tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-194535392024-03-07T18:08:28.859-05:00Sweet Southern LifeMelissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.comBlogger465125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-72679445081847717782012-03-03T23:36:00.003-05:002012-03-03T23:38:57.045-05:00A Little Cuddle TimeSometimes, when you've been out of town, a little cuddle is necessary. Especially when there is snow on the ground with more coming down and (thankfully) you don't have anywhere to be...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yes, daddy? Don't worry, I'll make sure mommy wakes up.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Belly rubs are the. best. ever.</span><br />
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**Disclaimer: Chloe does NOT sleep in our bed. She has slept in her crate ever since she came home with us. But, you would have to be a cold-hearted wretch to push her out of a people-bed when she wants to cuddle.**Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-48525637408012693062012-02-23T12:38:00.001-05:002012-02-23T12:38:41.556-05:00Chloe, the GraduateChloe and I have been taking an obedience class with a <a href="http://www.itsadogslife.org/" target="_blank">great local company, It's a Dog's Life</a>. I say that we <i>both</i> have been taking the class, since I'm being trained right along with her.<br />
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Last night was her last class at the beginner level, complete with an on-command trick, and I am so proud to say that she passed with flying colors! (even despite the fact that she was high on pain-killers from her post-spay drugs) <br />
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Here are just a couple of the things that she does on command. She has many more up her sleeve, but without a cameraman around to capture her heeling on the leash, staying and coming, this video is it for now. (She's wearing a cone due to her getting spayed last week.)<br />
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So proud of you little Chloe bear! Next, the second level of obedience and then (hopefully) on to agility training!</div>
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<br /></div>Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-82211917725856171552012-02-20T08:59:00.001-05:002012-02-20T10:08:04.796-05:00Right in Our BackyardI realized last month that we have less than 5 months left here in Massachusetts, but a loooong list of things we want to see and do. I sat down with our great tour book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-New-England-Connecticut-Massachusetts/dp/1569756007/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329750407&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Hidden New England</a>, and made a bucket list of places to visit, activities to do and sights to see. I'm hoping we'll get to all of them, but we crossed another item off the list yesterday.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2Pye8bKbmRKTh33jmu9hTB6TJm4wi7HiVFPkgFWKDPWAxyFWIiBITEyBf4FCrDvU6XwR7v7nuUulTcooyQ0xppnMDWRUkaEHoe_jii-w5Qq4LL4rMdAuTNqX2Qe9zLx87zXHww/s1600/P1000390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2Pye8bKbmRKTh33jmu9hTB6TJm4wi7HiVFPkgFWKDPWAxyFWIiBITEyBf4FCrDvU6XwR7v7nuUulTcooyQ0xppnMDWRUkaEHoe_jii-w5Qq4LL4rMdAuTNqX2Qe9zLx87zXHww/s400/P1000390.JPG" width="400" /></a>Last fall when <a href="http://melissamerkel.blogspot.com/2011/10/of-corn-mazes-and-puppies.html" target="_blank">we successfully made it out of a corn maze</a>, despite Chloe's distinct lack of a bloodhound nose leading us around, we passed a winery right down the road and made a mental note to come back and check it out. Yesterday we were wanting to get out of the house, but realized that, even though it was a beautiful day, it was still only in the mid 30's temp-wise (and we also realized that we made have gotten somewhat acclimated to the climate up here since that felt distinctly warmer to us). An indoor tour and wine tasting seemed a perfect fit.<br />
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We took back roads through beautiful countryside littered with farmhouses built in the 1700's, endless stone walls edging properties, crumbling graveyards, and horses loitering around the pastures. About a half-hour later, we arrived at Nashoba Winery in Bolton and had enough time to tour the winery, try multiple wines and beers and get asked by the locals why people with southern accents were up in the middle of northern Massachusetts. It was lovely and delicious and just the thing for a mid-winter's day.<br />
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Hunt had found an out-of-the-way restaurant twenty miles north of the vineyard that was a converted 1800's lumber mill. We arrived just in time to see the last rays of sunshine lighting up the mill pond and series of waterfalls. Old stone floors, blazing fires in the multiple fireplaces and some of the world's BEST corn fritters made us give the restaurant two thumbs up.<br />
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Checking off our bucket list one fantastic Sunday afternoon at a time...<br />
