.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just one of the many incredible ceilings. Every ceiling was similarly adorned. Mind-boggling...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TMigWc0IzGOAHFe_K028AMTNdU-15rdE4T2ZfGdzSD6CNB4F5pnq6TyQUSnqVG-OUgCQiD9lmSdf6d2w3HB6GbTHPrKX6uvfU1ETcTuK7Aqql-Q6ygnoDXU56cnS4YZYBM7FYpjEubo/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6TMigWc0IzGOAHFe_K028AMTNdU-15rdE4T2ZfGdzSD6CNB4F5pnq6TyQUSnqVG-OUgCQiD9lmSdf6d2w3HB6GbTHPrKX6uvfU1ETcTuK7Aqql-Q6ygnoDXU56cnS4YZYBM7FYpjEubo/s640/Trip+to+Europe+052.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again with the hair...!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTY1YA4yJEIApwUZwBsetVP835DK4QWCMce0dxO11M6TvdLt4LhLoOJjHBHQ0v-ICu0js8IsY7e0AnD3Zw3mJLp54R7SetuZb4ElFMBLdf_E1Ijy16R0flO7TQPFXJ4EKTqwEPQ-Fn7k/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTY1YA4yJEIApwUZwBsetVP835DK4QWCMce0dxO11M6TvdLt4LhLoOJjHBHQ0v-ICu0js8IsY7e0AnD3Zw3mJLp54R7SetuZb4ElFMBLdf_E1Ijy16R0flO7TQPFXJ4EKTqwEPQ-Fn7k/s400/Trip+to+Europe+054.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The inside of the dome looked eerily like the inside of the Capital dome in D.C.! Reese was very <br />
quick to <br />
point that out, as well as other similarities. It was very obvious that the Framers used Roman art to <br />
design <br />
many of the buildings in Washington.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy14NvhafN70bIIWlWvyKOFbVrutwKYEDWhay8tK9QAGFdS230OHaiJ-_GkufxtPOsOqg8azs04Ckjz1ct98JuhVBljJefG4IfLFuniWsz8vb7ZaYCQvqMlHhyjFut0DLTC13YqZjwr0c/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy14NvhafN70bIIWlWvyKOFbVrutwKYEDWhay8tK9QAGFdS230OHaiJ-_GkufxtPOsOqg8azs04Ckjz1ct98JuhVBljJefG4IfLFuniWsz8vb7ZaYCQvqMlHhyjFut0DLTC13YqZjwr0c/s400/Trip+to+Europe+055.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Imagine these were US Presidents and again, you'd be back in Washington!!)<br />
Check out the floor - that is all MOSAIC!!! Where is our artistry in society today?? It's all computer generated - are <br />
there no more TRUE artists or artisans left in today's world...? :o(</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZB_p5r6-S1RY4d0IdSzX-fbY16AKa6lBgG2aKi2j-gZGbTq2ihoEyPf4KtbRGr7Rny_P-CTOQVK7X8oyoXsU8XdU-5BLxEZWeOPXXIY8Bzepaid9klf-2qEQ7Z1LxdVDy9VJ-IhnGsg/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZB_p5r6-S1RY4d0IdSzX-fbY16AKa6lBgG2aKi2j-gZGbTq2ihoEyPf4KtbRGr7Rny_P-CTOQVK7X8oyoXsU8XdU-5BLxEZWeOPXXIY8Bzepaid9klf-2qEQ7Z1LxdVDy9VJ-IhnGsg/s640/Trip+to+Europe+056.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kind of funny to see a statue of the goddess Artemis in the Vatican... with all of her very many breasts... lol</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0rRXJnmTFETaWxy8rFXmg67iVlHMOBXh8sRd4jITbb4wuJi0dHzHXDL91CAXAHy8qlNysGWMTMDRB40mR6GbnS5rF6WhoBriZvZJpSMkm2_9LPJpaW6NEErNaTxMEFTpILsLFa0ixH8/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0rRXJnmTFETaWxy8rFXmg67iVlHMOBXh8sRd4jITbb4wuJi0dHzHXDL91CAXAHy8qlNysGWMTMDRB40mR6GbnS5rF6WhoBriZvZJpSMkm2_9LPJpaW6NEErNaTxMEFTpILsLFa0ixH8/s640/Trip+to+Europe+057.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I TOLD you about the celings...!! (tapestries on the walls)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5GRDdaHSIh0KxjVOuGVCBpjEAh3T_rT-QohnTowywAjW4OG8zCuzwNQcYin7CRSLAU9hoT1mqUEsOZ3lVz511MDOcrZoFu7agElARk_74HsqFJ2vCeqqmAB6hjzwxOdGLzFWfm_ohNE/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5GRDdaHSIh0KxjVOuGVCBpjEAh3T_rT-QohnTowywAjW4OG8zCuzwNQcYin7CRSLAU9hoT1mqUEsOZ3lVz511MDOcrZoFu7agElARk_74HsqFJ2vCeqqmAB6hjzwxOdGLzFWfm_ohNE/s640/Trip+to+Europe+058.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think to see the Vatican properly, one needs one of those auto mechanic things that you lie on with wheels. <br />
You could just roll yourself around on your back up and down the looooong halls and admire the ceilings...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The climax of the tour was at the end when we entered the Sistine Chapel. I expected the ceiling to be quite difficult to see but no! Michelangelo brilliantly painted his figures large enough to easily be seen from someone standing on the floor. It was BEAUTIFUL!! The colors were so rich and alive!! The only problem was that my neck got really sore from craning it and I got a little dizzy from looking straight up for 10 min! LOL! The best thing would have been to lie on a blanket on the floor and look up. But we were wall-to-wall packed people in there, so no dice. Plus, they were very strict about how we were dressed, and there was no talking or any photos - even without a flash. :o( You know, though, the ceilings in <em>all</em> of the hallways and buildings were indescribable, too; it wasn't just the Sistine Chapel. The whole place has earned its reputation for being one of the most magnificent places of art and history in the world. <br />
<br />
I took the opportunity to mail a couple of postcards to my Gram and to Joe from inside Vatican City. I thought that was fun. I would have sent more, but didn't have anyone else's address on me!! Those two I knew by heart. ;o)<br />
<br />
We were dead tired by the time we were through and took the Metro back to the hotel (we're getting pretty good at it by this time!). Reese took a long, hard nap and I read a book. Our hotel room has 150+ channels on the TV, but not ONE is in English, so we read a lot. LOL. Also, we had the a/c cranked as high as we could get it but it never got below 80 degrees, I'm convinced. Can't imagine what it's like in the summertime here...<br />
<br />
The British guy who sold us the Vatican tour told us about a neighborhood on the other side of town that has all-you-can-eat buffets for 5 Euros (~$7.50) and Reese was so obsessed with finding it that we set off on a journey to hunt it down. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5rimVnuU8f7M-kgGBnY55-6BWrQHn8QJoeAOsDwUWVKZLoFfOXr8HZSmmg0SG7fZBJPykBa4hT-hEjvcH94C7LMMZONKeancg7L8b7AaO687y6LZ4TwqrwKdQtBPyiPpLkA6kz8jBos/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5rimVnuU8f7M-kgGBnY55-6BWrQHn8QJoeAOsDwUWVKZLoFfOXr8HZSmmg0SG7fZBJPykBa4hT-hEjvcH94C7LMMZONKeancg7L8b7AaO687y6LZ4TwqrwKdQtBPyiPpLkA6kz8jBos/s400/Trip+to+Europe+317.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We left around 630pm. took the Metro to a certain spot and walked past the Roman Forum (along the wall where Nero had his residence) and by the Circo Massimo where they had chariot races as in the movie <u>Ben Hur</u>. We crossed a river bridge and walked, and walked, and walked, and walked and walked... <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjIqvHY2oLUHknnQLT1ALGTuj2QdsU8I27FKSYOhtwpreI3xps61INs9TnnAXyYob-OYZ21n5bLzULZsjF-OrqYHLs_rnu9Zw5ZZoU0VWzaYq_-khFRPT4SmFuOyeo2PYU77Tr1yzhGU/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjIqvHY2oLUHknnQLT1ALGTuj2QdsU8I27FKSYOhtwpreI3xps61INs9TnnAXyYob-OYZ21n5bLzULZsjF-OrqYHLs_rnu9Zw5ZZoU0VWzaYq_-khFRPT4SmFuOyeo2PYU77Tr1yzhGU/s400/Trip+to+Europe+062.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of these old bridges over the river separating the "new" part of Rome from the "old". To an American, it was ALL very, very old!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was dark by now and I was seriously tired. Walking on cobblestones is NOT like walking on concrete sidewalks, and we'd walked on cobblestone on our excursions for the past 9 days, over miles and miles and my poor old 40-something soft American body just had had about enough. We tried and tried to find this particular "bar" that the Brit recommended and just when I was ready to either collapse or start crying, we found it. ...and the food didn't look too good. UUUUUGGGHHH!!!!! At that point, we decided to just go to the first pizzaria that we saw (pizzarias and gelatorias are literally on EVERY street corner in Rome) and we had pizza again. Delicioso! We also had garlic bread, which was somewhat unique to American garlic bread, but wonderful! The manager told us that a bus would take us right close to our hotel, and we couldn't beleive it. You mean, we walked <em>all that way </em>for nothing?! *sigh* We found the bus stsop, about a mile from the pizzaria and sure enough, it dropped us neatly off almost @ our hotel front door. Can I describe to you how tired I was at this point? LOL<br />
<br />
We both collapsed into bed and rose very early to meet our shuttle to the airport. As I write this, we are flying just out of France's airspace, over the water, on our way HOME.<br />
<br />
This vacation was one of the very best I've ever had. Mom was totally instrumental in planning all of the travel details, ensuring that we hit almost NO snags. If anyone needs a fantastic travel agent - GET HER!!!! (Jane Smith, Travel by Jane 425-221-9468) <br />
<br />
Traveling across the world with Reese is an experience that I value more than words can say. We had such a great time and will always have this experience together. Thanks for hanging out with me, Reese! I love you! Happy Graduation!!Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-65513876476012000042013-05-22T04:38:00.001-07:002013-05-22T04:38:12.169-07:00May 12 - Disembarkation Day (First day in Rome)Very early on Sunday morning, Reese and I disembarked the ship and took an excursion tour, which would eventually drop us off in Rome and we'd find our hotel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtycCblnkhk0isTtyC56Ozyf-z5MXC5-gT8N_IPqeDAQeo0lWEZ1OXjUgHFOhvPUetW17_EWdp_jkaj26cMo_Y4i5PvKFbc6p5mAJ1M02Gh1xMnoMWtthvVh9FPdigmCPZUyJeA-Apm4/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtycCblnkhk0isTtyC56Ozyf-z5MXC5-gT8N_IPqeDAQeo0lWEZ1OXjUgHFOhvPUetW17_EWdp_jkaj26cMo_Y4i5PvKFbc6p5mAJ1M02Gh1xMnoMWtthvVh9FPdigmCPZUyJeA-Apm4/s640/Trip+to+Europe+004.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good-bye, Mediterranean Sea...!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
First stop: the Vatican. What a beautiful bldg! I've seen it on TV, of course, but being there in person, like most landmarks, is really awesome. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRloCCetsd1u75Ydz91HAfzgDjfmXojF_hKQHBDhfLJhr3WPB2aZrVTbuI9zOvfPyhjqDAuteVoW0DG01bSP3gZhud6SqONLbv-r175HE2wQKhin9K7iAvvBKmIxxOylq6rojE2qcC-z4/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRloCCetsd1u75Ydz91HAfzgDjfmXojF_hKQHBDhfLJhr3WPB2aZrVTbuI9zOvfPyhjqDAuteVoW0DG01bSP3gZhud6SqONLbv-r175HE2wQKhin9K7iAvvBKmIxxOylq6rojE2qcC-z4/s640/Trip+to+Europe+256.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The piazza was PACKED, as the Pope Francis was canonizing 3 new saints that day. What an experience to be there to see that!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To our disappointment, we found out that our St. Peter's Basillica tour was cancelled as Pope Francis was naming 3 new saints today. But we were free to spend time in the Piazza just the same. To our amazement, the service was just beginning and we got to watch the Pope right then and there, give this service! <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGnh8OG_NkpTNUTFYjkZTbRkdpJWEoWQM5pjcWwH8_T-Xj_XPNrziFrwmiMdsAasWvldUEEyVDGZ3AH1MfmwTgxVcMbisUgvQBBVD-ZfMqQP_WmS2wil8Oyvi_Djwv-YfjTVTQ8I6rio/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGnh8OG_NkpTNUTFYjkZTbRkdpJWEoWQM5pjcWwH8_T-Xj_XPNrziFrwmiMdsAasWvldUEEyVDGZ3AH1MfmwTgxVcMbisUgvQBBVD-ZfMqQP_WmS2wil8Oyvi_Djwv-YfjTVTQ8I6rio/s400/Trip+to+Europe+257.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Swiss Guard (not a court jester). Rumor has it that Michelangelo designed their uniforms. Hmmm...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We watched for an hour until our tour guide had us go, but what an experience! We were hoping we could wait until the end when the PopeMobile drove through the crowds (we had a good spot, too), but we had to leave. Still...!!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZyUN9tUrIr8sm6FzuLQ9eACoacsolZE2M-a_XRt1f6bTnIf4ENhoPLhfjtLoSH6uLEY63uuplRgnVVW3XXKJC1foG1rA4YZ7ZPENNogPA6JIH6MyhGgKm4L3myxepvUxlk3dPr0st-Y/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZyUN9tUrIr8sm6FzuLQ9eACoacsolZE2M-a_XRt1f6bTnIf4ENhoPLhfjtLoSH6uLEY63uuplRgnVVW3XXKJC1foG1rA4YZ7ZPENNogPA6JIH6MyhGgKm4L3myxepvUxlk3dPr0st-Y/s400/Trip+to+Europe+277.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pointed roof that is slightly illuminated in the center of the photo is the Sistine Chapel.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MKjH7mvcwtC9KROiMpGHaY0xp6k5Ww_m4trgbR6I7L7ahbudFe-AhSxESCWaaofC0-voGlIn-MKKlBMi6HnFpEk-t_3W1OnmJCnfXxjwfLREMSUjVwylf66OQ2GREeA89UPqk555GfU/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MKjH7mvcwtC9KROiMpGHaY0xp6k5Ww_m4trgbR6I7L7ahbudFe-AhSxESCWaaofC0-voGlIn-MKKlBMi6HnFpEk-t_3W1OnmJCnfXxjwfLREMSUjVwylf66OQ2GREeA89UPqk555GfU/s400/Trip+to+Europe+276.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The top floor to the right is the traditional residence of the Pope. However, Pope Francis chooses to live in the Hotel with other guests, rather than isolate himself in the Residence. Every morning when he rises early, he goes to the Hotel clerk and hands her some coins to pay for his room for the night. I love that guy!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After that, we boarded the bus and went to the Roman Forum, which I knew almost nothing about. It was really ...amazing!! <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLgi-2KXn0G6s-1UtF72w5lo4rJ0CnherDzEmDikBHekfZ2fGWPzHH5hBxM8yXh4R3BUGz-_39lpSZf1j1h06jXsQkXKuroKgmY5N27QMTVqTzhR9qUaXMNXbp7lqAxQsj0AC0mbIWv8/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLgi-2KXn0G6s-1UtF72w5lo4rJ0CnherDzEmDikBHekfZ2fGWPzHH5hBxM8yXh4R3BUGz-_39lpSZf1j1h06jXsQkXKuroKgmY5N27QMTVqTzhR9qUaXMNXbp7lqAxQsj0AC0mbIWv8/s400/Trip+to+Europe+316.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
We saw the grave (what was left of it) of Julius Caesar, the castle of Nero and massive miscellaneous ancient structures. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihy0DZvyacmDDo0rNvNIyedgJ0aSNUoVoapmj9pnjjK3w2InLwHbZH0RyiGmNe5mNjMSJJnPHWYiLzxBqBi_Tp3Ul2VMwZTbCnyCwgAjixgmNRqvfE0etiZftHj0aKcv9ed1OfG9IZsOE/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihy0DZvyacmDDo0rNvNIyedgJ0aSNUoVoapmj9pnjjK3w2InLwHbZH0RyiGmNe5mNjMSJJnPHWYiLzxBqBi_Tp3Ul2VMwZTbCnyCwgAjixgmNRqvfE0etiZftHj0aKcv9ed1OfG9IZsOE/s400/Trip+to+Europe+313.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julius Caesar's grave</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was really amazing to sit there on a collapsed marble pillar and look around and try to imagine where I was and what happened there ~2,000 years ago. I tried to imagine the Roman peoples going about their daily lives, the dignitaries and politicians strutting around in their togas looking so important, and Roman guards, always looking for trouble. Really hard to imagine that I was THERE, and not watching some documentary on TV, or reading about it in books. I was touching the marble, sitting on a column, looking at the tomb of Julius Caesar, himself...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruins of the Emperor Nero's castle<br />
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Onward. Next stop, the Colisseum! Simply put, the Colisseum is massive. How these people built this collosal building in 8 1/2 years is staggering. <br />
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We walked around the outside and entered. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Much of the Colisseum was plundered over the centuries. This explains all of the holes (metal pipes were removed), missing marble (the place was pretty much completely covered in marble - only one small section of original seating remains as the seats were marble and they were all stolen), and general condition of the place.</td></tr>
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Our guide pointed out small details and gave us the overview of the place. Death. Torture. Blood. The Colisseum was the place for it. Murders by the thousands while crowds cheered on. The entertainment of the Ancients. </div>
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I wished for a more extensive tour, but alas, we had to move on. Time to catch our taxis and go to our hotels...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82UNtiOgS4pBWBCj6XlTkS-1dc1DEM_bC4ztICW0lOUxksfMlr0Y-gT5b6EaBM9ASH55ElCmMlASqvseVmA9QMEAc5AuTtyRbuuWN_pS1bj21K7gFeO4DrwVMGM_m2lTWnwr8hGsFrnE/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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The taxi ride to the hotel reminded me a bit of car rides in Russia, but I have to admit, this time it was kind of fun. Roman drivers are crazy, fast drivers, simply put. I, while clutching the seat with all of my might, equated the ride to a ride at Universal Studios. I think Reese put it better when he compared it to a video game. Where in Russia, I think drivers <em>tried</em> to hit the pedestrians, it did seem that Roman drivers simply were <em>aloof</em> to pedestrians. I actually witnessed cars braking and once even <em>stopping</em> to avoid hitting one. That impressed me.<br />
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We were so tired that we did almost nothing the rest of the afternoon and evening but rest, much to Reese's dismay.<br />
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One more day in Rome, then it's back home...Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-27194487551561995492013-05-21T04:04:00.000-07:002013-05-21T04:04:41.983-07:00Day 7, Day at Sea (May 11)Changed our clocks fwd an hour as we crossed a time zone, heading back into Europe from Asia. Good thing too, cause Reese didn't get in until almost FOUR o'clock this morning and he needed that extra hour! LOL<br />
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It's been a beautiful morning - finally!! Crisp, blue skies over sparkling azul waters - calm waters as far as the eye can see. A perfect, beautiful morning for our last day here.<br />
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******<br />
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It was a very quiet, relaxing day. Gorged ourselves again at Johnny Rockets and spent the last of my $100 shipboard credit on a sweatshirt. Reese has $40 left of his to spend on something. <br />
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I took a nap on my balcony in the sun - glorious!! and have begun to pack my suitcase and get organized. I've been VERY proud of Reese and myself in how tidy and neat we've kept our stateroom. :o) The only real mess we've consistently left out was the increasing mountain of packages that we've collected at each port. By now, the entire couch is completely covered. Our stateroom attendant, Kenneth, surely is pleased with us. :o)<br />
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Tomorrow life as we've known it ends, and we disembark into Rome to spend 2 days there on our own before returning... home.Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-36214548350108381162013-05-20T05:18:00.000-07:002013-05-20T05:20:36.825-07:00Day 6, Chania (Crete), Greece (I have no clue what day it is today)Woke up to a raging thunderstorm! It's an interesting feeling hearing the surf breaking against the ship (we have a blacony) while hearing also the rain peltingdown and thunder cracking sharply every few minutes! The ship didn't seem to rock much - I could hardly feel anything different.<br />
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Before I forgot, I wanted to mention a bit about yesterday's Turkish carpets: the carpets are all hand knotted by Muslim women and a 6X9' rug can take 1 1/2 years to make! When the dealer tried to sell me one, I told him I couldn't afford one, and he brought out smaller and smaller sizes. The smallest one was about the size of 2 placemats and was still $100!! While I <em>could</em> afford $100, what would I do with such a tiny rug?? I should have asked him if he had any rugs coaster-size... LOL<br />