<br />Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-11290829727423225412012-02-16T10:51:00.002-05:002012-02-16T10:51:56.054-05:00ScratchtasticI'm pretty sure that my eyes roll back in my head just like this little owl's do when I get my head scratched. There are few better simple pleasures in my mind...<br />
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</div>Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-4434750348626067962012-02-07T10:16:00.000-05:002012-02-07T10:28:11.045-05:00Monsters in the Closet<i>What I like:</i> Closets that have lights operated by motion sensors. Very practical, helpful and often found in high-end hotels like the one we are staying in for H's conference.<br />
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<i>What I don't like:</i> Waking up in the middle of the night and realizing that there is light streaming through the cracks around the closet door. And wondering what in the world has moved in that closet to turn on that light. In my fuzzy-minded state I started to think that my childhood suspicions of monsters living in the closet might not be so far-fetched....<br />
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p.s. this happened a total of 3 times last night...Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-25140196583120035602012-02-06T07:30:00.000-05:002012-02-06T09:09:36.069-05:00Oh How You'll Grow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I realized just how much our little Chloe had grown when I took a picture of her in her crate yesterday. She's just getting so big - but still a petite ball of loving cuddles. (Can you tell that I adore this little creature and enjoy how much she makes us laugh every single day?) And on a related note...it may be time to get her a new crate...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On the drive home from the airport the day we got little bear back in October.</span></td></tr>
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How time flies! I can't believe we will only be here in Massachusetts for another 5 months! Where has this year gone???</div>Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-36818002087733967812012-02-04T13:38:00.001-05:002012-02-04T13:38:54.809-05:00A Little Birthday BashMy wonderful husband decided that since we were traveling to D.C. for him to attend a medical conference that we might as well celebrate my birthday just a few days early and spend the first night at the incredible D.C. St. Regis. He lavished me with gifts when we arrived; and, in the morning, ordered a pot of steaming coffee and a basket of flaky croissants. He insisted I stay in bed, wrapped up in a fluffy robe while sipping coffee and reading the paper.<br />
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I thank the Lord that He gave me a husband that knows me well.<br />
<br />Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-47361217453433092202012-02-02T23:13:00.000-05:002012-02-02T23:13:34.526-05:00What's Not To Love?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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We have been saving up for a new camera and it arrived last night! Needless to say, we've been playing with it non-stop. And look at what great pictures it takes...even in low light. Of course, the subject is super-cute, but the camera is still fantastic. I haven't edited any of these, so they could possibly become even better...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Working on our tricks...veeeery focused on the treat.</span></td></tr>
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<br /></div>Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-81655424020899738322012-01-20T09:44:00.000-05:002012-01-20T09:46:10.610-05:00Snow, Snow, Snow!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyZ-ALK1XrcGNgdT-JFG6XXpy4wR4XJasIivYhuHaTKeNdjxQhssJuJ3uplsrIuF3zKl3jAksu9GM1H2evCc3iH1QoeO00KySpdXhVCPTtkuJ8wGFNVK6aeQJsl2uIC_tEt9bHQ/s1600/P1040279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyZ-ALK1XrcGNgdT-JFG6XXpy4wR4XJasIivYhuHaTKeNdjxQhssJuJ3uplsrIuF3zKl3jAksu9GM1H2evCc3iH1QoeO00KySpdXhVCPTtkuJ8wGFNVK6aeQJsl2uIC_tEt9bHQ/s320/P1040279.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Snow</u></b></div>
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<i>Snow</i></div>
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<i>It won't be long before we'll all be there with snow</i></div>
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<i>Snow</i></div>
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<i>I want to wash my hands, my face and hair with snow</i></div>
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<i>Snow</i></div>
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<i>I long to clear a path and lift a spade of snow</i></div>
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<i>Snow</i></div>
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<i>Oh, to see a great big man entirely made of snow </i></div>
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<i>Where it's snowing </i></div>
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<i>All winter through </i></div>
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<i>That's where I want to be </i></div>
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<i>Snowball throwing </i></div>
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<i>That's what I'll do </i></div>
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<i>How I'm longing to ski </i></div>
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<i>Through the snow-oh-oh-oh-oh </i></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CH2KGboA35c" width="560"></iframe></div>Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-24043988666399264652012-01-19T15:31:00.001-05:002012-02-20T09:02:29.734-05:00How a Puppy Prepares YouIt is a bit cliche, but I'm thinking that the idea that a puppy prepares you for parenthood, in some small way, just might be true. While babies don't come with the advantage of being put in a cage when you leave the house or when they go to sleep, they are generally immobile for the first 6 months and do all their "eliminating" in a diaper which definitely gives babies a leg up in my mind.<br />
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I realized recently that Chloe might just be preparing us in ways greater than just being responsible for another little life. That moment crystallized when I was sitting with Hunt on the couch watching a football game. I heard an ominous noise that every dog owner learns to know and dread. I leaned down just in time to put my cupped hands under Chloe's little muzzle and catch what her upset stomach no longer wanted. Hunt sat there a little shocked and then leapt into action with paper towels while preventing the pup from helping me with the cleanup efforts.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2NruvoAl0WWzeNkXLpBRkPZFTwGGrps7GN9BTvIK3BLLlK0RVCcZdi9pLzzAFFvfDtF4jOW2OyKWsAeroxwhfW3EjKTlooR6MWEFMmCwTcK-dKjNa89fQAAoEAplJad5Vp74lQ/s1600/IMG_7179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2NruvoAl0WWzeNkXLpBRkPZFTwGGrps7GN9BTvIK3BLLlK0RVCcZdi9pLzzAFFvfDtF4jOW2OyKWsAeroxwhfW3EjKTlooR6MWEFMmCwTcK-dKjNa89fQAAoEAplJad5Vp74lQ/s400/IMG_7179.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">How could you not help out </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">this little cuddle bunny?</span></td></tr>
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I generally like to avoid having to clean up difficult messes, so this was definitely the motivating factor to act, rather than an overriding maternal instinct. Yet, I am hoping that this will come in handy when it comes to raising little humans...or at least keep our rugs in good condition for the long run!</div>
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<br /></div>Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-15345191850068527772012-01-11T13:52:00.002-05:002012-01-11T13:52:45.823-05:00Who's Your Favorite?I have so many things that I want to blog about (I have a list of 20 or so posts that I want to write but never seem to find the time for) - but until I get to that, here is a little funny for your day.<br />
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This daddy is playing the oh-so-dangerous game of asking his child, "Who's your favorite, me or mom?" Be sure to watch to the very end...I was literally laughing out loud.<br />
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This is similar to when Mom and Dad would tell me that I was their favorite daughter...never you mind that I am their only daughter...well, at least until Anne came along. Maybe it's time for me to take the temperature on that again...<br />
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<br />Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-58566007848478829392011-12-15T08:00:00.000-05:002011-12-15T08:00:00.562-05:00Fairytale vs. HistoryThe Christmas story is often treated like a fairytale. As if it didn't truly happen on this earth, but, rather, as if it were made up of fictional characters telling a well-known story. But it's not the same as Santa and Rudolph. These characters walked this earth, experienced these events and it changed our lives eternally.<br />
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<br /></div>Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-31084921594711209212011-12-14T08:30:00.000-05:002011-12-14T08:30:03.759-05:00Chloe's Moto<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>"If there is laundry, dirty or clean, I shall be on top of it."</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>~ Chloe Anderson</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyeWIWhmRzWwRC8RqpbqjBm8fyQd2allMwpPQsSDUzOjIhBVyfD9Hl543sKlmg7z_eWgDtaImZafF48moBDHGI63KA3aOEjsZWABNJdjkJX9gaOo79gj1QfWwm39h5NaffREkAw/s1600/IMG_6969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyeWIWhmRzWwRC8RqpbqjBm8fyQd2allMwpPQsSDUzOjIhBVyfD9Hl543sKlmg7z_eWgDtaImZafF48moBDHGI63KA3aOEjsZWABNJdjkJX9gaOo79gj1QfWwm39h5NaffREkAw/s400/IMG_6969.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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"Clean clothes are such a great place to nap"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XcFXvgX5w17NqtHo8IBf_PAPqy_8XofJKgAYPqJ1p-GfqQNxD1Py7WpVte3a1sRsc0QrP-pMs_JqHWVZTsxQGN0LgzdesRXb-4z1Go0n8ngGLW0BDBM9Bx7JiAL_7sFJYEby5A/s1600/P1030931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XcFXvgX5w17NqtHo8IBf_PAPqy_8XofJKgAYPqJ1p-GfqQNxD1Py7WpVte3a1sRsc0QrP-pMs_JqHWVZTsxQGN0LgzdesRXb-4z1Go0n8ngGLW0BDBM9Bx7JiAL_7sFJYEby5A/s400/P1030931.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"Daddy's dirty scrubs are my FAVORITE!"</div>