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Today, we are headed to Crete (hopefully the rain will stop!!!). Not real sure what we are seeing today, but if it's anything 1/2 as fun as our previous port days, it should be a blast! <br />
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It's almost suppertime now and Reese and I just got up from our routine after-our-shore-excursion nap. Our day was no where near as fun as previous excursion days, though it did have its highlights. <br />
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After running through pouring down rain and deep puddles to our bus, our driver (who didn't introduce himself to us) took us deep into the island of Crete. All of us were pretty disgusted by the heavy rain, and I said a quiet prayer that God would give us beautiful weather for the day. We drove up, up, up a mountain and by the time we hit our first stop, the sun came out, and the day became absolutely beautiful! Thanks, God!! :o)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We even saw a beautiful rainbow, but I didn't get a good enough picture of it to publish here...</td></tr>
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Our first stop was at a winery. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I went ahead and let Reese try the wine cause he was of legal age there, and to let him discover for himself how terrible wine tastes...! ;o) He agreed.</td></tr>
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We were served a glass of wine made right there, along with a plate of food that was almost entirely inedible - I won't describe it here (no point), but it was so bad almost no one did more than pick at it. Reese made a design out of his:<br />
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After that, we saw the winery and a museum of old Greek stuff. Then, we visited their store and I loaded up on more spices and olive oil products. ;o) Love me some olive oil stuff!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corner of the winery. Sooooo pretty.</td></tr>
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After that, we took the bus to an old ruinous monestary on the side of a hill.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church inside of the monestary.</td></tr>
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It was incredibly cool, but I know nothing of it because our guide didn't tell us anything. If he did, he only told those of us standing next to him. :o( But it was still cool. There was a little bitty store there with an <em>adorable </em>monk selling icons and other religious goods, and I took the opportunity to buy a couple of Christmas gifts for my niece and SIL (they don't read my blog I'm sure, so it's safe to say it ;o) ). <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering the monestary grounds. Greek flag flying above.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3KDl2n9UmcNj2r8vdo0K-0rM9ol9vt8_m8d5Dd1sxTneqJsC5KKFDurmcYr2MeMBu16oNF612PNOHUu1UxF1pFQ9KJlZWL0eLxX_6m5arz5PSZy4iELFBA3RFxBvkZj53YjwMYANNsg/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3KDl2n9UmcNj2r8vdo0K-0rM9ol9vt8_m8d5Dd1sxTneqJsC5KKFDurmcYr2MeMBu16oNF612PNOHUu1UxF1pFQ9KJlZWL0eLxX_6m5arz5PSZy4iELFBA3RFxBvkZj53YjwMYANNsg/s640/Trip+to+Europe+206.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Though much of the monestary was in ruins, other parts were intact, like this church.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6i4spPOc2wLmtknJx6Th5Q4SdZQFhbIUapi1W8OhNXl9ahULyVoZsKcu9-nfAp-InHY1kdHpvE6aRtQz-CUD4OslzHmEqEay6bTbQN49UtQ2B9ka04O7ADc27WIivAheCX4Z1hegZLPk/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6i4spPOc2wLmtknJx6Th5Q4SdZQFhbIUapi1W8OhNXl9ahULyVoZsKcu9-nfAp-InHY1kdHpvE6aRtQz-CUD4OslzHmEqEay6bTbQN49UtQ2B9ka04O7ADc27WIivAheCX4Z1hegZLPk/s640/Trip+to+Europe+211.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The countryside was beautiful and so peaceful.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzpM0OS4VWEZldAc49sWEfw_SDV1sRLPjs5Noq8EgkNRu18CSBsDNugS7L2hzdXjdcUskyyIWLd9zNR1CWKSNYIyIZJS1kfpozU03bPwpWQqZvTbr-I828hDoJz5L18lM00P0CeiDyJY/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzpM0OS4VWEZldAc49sWEfw_SDV1sRLPjs5Noq8EgkNRu18CSBsDNugS7L2hzdXjdcUskyyIWLd9zNR1CWKSNYIyIZJS1kfpozU03bPwpWQqZvTbr-I828hDoJz5L18lM00P0CeiDyJY/s400/Trip+to+Europe+235.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure what this stair area was all about, but it was fun climbing around on it. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaaY1CX4uQeImFCa5QKqBRKXId5g25xc0fmb-ehVjO_h_PyqdigzWyRrpDvGa2WB3-gedkKVax_1ZMdBGl-tl33zpgtky8V9tNo4qxH9exwIiLVQQ6-MM2_oNGVbrsd41auBXM0KCze4/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHaaY1CX4uQeImFCa5QKqBRKXId5g25xc0fmb-ehVjO_h_PyqdigzWyRrpDvGa2WB3-gedkKVax_1ZMdBGl-tl33zpgtky8V9tNo4qxH9exwIiLVQQ6-MM2_oNGVbrsd41auBXM0KCze4/s640/Trip+to+Europe+213.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep! I had fun climbing on it, too! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6txhcJ3BGqzavGZtEP49_E6aNgagJCKMt9eY4F2NFPJcwOs0Fq0VvI5MUmEUZxUnbaN9CJ3ln77sNJlRsbSmI0yz9UoVhdZjBEd5cS5qF8bL3IsnXhyphenhyphen5CI8r0h5ZTdQztyxYmKijnOg/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6txhcJ3BGqzavGZtEP49_E6aNgagJCKMt9eY4F2NFPJcwOs0Fq0VvI5MUmEUZxUnbaN9CJ3ln77sNJlRsbSmI0yz9UoVhdZjBEd5cS5qF8bL3IsnXhyphenhyphen5CI8r0h5ZTdQztyxYmKijnOg/s640/Trip+to+Europe+214.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hangin' out at the ruins. Just another ordinary day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFZ1pB_8mPNcsqDRY24zq1eQd2Qd3sWu3UlgNM8g3s9sOlKgflFJmO0topewbkfw6_d3vGugD6k2RFtSpD5OgzorTCKE0bx1FywnDiWnZbfDpCrGZcB2I9qxqBFB7jZDccbXyWtcd9LU/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFZ1pB_8mPNcsqDRY24zq1eQd2Qd3sWu3UlgNM8g3s9sOlKgflFJmO0topewbkfw6_d3vGugD6k2RFtSpD5OgzorTCKE0bx1FywnDiWnZbfDpCrGZcB2I9qxqBFB7jZDccbXyWtcd9LU/s400/Trip+to+Europe+239.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken from the top of the "stairs": Not sure what this long hallway was for, but you can see the roof is gone and you can see the arches that made up the supports for the roof. It was cooler than it shows in the photo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX21RU19fHtFSlk8B-qRY8_ivv6P5_aE_74oOWQjNi7la8OvX0niERm9S3SesImjQDduA7SbSEfO8934eVJM_1WOoqb0P3lshCKPHJ7oA5dEfY0jWDLfv09XCGFDvCr_3IF8PyKKVcZRQ/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX21RU19fHtFSlk8B-qRY8_ivv6P5_aE_74oOWQjNi7la8OvX0niERm9S3SesImjQDduA7SbSEfO8934eVJM_1WOoqb0P3lshCKPHJ7oA5dEfY0jWDLfv09XCGFDvCr_3IF8PyKKVcZRQ/s400/Trip+to+Europe+240.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a courtyard of sorts. The buildings surrounding it were mostly intact. Very calm and peaceful here. A good place for a monestary!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazUTqff35LfXywaJcEWtwP5CRvq9EXQzgV2eL92o08W0n7lp754t891bC116ONvHR7G-gxSUxs0ugb9K7x9DvkDwrOufRimiRUfvrG6DeoZGIVmGRxz3sS7E9WDV-FXzC2lTxPaqadTY/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazUTqff35LfXywaJcEWtwP5CRvq9EXQzgV2eL92o08W0n7lp754t891bC116ONvHR7G-gxSUxs0ugb9K7x9DvkDwrOufRimiRUfvrG6DeoZGIVmGRxz3sS7E9WDV-FXzC2lTxPaqadTY/s400/Trip+to+Europe+234.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One more: near the edge of the monestary walls. Once I get the yard equipment photoshopped out of this photo, this will be one of my favorites.</td></tr>
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After that, our guide took us to the town of Vamos and pretty much just walked around. Very boring, though it was very pretty and a charming little Cretan town.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHndEfmPKZFVlhJnfavwWJ95oqfIX1-6UT7M_qkR5u-wZj_WxdDTFgfDRrmIo2IBZOlCyKXm7Gfy5EJgfziq6uDboNn285A5BcB1FLEy8fJjP7C4w41HTDzb3FouuyvcH7dpajx4vmdhM/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHndEfmPKZFVlhJnfavwWJ95oqfIX1-6UT7M_qkR5u-wZj_WxdDTFgfDRrmIo2IBZOlCyKXm7Gfy5EJgfziq6uDboNn285A5BcB1FLEy8fJjP7C4w41HTDzb3FouuyvcH7dpajx4vmdhM/s400/Trip+to+Europe+246.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took this one for my Mom: it's a travel agency!! "Simpson Travel". LOL! Inside was actually really modern, with modern furniture! No people inside, though.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAlm1lrLSKbkmiPil6LVeuB2VHRGuVxX09OBLcESGMWHBjESfsyQD1kPPCEg5kyVe7KIdm9ybST7L99rJu6Z7-LoaaiycRFl2aqgXJQOxpRYUoCddnQoKjBwDGziMsRwD4M1oOccq1tw/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAlm1lrLSKbkmiPil6LVeuB2VHRGuVxX09OBLcESGMWHBjESfsyQD1kPPCEg5kyVe7KIdm9ybST7L99rJu6Z7-LoaaiycRFl2aqgXJQOxpRYUoCddnQoKjBwDGziMsRwD4M1oOccq1tw/s400/Trip+to+Europe+248.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the streets of Vamos. I guess lots of tourists stay here; the townspeople have no jobs here, so they rent their homes out to tourists. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do, I guess.</td></tr>
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By now, most of the tour guests were tired and bored but we had one more stop - a shopping market. Ugh. So, in downtown Chania (KHAN ee yah), we shopped. I'm sure the market was very interesting, but again, our guide either didn't tell us anything, or you had to be standing right next to him to hear anything, so we wandered around until we could board the bus and head back to the ship. One interesting thing though: Reese found an Armani belt for 5 Euros (~$7.50) and I found a set of 4 nesting make-up bags by Chanel for 12 Euro (~$18). We don't know if they are knock-offs or not - I'd like to sell mine on eBay or the like...<br />
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After we FINALLY got back to the ship, we visited with some ship-friends over pizza, and took a long nap. Now it's suppertime!! :o)<br />
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Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-55333449932241869152013-05-19T08:10:00.003-07:002013-05-19T08:34:44.549-07:00Day 5, Kusadasi, Turkey (May 9) (EPHESUS)<div style="text-align: left;">
This morning when we woke up, we were in Asia! We had arrived in Kusadasi (koo shu DAH suh), Turkey. It was supposed to be another cloudy day, but not cold. 70's.</div>
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THANK GOODNESS Reese let me convince him to turn in early last night - he was asleep by 10 or 10:30. It made a nice difference today. ;o)</div>
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Okay, so we boarded the bus and headed first to the house where the Virgin Mary lived out her last 11 years. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCNdJBA6l7izS6Zlvr3aipcBh5Faq4SokxEXcthMVqrAvwwb90JtyGxZ-INZnOjsX6ZEI5L8iNVFiLR1IDdWRjV21e05NV1VupTHghoBCqR41qgx71UWzVezLpOAzftv3wmtk-iCMI3k/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCNdJBA6l7izS6Zlvr3aipcBh5Faq4SokxEXcthMVqrAvwwb90JtyGxZ-INZnOjsX6ZEI5L8iNVFiLR1IDdWRjV21e05NV1VupTHghoBCqR41qgx71UWzVezLpOAzftv3wmtk-iCMI3k/s400/Trip+to+Europe+166.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Apostle John brought her here, and he lived nearby, too (though we didn't get to see that place on our tour, unfortunately). We went through the tiny little brick house and gathered some holy water. There are 3 faucets, and each stood for either Health, Wealth or Love, but you didn't know which. The tour company gave us little terra cotta pots with which to collect water, and so I filled mine up 1/3 full of each of the 3, mixing them. ;o) Reese chose one and filled his pot with it. I also filled a regular plastic water bottle with water from the center one. It is said that people have been cured of diseases and illnesses from drinking that water. I don't know if it's true, but it's only drinking water, and it can't hurt. lol (We brought the waters home - yes, they survived the trip! - and haven't consumed them yet.)</div>
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The area where Mary lived her final years is <em>beautiful</em>. Way up high on a mountain (not so far from Ephesus!) amidst lots of olive trees (olive trees are EVERYWHERE here and also in Greece), with birds chirping and clean fresh air. It was super nice and peaceful. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the "crook" of Mary's house.</td></tr>
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There was also a "baptismal" place that we never figured out, but it was cool, too. (If anyone knows what this is, please let me know!)</div>
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I bought a beautiful small nativity scene there made out of silver and olive wood. It's going to be a very special piece to put out each year at Christmas. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An olive tree near Mary's house. The camera I had didn't take a good picture :o( but you can get the idea.</td></tr>
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From there, we descended the mtn. a ways to Ephesus. <br />
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I knew this place was going to be amazing, but not THIS amazing!! Reese was astonished, too!! Basically, you walked through an entire ruinous town. Houses on the left, government bldgs on the right, a library straight ahead with a massive 24,000 seat amphitheater around the corner! How AMAZING this place must have been in its day!! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2v11G2gebU923aI1-7_w_dSpUfbyK7ui5btC2nhWAmBk_MozlMP-Xms0dJ4KVZ9qTMzTQuHZmEQ91uqZ3uDCQ_rQmmCThldCvQ18kwPJGQjKrXLOAvNhuU7o9uaQaMglEgqwT0yT5txc/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2v11G2gebU923aI1-7_w_dSpUfbyK7ui5btC2nhWAmBk_MozlMP-Xms0dJ4KVZ9qTMzTQuHZmEQ91uqZ3uDCQ_rQmmCThldCvQ18kwPJGQjKrXLOAvNhuU7o9uaQaMglEgqwT0yT5txc/s400/Trip+to+Europe+188.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, it was super crowded, like everywhere we'd been on this trip so far!! I felt like I was back home at Disney!!</td></tr>
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Paul preached in the amphitheater and might possibly have lived up a little on the left, but that's not quite certain (they are constantly excavating). It was jaw-dropping. I liked how hardly anything was roped off and you could touch whatever you wanted (unlike the Parthenon). The only horrible thing was that 1/2 way into the tour, my camera battery died on the new little camera I was forced into buying cause I left my real camera battery at home! (Therefore, I didn't get a picture of the amphitheater. I bought a postcard of it, but don't feel like scanning it right now...)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Roman bathhouse used to be here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwLOfmgWb2j93jS3Fts_6QO5agAhKNxBS0wVHk14E1L-8rlvI3fOQvlR1Wn3YH6uYG0cc8U9nMZGhewcvxxhDMq8ojTS8Xab5Bv3DuRolhmNTKe-1aKTIycPY0ToKmQ6GC3rUbRMrhpk/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwLOfmgWb2j93jS3Fts_6QO5agAhKNxBS0wVHk14E1L-8rlvI3fOQvlR1Wn3YH6uYG0cc8U9nMZGhewcvxxhDMq8ojTS8Xab5Bv3DuRolhmNTKe-1aKTIycPY0ToKmQ6GC3rUbRMrhpk/s400/Trip+to+Europe+150.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hospital was behind this stone. See the snake on a pole symbol? Similar to the one we still use today.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyAlIX1lagOOklGz1wMn3Umw0M9oc38OfLuR3Y1wQiLQSFerBo0jTbh-B4sRkIRCAWSQPJWcjNUpYbargfw2zmCoL3NanUyCPanHREUc-dbl5_TRQ0M7iSJIB8dAyQWAl2vNQAIY9jMA/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyAlIX1lagOOklGz1wMn3Umw0M9oc38OfLuR3Y1wQiLQSFerBo0jTbh-B4sRkIRCAWSQPJWcjNUpYbargfw2zmCoL3NanUyCPanHREUc-dbl5_TRQ0M7iSJIB8dAyQWAl2vNQAIY9jMA/s400/Trip+to+Europe+178.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't remember what this was, but with the flowers, it shows that even in a ruins, there is still life.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTL0x3Y3eXaxsZ0tL5fvhHvY6Y56dKgthxIyxtR7_qK17cb-JPPylGitTRnJew-_hSCdOAmYGAFKbt6rsjRvtVz2XYAcpajfYu2uWfc9zWPXrFt8FjKRBIkT7rTbBgZt-5Wkjqu1f1D4/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTL0x3Y3eXaxsZ0tL5fvhHvY6Y56dKgthxIyxtR7_qK17cb-JPPylGitTRnJew-_hSCdOAmYGAFKbt6rsjRvtVz2XYAcpajfYu2uWfc9zWPXrFt8FjKRBIkT7rTbBgZt-5Wkjqu1f1D4/s400/Trip+to+Europe+191.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a residence. Our guide said that Paul's residence MIGHT have been behind here, but they weren't sure yet. See the mosiac floors? I wish I had mosaic floors like this in my house!!</td></tr>
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The whole experience is just too much for words. This place rivals the Parthenon, believe it or not. If you ever get a chance to go here, DO IT.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reese in front of a frieze of Nike, Goddess of Victory. Can you see the "swoosh" in her robe?<br />
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After that, we went to a buffet lunch at a posh resort called Pine Bay. It was good and I tried several strange things, some good, some nasty. One thing I had were olives. I have never eaten olives except out of a jar, and was surpised at how good they were - really interesting. Of ocurse, I had baklava for dessert. ;o)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figs on a fig tree.</td></tr>
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We went back to the port to shop. Turkey is a place where bargaining is a lifestyle and despite it being totally against my people-pleasing personality, I love to bargain!! I think it's a blast, so I was looking forward to this, and I wasn't disappointed. I bought gobs of stuff, including a gorgeous 12g sterling silver bracelet, for less than 1/2 of what the guy wanted for it! I also bought GOBS of Turkish spices (spices in Turkey are the best anywhere). Reese commented, "Well, dinners at home should be interesting for awhile...!" LOL </div>
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I wanted BADLY to buy a hand-knotted Turkish carpet, but simply couldn't spend the money. :o( Even Reese was super impressed by those. (A placemat sized cotton carpet was $100. A 5X9' carpet was around $1500, depending on if it was cotton, wool, or silk.)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a really neat carpet demonstration complete with Turkish booze! I think they give you the booze so you'll be more willing to spend your life's savings on one of their carpets. Fortunately, I just had some Turkish apple tea...</td></tr>
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By the time he and I were tired of being molested by venders trying to force us into their stores to buy stuff, it had started to rain and we headed back to the ship (very nearby). We opened up our bags and recalled the stories of the day and rested a bit (and I'm journaling). We will next walk around a bit and wait for supper (in an hour). I know we will sleep well tonight! </div>
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Another absolutely awesome day!!</div>
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Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-73733136169376560512013-05-18T02:39:00.003-07:002013-05-18T02:39:18.030-07:00Day 4, Athens, GreeceAs you can imagine, this port was a biggie! Though the Parthenon is undergoing major renovations and is covered with scaffolding and other unsightly construction gizmos, it was really amazing. Quite difficult to believe, really. You are looking at the this incredible structure and trying to imagine that it has been there since <em>432 B.C.</em> and imagining all the events that happened there, and it's really hard to do! Our guide was wonderful, and full of information.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9E1GtfJumrTluly1sK0J-G4Gqo0a6aYWUxnir6vZEUIaZQ9HkrnlVhnvYSkyO-u-kU6gQDhqOxYVNMOtm3IG9sjSxnCRQT8dgQVSo18AUcbMpVexyKrxaxy3buOlqn5m038e2m-X1l7U/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9E1GtfJumrTluly1sK0J-G4Gqo0a6aYWUxnir6vZEUIaZQ9HkrnlVhnvYSkyO-u-kU6gQDhqOxYVNMOtm3IG9sjSxnCRQT8dgQVSo18AUcbMpVexyKrxaxy3buOlqn5m038e2m-X1l7U/s400/Trip+to+Europe+078.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The narrow streets of downtown Athens. <br />