<br />Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-48379297929293084432011-12-13T08:00:00.000-05:002011-12-13T08:00:17.008-05:00DC in Time Lapse<div style="text-align: left;">
I love seeing video and photos done in time lapse to see the passage of time; whether that's seconds, minutes, or a day. This is a great video highlighting places around D.C. at dusk and sunset. Captures D.C. in such a beautiful way!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/32424955?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=e8ba15" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe></div>
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<br />Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-70656453344712451162011-12-12T09:50:00.001-05:002011-12-12T09:52:06.228-05:00Gathering Around the TreeOne of my favorite things of the Christmas season is having the Christmas tree all lit up. I so enjoy the evenings with all of us together in the den with the softly glowing tree. <br />
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At one point yesterday afternoon, I was cuddled up under my electric throw blanket (I'm going to be living under that thing this winter) and drifted off to sleep while Hunt was watching football and Chloe was curled up at my feet. I woke up to find that the sun had set (that happens by 4:30pm up here!), the tree was bathing the den in a warmth of twinkle lights, football was playing in the background, Hunt was stretched out and had nodded off, and Chloe was deep asleep next to us. It was a perfect Christmas moment in my mind. All three Andersons warm, cozy, relaxed and napping near the tree together.<br />
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In other news about our tree and its lights: I'll give you one guess as to where Chloe decided to take a nibble on a strand and managed to pluck one bulb right off...<br />
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<br /></div>Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-78324227800247324782011-12-09T08:58:00.000-05:002011-12-09T08:58:00.531-05:00Jingle Jangle Fun<div style="text-align: center;">
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Here is a different kind of video all together - here is a little fun to share a little Christmas spirit from the Anderson household...</div>
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</div>Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-40180229927377422972011-12-08T08:30:00.000-05:002011-12-08T08:30:03.645-05:00<div style="text-align: left;">
Interesting twist on the story of the nativity. How would it have played out if FB had been around at that time?</div>
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Thanks Mom for sharing - enjoyed it!</div>Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-10002080422985379012011-12-07T11:27:00.001-05:002011-12-07T11:39:11.472-05:00Never Forget December 7th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrqXO_DmfvC27zqkS7zHb1GUBffjyBEX1UMD5yjz8edVuIa8_Hgzv615hMxDCjpiMSJTql5vCyUn015-2y0Epg6l565WUYLugIt2N2sWzXB9RICZP3GdgNrCAyfNYLwD-ugGBuQ/s1600/P1010969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrqXO_DmfvC27zqkS7zHb1GUBffjyBEX1UMD5yjz8edVuIa8_Hgzv615hMxDCjpiMSJTql5vCyUn015-2y0Epg6l565WUYLugIt2N2sWzXB9RICZP3GdgNrCAyfNYLwD-ugGBuQ/s320/P1010969.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>Remember Pearl Harbor</i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"History in ev'ry century records an act that lives forevermore.<br />We'll recall, as into line we fall, the thing that happened on Hawaii's shore.<br /><br />Let's remember Pearl Harbor<br />As we go to meet the foe.<br />Let's</span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> remember Pearl Harbor</span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />As we did the Alamo.<br />We will always remember how they died for Liberty.<br />Let's</span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> remember Pearl Harbor</span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />And go on to victory."</span></span></i></span></i><br />
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The recovered anchor from the USS Arizona</div>
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All the remains at the surface of the USS Arizona</div>
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Throwing a lei in honor of the fallen soldiers of Pearl Harbor</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #545559;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-65729049170136132182011-11-12T17:20:00.001-05:002011-11-12T18:12:32.914-05:00Living in ArlingtonWhen we lived in D.C. one thing is loved about going to work every day was passing Arlington Cemetery during my drive. And, on the mornings I was motivated, I would walk/run the mile down the road to the Iwo Jima memorial right next to the cemetery. It was inspiring. Especially on the Thursday evenings that the Marine color guard would be out in full dress to take down the flag at sunset.<br />
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It made my chest swell with patriotic pride, as well as silently remember the cost of freedom. That freedom has never been free, and that our brave soldiers lay down their lives to keep us free.<br />
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The seasons were beautiful to watch as they passed through Arlington. The colorful leaves of autumn, the stillness of winter with Christmas wreaths laid on the gravestones, and the lacy new breath of life with Dogwood trees blooming in the spring.<br />
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I miss the daily reminder of America's greatest military strength, her soldiers.Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-76217778309218242562011-11-11T09:30:00.000-05:002011-11-12T17:17:50.699-05:00Honoring our VeteransThank you to the men and women who are willing to serve our country with honor and integrity and, in turn, keep us all safe.<br />
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Remembering my Papa, M. Gene Jackson, who served in Korea; and thinking of my Grandpop, William Merkel, who served on a submarine in WWII; and my father-in-law, Ed who flew for the Air Force. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Papa on base in Houston before going to Korea</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-11397294710522019232011-11-10T14:59:00.000-05:002011-11-12T17:06:25.110-05:00Where the Toys Come From<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEcWVucx6p985CBpU9NKDf6MK1gdRZWjJUZJqnP9im39E4SZYWR1F73dbQ3Hwus8l6CdhrWe28D0BzI9e5ByZG-IfwTA5VDblKJQl5-zccjsTQyLmE1OFlNztb1R2wIze-gnCWzA/s1600/IMG_6799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEcWVucx6p985CBpU9NKDf6MK1gdRZWjJUZJqnP9im39E4SZYWR1F73dbQ3Hwus8l6CdhrWe28D0BzI9e5ByZG-IfwTA5VDblKJQl5-zccjsTQyLmE1OFlNztb1R2wIze-gnCWzA/s400/IMG_6799.jpg" width="298" /></a>I am constantly picking up and putting away Chloe's toys - she loves to play with multiple at one time. It is very common for me to catch her laying on top of one toy while furiously chewing on another. And usually making little excited growling noises while she's doing so. (Though nothing beats the snorts and snuffles she makes through her little nose while she is burrowing down deep into her fluffy bed.)<br />
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Today I glanced down and saw the pile of toys that Chloe had left at my feet – she had temporarily put herself down for a nap in her crate – and recognized a new addition to her playthings. One of Hunt's nice socks seems to have made the cut of interesting items to chew and roll around on.<br />
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She's an equal opportunity offender - she has, countless times, managed to drag my heavy lug-sole Ugg slipper from the bedroom into the living room all the way into her bed so she can snuggle with it...err...tear it to bits.<br />
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You may have noticed her little striped monkey. That came with her all way from Oklahoma and it's still one of her favorites. I think it must still smell just a little of momma and her first home. <br />
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<br />Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-29009778649753888182011-11-10T09:13:00.000-05:002011-11-10T09:13:56.278-05:00Get Out the Vote!No, this "vote" is not quite as important as the Presidential election that will happen in just under a year from now, but it does impact our little family! Our apartment company is holding a contest on Facebook that has the following prizes:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">THE PRIZES</span></h1>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">Photo with</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><strong>most votes</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">wins $200 grocery store gift card to buy your Thanksgiving dinner!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">Photo with</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><strong>2nd most votes</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">wins $150 VISA gift card to use on your Black Friday Shopping!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">Photo with</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><strong>3rd most votes</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">wins $100 Amazon.com gift card to use for Cyber Monday shopping!</span></li>
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</span>The contest is to share what you are thankful for by uploading a picture of it and writing a caption. We aren't THAT far behind #1 if we can get many of our friends to vote for us every 24 hours. So, please vote for us!<br />
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/PrincetonApts?sk=app_100142423390621" target="_blank">Princeton Place Thanksgiving Contest</a><br />