(In all of the places we visited in Greece, 98% of the cars were teeny tiny, like Toyota Yaris hatchbacks, Smart cars, FIAT's, etc.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwAkXXpgVqbgB7dqbot_XJoSrfkgg5amHwCjMQcpg3gD_H-8-rnUe-4eY7EEk_ug1zhIqsMsP9WvyTLlwVFY-C69j8rBJO1MR3rGlfHz7D_G9PBX6D3PWV5KGDxIZC9LAm_Ise0Pqpdk/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwAkXXpgVqbgB7dqbot_XJoSrfkgg5amHwCjMQcpg3gD_H-8-rnUe-4eY7EEk_ug1zhIqsMsP9WvyTLlwVFY-C69j8rBJO1MR3rGlfHz7D_G9PBX6D3PWV5KGDxIZC9LAm_Ise0Pqpdk/s400/Trip+to+Europe+079.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ancient pillar</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9OTI4wlxO3JnNKsNf2lfJBhkdVm6JdXmBsXT4BxaYMwxrTmixU1fKf244UFm8FMeqpSESN7h-tq5QkDTVTc7TPCNTamsCsBnF1jxotY0aqqZ4UKIdyAXn3kBZ4hUIMwLcf7Im9-Wa2k/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9OTI4wlxO3JnNKsNf2lfJBhkdVm6JdXmBsXT4BxaYMwxrTmixU1fKf244UFm8FMeqpSESN7h-tq5QkDTVTc7TPCNTamsCsBnF1jxotY0aqqZ4UKIdyAXn3kBZ4hUIMwLcf7Im9-Wa2k/s400/Trip+to+Europe+082.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Greek flag. This is mounted (I'm quite sure) on the site of the Zeus Polieus Sanctuary. From this spot you can see all of Athens. Quite amazing!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9zV4E-YolbcQL9RpcOfLy6W_EpLnrOqDIkO18bA8irOtmXCnysqgn_zhsLsNkpdf2hbf0DcxUrfa3Yq-hg683lt2b4vo_D_YGZaHP7CGsSVdrxh3-SXoWqhLBfCUbQocjlAmL_XaOfc/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9zV4E-YolbcQL9RpcOfLy6W_EpLnrOqDIkO18bA8irOtmXCnysqgn_zhsLsNkpdf2hbf0DcxUrfa3Yq-hg683lt2b4vo_D_YGZaHP7CGsSVdrxh3-SXoWqhLBfCUbQocjlAmL_XaOfc/s400/Trip+to+Europe+084.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front part of the Parthenon. It has been under renovation for the past 11 years. Kind of a shame. They have even taken down chunks of the front facade, I assume to repair, then replace. I'm sure when they are done, it will be great again.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqtPD7BcPWOc0E0crHgLSxDfKQ6vNtqjH8gKjMmSxugB7Mfrgnbd1gChbS5KeTGL1htCpa0BsPWqPf0vl6t289TillLxoILuy1Bsob8ePDj81SeftBXkhY7Lxf056faexeCOFao1LFoE/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqtPD7BcPWOc0E0crHgLSxDfKQ6vNtqjH8gKjMmSxugB7Mfrgnbd1gChbS5KeTGL1htCpa0BsPWqPf0vl6t289TillLxoILuy1Bsob8ePDj81SeftBXkhY7Lxf056faexeCOFao1LFoE/s400/Trip+to+Europe+088.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stray dogs were everywhere we went, but interestingly they almost all had collars, were well fed, seemed content, and very gentle!! Reese had to pet each one, of course. ;o)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-6i7-hXUl7zggQvj_tleRJY_7gHZfbCHz2tedTsrEGr4XdeX_KUqYLFJVaoK3RLaphRbLPrXn1r8VRFQiiTSIvTv5kTaraa054YyVwjJDDTut70TDivmFeOJkS0bELOeZnFdFhFh7X8/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-6i7-hXUl7zggQvj_tleRJY_7gHZfbCHz2tedTsrEGr4XdeX_KUqYLFJVaoK3RLaphRbLPrXn1r8VRFQiiTSIvTv5kTaraa054YyVwjJDDTut70TDivmFeOJkS0bELOeZnFdFhFh7X8/s400/Trip+to+Europe+090.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large stadium, just under the Acropolis, on the hillside going down from it. For the life of me, I can't remember the name of it...!! If anyone knows, please feel free to chime in!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0Rj9BRg7uUCT8QabkTYdlQoPcYWyWPCp4TFZK97CGBlSlIPLVekf0oiZNlXN88i5INspK5NCLOXKJZUnAHvJ_83qK7_QDWkPVJjr2y1j-ATAHby30N0flt2z8k0PyxpCI2JgyfQsiQU/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0Rj9BRg7uUCT8QabkTYdlQoPcYWyWPCp4TFZK97CGBlSlIPLVekf0oiZNlXN88i5INspK5NCLOXKJZUnAHvJ_83qK7_QDWkPVJjr2y1j-ATAHby30N0flt2z8k0PyxpCI2JgyfQsiQU/s400/Trip+to+Europe+106.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of the Erechtheion. Just simply amazingly beautiful.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxP_gjUuTBdkYMqvbvGe3lYKlol1qxJZrjk1DxnR6XUDU_WTZAqa8GvzS1nnk2sW2aZ7IQF621rqlFSfBZm9pH93hENeX0WD08meBGUJDZnW9nDz4c-ghNs8mjvcXpItJDnkboQshq6Y/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxP_gjUuTBdkYMqvbvGe3lYKlol1qxJZrjk1DxnR6XUDU_WTZAqa8GvzS1nnk2sW2aZ7IQF621rqlFSfBZm9pH93hENeX0WD08meBGUJDZnW9nDz4c-ghNs8mjvcXpItJDnkboQshq6Y/s400/Trip+to+Europe+111.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closeup of the top of the colums of the Parthenon. The detail work always fascinated me. In every city we visited, it was just incredible. In America, we think something from the 1800's is ooooooh, so ooooold, but then you go HERE, and it just knocks your socks off.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oG6-FNJLJa4L2Tx-mRbkubPsJowqQX3Lmdgi7CrEJmrX8UjQRoDFvaZhcqKrGS8oa9O1JCuOze_QXdFzSx16kWhoCQ_6xo8dq1PnameThjUkIO6l0dx7OAFi0FguaPFxY76ZEOqjBQw/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oG6-FNJLJa4L2Tx-mRbkubPsJowqQX3Lmdgi7CrEJmrX8UjQRoDFvaZhcqKrGS8oa9O1JCuOze_QXdFzSx16kWhoCQ_6xo8dq1PnameThjUkIO6l0dx7OAFi0FguaPFxY76ZEOqjBQw/s400/Trip+to+Europe+114.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the rear side of the Parthenon, where the construction didn't show so much! I love this picture!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3szu-YhNPdp7EpHVDtYbmSJ-5E93_AlSATKjiGHJ6rmeIfgTd8u-7eWOQuEx8tQ-KXIlGSj5nLd_JafJnRzm5Xb6-6yMY2QKRCFUse1l37D8ZUbcyUf1Vh7U_9VmS0tVXaf6IFwpxFaI/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3szu-YhNPdp7EpHVDtYbmSJ-5E93_AlSATKjiGHJ6rmeIfgTd8u-7eWOQuEx8tQ-KXIlGSj5nLd_JafJnRzm5Xb6-6yMY2QKRCFUse1l37D8ZUbcyUf1Vh7U_9VmS0tVXaf6IFwpxFaI/s400/Trip+to+Europe+115.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another one of my favs. Reese, sitting on one of the walls of the Acropolis, overlooking the enormous city of Athens.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfB0DnkrbdU5TeL5IUtwjdnuHN6aK_kJITSF-NATKhpWAk9yLYTiU53UynFSQTTnqb5AaYBLI3bASMwn7dwilPI1sf3fexQOtT6c8oK6Hirv7ksuIkzaQe8ubofwMDVxU1laHBMP1oEqM/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfB0DnkrbdU5TeL5IUtwjdnuHN6aK_kJITSF-NATKhpWAk9yLYTiU53UynFSQTTnqb5AaYBLI3bASMwn7dwilPI1sf3fexQOtT6c8oK6Hirv7ksuIkzaQe8ubofwMDVxU1laHBMP1oEqM/s400/Trip+to+Europe+125.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture taken from the tour bus (and I was not in a window seat!) of the Acropolis (left) and the temple to Zeus behind the light pole, center/right. We did not get to visit Zeus' temple, which was disappointing to me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRFdYu7OrDa1BbOp441kIJURW0ptK6EEyuDI2I_dfZN0ttBkxC_dWtigHNSYHkK3xt0vnnxTSxuYmp0_vojkaFGk7hNw9NqnBKnU2FXFUcSyXA766-y4OoiYjlSBd6y2QHIkMx2_sV60/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRFdYu7OrDa1BbOp441kIJURW0ptK6EEyuDI2I_dfZN0ttBkxC_dWtigHNSYHkK3xt0vnnxTSxuYmp0_vojkaFGk7hNw9NqnBKnU2FXFUcSyXA766-y4OoiYjlSBd6y2QHIkMx2_sV60/s400/Trip+to+Europe+128.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are in front of the 1896 Olympic Stadium, which is the place of the very first modern Olympics. The entire stadium is made of marble.</td></tr>
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After hanging out a bit there, we did a lot of shopping in town. :o)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-q68kQkSck0RXEQIQTCQZuj5-ninaEoK5GVZKhDAjWEQaIoh2UEc6B-kP7omzJ1VvwNf2z5VwDYkde2oDRoYptqdLMwXGMFHO-8ekfHq1_gOjaRSKx6iiYuk_6EIPgDm9SJo5PRXuXw/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-q68kQkSck0RXEQIQTCQZuj5-ninaEoK5GVZKhDAjWEQaIoh2UEc6B-kP7omzJ1VvwNf2z5VwDYkde2oDRoYptqdLMwXGMFHO-8ekfHq1_gOjaRSKx6iiYuk_6EIPgDm9SJo5PRXuXw/s400/Trip+to+Europe+136.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During our shopping time, we stopped at an outdoor restaurant to rest. I HAD to have some authentic Greek baklava, and it did not disappoint!! YUM!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3rIkUagdX9H8mSo1LxoT7awHC7_-iV0lG9RloBmnS52BQLv00DJPRABkC6n-AbmAiUAMhX0VfcTOw7bTUb7AZ3fHktjRpaNJLGsyVjuJt5DoBvDixdTRH4o1vWAq63-XHlNFWwO0aXk/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3rIkUagdX9H8mSo1LxoT7awHC7_-iV0lG9RloBmnS52BQLv00DJPRABkC6n-AbmAiUAMhX0VfcTOw7bTUb7AZ3fHktjRpaNJLGsyVjuJt5DoBvDixdTRH4o1vWAq63-XHlNFWwO0aXk/s400/Trip+to+Europe+135.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little Spartan</td></tr>
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Time for a nap!<br />
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Had the best crab cakes on the planet tonight for dinner (we LOVE our wait staff!), and saw an ice dancing show on the Ice Rink. I'm back to bed for the night, and Reese is enjoying his usual beloved night life. LOLMissyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-29052511357873559822013-05-17T04:31:00.000-07:002013-05-17T04:31:14.715-07:00May 7, Day 3 - a "Day at Sea"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today was nice and relaxing. No ports today, so we just hung out and did "whatever" on the ship all day. I went to a scrapbooking class which turned out to be nothing, listened to 2 lectures on our ports for the next 3 days and learned how to and what to buy when we are in Turkey in a couple of days. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfftK2PvY5j_M-auYfwe_4vECdQNQAa6pMv5ne_obk4g5HdfYXpDcMOb_hQY9Cu2EK0IwkKbqgoL50vBVFleWVZHot5xdgBk0IGqnqygwu6jUdqxs1Yg3y2a1tATdpBwgOnfdZV9sFz2k/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfftK2PvY5j_M-auYfwe_4vECdQNQAa6pMv5ne_obk4g5HdfYXpDcMOb_hQY9Cu2EK0IwkKbqgoL50vBVFleWVZHot5xdgBk0IGqnqygwu6jUdqxs1Yg3y2a1tATdpBwgOnfdZV9sFz2k/s400/Trip+to+Europe+068.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From our balcony</td></tr>
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We ate lunch at "Johnny Rockets" which was a personal favorite for each of us - ate WAY too much - I can feel my arteries clogging as I write this...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite picture. He was determined to finish the whole thing! (It may not look too big, but it was HUGE.)</td></tr>
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Reese had fun on the Sports Deck - he won in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and came close to winning in a Table Tennis tournament - he went into 7 overtimes with a Chinese kid his own age - it was super exciting!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His opponent was VERY good at table tennis, and also a really nice kid! He and Reese were quite the buddies after this game.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3-on-3 champ</td></tr>
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Tonight is formal night, and wouldn't you know it?? I forgot my formal shoes!! I am NOT into shoes, and it took forever for me to find THE pair of shoes for the trip, but I did it! ...and I forgot them at home. So... I'll be wearing my red Crocs flip-flops, if you can believe it!! The ONLY reason this has a tiny chance of working is because my outfit has lots of bright colors, including red. UGH!! (Nope - you don't get to see a picture!!)</div>
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Well, we survived dinner. I wore my Crocs, and we sat at a table for 10 (unlike our normal table for 2 with our favorite wait staff) with 6 people too snooty to talk to us, and an ex-cop who wouldn't STOP talking to us. Service was slow, the food was good, and we survived. I'm turning in early, but Reese will take in the night life, per his usual, and we'll be up early tomorrow to visit Athens!! :o)</div>
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<a href="http://lilypie.com/"></a><br />Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-41241591563137764262013-05-16T01:43:00.000-07:002013-05-17T04:31:45.483-07:00Day 2, Monday, May 6, 2013 (Sicily, Italy)What a fun day!! It started out cold, windy, and very cloudy, spoiling our excitement. Neither of us had ANY warm clothing and I had nothing that I could double-up with. Jackets in the ship store started at $110 and I wasn't going to spend THAT, so we decided we'd just have to tough it out. We were told that even in summer we should hwear a jacket up on Mt. Etna...<br />
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We got on the bus and drove 2 hours up, up, up to the top of the mountain. What a beautiful drive!! Sicily is so mountainous - who knew?? It was very green, and we had beautiful views of the water below. :o) The buildings again were mostly rundown, but some, though old and humble, were GORGEOUS. Messina suffered a very devastating earthquatke in 1908, and WWII also took it's toll. But enough of that.<br />
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As we rose closer to the top of the mtn, our tour guide pointed out the huge gray-black chunks of ash from the lava flow. Mt. Etna is the world's most active volcano, and wow, the ash was unreal!! As we continued to rise, the vegetation diminished until, at the top, there was almost no vegetation at all - just gray-black ash (and the road). No birds, no bugs, nothing green. Nothing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRE6LpUQVig3qZU0hmc-VGBc765Q68eWl5lSy00LeS4ueIVGkixSclodODV5PJU1pn4vS1P_aqH5VmrzPDNCS7tHhfhcswbAWecrNvDiGdcV2oTKhP9GBYB9f7PYKKk1O8eG2LVOq5Nc/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRE6LpUQVig3qZU0hmc-VGBc765Q68eWl5lSy00LeS4ueIVGkixSclodODV5PJU1pn4vS1P_aqH5VmrzPDNCS7tHhfhcswbAWecrNvDiGdcV2oTKhP9GBYB9f7PYKKk1O8eG2LVOq5Nc/s400/Trip+to+Europe+018.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overlooking Sicily from Mt. Etna</td></tr>
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We disembarked the bus, and found to our delight, that the sun had come out (mostly), and it was very windy but not freezing! It was only "very cool". We could handle it. ;o) We spent time taking pictures of some magnificent scenes and went in the "bar" (souvenier and snack shop) for a free calzinni(??) which is a very classic and traditional Sicilian snack. It was different, but yummy!! Whew knew ricotta cheese could be eaten like that?? :o)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGWOuLW7wUPy44Izvu6ufkf1oXG70ft66RTbMqMJQ6Ya9d2nJ32o-C0O93B1GdWwJs57o-TlaeG_wcMAw5xlQRpvkRbjKsHIzCYskD38HaoN70MINlsSfUxKIxUbqAc7FKBpAakD9BBE/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGWOuLW7wUPy44Izvu6ufkf1oXG70ft66RTbMqMJQ6Ya9d2nJ32o-C0O93B1GdWwJs57o-TlaeG_wcMAw5xlQRpvkRbjKsHIzCYskD38HaoN70MINlsSfUxKIxUbqAc7FKBpAakD9BBE/s320/Trip+to+Europe+011.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reese with his calzini (or whatever it's called!).</td></tr>
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Near the "bar" was a big crater made by the volcano whose rim we walked all around - Reese even walked down inside of it to the bottom! I picked up some volcanic ash rocks for souvenirs and bought a bowl made of ash and a cross necklace made of obsidian (made from ash) for myself. It was a really fun part of our excursion.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfoGRa3BSC_uFToAgh5gtsSdPSvLDc1csrjYl05esrm_-GIRUGVkZ4ingOShtmL5uGiYbuoljQ7xeFCdMnDIBSwjS_YiuT2TX2BY_MTBB83-jY5zHNFwnQVH9DqdfmqztAujaHJmBeSM/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfoGRa3BSC_uFToAgh5gtsSdPSvLDc1csrjYl05esrm_-GIRUGVkZ4ingOShtmL5uGiYbuoljQ7xeFCdMnDIBSwjS_YiuT2TX2BY_MTBB83-jY5zHNFwnQVH9DqdfmqztAujaHJmBeSM/s320/Trip+to+Europe+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To Reese's left you can see the crater that I walked around and he walked down into.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEl23LA-1XrkEbHHok13tNUSmzzX7ljfrXhInvYVG9zEbMzM_M1DhGsxB6dYEN8iyhki0baPB4e9kdn6dvUj-pvlqI5Oq2BUuQ63WDXJYbNX1tHb__l5wYUsgRL2-xdsOQoxZQE1j2ow8/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEl23LA-1XrkEbHHok13tNUSmzzX7ljfrXhInvYVG9zEbMzM_M1DhGsxB6dYEN8iyhki0baPB4e9kdn6dvUj-pvlqI5Oq2BUuQ63WDXJYbNX1tHb__l5wYUsgRL2-xdsOQoxZQE1j2ow8/s320/Trip+to+Europe+019.JPG" width="180" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAllrAb7z0BeoTHkGO6V4LC9g8ddbC2ZTB9UChv8jaDy0bmrnk_MbaG-AFqZwptCxFHwojDuOcERInn8i5zbv6BPw9iyH0iPgNNbo5Pzi914vjmZ4YWPyARmmUXdZuDdSGZDQmhYkaab8/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAllrAb7z0BeoTHkGO6V4LC9g8ddbC2ZTB9UChv8jaDy0bmrnk_MbaG-AFqZwptCxFHwojDuOcERInn8i5zbv6BPw9iyH0iPgNNbo5Pzi914vjmZ4YWPyARmmUXdZuDdSGZDQmhYkaab8/s320/Trip+to+Europe+008.JPG" width="180" /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There he goooooes!!</td></tr>
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After that, on our way back to Messina (the port), we stopped at Taormina, a very charming city from medieval times, with great shopping and cute little restaurants. Reese and I picked a little hole-in-the-wall pizzaria and had "sausage, potato and cheese" pizza! It was different but really good (no sauce), and the family running the place was very sweet. We also got to practice our budding Italian language with them! <br />
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I bought a few gifts to bring home and we visited one of the many old Catholic churches there (dating back to the 1500's or earlier) with some amazing altars and relics. Not being Catholic, we didn't know how to cross ourselves when we entered, and we didn't really know how to light candles for someone (or even if we were allowed to, as non-Catholics), so we didn't. The whole thing was fascinating.<br />
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After that, we wandered around at our leisure and Reese flirted with a couple of girls his age from Michigan, also on our ship. lol<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the edge of Taormina. Reese was leaning on a wall that looked VERY much like the wall of an ancient fort. We had fun imagining pouring boiling oil on our enemies from atop this wall. ;o)</td></tr>
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We headed back to the Navigator, cleaned up a bit, and went to dinner, where our wait staff kept us in stitches with their silliness.<br />
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I'm in the stateroom now, unwinding and writing in this journal, while Reese is back on the "town", enjoying the night life on the ship (and looking for his girlfriends from Taormina -lol).<br />
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Good night! Tomorrow is a "Day at Sea". A day to relax and just do "whatever". :o)<br />
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Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-67248193513136331692013-05-15T08:15:00.000-07:002013-05-15T08:41:00.433-07:00Europe Bound!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<u>Day One - Travel day from Orlando to Rome (Civitavecchia)</u><br />
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(The date, I think, is May 5)<br />
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LOL! Well, we started our journey at the wrong terminal at the airport. Took the wrong tram, looked around in all the wrong shops, sat at the wrong common area. Finally, I asked a guy and he told me our mistake! Back on the tram, over to the other, rode that tram to the right gate, got boarded on time. Whew!! (Hope this is not a bad omen of a bad trip to come...!)<br />
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Flew to Boston, then onto Rome without incident. The Alitalia airline really impressed us. The only bad things that happened was that I realized that I left the rechargeable camera battery at home!! I brought my beautiful, nice camera to Europe and can't use it...!! I had to buy a little bitty portable one at the Boston airport, but at least I have that...<br />
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By the time Reese and I arrived in Rome, we were pretty tired. 18 hours in places and airports, and we were ready to get on board! Another 4 hours and we were safely on our ship.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoZBmKxxf60I_zyJCByo6uqSMSoC6aoJh_CSanrst8xuJJY_jZW9tc9bGhEMGndGXd3wAqCmjMjQYSlt9s2mIcWUVjMCA4Rff2q2kQFRnGQQwzRSpCc1OUndy5kMg3MvNsx0zaQ3ZhrM/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoZBmKxxf60I_zyJCByo6uqSMSoC6aoJh_CSanrst8xuJJY_jZW9tc9bGhEMGndGXd3wAqCmjMjQYSlt9s2mIcWUVjMCA4Rff2q2kQFRnGQQwzRSpCc1OUndy5kMg3MvNsx0zaQ3ZhrM/s320/Trip+to+Europe+254.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
The Italian countryside from the Rome airport to Civitavecchia was beautiful. Very green with small hills. The houses, roads, bridges and other bldgs were pretty rundown, though, and looked like they really needed updating, but this isn't America...!!<br />
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It's nighttime now, and I'm BEAT! We started this journey ~35 hours ago and I'm ready for a night's sleep!! Before I turn out the light, though, I wanted to catch up on my journal: We enjoyed a quick lunch at a buffet then waited for awhile for permission to go to our stateroom. It's a nice room! Larger than any other room I've had and though this is my 7th cruise, it's the first time I've ever had a balcony! What fun!! Too bad it's so cold outside... It's 60's and windy and cloudy so far. PRAYING for warmer, sunnier days - I didn't bring any warm clothes! Ack!<br />
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Reese crashed once we got in our stateroom and I went to a quick lecture about tomorrow's port: Messina, Italy (Sicily). Sounds pretty neat and according to the lecture, I picked the best excursion. ;o)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTanKUqJOvpG-b_YCbd5sLRF6q4DKXqtM7avVFX1YF4xe7k7WZutMJrrS8EwPhNBTkp41sUw_45Gwz070KjC4z1f3YGWmPyDREz1dqNBq5CuC4_8KC2ovmkslty3aP1eGfBqDun9ECV8k/s1600/Trip+to+Europe+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTanKUqJOvpG-b_YCbd5sLRF6q4DKXqtM7avVFX1YF4xe7k7WZutMJrrS8EwPhNBTkp41sUw_45Gwz070KjC4z1f3YGWmPyDREz1dqNBq5CuC4_8KC2ovmkslty3aP1eGfBqDun9ECV8k/s320/Trip+to+Europe+067.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
Nearly falling asleep in the lecture, I dragged myself back to my stateroom where Reese was still crashed hard. I joined him, sleeping like a rock for about an hour and a half. :o)<br />
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We had to get up to do the "Muster Station" drill, which wasn't bad at all, then we went to one of the bars for a "Beginner's Lesson on the Italian Language" where we learned the basics like, "Hello", "yes", "no", "goodbye", and the like. It was fun.<br />
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We then hit the Dining Room and enjoyed a delicious dinner, which pleased Reese greatly. LOL<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(I'm incredibly sorry that this is sideways. I've tried a million different things, but I can't get it oriented right...!! I'm so frustarted at blogspot!! They keep screwing with the blogs!)</td></tr>
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The last thing we did was take in a show in the Theatre, with an acro act and a juggling act. Good night!!Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-80368446401628612582013-04-03T04:17:00.001-07:002013-04-03T04:18:10.858-07:00Mayo UpdateSome people are really private about their medical stuff, but I'm not; I don't really care who knows stuff. Of course, my situation isn't precarious, or embarrassing... If it was, I'm sure I'd be as hush-hush as anyone else...<br />
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Anyway, yesterday I went in for an update with Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. My aneurysm surgeries were a year and 4 months ago. The horrible radiation burn scar on my abdomen is what prompted me to go in (it's been bothering me a lot), but it was time for a check anyway. I had a chest X-ray, as I'm prone to lung cancer because of the radiation and they wanted to make sure I was fine, then I saw the neurosurgeon (who is the bee's knees, as far as I'm concerned) who spent a good 20 min. with me discussing anything and everything I wanted to discuss. It was great - I got a lot of questions answered and he was very interested in my scar, as the procedures he did were unprecedented and he is really interested in my case. (He said a couple of times, "Your case was very difficult. Very, very difficult.") I then saw the dermatologist, another bee's knees kind of guy. (I loooooove my Mayo doctors - who could be more caring and gentle then these guys??)<br />
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The dermatologist obviously has seen more than a few bad skin things, but I could tell he was trying not to react when he saw my scar. After all, it is bad... It's about the size of the palm of my hand, has a rainbow of colors to it, swirly designs, polka dots, and is almost perfectly in the shape of a square! He, the Mayo Clinic Specialist, had to admit he wasn't sure what to do about it. It was adhering down to the tissue under it, sort of stuck to my ribs, and because it is so large, simple scar mobilizations won't do the trick (I tried already...). So, as previous, a train of Dermatologists and I'm sure, Dermatology Interns and students, paraded in and out of my room, examining my anomalies (and enjoying comparing the scar on my abdomen to the healed ones on my low back and right waistline - well, where my waistline would be if I HAD a waistline...). They all, as previous, stood in the hallway afterward in a huddle to discuss my care. LOL (So cute.)<br />
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In the end, all the doc did was give me a high-powered steroid cream to try and thin the skin (though certain areas on the scar often tear, as the "skin" is so thin and delicate). He talked of injecting some of the same into the scar directly, but not yet. He referred me to Plastic Surgery to see if they could do anything, like cut the scar completely out (YIKES!) and do a skin graft. I have another appt. in mid-April. <br />
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So we'll see!! But that's the update of what happened yesterday.<br />
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(You want to see a picture of it, don't you?? LOL)Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-26256414391162831552013-02-11T16:58:00.000-08:002013-02-11T16:58:06.618-08:00Bark Therapy... Is it Working?<br />
In a word... No. <br />
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We started Bark Therapy a few months ago in an attempt (at Cesar Milan's urging) to get Mary to SHUT the barking UP! My sweet little Mary is a bit of a yapper, and we were desperate to try whatever it took. No WAY am I getting rid of this darling little dog because she barks, and removing her larynx is not an option, so we tried Bark Therapy.<br />
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It was a failure.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElYsXiIGp-lUco-9GihLoEebb1Rxddl3HOvzOWHJAIANjXKJygPHP6Hlztb78CsGZ-21TUdOcx9MlNFAe4yccUGsMD4Q3DEUv7MhMcFlNeRmEYUmOrOyjaVKtFTWC2stTIOB28yy5LSs/s1600/Mary+@+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElYsXiIGp-lUco-9GihLoEebb1Rxddl3HOvzOWHJAIANjXKJygPHP6Hlztb78CsGZ-21TUdOcx9MlNFAe4yccUGsMD4Q3DEUv7MhMcFlNeRmEYUmOrOyjaVKtFTWC2stTIOB28yy5LSs/s320/Mary+@+bridge.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Okay, let me backtrack. It was a failure in that Mary still yaps way too much. I honestly think that if she was walked twice a day, everyday, it actually WOULD help. But she's lucky she gets 3 times a week, so I suppose it's not 100% her fault. But that's as good as it gets, baby.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXJKSLLTTdjCajNHHcxeqjDjpXbNffIvlJCB4xHAE_0Ctd3b13mmaB5fMfOAJM6nAYVSDuvSocczD7TRy1_hmSdahwGto_9WGW4avnLv9DW4SDbDQ7JkDbpZ79yL4M2jIzG2BGPovln8/s1600/Titusville+Bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXJKSLLTTdjCajNHHcxeqjDjpXbNffIvlJCB4xHAE_0Ctd3b13mmaB5fMfOAJM6nAYVSDuvSocczD7TRy1_hmSdahwGto_9WGW4avnLv9DW4SDbDQ7JkDbpZ79yL4M2jIzG2BGPovln8/s320/Titusville+Bridge.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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On the other hand, Bark Therapy has been a raging <em>success</em>, in that I LOVE IT!! There's nothing like walking (while trying to ignore the cars whizzing by) in total safety over a bridge over a BEAUTIFUL river with the cool (it's February) wind blowing either in my face or at my back, looking at the gorgeous views, watching for dolphins, or watching pelicans fish (I loooove pelicans!) with others who are out enjoying what I'm enjoying. Mary behaves beautifully (unless she sees another dog), and it's simply Heaven. Usually by the time I'm out there, the sun is setting, and that makes it even more heavenly. I have increased my endurance quite a bit, and can now walk over and back twice without stopping or usually without even breathing hard! It's 3 miles total on 2 laps. I'm VERY proud of myself! <br />
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So while Mary still barks WAY too much, Bark Therapy has done ME more good than HER, although it is good for her too, and she loves it more than anything other than cuddling with me under the covers on a cool night. :o)Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-12800676658952701602013-01-21T18:15:00.001-08:002013-01-21T18:15:46.271-08:00A breakthrough!!!!I've been away from blogging for almost 3 months now, and there's lots to say, but tonight something happened that trumped all the other news... ERIK TALKED!!! Okay, let me backtrack... for as desperate as I've been for him to say ANYTHING, I'm considering <em>this</em> talking...!! Okay, the story:<br />
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Tonight, I was giving Erik a shower - one of his <em>faaaa</em>vorite things. I stood there holding the hand-held shower thingie and I said, "Erik, this is a <em>bath</em>. Buh, buh, buh. Say 'buh, buh, buh'". Nothing. I tried again, and again, and again, and eventually he actually said, "buhbuhbuhbuhbuh"!!!! Boy, did he get his reward - I sprayed him all over and he screamed in delight! So I tried again, "Buh, buh, buh". "Buh, buh, buh". "Buh, buh, buh" and just as I thought it was all a fluke, <em>he did it again</em>!!! "buhbuhbuhbuhbuh!!" Again with the spray!! We did it again and again until the last couple of times he did it <em>all by himself without any cueing at all</em>!!! <br />
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ERIK ACTUALLY USED A DELIBERATE SOUND TO GO WITH A WORD!!! <br />
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<em>OH, HAPPY DAY!!!!</em><br />
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<em>I can't wait for his next shower!!!</em>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-59545201015859564522012-11-05T04:42:00.000-08:002012-11-05T04:42:55.094-08:00Happy 18th Birthday, Reese!18 years ago today, a couple, Tatiana and Namik, had a baby. From all I know, this was their first child. No doubt they were happily anticipating the birth of their new son, but when he finally arrived, they realized that they had no chance of raising him in their country, because he was born just a little bit different from the rest. Prejudices run high in their country and this child would never be accepted as he was, so they made the excrutiating decision to have him placed for adoption. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj795zl-GE5dBQ3QVPiqCZJg57rJJefLJs4tSOsHwkuancBxwZJZHzJ6xOjs30RpVQxmUUBYGcTP3iR_f7OWjIjP8B1tfxByxdujJGHsWCaFRc_7ZpK27MjiP39KTX5k-NVXXVkQ_ElbJo/s1600/ReesesLifeBookphotos1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj795zl-GE5dBQ3QVPiqCZJg57rJJefLJs4tSOsHwkuancBxwZJZHzJ6xOjs30RpVQxmUUBYGcTP3iR_f7OWjIjP8B1tfxByxdujJGHsWCaFRc_7ZpK27MjiP39KTX5k-NVXXVkQ_ElbJo/s320/ReesesLifeBookphotos1.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
This adorable little bundle (don't you just want to scoop him up and kiss his cheeks?) waited for 5 years in an orphanage in the middle of nowhere (quite literally!) until God grabbed a woman in the United States by the collar and took her to his country and she adopted him. What a BLESSING this little boy turned out to be!! God certainly knew what He was doing!<br />
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His new mother, grateful to Tatina and Namik, took her new precious gift home and he joined their family, blessing them each day with his cheerfulness and optimistic outlook on life.</div>
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He grew, </div>
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and grew, </div>
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and grew, and on this day, he became a man. A man that has shown great honor to his family in all ways, has established himself as someone with very high integrity, and has endeared himself to everyone who knows him.</div>
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Happy birthday, Reese! I love you dearly, son. I know that wherever they are, Tatiana and Namik are thinking of you and loving you also.</div>
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Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-74536324736680586292012-10-07T10:55:00.000-07:002012-10-07T10:55:32.411-07:00The Night I Met Mitt Romney (or, The Night Erik Kicked the 80 y.o. Mayor)It's no secret who I like in this presidential election - moreso who I DON'T like - so if you don't want to hear the man's name mentioned and good things said, then politely move on. This is my blog and I'll say it how I want to say it. pppttthhhhh!!!! <br />
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Yesterday, Reese, Erik and I made the 90 min. trip to Apopka, FL (maybe it was quicker than that) to join in at a Mitt Romney event. After seeing what has happened to our beloved country over the past 4 years, Reese (who gets to graduate the DAY AFTER he turns 18!!) and I are quite involved politically this year, trying to get our Marxist president out of office. So we happily traveled to central FL to see his opponent.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Apparently, not a fan of Mitt Romney rallies! LOL</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQDiJ7kSOR3H-ervX_KBPcvV6YY7RjXwymTCjBWzMyPcR2VXoOhVX0lDVqq0ThfqXIfiETjHwji9NrqrbtA_1l7G0ysvHtq7vj2Ph7yelmAntgeXr2IrNRaTvV1j336QuCVgQbYpazcI/s1600/Mitt+Romney+010.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQDiJ7kSOR3H-ervX_KBPcvV6YY7RjXwymTCjBWzMyPcR2VXoOhVX0lDVqq0ThfqXIfiETjHwji9NrqrbtA_1l7G0ysvHtq7vj2Ph7yelmAntgeXr2IrNRaTvV1j336QuCVgQbYpazcI/s400/Mitt+Romney+010.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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From the beginning, we could see that the venue was poooooorly organized. There was no provision made for disabled guests and no one seemed to have any idea what to do with a disabled guest. Reese's leg is not fitting right so walking was really painful for him and he couldn't stand long or walk far - he needed assistance. We finally made it to the amphitheater (which was quite nice but not nearly big enough for all of the people who showed up - it was packed!) to find that there was no "handicapped section" at all. There were so many people standing that we couldn't see a thing, and Reese needed to sit on the grass. Yeah, right. Erik's nerves by now were shot (it was quite a story how we even GOT to the venue, but I'll save that story for another day), and he needed a seat, too. No one was allowed to bring folding chairs, either, so everyone who wanted to sit, had to sit on the ground, cause ALL the seats were taken. Sorry, but that was not good enough for this mama. I asked this person, and that person, and that person over there, if there were ANY seats available for the disabled, as my son simply couldn't stand on the grass all the time to watch the event. No one had any idea. So, I kept asking. Finally, I asked a couple of policemen. They got a look at Reese's legs and you could see in their eyes that they wanted to help. They asked us to wait while they checked on something (good thing we arrived 2 hours early!!). When they came back, they led us down to the VIP area, and after they talked with this person with plugs in their ears, and that person with fancy looking badges and credentials, they led us to the FRONT ROW. The "orange wristband" section! We could NOT believe it. We were warned, however, that they may have to move us, if more "real" VIP's showed up, so we didn't get too comfortable until the Mayor of Apopka (I figured out from eavesdropping) sat down next to me (and Erik, who was on my lap) and I figured we were safe. We saw Sandy Adams, our area's House of Representatives person (we met her this summer in D.C. you may remember), on the same row as us, about 10 seats down, and I have no idea who else was surrounding us. Reese and I kept sneaking looks at each other like, "I can't believe this!!". <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAby3kOdjb6oIB_eJSO3yoIbkWU9PpcRAlyuwMOWzxuX4Is96yhF-LeELhlZ_d5YonpyPW64TH0IA7U0bmgH-SNZ7ITfl6TPMPGLIBMYJ-zVeL_5ZrhxgJV21g4aw4jgD74B1fquEj99Q/s1600/Mitt+Romney+011.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAby3kOdjb6oIB_eJSO3yoIbkWU9PpcRAlyuwMOWzxuX4Is96yhF-LeELhlZ_d5YonpyPW64TH0IA7U0bmgH-SNZ7ITfl6TPMPGLIBMYJ-zVeL_5ZrhxgJV21g4aw4jgD74B1fquEj99Q/s400/Mitt+Romney+011.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The stage, from our vantage point.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEevbOGjrrCXOq1UegzjPysP6RtF_EvIvQ4BOQKwuMfuzhDsvQH3QOPrO0MoPzs7Rq-QViXH6LiYu0cY0FBXUq-i8EAY0G6dYricicONfR_kxJmSg6FvpgXG04hyphenhyphenMMbHchDoa7Zo20T0/s1600/Mitt+Romney+015.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEevbOGjrrCXOq1UegzjPysP6RtF_EvIvQ4BOQKwuMfuzhDsvQH3QOPrO0MoPzs7Rq-QViXH6LiYu0cY0FBXUq-i8EAY0G6dYricicONfR_kxJmSg6FvpgXG04hyphenhyphenMMbHchDoa7Zo20T0/s400/Mitt+Romney+015.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">A coooool picture of the sky. You can see the press box at the bottom. There is square light that you can see. You can see a man looking down at the bottom right of the light - that's Carl Cameron (or "Campaign Carl") from Fox News.</span></td></tr>
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Erik was on my lap, which was fine, except that being soooooo close to the stage, we were also sooooooo close to these ENORMOUS speakers and if you know Erik, you know how much he hates loud noises! Uh, oh!! I had a moment of panic before I realized that he was perfectly content as long as I covered his ears with my hands, which I gratefully did. WHEW!! Eventually, he got used to the cheering and screaming, and the sign waving and the clapping, and I was SHOCKED that he never cried, or screamed, or bit himself, although after a while he did kick the mayor... (he was pretzeled on my lap, trying to rest (it was getting really late) and his leg shot out and kicked the 80-something mayor. I apologized and he was very good-natured about it and said that his granddaughter has Down Syndrome! After that, he and I were bosom buddies. ;o) <br />
Anyway, finally the speeches began. Artur Davis was one of the first - I love that guy! - and that was fun. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCX8zGqDlvMuutxBAzY_E60Omuz3N966WnWgv1B8mEaFB_UOjknklGAf6Ae5WUWABX027JcPkrZJnqSv-eXOE1rS3moxEEHjrD_wwGHqDFkI3aeZzwan8Fx2wMyk9iFy-jwAUgqG5bqNA/s400/Mitt+Romney+014.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Artur Davis</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCX8zGqDlvMuutxBAzY_E60Omuz3N966WnWgv1B8mEaFB_UOjknklGAf6Ae5WUWABX027JcPkrZJnqSv-eXOE1rS3moxEEHjrD_wwGHqDFkI3aeZzwan8Fx2wMyk9iFy-jwAUgqG5bqNA/s1600/Mitt+Romney+014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><br />
He was followed by Andy Somebody (sorry, Mr. Somebody - I can't think of your last name at this time!) who was a Congressman or something (obviously, I'm not too familiar with him). And he was followed by Connie Mack, running against Bill Nelson for FL senate, and then what everyone was waiting for - the Romneys! Man, the crowd went nuts and I am still in shock that Erik handled it. I instantly liked these people. Ann gave a speech and she was so cute - the podium was too high for her - she couldn't see - so instead of asking for help, she simply stood on her toes the whole time. No complaints! Shocking to see such realism from someone who could be so important!! Oh - did I mention she was in high heels already?? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLjbdrCDYD5xltx43Oz6kYb8PvHfGaS6UinQIMDz_YbX2kmTc-TuzAi18gMkl_ozS8ofXpZA1A5cWDG0fQYoou36byzbviyqrzxSJZyaFu6zE22Z_BPPKHungxnnpQFBwc-JRoQUEfGc/s1600/Mitt+Romney+023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLjbdrCDYD5xltx43Oz6kYb8PvHfGaS6UinQIMDz_YbX2kmTc-TuzAi18gMkl_ozS8ofXpZA1A5cWDG0fQYoou36byzbviyqrzxSJZyaFu6zE22Z_BPPKHungxnnpQFBwc-JRoQUEfGc/s400/Mitt+Romney+023.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ann, on her tiptoes</td></tr>
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After she was done, Mitt came out. He gave his speech which was terrific, of course, though not a whole lot of new stuff (you really can't give a new speech every time when you are giving a couple of speeches a day!) but it was fun, cause he said stuff that they often don't show in highlight reels - little stuff, ad-libbed stuff, which of course I should mention that he did not use a TELEPROMPTER the entire time - there was not one there!!! He simply<i> talked</i> to us. It was GREAT. He was telling a story about a serviceman and while I didn't see it, Reese said he saw a tear roll down his cheek. Wow. Can't fake that too easily.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotci35Jz93TQIENB0umMczjoh-0AJ2znJVgJkBISxunicj07nrRB2v_QwFgEHvbZDbH999M2imv_U_zSbFHKIWrlP9zSuHuOLyWAnAZ4pN9XkwSqmyn0F0vPtJGFZIihyphenhyphenDHvkarDJ9wE/s1600/Mitt+Romney+021.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotci35Jz93TQIENB0umMczjoh-0AJ2znJVgJkBISxunicj07nrRB2v_QwFgEHvbZDbH999M2imv_U_zSbFHKIWrlP9zSuHuOLyWAnAZ4pN9XkwSqmyn0F0vPtJGFZIihyphenhyphenDHvkarDJ9wE/s400/Mitt+Romney+021.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mitt (sorry, I didn't crop these photos closer - I just wanted to get them up)</td></tr>
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So the thing ended with Erik almost comatose from fatigue and stress, lack of fluids and food, me having had to go to the bathroom for the past 3 hours (the stupid place had no bathrooms nearby), and Reese with his leg killing him, but we were all charged up. Because we were in the VIP section, we were amongst the few who got the opportunity to shake hands as the candidates came by the semi-circle below the stage. Mitt came first. Reese wanted to get Mitt to sign his President shirt that he got in D.C. this summer, but the Secret Service told him to put the pen away. That was a distraction, and Reese unfortunately missed his opportunity to shake Mitt's hand. :o( I <i>was</i> able to get Mitt's attention...<br />
<br />
Let me tell you something first: I have a VERY strong woman's intuition. I have been right on MANY occasions about people upon first meeting them, including the person who sabotaged our homestudy a few years back. I didn't feel quite right about her then, or after, and it turns out I was right. This has happened to me for years - often I feel nothing special about people, but sometimes I DO feel it and when I DO feel it, I'm RIGHT. Never have I misjudged someone when I had a "feeling" about them.<br />
<br />
From the first time I saw our current president on TV, long before this last election, he made me uncomfortable. I saw something in his eyes that made me squirm. The smile was too dazzling, the eyes, ...wrong, somehow. I know that there will be people reading this that like him and I'm sorry if you are offended, but this is my place to tell my stories, and this is how I honestly feel. I feel evil coming from behind that smile and that charm. Sorry, it's the truth as I see it, and I'm never wrong when I feel things like this and the feeling I feel about him is <i>strong</i>. <br />
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As Mitt made his way around the stage floor and he reached me, I stuck my hand out to shake his, among the dozens of others. He paused to shake my hand and when he did so, he looked me *right in the eye*. I had the opportunity to look, seemingly, into his soul. As he told me "thank you" with such a humble and grateful expression, time seemed to stand still. It was like I could peer deep down into his eyes and see this man for who he truly is. It was like God showed me something. I hope this doesn't sound corny, but I could see light. I could see goodness. I could see openness, or something. I could see purity. It's really hard to articulate, but I was struck by it. I pulled my hand away after saying who-knows-what back to him, probably "uhhhhhhh" and he was gone, but I stood there for a second, drinking in my impression. I felt it so strongly...<br />
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After Mitt came by, Ann came by and I got to shake her hand too, but she didn't lock eyes with me like Mitt did, and her handshake wasn't as natural as his was - she was being bombarded by the people who pushed in front of me so I can't blame her at all for this. Reese did get her attention though, and got a good handshake. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AIXlzrtb0Yaep5zCGm915PH8AMzU1L-sDvTKy5Z1SAprUA5zI3L-oeDQRplwdnPcj2qcDUtlua96qmgdspykrgSqL1dAmE-XUFx_SY0_4uvo6fyMiWc9FXu3B8PIDr5RKbyFVhXlDXs/s1600/Mitt+Romney+031.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AIXlzrtb0Yaep5zCGm915PH8AMzU1L-sDvTKy5Z1SAprUA5zI3L-oeDQRplwdnPcj2qcDUtlua96qmgdspykrgSqL1dAmE-XUFx_SY0_4uvo6fyMiWc9FXu3B8PIDr5RKbyFVhXlDXs/s400/Mitt+Romney+031.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Ann with one of the pushy people in front of us (they came down from one of the higher seats). I couldn't get a shot of her with Reese, so I settled on her with this girl! LOL</td></tr>
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Connie Mack followed, and got a picture with Reese (I told him that Reese would be a future Congressman, and he lit up and said "HEY!!" and slapped Reese on the shoulder good-naturedly, then we got the pictre.).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TsCB30LXATeDXiGTDA91mgMfBYD1t0ofsAGwkdElh3vlABccUYCIANCuoh6gLpwgIVig9J4v_VlmGqNkj1uZhyphenhypheneD8xPEMUsyRhheqZWlDoiOJzdw8g1LdVeSxbalVvayUMh6olr5_xM/s1600/Mitt+Romney+029.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TsCB30LXATeDXiGTDA91mgMfBYD1t0ofsAGwkdElh3vlABccUYCIANCuoh6gLpwgIVig9J4v_VlmGqNkj1uZhyphenhypheneD8xPEMUsyRhheqZWlDoiOJzdw8g1LdVeSxbalVvayUMh6olr5_xM/s400/Mitt+Romney+029.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connie Mack with Reese</td></tr>
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And it was over. We walked the mile or so back to the car, renewed with so much energy we didn't notice the distance and had a fun car ride home as Erik slopped forward in his booster seat, asleep before we left the parking lot, and we talked about all of the amazing events that took place.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJjn1Cy78-9gqouDJvSWSIrB71llLy2HhvQThlcMJNCrxjEoWF9AR1rcgxTaj1iujqs2YN6cro0p51d9VhDQVZy9T-zHyMD1jM7rc2nw2EbV3-aHpAVrABgEUBHtzBsJTWdtU1KIttdY/s1600/Mitt+Romney+032.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJjn1Cy78-9gqouDJvSWSIrB71llLy2HhvQThlcMJNCrxjEoWF9AR1rcgxTaj1iujqs2YN6cro0p51d9VhDQVZy9T-zHyMD1jM7rc2nw2EbV3-aHpAVrABgEUBHtzBsJTWdtU1KIttdY/s400/Mitt+Romney+032.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reese carried Erik almost the whole way back to the car.</td></tr>
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If you are at all undecided about who to vote for, or if you think you might not vote at all, may I please urge you to go to the polls and vote for the man who's eyes I actually looked into, and saw... Light.Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-63056548908574796902012-09-01T16:41:00.002-07:002012-09-01T16:46:45.970-07:00Bark Therapy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ever since I started on my weight loss journey (well, after I started recovering from last Christmas' surgeries, anyway), I've wanted to start exercising. The Body By Vi shakes that I started taking at about that time gave me SO much energy I just wanted to go, go, GO! but I couldn't, because of the radiation burns on my abdomen (long story - those of you who know me know it). The burns finally healed, but then the worst one's scar gave me trouble and only just NOW am I fit to exercise!! It no longer hurts to twist or move, though it still does to bend, but that's no problem.</div>
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ANYWAY, I have a new motivation to walk now. Bark Therapy. Yes, Bark Therapy. Not because *I* bark, but because my adorable, sweet, loving little troublemaking Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Mary, barks! TOO MUCH!! She has become quite the yapper, causing some stress in our house. We don't really know why she is such a yapper, because her mentor, Daisy (our Boston Terrier) never, ever barks, and that example was not set for her when she was a pup, so we figure it must just be genetic. Lucky us. </div>
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Anyone who has ever seen the Dog Whisperer on TV knows that one way that Cesar Milan fixes dog behavior issues is by exercise (in fact, his motto is "Exercise, Discipline, Affection: in that order!"), and NOT by a simple romp in the backyard. No, the man makes his clients get off their butts and GO FOR A WALK. I've read his books, and he gives the reason but that is not the purpose of this post. The purpose of this post is Bark Therapy. I am counting on Cesar's teachings to get Mary to SHUT UP. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQwLUbd11VG3PuA7UsioOasEYune0VuT0hasUv0gdhlcpUJJaxy-DBBQdLcRQiFGNXb3oVNAts61EaKGsdzUGBpLBJJZmldQQBZ2xaKb_m97VoQTq-COkjQzLIRd_CMyc3QZo20W7tn0/s1600/Titusville+Bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQwLUbd11VG3PuA7UsioOasEYune0VuT0hasUv0gdhlcpUJJaxy-DBBQdLcRQiFGNXb3oVNAts61EaKGsdzUGBpLBJJZmldQQBZ2xaKb_m97VoQTq-COkjQzLIRd_CMyc3QZo20W7tn0/s400/Titusville+Bridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I, for two weeks, am committing myself to walking this dog over and back on the Titusville Bridge every other day and see if this calms her down so that her barking is under control. </div>
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...and, it's good for me, too!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHnfq-oZ7cTxidtrj9cuNImQUUFQFVTKK6sPAa69SPr18UQHaD7cqPby5fWnjyJ-xaz6d7DEHIlTUMusING3h5O59mKuZkyv5aNXvyzUrvoifrJqJ2kOGfii95c24x91boIWaQ1qffvw/s1600/Samsung+phone+photos+486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHnfq-oZ7cTxidtrj9cuNImQUUFQFVTKK6sPAa69SPr18UQHaD7cqPby5fWnjyJ-xaz6d7DEHIlTUMusING3h5O59mKuZkyv5aNXvyzUrvoifrJqJ2kOGfii95c24x91boIWaQ1qffvw/s400/Samsung+phone+photos+486.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So start off. There is no one else walking at the time, which is kinda nice. It's hot, but not terribly hot (at least by FL standards), and there's a great breeze going. The view is spectacular (that's the Kennedy Space Center over there), and there's a fantastic concrete barrier between the pedestrian lane and the road, which is GREAT cause it lets Mary walk in the shade the entire way! She can't even see the cars (nor can they see her) because of this partition going each direction. I'm as happy as a lark at this point. Initially, I was going to only go up to the top, then turn around, but it was so easy that I decided to go the whole way; go down to the bottom, cross over and make my way back on the other side of the road, since there was the partition there, too.</div>
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After awhile, Mary got a little fed up with the whole thing and started complaining. She wasn't used to all of this walking, or the noise, or any of it! But we kept on. </div>
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The way over wasn't steep at all, but the other side was much steeper. Not sure why the engineers (or whoever) designed it like that, but they did. See the nifty barricade on the left?</div>
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(shaky legs; giving Mary a rest)</a>Okay, so we got down to the bottom and crossed over. As we were starting the climb on the return, I started getting tired. Uh, oh... Half way up the bridge, my legs just decided they were done. I had to stop. My legs were shaky, wobbly, quivering, you fill in the blank. I was tired. Meanwhile, I had to carry Mary for awhile cause she was just so tired, poor baby! Good thing she only weighs 11 pounds. Somehow, probably sheer will, I made it to the top of the bridge and staggered down the other side to the car. Wanna know how I felt??<br />
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Yeah, I was tired. But you know what? It was a GOOD walk. A very good walk. Everything about it was perfect (other than the cars zooming by, I suppose). Even Mary heeled BEAUTIFULLY - she was perfectly well-behaved!!! We both guzzled down some water in the car and headed home. Get ready, Mary!! We're doing it again on Monday!! Your Bark Therapy has just begun...Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-38048128151349689492012-08-11T09:13:00.001-07:002012-08-11T09:13:15.002-07:00Happy eighth birthday, Erik!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy birthday, Erik! Eight years ago, you entered this world unwanted and unloved. For 5 very long years, you waited for someone to love you and treasure you for the miracle you are. Your dad, brothers and I were so blessed when we finally found you and brought you into our home! You have blessed us SO much for the past 3 years - our family would have been so boring and stale without you! You bring fun, happiness, unadulterated JOY, silliness and innocence into our lives and we can't imagine life without you now. Your birthmother and father blessed the world the day they brought you into it and now you will bless the world right back! WE LOVE YOU, ERIK!! Happy birthday, son!!!<br />Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-13880717621368024452012-07-29T05:41:00.001-07:002012-07-29T05:41:23.864-07:00The party's o-ver...!!Well, we're home... Friday we decided to drive straight home and skip Mt. Vernon and the Yorktown/Williamsburg/Jamestown "triangle". :o( Mama's not happy about that, but Reese was happy to be going home. His July has been incredibly busy and he just wanted to get home for a week of rest before school started again. Can't blame him... <br />
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So we drove almost 14 hours (got up there in 12...) and were glad to be greeted at home by Mark, Erik and my mom. :o) <br />
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Tomorrow's Monday and I head back to work, Mom goes back to Seattle today and Reese ...I guess Reese will hang out at home with Erik or with his friends. And life goes on...<br />
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Thank you for keeping up with my blog this week!! Our Family Bouquet has been horribly neglected and it was kinda fun to revive it again for a week. Hope you enjoyed it! :o)Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-13886919442292078852012-07-26T17:06:00.001-07:002012-07-26T17:06:36.519-07:00On to Day Four, and our last day in Washington...<br />
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Yesterday, we stopped here, but the line was really long and we were standing in the hot afternoon sun for so long that we decided to skip it and try it today. To my surprise, we actually followed a plan that we'd previously laid out and we arrived at 9:30am! And that was AFTER finding a parking place!! (Ohhh, don't get me started on the parking situation around here...!!!!) <br />
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Here is the actual theater. Most of my 5 readers will know that the box office in the center of this photo is where Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln were when Mr. Lincoln was shot. This theater still has plays on a regular basis and is very much a working theater. Pretty cool, huh?<br />
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What's he reading, Reese? Maybe "The Hunger Games"??<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the pillow that he laid his head on as he lay dying. So sad...</td></tr>
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And the gun that killed him by the hand of John Wilkes Booth. Grrrr...<br />
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After that sobering exhibit, we moved on to something lighter: the International Spy Museum!! We didn't want to pay the ridiculous $20 fee they wanted, so we just went on to the store and actually had a really fun time there! <br />
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I could make one of many comments here, but I'll just let you formulate your own. ;op<br />
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Ah, one of my very favorite photos of the whole trip. :o) I told him someday when he's sitting in his Congressman's office, he'll have this photo framed on his desk as a "Remember When", he was still dreaming...<br />
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Just another shot of the Capital Building. It's so magnificent it's hard NOT to take pictures of it!<br />
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And another...<br />
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In case you were wondering where we were walking (walking? Did I say "walking" again?!?) we were headed back to the Cannon Building (one of the three office buildings where House members keep their offices) to visit our new friends. This was actually one of the highlights of the whole trip for Reese:<br />
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This is Representative Sandy Adams, our district's Representative. It was her intern that showed us around the Capital building the other day and who were all so nice to us in her office. We finally tracked down a time when we could meet her and thank her for the tour and she was so very nice to us. She knew just where Mims was of course (bless her heart) because of course, Brevard county is one of the four counties who she serves. Yay. She's a good one, I do believe. One of her staff even brings his dog to work and he hangs around the office all day, which I thought was neat. She seemed genuinely interested in us and asked all about what we'd done during our visit and we told her but then we also told her about the concerns we'd had about the monument to the 56 Signers of the Constitution and she was upset to hear it. I don't know if she can do anything about it or not, but at least we said something.<br />
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Then, we scooted back over to Ron Paul's office to meet HIM. Now, say what you might about Dr. Paul (I agree with about 75% of what he says, wholeheartedly, but the other 25% of what he says... well, not so much.), but he was a VERY nice man (if he wasn't a distinguished congressman, I'd say he was cute old guy!) and really seemed pleased to have us stop by. He and Reese are seen above discussing politics (small government and getting out of wars and other countries' business), and that was fun to listen to. :o) <br />
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Here he is, signing the book he wrote. No, Reese is not going to sneeze... He also gave us each a copy (in booklet form) of the Constitution that he signed. <br />
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The three of us in front of the Texas flag. (Again with the extra 25 pounds the camera adds to women...!) Not sure what we were laughing about, but we were pretty happy at this point...<br />
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Just walking past again so I got a picture. On Monday(?) Reese and I ate lunch under this building with the employees. It's a perk for having influential friends... (Like interns who show you how to access the tunnels!)<br />
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After seeing our friends Sandy and Ron, we headed across the way to the Senate office buildings and made our way to Marco Rubio's office (I've been a fan of his for some time). We didn't expect he'd be there (he was in a "meeting") but we thought we could always try!! It was a MUCH MORE FORMAL building than the Cannon Building (obviously - look at it!!) and we were the ONLY people in the entire place with street clothes on (unlike the Cannon). Reese was in his glory. He SOOOOO wants to work in a place like this!! He was practically drooling the entire time we walked about. We walked through a cafeteria area and there were Senators all over the place (we knew that Congressmen wear a certain lapel pin so we always looked for it) eating lunch. WOW. Pretty neat. <br />
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One more shot of the Capital building as we walked (did I say "walk" AGAIN?!?) to our car. We were crossing the street and I was able to take this as I walked, and I didn't even get hit by a car. I'm so talented.<br />
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Tomorrow we leave Washington and head to Jamestown/Yorktown/Williamsburg and see what we'll see there and then head home. It's been an exhausting (did I say "walk"???) but very good vacation that meant a lot to the both of us. :o) I will try and blog again tomorrow but the Washington stuff is overwith now. <br />
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<br />Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-84947939431130585982012-07-26T15:49:00.001-07:002012-07-26T16:21:40.556-07:00Day Three...on Day FourOkay, this is Day Four, but last night I was so dead tired I couldn't even log on to Facebook to say, "I'm too tired to blog!" so I had Reese do it! So I'm going to try to remember things as they happened yesterday, then I'll do today's.<br />
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Here is Reese in front of the National Museum of American History. This is my favorite of the Smithsonian museums. :o) He liked it too, but he liked all the "war" exhibits and I liked all the "pop culture" exhibits. Ha!<br />
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See? My first exhibit photo is of my good friend, Mr. Kermit the Frog!<br />
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And here are Dorothy's Ruby Slippers...<br />
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And POOP! I just realized I didn't pull up one that I took of Archie Bunker's chair, Fonzie's leather jacket, and one other thing... (What was it???) Well, it takes way too long to pull up ONE photo, and I'm not going back to the beginning to find that one, so you'll just have to use your imagination. Sorry!<br />
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Okay, here's a good "war" one: George Washington's uniform! :o) I love George Washington.<br />
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Okay, after we did the museum, we walked (of course we walked!) to the National Archives, where the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights are all housed. No photos from in there, sorry. NOT ALLOWED. :o( <br />
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Just another pretty shot of the Washington Monument. :o)<br />
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From there, we DROVE to the Jefferson Memorial. Funny, we still had to walk about 1/2 mile from the parking lot to the monument... I like this monument a lot. I like Thomas Jefferson, sure, but I like the monument cause it kind of sits off by itself, is on the water and isn't as popular as Lincoln's Monument. It's quieter and a little bit more ...humble??<br />
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While we were there, several "United States of America" blue helicopters flew overhead, very close. It made us wonder who was in there...??<br />
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Back to Jefferson. I included a few photos here so you could not only see his statue, but also read the inscriptions on the walls of some of his famous quotes. Some of the things said are so austere (is that the word??) that people today really need to read them!!! He says some things that we just truly have fallen away from... <br />
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Geez, I hope it's the camera that's making me look so fat... don't they say photos make you gain 25 pounds??<br />
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Walking around AGAIN, I guess I took this picture of something. Not sure what it is... Neither of us can remember. If you know what it is, be sure and pipe up in the comments section! (If I'd've gotten my rear end out of bed last night and blogged before it went cold in my brain I'm sure I would have remembered... *said through gritted teeth*)<br />
<br />Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-66259882587083350332012-07-24T18:13:00.000-07:002012-07-24T18:13:42.796-07:00Day Two ... If I can't finish my "Couch to 5K" Day One after this day, I'll never finish it!!Oh, my goodness... I'm not 17 anymore...!!<br />
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Today was another terrific day in D.C. :o) We had plans to do
the Smithsonian museums today, but we veered WAY off schedule, but
that's okay, cause we're just having fun! <br /><br />
We drove all the way into D.C. because I just REALLY hate the Metro. (Did I forget to tell the story about how yesterday riding the Metro in to D.C. I almost passed out? Well, I did. But that's not why I hate it.) <br />
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We arrived at the Iwo Jima Memorial and the Marines Corps Band was just finishing practicing for a concert to be held tomorrow evening (I think). That was neat to see. They quickly left, and we carried on. Reese wanted to go to the Pentagon, but by the time we got in there, the parking area was so crazy and I was so nervous about driving the wrong way or going in a Restricted area that we left and my nerves were shot. Sorry, Reese!! Next time, we'll take the bus in and they'll take us to the right place.<br />
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My husband's father fought (and survived) the battle at Iwo Jima so I felt really honored to visit here and share it with Reese.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszG638DAj4iPeIJCx0SJqJ1ZlZ5M2ZVAnm4VZhbky-KBA-QCF6SocdWqI7IKftsV2Da0JE9qascra3DccmfJOF4NxZA7Si6E1DOPDq6jPEaV7VRnjlJ3RHemnZF8qnm58RFrFbpw7lic/s1600/SelectPlusDC+138.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszG638DAj4iPeIJCx0SJqJ1ZlZ5M2ZVAnm4VZhbky-KBA-QCF6SocdWqI7IKftsV2Da0JE9qascra3DccmfJOF4NxZA7Si6E1DOPDq6jPEaV7VRnjlJ3RHemnZF8qnm58RFrFbpw7lic/s320/SelectPlusDC+138.jpg" width="320" /></a> Reese would really love to be able to serve in the military (and would be GREAT at it!) but he can't, due to his legs and hand... He's got all the traits that would make him an EXCEPTIONAL Marine, but it's just not meant to be...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbscJqA7Eh85c3p-lwUwx4Gen5fUyMNGSAYzbGWV_jeJrb30kYx_TqaGd23COpeoiu2917TeVwNWNoUKhx9D1HHQWLX9LFlmp6BIYkdADthT8AEOAxm7NJNHnbAUZQGIlQyGIW8FyqTbw/s1600/SelectPlusDC+135.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbscJqA7Eh85c3p-lwUwx4Gen5fUyMNGSAYzbGWV_jeJrb30kYx_TqaGd23COpeoiu2917TeVwNWNoUKhx9D1HHQWLX9LFlmp6BIYkdADthT8AEOAxm7NJNHnbAUZQGIlQyGIW8FyqTbw/s640/SelectPlusDC+135.jpg" width="640" /> </a><br />
A close up. It was VERY hazy today, so I had a hard time getting good photos. The lighting was just really weird and my camera didn't always handle it well. As a result, several pictures were not included in this blog post.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QmuP-UGvrNIY68ljMrHYHdh6aCkXKQtAmzVgo5lQWuon_hVE_ggLltre43e9EOzvm6mYA6d3ST66vTu1SjUnjqUe61LnECuwzYPDvjvyXY3UMgCUE1bYYhV2emlcya5n3I1ltYIXjLg/s1600/SelectPlusDC+132.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QmuP-UGvrNIY68ljMrHYHdh6aCkXKQtAmzVgo5lQWuon_hVE_ggLltre43e9EOzvm6mYA6d3ST66vTu1SjUnjqUe61LnECuwzYPDvjvyXY3UMgCUE1bYYhV2emlcya5n3I1ltYIXjLg/s320/SelectPlusDC+132.jpg" width="320" /></a> The base of the monument.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPWacgGj1CBMnJE4txFwqk-G25HD8JSlcm69zT1yFgFf3InlMjondO1pwfbDB4hPiC8jhRJpz6PPSGvfsU7d3-MpAXQnayOBglGa1mnWPb2i2zzv0_06T-Q4ZXt-mSFH7THCLGmzLGVs/s1600/SelectPlusDC+144.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPWacgGj1CBMnJE4txFwqk-G25HD8JSlcm69zT1yFgFf3InlMjondO1pwfbDB4hPiC8jhRJpz6PPSGvfsU7d3-MpAXQnayOBglGa1mnWPb2i2zzv0_06T-Q4ZXt-mSFH7THCLGmzLGVs/s320/SelectPlusDC+144.jpg" width="320" /></a> After Iwo Jima, we drove over to Arlington National Cemetery, where we parked our car for the day. Reese initially didn't really think he'd enjoy this place, but he soon changed his mind. ;o)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XhTBoj65M0ffeiO5EjDMq50mB0jXnFbi0jkCMKytW1b_eSDFApgknAMNlUD8eZGbjGUDfYDr7xu7bSAVlQP3BkvInqjzU0YMixnqrOOiuZ_XiW_pPApEf92UCEk7QJyFvtdHOQ78wvc/s1600/SelectPlusDC+147.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XhTBoj65M0ffeiO5EjDMq50mB0jXnFbi0jkCMKytW1b_eSDFApgknAMNlUD8eZGbjGUDfYDr7xu7bSAVlQP3BkvInqjzU0YMixnqrOOiuZ_XiW_pPApEf92UCEk7QJyFvtdHOQ78wvc/s320/SelectPlusDC+147.jpg" width="320" /></a> We walked ALL OVER the cemetery, and our first stop was JFK and Jackie's graves, with the Eternal Flame. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzNKVQI9P7IoA_1NRY0tv_ZmiwwnltnUel5DLVmxBMeyNPbKdJTqqlgw9g0v7vyAWTI8tv_LJ5xIZLayJOqlPwcXa5m-B7v-Sv1t7a3KhCLukqV5jxPIxKE0zLVY1U6dh6JVuGoJYZf8/s1600/SelectPlusDC+152.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzNKVQI9P7IoA_1NRY0tv_ZmiwwnltnUel5DLVmxBMeyNPbKdJTqqlgw9g0v7vyAWTI8tv_LJ5xIZLayJOqlPwcXa5m-B7v-Sv1t7a3KhCLukqV5jxPIxKE0zLVY1U6dh6JVuGoJYZf8/s320/SelectPlusDC+152.jpg" width="320" /></a> We walked, and walked and walked...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosjndO5SvTLYWX4Xy_w0gIlvJVEJ3G6LpePqViPHSONZ39jUVe-pRoPB86Bh_1D7PpEv4OIFI87Lz-3MrgWxyEDB9Auy9PMdNXnZwzXdJIKPIH_Kb8oCjPiA7n2gTFlLE3GwXFp4Z_8Y/s1600/SelectPlusDC+158.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosjndO5SvTLYWX4Xy_w0gIlvJVEJ3G6LpePqViPHSONZ39jUVe-pRoPB86Bh_1D7PpEv4OIFI87Lz-3MrgWxyEDB9Auy9PMdNXnZwzXdJIKPIH_Kb8oCjPiA7n2gTFlLE3GwXFp4Z_8Y/s320/SelectPlusDC+158.jpg" width="320" /></a>There was a little amphitheater that was not being used with grassy "ceilings". It was really pretty. Reese got a pretty nice shot of me, too! (This was before losing the 87 pounds of fat lost after walking the 345 miles that we walked that day. In the heat. And the humidity!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZi_k0l2szKr2XeA06mJDOBVk2s8e3oSs2EABJiGsArhvbdT51kCvC5h0pmsYSaB6vjJEjoUQzLRiDsQk3_KjHyJ1-O7BfKN0jcT0WM6wNxcP8A33SGIFhrKTXteCAfQSKQA3MzdG76k/s1600/SelectPlusDC+142.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZi_k0l2szKr2XeA06mJDOBVk2s8e3oSs2EABJiGsArhvbdT51kCvC5h0pmsYSaB6vjJEjoUQzLRiDsQk3_KjHyJ1-O7BfKN0jcT0WM6wNxcP8A33SGIFhrKTXteCAfQSKQA3MzdG76k/s400/SelectPlusDC+142.jpg" width="400" /></a> Reese was really appreciative of the sacrifices of the military. He is very patriotic and loves his adopted country very much. I love that about him. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbXqz0K-WMQxWZOKNga1Zhxc5Dmv2-2Qbj-YPOLCXSitbX5lFZpsyDDOTmNkndcvi87PsAKpBVzXYmj4DFh_59uvfbJstdhnj0O0nNXGLccCGiNzDA3B0Uq_jKk3b-qTdhDRI75gnw1k/s1600/SelectPlusDC+168.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbXqz0K-WMQxWZOKNga1Zhxc5Dmv2-2Qbj-YPOLCXSitbX5lFZpsyDDOTmNkndcvi87PsAKpBVzXYmj4DFh_59uvfbJstdhnj0O0nNXGLccCGiNzDA3B0Uq_jKk3b-qTdhDRI75gnw1k/s400/SelectPlusDC+168.jpg" width="400" /> </a><br />
Eventually, we arrived at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. Naturally, we stayed for the Changing of the Guard. I remember seeing this when I was 16 and I never forgot it. There is something SO amazing about this ceremony (the whole thing, really!) that affects you. It's almost a spiritual feeling. To know the extreme importance placed on upon unknown soldiers who died fighting for MY freedom and knowing how eternally their graves are guarded... well, you have to be there. I can't fully explain it...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCiBjOETlo8g8ZH_DJ7YT3_Ndrouxb4NNQP1KOUKiOv_yHRa9H8GQsW2GSqOeV8GQ-S3URSyf2pS-A4pd0fynuPvVDVQ5qPso8_rv1_jQlJekG8sT8pvbM0we5c5GFFc8aQKWCpsBRQg0/s1600/SelectPlusDC+206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCiBjOETlo8g8ZH_DJ7YT3_Ndrouxb4NNQP1KOUKiOv_yHRa9H8GQsW2GSqOeV8GQ-S3URSyf2pS-A4pd0fynuPvVDVQ5qPso8_rv1_jQlJekG8sT8pvbM0we5c5GFFc8aQKWCpsBRQg0/s400/SelectPlusDC+206.jpg" width="400" /> </a><br />
Here is the "boss", officiating over the change. Wow. These people are SERIOUS about their duty. I found a really cool website explaining some of the amazing sacrifices that these guards give on this website: http://sharprightturn.wordpress.com/2010/06/01/facts-about-tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier/ Your jaw will drop when reading some of the stuff that these guys give up for the honor of guarding the Unknowns.<br />
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So then, my precious, precious son suggests that we WALK TO THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL. Yes! We'd just walked up and down these HUGE hills in the heat all over Arlington, and he thinks nothing of suggesting that we simply walk the mile + distance loaded down with the backpack and camera bag. Suuuuuure, son!! NO PROBLEM!!! So we walked...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNuTFbp16O120Hr4btdvONABtwHgZiJjIvpTMT8bkNkSK9RClCElGa3FqnhHtBOui3LU3Z27jLhyphenhyphen6emEKQPyYrMKtFgb8lv5e34EqSl5mmWSDV_gja94BUcoD17ia2KBTYp2SO6_t4zg/s1600/SelectPlusDC+222.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNuTFbp16O120Hr4btdvONABtwHgZiJjIvpTMT8bkNkSK9RClCElGa3FqnhHtBOui3LU3Z27jLhyphenhyphen6emEKQPyYrMKtFgb8lv5e34EqSl5mmWSDV_gja94BUcoD17ia2KBTYp2SO6_t4zg/s640/SelectPlusDC+222.jpg" width="426" /> </a><br />
At this point, when the photo was taken, I couldn't feel my legs from the long walk. Being the good sport I am, I am still smiling.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8W_JMfwzGuN1Gl9sBLVFW6YoiGxSpWLVTkG9-gPtT3Q_NBJWMEB_7h25mJbmdkih-RHKR6gu_erF37KoBE0EOQT7Qte31ynhjzzhF3VQr_Un_y0ohGu5bm8fub8mideEjZsNANPNg8Y/s1600/SelectPlusDC+233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8W_JMfwzGuN1Gl9sBLVFW6YoiGxSpWLVTkG9-gPtT3Q_NBJWMEB_7h25mJbmdkih-RHKR6gu_erF37KoBE0EOQT7Qte31ynhjzzhF3VQr_Un_y0ohGu5bm8fub8mideEjZsNANPNg8Y/s400/SelectPlusDC+233.jpg" width="400" /> </a><br />
The medics were tending to me at this point.<br />
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We bought a hotdog, drink and shared a large fries for lunch. I kid you not, it was $18. More medics. <br />
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After I came to, we decided as long as we were there, we might as well walk down the Reflecting Pool to the new WWII Memorial. WHY NOT?! The IV the Medics gave me helped quite a bit, so off we set. The first stop was at the Vietnam Memorial.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3-20jlCYXup1Y3j_7T96jAgST7Y19qOdazMsUvyBI_5hun8jp4llURt0zP-v0OTC55YDd8c9w783WSjyvPbTGkRvD6HmQmuRTrqwtotT-V5fFM2UpyOoZ0q54dsjenqranLHBuGreXY/s1600/SelectPlusDC+234.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3-20jlCYXup1Y3j_7T96jAgST7Y19qOdazMsUvyBI_5hun8jp4llURt0zP-v0OTC55YDd8c9w783WSjyvPbTGkRvD6HmQmuRTrqwtotT-V5fFM2UpyOoZ0q54dsjenqranLHBuGreXY/s400/SelectPlusDC+234.jpg" width="400" /> </a><br />
No, this is not just a grassy yard. Look beyond it. You can see the Wall. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyeUs3yPJZ7I7GykAteJN5Oxld9K9Dk_gWhABlnEde5qY5UcGXZ7LLdHaAmEXDumPppJE4MO1epTb36ags7SPJW-N6V0luV1RO9AYijt7aw534sLbGO_Qel6dhUVGbFLTCWQfhxRNsrNg/s1600/SelectPlusDC+236.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyeUs3yPJZ7I7GykAteJN5Oxld9K9Dk_gWhABlnEde5qY5UcGXZ7LLdHaAmEXDumPppJE4MO1epTb36ags7SPJW-N6V0luV1RO9AYijt7aw534sLbGO_Qel6dhUVGbFLTCWQfhxRNsrNg/s640/SelectPlusDC+236.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
A closer view. Though it seems very simple, a park ranger explained that there is a LOT of symbolism that went into the design.<br />
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We then moved on to a monument that I'm quite sure no one reading this blog (all 5 of you) has ever heard of. "Memorial to the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence". I was happy to know there was a monument made to these men who nearly ALL came to a violent end after signing the document as they were then known as traitors. Their homes were burned down, their families slaughtered, etc. Yet, so little is made of them. So we headed on over there, which wasn't too easy since I couldn't feel my legs, but also there was no sign to lead us and the path we took was VERY rough - it obviously BADLY needed to be repaved and it was surprising. Also, the path was dirty and the water that the monument was displayed on (as in a small peninsula) was FILTHY. Could this really be it?? Yes, it was. The names of the Signers were all carved in blocks with their names, occupations, and home towns, all written in gold leaf and in their handwriting. But, the gold leaf was peeling, or filled with dirt, and there were cigarette butts and other trash all over the ground. VERY SAD. We fully plan on talking to our Representative friend, Sandy Adams, about this, and see if there's something she can do. We also might mention it to our other friend, Ron Paul. (We plan to go visit them again tomorrow or Thursday.)<br />
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So here are a few pictures. This memorial could be so beautiful if it was TENDED TO!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fQt_lL6VgwfXoz0qaVteWMGLILSZvrxZ30OpeTGqUubXXX6L8tkf0QPj5GoGmA6ofhoHxa-bT7yN8unhHHEkR5fg9WjezR8vkIJ5c9W-GWcQkBVOxi9y_Mtie7GrgIw3foFEx-NMHG0/s1600/SelectPlusDC+246.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fQt_lL6VgwfXoz0qaVteWMGLILSZvrxZ30OpeTGqUubXXX6L8tkf0QPj5GoGmA6ofhoHxa-bT7yN8unhHHEkR5fg9WjezR8vkIJ5c9W-GWcQkBVOxi9y_Mtie7GrgIw3foFEx-NMHG0/s400/SelectPlusDC+246.jpg" width="400" /></a> It's basically two semi-circles made up of the blocks. I should have uploaded a photo of one of the blocks. You can see the water and the Washington Monument in the background. See how pretty this place could be? It's so terribly, terribly neglected...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MluqfzcCy9VkVr7tb_puVV5INK_NdAOv9dqQbOS9gyOr5DMykjitUMW4yG1TtSn_G6gR_AGZE68I_S2FWHD_JtPAOa0G82ilVYAuq-3wtG302Spqlce5T9I671zM1Ki0Ba53QAf8u-c/s1600/SelectPlusDC+243.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MluqfzcCy9VkVr7tb_puVV5INK_NdAOv9dqQbOS9gyOr5DMykjitUMW4yG1TtSn_G6gR_AGZE68I_S2FWHD_JtPAOa0G82ilVYAuq-3wtG302Spqlce5T9I671zM1Ki0Ba53QAf8u-c/s400/SelectPlusDC+243.jpg" width="400" /> </a><br />
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Moving on (can't feel my hips), we walked to the new WWII Memorial. I had a patient tell me that he was flown (with other vets) on a private jet to the dedication of this memorial and he said how much it meant to him. It's an AMAZING, WONDERFUL memorial!!! WOW!! The pictures I took simply do not do it justice. Finally, finally, a monument to WWII has been erected and it is out of this world.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeZPN9SYJFYXUHpMJyp3fmTNJjAkkZzGw7VZhlXr87zGoLu7uEMVLZI_W7zJ26MPYFOQwOQHTl_zwKBTWdqF3IpxQ-HsXmpkZCQpdnrU2cVtl7LCsgMKW2kGtPNyRS_4zSQ06M91tOGk/s1600/SelectPlusDC+250.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeZPN9SYJFYXUHpMJyp3fmTNJjAkkZzGw7VZhlXr87zGoLu7uEMVLZI_W7zJ26MPYFOQwOQHTl_zwKBTWdqF3IpxQ-HsXmpkZCQpdnrU2cVtl7LCsgMKW2kGtPNyRS_4zSQ06M91tOGk/s400/SelectPlusDC+250.jpg" width="400" /> </a><br />
Each state had a column with a wreath.<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/AVvXsEiSjtQggjabWqOWHAg8fYoaRxsDUQ2JN76JOX10jB4yc1kpAnJ_e-bwBlVswgByXejfMkYw_K6dE35byQHguZq2JoZsY6laIz6-7SnYiVB24UoLnOwzFvn9HNPhff8M99GSit5cuF2vcg0/s1600/SelectPlusDC+249.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjtQggjabWqOWHAg8fYoaRxsDUQ2JN76JOX10jB4yc1kpAnJ_e-bwBlVswgByXejfMkYw_K6dE35byQHguZq2JoZsY6laIz6-7SnYiVB24UoLnOwzFvn9HNPhff8M99GSit5cuF2vcg0/s400/SelectPlusDC+249.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> An overview.<br />
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</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__0Ybm2Y3A9ungSz-u9dEyKiEOQXkWrIWLZFjIO-vgQVXICBYd_KCXbJOKohqoRCiHuvNxMKY4OU2HW0rHzwKo6KzNrVoqve8BXtjt5H4nNcHTmEEoxlHbqHAqfTHnJ_Occpk6t3_MI8/s1600/SelectPlusDC+252.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__0Ybm2Y3A9ungSz-u9dEyKiEOQXkWrIWLZFjIO-vgQVXICBYd_KCXbJOKohqoRCiHuvNxMKY4OU2HW0rHzwKo6KzNrVoqve8BXtjt5H4nNcHTmEEoxlHbqHAqfTHnJ_Occpk6t3_MI8/s400/SelectPlusDC+252.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
Each of these stars represents 100 American soldiers killed in battle. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYW706XgaHFKeT44-bielzvAF3cwxYL00-N9RXU-KUlqLOsoFWwHq-Cs0vVWiMirHgfQMBVtYnUhfuwabCkI9I_dQh8PTCJlsFx8H0-WJMm4TLB_CNIDx5fwMcaQzlxdON4hffyQmrz0A/s1600/SelectPlusDC+254.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYW706XgaHFKeT44-bielzvAF3cwxYL00-N9RXU-KUlqLOsoFWwHq-Cs0vVWiMirHgfQMBVtYnUhfuwabCkI9I_dQh8PTCJlsFx8H0-WJMm4TLB_CNIDx5fwMcaQzlxdON4hffyQmrz0A/s320/SelectPlusDC+254.jpg" width="213" /></a> There were two of these "gazebos", one for the Atlantic, one for the Pacific. All of the states were represented, as well as all of the American territories.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7q5JZQwJfW8hTirYlYIfl3Te5REZy9zxE3DxdbhcwFuFry_Jbr-RkZzKtnwBX-s9Xjh0RZ0TurT9pgvv4qLhUoJezRvsCzAesii0YmoC3NDqJ3mHndarhsT1hPzKUrV7jUPdrnd-1Z4o/s1600/SelectPlusDC+256.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7q5JZQwJfW8hTirYlYIfl3Te5REZy9zxE3DxdbhcwFuFry_Jbr-RkZzKtnwBX-s9Xjh0RZ0TurT9pgvv4qLhUoJezRvsCzAesii0YmoC3NDqJ3mHndarhsT1hPzKUrV7jUPdrnd-1Z4o/s320/SelectPlusDC+256.jpg" width="320" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Dem6SvEYO21EqkFms0YS3-b-SQCW-OB_EbxAA1jnsudDDAPd4AC4lPuYYi7Lgr87dSvY6zK7sTAQnVCG0q9ivWPqNXdezvApmjUa5kFXYD-qHVBEyhxB0Fsnlyscw7X_YZZWhTGR4pY/s1600/SelectPlusDC+260.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Dem6SvEYO21EqkFms0YS3-b-SQCW-OB_EbxAA1jnsudDDAPd4AC4lPuYYi7Lgr87dSvY6zK7sTAQnVCG0q9ivWPqNXdezvApmjUa5kFXYD-qHVBEyhxB0Fsnlyscw7X_YZZWhTGR4pY/s320/SelectPlusDC+260.jpg" width="320" /></a> A distant view, with the Lincoln Memorial in the background (the WWII Memorial is practically at the base of the Washington Monument).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09EzuXylZ8V2PD_OWmMDaXgshOsZTRoQsto41lzzOOBhXg3YOLkTf8MjhUueUQ7ssOkOINs1eh258fb1OptPElgfmXk_HyMiMTmk0b5e2idklFdRT2pAZ6Lm8sfgWlX9nZuBFxuRdGS0/s1600/SelectPlusDC+261.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09EzuXylZ8V2PD_OWmMDaXgshOsZTRoQsto41lzzOOBhXg3YOLkTf8MjhUueUQ7ssOkOINs1eh258fb1OptPElgfmXk_HyMiMTmk0b5e2idklFdRT2pAZ6Lm8sfgWlX9nZuBFxuRdGS0/s320/SelectPlusDC+261.jpg" width="320" /></a> <br />
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Since I already couldn't feel anything from my waist, down, and my arms were starting to go numb, too, we figured we might as well keep going. So, we walked to the White House!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJT3nmPAZH8Cun2R6LGWZRc59nMgMl3PMnfHh2ZpXZ_QirOT9dljiqtZy-UF3Ao4oZNxxwCWEtUM6ku6asMOV8mbPnnkYRJhCmpa3nDHL7xX50a8idKn9hHMxMPSEJiXu9XSsmOe1tpY/s1600/SelectPlusDC+262.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJT3nmPAZH8Cun2R6LGWZRc59nMgMl3PMnfHh2ZpXZ_QirOT9dljiqtZy-UF3Ao4oZNxxwCWEtUM6ku6asMOV8mbPnnkYRJhCmpa3nDHL7xX50a8idKn9hHMxMPSEJiXu9XSsmOe1tpY/s320/SelectPlusDC+262.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlB-moLEsfzZTh6D8IHkgmTt1MCJWuPi6M12xnQ7v0wIoKZE7x6D1pCBw2XeyhvPEo2DCfNyuKSN2kB3OT8eWU19eeBWllc0AI2-QlAU7s_BVesx9-0GipQn0XL-Yq1z5UFf0JEHOZno/s1600/SelectPlusDC+263.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlB-moLEsfzZTh6D8IHkgmTt1MCJWuPi6M12xnQ7v0wIoKZE7x6D1pCBw2XeyhvPEo2DCfNyuKSN2kB3OT8eWU19eeBWllc0AI2-QlAU7s_BVesx9-0GipQn0XL-Yq1z5UFf0JEHOZno/s320/SelectPlusDC+263.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJT3nmPAZH8Cun2R6LGWZRc59nMgMl3PMnfHh2ZpXZ_QirOT9dljiqtZy-UF3Ao4oZNxxwCWEtUM6ku6asMOV8mbPnnkYRJhCmpa3nDHL7xX50a8idKn9hHMxMPSEJiXu9XSsmOe1tpY/s1600/SelectPlusDC+262.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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Some day, Reese! Some day!!<br />
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After this, we walked to the Metro Station, 1/4 mile away, downtown. We saw some fancy schmancy places, I'll tell you! Pretty neat! We took the Metro back to the Arlington Cemetery (no, I was NOT going to walk back there!!!!!!!!) and thought someone stole our rental car. One of the workers at the cemetery helped us find it, on the lowest level of the garage, right where we left it. ;op We were tired.<br />
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Good night!! I'M GOING TO BED!!!! Oh, and by the way, after my long, hot bath, all the feeling came back into my body, and now I'm just sore all over. LOL<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Dem6SvEYO21EqkFms0YS3-b-SQCW-OB_EbxAA1jnsudDDAPd4AC4lPuYYi7Lgr87dSvY6zK7sTAQnVCG0q9ivWPqNXdezvApmjUa5kFXYD-qHVBEyhxB0Fsnlyscw7X_YZZWhTGR4pY/s1600/SelectPlusDC+260.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYW706XgaHFKeT44-bielzvAF3cwxYL00-N9RXU-KUlqLOsoFWwHq-Cs0vVWiMirHgfQMBVtYnUhfuwabCkI9I_dQh8PTCJlsFx8H0-WJMm4TLB_CNIDx5fwMcaQzlxdON4hffyQmrz0A/s1600/SelectPlusDC+254.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
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<br />Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-39832303931121858562012-07-23T18:57:00.001-07:002012-07-23T18:57:36.398-07:00Our First Day in WashingtonWe finally made it! We got up at the crack of dawn and somehow made it successfully on the Metro to D.C. (I was NOT happy with the Metro.) and 1/2 hour early to our appt. at Rep. Sandy Adams' office for our Capital tour. We came up from the Metro station and were met with this incredible view:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are, at Rep. Adams' door! It was so fun walking through the office building, looking at the names of the Representatives on each door.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRJzJCWH2HDj-cyWjKkCIpnot0yYkv-aWqrBJzIG7tq-nVptEoplVJCESzqunIKMo8t5543ScU6nmnz0Hr2OA6cyNccfv6_88Lo3aY1tAglLCScnXJVlw3eOjD9d2bviSwdpdYZx0-jY/s1600/SelectPlusDC+059.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRJzJCWH2HDj-cyWjKkCIpnot0yYkv-aWqrBJzIG7tq-nVptEoplVJCESzqunIKMo8t5543ScU6nmnz0Hr2OA6cyNccfv6_88Lo3aY1tAglLCScnXJVlw3eOjD9d2bviSwdpdYZx0-jY/s400/SelectPlusDC+059.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are, behind Rep. Adams' desk! The intern asked us if we wanted a picture here, and of course we said YES! Oh -- an important disclaimer is needed here: Reese has a shaved head because the week before our trip, he went to wrestling camp and ...well, that should suffice as an explanation. The kids got kind of crazy... I wasn't too happy about the shaved head, cause we were going on this trip, but what could I do?? The boy simply wouldn't wear a hat...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04nBdTzh4TLrWTXtMfDoVYIRALODs4irB7AfoFD2s4vKBrX4NG7MujhNFfunTaetNblEBzUW_wJ-jXJgc4HIryyEZe2aA5SnAvBKBodm9DRyJAkDU9YHA-4JTFInjdgvUppZp-kPlke4/s1600/SelectPlusDC+101.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04nBdTzh4TLrWTXtMfDoVYIRALODs4irB7AfoFD2s4vKBrX4NG7MujhNFfunTaetNblEBzUW_wJ-jXJgc4HIryyEZe2aA5SnAvBKBodm9DRyJAkDU9YHA-4JTFInjdgvUppZp-kPlke4/s400/SelectPlusDC+101.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are with Sam, our intern. He personally gave us a tour all throughout the Capital building. Nice guy! He said he'd put in a good word for Reese with Rep. Adams about Reese working as an intern one summer. Neat, huh?!?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a 2X replica of the statue that sits on top of the Capital building. It's in the new Visitor's Center in the Capital Building. (I think she looks a bit lost...!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A neat, and rather artsy view of the dome from the Visitor's Center.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speaker Boehner's door. No, we weren't looking for it, but when we passed by it, I thought I'd take a picture.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just LOVE the Capital rotunda!!! (Inside the dome) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPJwB61N2OODTa92Ez2QBq54dHKXbN_6VjZW_mC5asFf0bko3hUCIvOQRtI4oYdWrXDm9mHQvXgQ_k9x0HmJO3IEHxbseV9I8yqq-hD-ftZF2IAdcx2Wsh95zXYQyJIvIqnoOL09v6Lk/s1600/SelectPlusDC+098.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPJwB61N2OODTa92Ez2QBq54dHKXbN_6VjZW_mC5asFf0bko3hUCIvOQRtI4oYdWrXDm9mHQvXgQ_k9x0HmJO3IEHxbseV9I8yqq-hD-ftZF2IAdcx2Wsh95zXYQyJIvIqnoOL09v6Lk/s640/SelectPlusDC+098.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Reese, directly under the rotunda in the "crypt", standing on the spot that is the exact center of Washington, D.C.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLyMSO_t9pdNwnBJGDUY9O1E_4rm3-CUQP67rQ5RjziSa6bTjoypRAkTAJ9QNjIAAEXXeTW6kV2AZ9hdqpD8kuO3C5-sIFLWtVVm7fEJpZvgkLJJKui8fq8_z9yJ92dltwP3VDxHJ8n4/s1600/SelectPlusDC+092.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLyMSO_t9pdNwnBJGDUY9O1E_4rm3-CUQP67rQ5RjziSa6bTjoypRAkTAJ9QNjIAAEXXeTW6kV2AZ9hdqpD8kuO3C5-sIFLWtVVm7fEJpZvgkLJJKui8fq8_z9yJ92dltwP3VDxHJ8n4/s400/SelectPlusDC+092.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the original Supreme Court room, where famous decisions like the Dred Scot Decision, were made.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPS31DElxwxdU129dduWBJIKqG7Q637Lk6KyquRSAc6g5M3Yx1dXp1Drb6x2RWdGcUUMrvCcNDmOeBnRNCwqiJM9SoKwivpz_aS0XAtr4ujH21G-N8upg7Yg9s_XcMk39UMTB0StX2Yw/s1600/SelectPlusDC+074.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPS31DElxwxdU129dduWBJIKqG7Q637Lk6KyquRSAc6g5M3Yx1dXp1Drb6x2RWdGcUUMrvCcNDmOeBnRNCwqiJM9SoKwivpz_aS0XAtr4ujH21G-N8upg7Yg9s_XcMk39UMTB0StX2Yw/s400/SelectPlusDC+074.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(I'm too tired to figure out why I can't move this photo up) Here is a closer shot of the inside top of the rotunda.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxNwGnc8FvD7iCi3tGphyphenhyphenx8rfTO4DVxoIno0sZWv2oskx1_uxGsSXI5Egve6HqiFVgAM-FFQAaV0Mm3sweNjbR7vPt6onL5SvfOzbjkWE4_XBmrWiWO-5zj2moVxPSbzRQxyR26Qy5pM/s1600/SelectPlusDC+071.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxNwGnc8FvD7iCi3tGphyphenhyphenx8rfTO4DVxoIno0sZWv2oskx1_uxGsSXI5Egve6HqiFVgAM-FFQAaV0Mm3sweNjbR7vPt6onL5SvfOzbjkWE4_XBmrWiWO-5zj2moVxPSbzRQxyR26Qy5pM/s400/SelectPlusDC+071.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam, our intern, took this in the Capital Rotunda.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCwLfTfBnLk33c4SFmXDJvzCj8OTUSluo38kNB_rVG9Z_cfpFoOIdDUB6bniFUZ4U_LnLZzkksqy-j-MkFer3wNOGO32S8XIvY8JYFjwgkYjV2ERmV5D3kxLV7c0M46Qrb2CWQ2ky9l8/s1600/SelectPlusDC+089.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCwLfTfBnLk33c4SFmXDJvzCj8OTUSluo38kNB_rVG9Z_cfpFoOIdDUB6bniFUZ4U_LnLZzkksqy-j-MkFer3wNOGO32S8XIvY8JYFjwgkYjV2ERmV5D3kxLV7c0M46Qrb2CWQ2ky9l8/s400/SelectPlusDC+089.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is for my Iowa and Illinois family. At the top of some of the columns were ears of corn, and the stalks of the corn made up the length of the columns. (Others had tobacco leaves at the top.) This was to honor those who supported our country with agriculture.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssq6plph-7W9JVafFTKgcSk9TdIqB2GQ9_7EzG6iOLrZUxyjjX649g0Tw4_IQN9G-qfb04e6QpNKmTyndYCma3K-GB3lZ4CsxmpglBHTNKXkfePJDURihXPzZxx_0BgIRCGYedpX9zZU/s1600/SelectPlusDC+117.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssq6plph-7W9JVafFTKgcSk9TdIqB2GQ9_7EzG6iOLrZUxyjjX649g0Tw4_IQN9G-qfb04e6QpNKmTyndYCma3K-GB3lZ4CsxmpglBHTNKXkfePJDURihXPzZxx_0BgIRCGYedpX9zZU/s400/SelectPlusDC+117.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After our tour. The future Congressman (President?) in front of his future office building.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moving on, we went to the Supreme Court. Unfortunately, it was under construction of some kind, so it was FULL of scaffolding everywhere and was not at all beautiful. :o( Still, we went in of course, and it was really neat inside. We did not want to wait the 1/2 hour for a new tour to go into the courtroom (we'll go back another time, hopefully) cause we didn't want to miss the Senate session about to go and we still had to go to the Library of Congress.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reese, heading up the steps to the Library of Congress.</td></tr>
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The architecture in there was incredible, as is so many of the buildings in D.C. The mosaic ceilings were unbelievable and the names of the greatest poets were inscribed as well as some really neat quotes along the borders of the ceilings.<br />
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All of the color and designs you see are all tile mosaics.<br />
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That, in a nutshell was our day!! We had fun exploring the tunnels under the buildings, and exploring the House of Representative's offices, looking for names we knew. The weather held up (it was supposed to rain, but didn't) and it was all and all a VERY good day!! Tomorrow, we think we'll do the Smithsonians mostly, as it's supposed to rain, but Wednesday is supposed to be really nice, and we think we'll "do" the monuments/Arlington Cemetary on that day. Not sure. We're playing it very much by ear! <br />
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I hope you enjoyed the photos!! Glad I was FINALLY able to load and post them! Whew!!<br />
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<br />Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-10151853482885998032012-07-22T10:22:00.000-07:002012-07-22T10:22:13.315-07:00We're heeeere!!We made it! We arrived at 12:30 today (at our hotel in Manassas, anyway) after a really nice and uneventful trip! Our rental car FLEW down the highway, quietly and with a great a/c and we made it 2 hours faster than planned. ;o) No troubles at all.<br />
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Reese requested that we NOT go to DC today for a "preliminary quick look" as he wanted to get settled in and take his third, fourth, and probably fifth nap of the day. He's still recovering from wrestling camp, I guess. That's okay. There is a TERRIFIC shopping area very nearby and so we'll look for a cord for my camera, look for another pair of shorts or two for him, and eat "lupper" (lunch/supper). Reese eyed several restaurants (he's amazingly good at that) that he would like to eat at. So I guess our adventures begin tomorrow! :o) Hopefully, I'll have a camera cord by then and hopefully we'll make our 9:30 Capital building tour and I'll have bunches and bunches of pictures to share! :o) I love pictures.<br />
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Not too exciting of a report for today, but I want to blog each day about our adventures, and that was today's entry! ;op<br />
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<br />Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-41768823840722394982012-07-21T18:04:00.001-07:002012-07-21T18:06:50.020-07:00A Mother's Dream, Nearly SatisfiedWhen Reese was 6 years old (in 2000), he was visiting with my grandmother. She was asking him some questions:<br />
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My Gram: "Reese? Who lives in Texas?"<br />
Reese: "Daniel and Julianne." (his cousins)<br />
Gram: "That's right!! And who else?" (meaning, his aunt and uncle)<br />
Reese, with enthusiasm, "GEORGE W. BUSH!!"<br />
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My poor Gram!! She looked at me and said, "Did he just say, 'George W. Bush'??"<br />
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LOL!! It was then that I knew that my son was going to be interested in politics. Boy, did I underestimate him!! Not only did he know who George W. Bush was before he was even named the candidate for president, but he listened closely to BOTH the Democratic and the Republican Conventions that year! He followed the election with MUCH interest, and filled out his little US map all evening with the votes each candidate got, per state.<br />
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Since then, he has remained interested in politics, but he also developed a keen interest in presidential history and early American history. The boy proved to be a whiz at presidential trivia and used this skill several times in talent shows! LOL<br />
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So it didn't take me long to develop the desire to get him to Washington, D.C. for a visit. Year after year I tried to get him there, but something always stopped me: time, money, opportunity. Each year I mourned the efforts lost in getting him to the place that he must, at all costs, visit, before he graduated.<br />
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FINALLY, this year, the Lord paved the way for us to go!! He provided the money in giving me tons of extra visits at work and the start of my Visalus business (which has paid out handsomely so far for the tiny bit of work I've actually done with it!), He gave me the time in that I was able to afford the time off work, and He gave me the opportunity in that my mom sooooooo generously donated her time to come from Seattle to stay with Erik while we went!!!! Everything lined up beautifully and we knew his time had come.<br />
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SOOOOOO... early this afternoon, we packed our gear and set off!! Tonight we are staying in a hotel in Fayetteville, NC, about 1/2 way to D.C. from our house - we are so excited and so pumped up for this trip that has been 11 years in coming. :o) God's timing is perfect, and I feel that this is the perfect time for us to go - right before the start of his senior year in high school. :o)<br />
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I will try to update my blog each night after our big day and hopefully upload some photos!! (If I can figure it out - I left my cord at home and this laptop doesn't have a memory stick gizmo like my desktop at home does...!! Can you buy cords for cameras like that easily? Like at W*l-Mart??)<br />
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So I'll talk to you tomorrow!!!! We hope to arrive at D.C. early afternoon and will scope it out briefly before hitting the pavement hard Monday morning!Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-51569871144531279322012-05-10T16:14:00.000-07:002012-05-10T16:14:58.156-07:00For the Love of my ArteriesI didn't realize how many people would be so concerned about me when I went in for surgery, but wow! The outpouring has been amazing, and so I thought I'd tell the story of this miserable chapter in my life. Thank you, everyone who has sent encouraging words and prayers my way!! It has been MUCH appreciated!!<br />
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Okay, here goes (this is probably going to be very long...):<br />
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Back in the summer of 2011, I was frustrated with myself because my ankles had been swelling for a few years. I went to my doctor about a year earlier, but he said I was simply overweight and told me to walk more and take these diarrhetics to make me pee. Well, that was stupid because the swelling had started when I was much lighter, and at my young age, something had to be up for something like this to be starting, but I was a compliant patient and did what he said. Until I couldn't take it anymore and out of frustration I changed doctors last summer. I told my new doc about my ankles and he was not too concerned, but agreed that it certainly wasn't normal, so he ordered a CT scan. I got a phone call a few days afterward from the nurse, saying that an MRI had been ordered. Hmm... So I'm at the MRI place, lying on the table and the tech said something about an "abdominal mass". What?! A mass?! She said that that was sort of a catch-all phrase and I shouldn't be worried about it. Mm, hmm... I eagerly awaited a follow up appt. with the doc to find out what the results were of these tests. A couple of weeks later (ugh) I found out: there was a possible mass on my pancreas. I was being referred to a GI doc. <br />
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The next week was one of the most terrifying weeks of my life. A big mass on my pancreas. A cancer. Pancreatic cancer. I had cancer insurance but it wasn't all that great of coverage, but it would help. I researched pancreatic cancer and was off-handedly told by a beloved uncle that my great-grandmother died of pancreatic cancer - he didn't know I might have it. I did a lot of crying that week... VERY few people survive that fast-progressing disease... :o(<br />
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I saw the GI guy, who was extremely sweet and caring, and he told me that he would be VERY surprised that if it <span style="font-style: italic;">was</span> cancer, as the report didn't really sound like it. It sounded to him like it was just a large aneurysm (ballooning in the weak place of an artery, that can burst) in a very hard place to get to. He referred me to a radiologist at the hospital who would perform an angiogram (they run a catheter tube up a large artery at the hip/groin) and try to "clog" the aneurysm that way. This was great news! No cancer!! And this guy can fix the aneurysm with a simply angiogram!<br />
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So the big day arrived (I believe it was September about this time) and I happily prepared for my test. I would be sedated, but not put under, cause they needed me to breathe deeply at different times for the contrast/radiation, and I needed to be able to cooperate. The sedation was terrific and I tolerated everything fine. I was out of it though, so I was not really comprehending what was going on and didn't worry about it, but later, I realized that there were quite a gaggle of doctors in there all talking fast, naming this artery and that artery (did I care? No, I was enjoying the meds!). In recovery, hubby Mark told me that they couldn't do the surgery at this hospital as it was far too complicated and that they quit half way through as they were afraid of killing me if something went a tiny bit wrong. Huh?! No easy fix?? He said doctors were scurrying in and out of the room and everyone looked very worried. Yikes... So the doc told us that in no way could anyone at that hospital or even in this county handle my situation as the artery was huge and in a terrible location - behind my pancreas, very near my aorta, in a place that was unheard of. Lovely!! They would try to contact a doctor in Miami that might be able to handle me, and they would let me know. :o{ <br />
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Over the next couple of weeks, my leg/hip/groin hurt terribly, and I was covered with a huge bruise, but my main concern was finding a doctor that could help me!! It seemed to take forever for a referral to Miami, so I asked for my medical records and referred myself to Mayo up in Jacksonville. Hubby has been seen there and we were both very impressed with it. What could it hurt?? I called and asked if they had a vascular surgeon who could see me for a Superior Mesenteric Artery aneurysm fix, and they said yes and to send the records and they would see if he would agree to take me on. I did and he did and we had an appt. Yay!!<br />
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A couple of more weeks later (this was taking forever!) Mark and I went up there. The doc was extremely nice and caring and very interested in my case. He showed us the images from the previous angiogram and indeed, the aneurysm was very big (greater than 5 cm). He said he would take my case, but he wanted to consult with other doctors. The long and the short of the story is that an appt for another angiogram was made so they could pinpoint the area better, and on their own machines, and he wanted to send these images to the other docs at the Rochester and Arizona Mayo's so he could get their opinions on how to handle all of this. Obviously, I was very much an anomaly, as he got sooooo many other surgeons' opinions!! I appreciated this a great deal, as he did change his mind about how to proceed a couple of times.<br />
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One surprise that was found on the Mayo angiogram was that not only did I have 2 aneurysms (the huge one and a smaller one on a nearby artery - the Celiac artery) but I had a very bad constriction on a third artery leading to my liver!! Apparently, the constricted artery was requiring the other arteries to work overtime to supply my liver, and hence the aneurysms had formed. This was good to know, as all of the doctors were quite stumped as to why I had them in the first place!<br />
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Eventually, a plan was formed: they would do another angiogram (this would be my third!) through the left groin/hip and also inside my left elbow. They would "clog" the aneurysm that way. They would also place a number of stents here and there. The next day, the head honcho from up in Rochester would fly down to do my second day's surgery, which was a laporoscopy of my abdomen and it was his job to clip the restricting bands that had formed around that third artery. That all went well, but apparently, a couple of the stents they placed on Day 1 had cracked or something and they needed to go in again and fix them! That was 3 days of surgeries in 3 days. God was SURELY watching closely over me cause I actually tolerated everything pretty well! No, I was not comfortable, and not without pain, but the nursing care Mayo gave me as I spent several days in their ICU was wonderful and Mark never left my side. I don't remember much, but what I do remember is fairly vivid. I remember being so weak that physical therapy had to help me stand - my legs were so weak that standing on them felt foreign to me! (Gives me a better appreciation for some of my patients.) I was so weak that they had to use a Hoyer Lift to get me from bed to chair (for those of you who don't know, this is a sling that carries bedbound people from place to place because they are too weak to stand). I tried eating after my 4th day and it was not my favorite thing to do, but I did try. Mom was home taking care of the kids and dogs and I was able to focus my attentions on resting. ;o) On Christmas Day, I got to go home straight from the ICU. Later, we all decided that was a day or two too early, but I had kids and I had to get home for Christmas. Moms, you understand, I know...<br />
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The first several days home were tough, as I was EXTREMELY weak and miserable from everything, but Mom and Mark were absolutely terrific and I had few cares other than myself, of which I am grateful beyond words. I am never really sick, other than a cold (I don't believe I've ever even had the flu...) so being really and for truly laid up was a new experience! I needed help managing my clothes to use the bathroom; I could hardly take a shower as my arms were so weak I couldn't wash myself (and our shower is too small for a helper - not that I would have allowed one...! lol) Steadily, however, I did get stronger and stronger and eventually was able to tolerate short trips to the grocery store and the like. <br />
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When I was still in the hospital, the vascular surgeon came in one day and told me that because of the massive amounts of radiation they needed to use for the marathon angiograms, I might suffer some slight "sunburns" on my side and back. No sweat. After what I'd been through, I could handle anything! And sure enough, just as I was feeling good again, I noticed a very large but slight burn mark on my left abdomen (between bra line and waistline). This must be the burn he warned me about, I thought. The next day, a small blister had formed near one corner and sort of peeled. I put a bandaid on it and several hours later, I took it off to find that the adhesive on the bandaid had peeled a solid chunk of skin off with it! Oh, no!! Over the next few days, the burn got bigger and deeper and more and more raw. The dermatologist gave me some silvadene and some bandages and told me to keep it covered and moist. Then the burns on my back appeared, and my right waistline. The one on my abdomen eventually because HUGE and DEEP, measuring about 4X8" (just the exact size of the bandages we bought!) and the one on my back was of similar size, but not as deep. The one on my right waistline was smallest, about the size of a cookie. <br />
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The arrival of these burns meant my return to work would be impossible. This was the beginning of my fourth week off work, and I really needed to go back!! Disability payments aren't much!! But there was nothing anyone could do. I was doing 4-6 dressing changes per DAY, and going through gobs and gobs and gobs of bandages. The pain was ridiculous. We made many trips to Mayo for followups and those were torture. The only way I could tolerate the 2+hr. trip was to recline the seat way back, wrap myself up in Mark's coat, put the "C" pillow in my neck and go to sleep. Moving was torture; getting out of the car was torture; walking the halls of the building was torture. Forgetting Mayo, just lying down was almost impossible. With a huge wound in the middle of my back, one on my right side and one nearly on my left side, and not being able to lie on my stomach due to my surgeries, sleeping was always a challenge. Eventually, I figured out that I could situate my pillows in such a way and lie on my right side as long as my pajama bottoms were not at the level of the burn and the sheets were smooth and if my right arm (which was suffering terrible neuropathy from the last angio) was positioned in such a way and if my left arm was resting in front of me and not on my left side... then, I could sleep. Or, at least lie that way for hours until I had to get up to use the bathroom or do one of my UMPTEEN dressing changes. This was my life for about 4 weeks. Don't envy me. <br />
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EVENTUALLY, the burns healed. The ones on my back and right side healed fairly quickly, but the one on my abdomen, while dry and mostly healed, still hurts and isn't quite healed. It is the 10th of May now. The burns erupted the 3rd week of January. :o( Instead of my anticipated 3 weeks off work, I ended up with TEN WEEKS off. UGH!!! STILL, despite it all (and I left lots out), if I had to do it all over again, I would. The surgeons at Mayo were TERRIFIC, treating me like I was their one and only patient, Mom was SO generous to spend 5 weeks here taking care of me and my family, and Mark was absolutely wonderful, practically never leaving my side. And today, despite this stupid abdominal burn that just doesn't seem to want to give up and some continuing residual neuropathy in my right arm, I am doing TERRIFIC. I feel great, I'm 100% at work and home and I'm into as much mischief as I have time and money to get into. :o)<br />
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And that's my story.<br />
<br />Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306403579079377636.post-29414337294082493372012-03-04T16:16:00.004-08:002012-03-04T16:51:22.612-08:00A two-and-a-half year update!Every so often, I enjoy updating my blog on how little Erik is doing. Yes, I know I haven't blogged in AGES (though I have a very, very, very long blog post I've worked on about my illness but now I'm thinking I may not post it - I don't know if anyone is interested), but I loooove bragging on my little guy so here it is:<br /><br />This is what I wrote a year ago about what Erik could and couldn't do when he first came home. I thought I might as well copy it so that memory wouldn't skew the facts:<br /><br />When we first met him, at age 5:<br />• He couldn't walk one step without a death grip on both of our hands.<br />• He grunted a deep grunt, like a growl. He verbalized, but not much.<br />• He could not feed himself, nor did he want to.<br />• He drank out of a bottle.<br />• On one of our first visits, he grabbed a leaf off of a bush and ate it - something he wouldn't do today, and a story we still laugh about because it shocked us so much!<br />• If you sat him someplace, such as on a blanket on the floor, he would NOT move from that spot. You had to pick him up and place him somewhere else.<br />• He would not reach for a toy - he loved to LOOK at toys, but no touching or holding. And certainly no playing! He had no idea what toys were or that they were for fun.<br />• He would happily watch the heavy "snow" on the orphanage TV, even though images weren't very easily seen at all. (Why they even had that on, I have no idea.)<br />• He was happy to be alone, to sit or lie down and rock, rock, rock.<br />• He shook with fear with every new situation. For example, we gave him a little toy that played classical music, and though he loved listening to it, he would shake and quiver the whole time.<br />• He could only eat pureed food, or else it would get stuck going down and he'd scream and cough until he either swallowed it down the rest of the way, or he got it up.<br />• He had absolutely no clue about anything having to do with ADL's (dressing, bathing, etc.).<br /><br />This is what he looked like, shortly before we adopted him, at age 4 3/4:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXZ1uAPef4bU9poNXVpt4MPgY-kcX4O5R-ZgFJjasXCp7-RzCJdILCl3qdxtXGgvTD81DsYmjoM0kqUNmpm9SslxOCUmrBxvjhqQe_AvZY6LmvH_tKhaPN3Iqr3MwNIxO_MejfxYdEi8/s1600/Simon+7.16.09.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXZ1uAPef4bU9poNXVpt4MPgY-kcX4O5R-ZgFJjasXCp7-RzCJdILCl3qdxtXGgvTD81DsYmjoM0kqUNmpm9SslxOCUmrBxvjhqQe_AvZY6LmvH_tKhaPN3Iqr3MwNIxO_MejfxYdEi8/s320/Simon+7.16.09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716202747984013714" border="0" /></a><br />Two and a half years later at 7 1/2, he is THRIVING! He is clearly attached to his home and family and apparently really, really missed me when I was sick and hardly saw him for a couple of weeks. He acted out a LOT and gave my poor family and my mom a really hard time... Then, when I started joining the family at the dinner table again, not even really paying attention to him cause I still felt SO LOUSY, he got so happy and was happy ever since. :o) That did this mom's heart good. Okay--! Here are some bullet points as to how he is doing NOW:<br /><ul><li>He still doesn't talk, but there are times when I think, "He's gonna say it...!! He's gonna say it...!!" He gets this look in his eye, but then it doesn't surface. Still waiting...</li></ul><ul><li>He is still signing, though he only has a few more words. HOWEVER, just in the last week or two, he has shown a much greater interest in signing and, when motivated to say something, he learns it almost with only one or two prompts! I.e. the "bus". He simply LOVES the bus (he's all boy!) and likes to "talk about" the bus. I think we are on the verge of seeing lots more signing coming from him. Yay!</li><li>He has this funny little run that he does in his low-tone sort of way - when he's excited (it doesn't take much!) he waggles his arms all crazy and does this "slap foot" sort of run and it is the funniest thing to watch! It makes me chuckle just sitting here writing about it.<br /></li><li>He follows directions SO much better than he used to, and LOVES to be a "helper"! He loves to put his dirty clothes in the basket, carry his socks to the table in the morning where I can help put them on, and put his spilled food back onto his plate at dinner. After pottying now, he can often do THREE things without ANY cueing - flush, put the lid down, turn out the light! YAY!</li><li>He has also turned a corner in school - I went up there the other night for a conference and was ASTONISHED at what the teacher told me!! She said he could identify his written name (amongst other names), he could match letters 1 - 10 (even in different size and type!), and was beginning to sight read other words!! Whoo hooooo!!! I was VERY happy to hear this, as these are things we didn't necessarily see at home. He is in a VERY good classroom (albeit without practically ANY technology, which I think he would really respond to...) and has a GREAT teacher and GREAT aides!!</li><li>He still has lots of "stimming" behaviors - pretty much the same ones: staring at his hands, chewing on things, tapping to hear the noise, etc. Oh, well...</li><li>He apparently was having some problems with a bacterial infection awhile back (and probably ever since Ukraine...!) but some simple antibiotics have cleared it up! He hardly EVER "chokes" on his food anymore and he eats all kinds of textures of foods (except lettuce type foods - he doesn't like that). He eats almost ANY KIND OF FOOD you could think to give him, except lettuce or other leafies. He is a GOOOOOOD eater!!!! WOW!</li><li>He's still not too crazy about the dogs, but they love him because he is a good provider of all things delicious.</li><li>When we got him, he weighed 25 pounds if he weighed an ounce, and now he is almost 40 pounds. He's also gotten TALL!! He is still skinny, but nicely filled out. :o) Of course, sometimes his belly looks like he has swallowed a basketball, and it's perfect for poking. ;op</li><li>I love you so much, Erik!!<br /></li></ul>Here is a current photo of him, that I think is particularly cute:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmwLrX6AuNMowMDc-SB1QglC15uQOHVarXwfuE-WTf43ATymZ6Gsa6d4UI5ObAJCL81F1D_dxxAdo-antL_oO9dgMWC8Ah-5vIOPejK_TY4NdRFf-2NAGNDVgnQwA_HEFr4uufk2d8Jo/s1600/ErikSundayMorning332012+002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmwLrX6AuNMowMDc-SB1QglC15uQOHVarXwfuE-WTf43ATymZ6Gsa6d4UI5ObAJCL81F1D_dxxAdo-antL_oO9dgMWC8Ah-5vIOPejK_TY4NdRFf-2NAGNDVgnQwA_HEFr4uufk2d8Jo/s320/ErikSundayMorning332012+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716207038476402226" border="0" /></a>Missyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04267667592744200477noreply@blogger.com2