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<a href="http://apps.facebook.com/offerpop/Contest.psp?c=42520&u=5096&a=100142423390621&p=17290792182&rest=0&v=View" target="_blank">Here are all the entries...remember, only vote for ours!</a> ;)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I'm thankful for a husband that really moves me...<br />and that we don't have to pack and load boxes anytime soon!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-78621540536926628102011-11-04T08:00:00.000-04:002011-11-04T10:51:30.582-04:00Big Enough to Get to the Britches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Look who all of a sudden grew big enough to be able to jump up on the couch! <br />
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Our previously-protected space marked as humans only is now being invaded by a fluffy puppy who loves nothing more than to lavish us with kisses, snuggles, and to get into everything that had previously been out of reach.<br />
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I was ironing the laundry and briefly walked out of the room. I returned to find fur face sitting not-so-innocently next to the very clothing that she had just been pestering me to have a nice nibble on.<br />
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I love her expression - "who me? up here? that's ok, right?"<br />
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And the fact that it appears she is about the change the channel to something more appealing to her doggy senses.Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-82274961667447418712011-11-03T18:39:00.000-04:002011-11-03T18:39:04.574-04:00I Can't Help But LaughJimmy Kimmel challenged his audience to tell their children that they had eaten every last piece of their hard-earned candy on the morning after Halloween. And to film it to capture their reaction. Priceless. <br />
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Though I was also surprised to see the immediate onset of tears. Did I cry that easily when I was little? I can't remember. Mom?</div>
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<br />Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453539.post-68731302402905561412011-11-02T13:21:00.000-04:002011-11-02T15:47:03.686-04:00Snow-tober<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHAot-mH8-rq2X0wKQj52Kek4UooNpgIujZ4h9wM6PmVsvFHhjDmMSaVFNYj1brBwHpYN6us0qo3QM7SbNG-YEuwYjpWd6SR1DNelYtoGWWa3JUPxOlp2FnRR-n_ew8aSpwVbaA/s1600/P1030827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHAot-mH8-rq2X0wKQj52Kek4UooNpgIujZ4h9wM6PmVsvFHhjDmMSaVFNYj1brBwHpYN6us0qo3QM7SbNG-YEuwYjpWd6SR1DNelYtoGWWa3JUPxOlp2FnRR-n_ew8aSpwVbaA/s320/P1030827.jpg" width="240" /></a>Well, we got a taste of a New England winter this past weekend. The storm started with sudden heavy snow showers - to the point that when I was running an errand and came back out, my car was already covered in a decent layer of snow.<br />
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It snowed, and snowed, and snowed. We watched in cozy comfort from our living room as Hunt studied and I yelled at the television for Clemson to beat Ga Tech. And then the power went out around midnight.<br />
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And stayed off. Through one day. And into the next.<br />
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We huddled in our bedroom with multiple down blankets and many candles. Hunt was trying to remain focused on studying for the Cardiology boards while I was focused on figuring out a way to prevent the end of my nose from falling off due to frostbite.<br />
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Our building's emergency lights lasted for about eight hours and then our hallways and stairwells became the perfect setting for a Hollywood horror movie. And Chloe's urge to race at full tilt down those hallways wasn't dampened one bit. Trying to find a five pound puppy in the dark while balancing a take-out dinner and flashlight would be humorous if the irrational side of my brain wasn't convinced some rabid zombie was going to come howling down the hall after me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">At the start of the storm...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The next morning after 12 inches of snow</span></td></tr>
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We decided to brave the cold one more night and then we would throw in the towel and stay at a hotel a couple towns over that had power. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsK7cxtrJ1VkvtcRLNEg4I7BoZ209t8kET6DCRyZsobpn_AXOGBtPTQ5dMDy7TngbeMRTsdQRgmNiwe5EL_sIZdklTO07pUJz2C92qrmM72uErv8-lws2ohDYUgRCAMcm86_Kmw/s1600/P1030800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsK7cxtrJ1VkvtcRLNEg4I7BoZ209t8kET6DCRyZsobpn_AXOGBtPTQ5dMDy7TngbeMRTsdQRgmNiwe5EL_sIZdklTO07pUJz2C92qrmM72uErv8-lws2ohDYUgRCAMcm86_Kmw/s320/P1030800.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In the midst of the storm</span></td></tr>
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About 3:00am on Tuesday the power came surging back on. I woke up and realized that glory, glory we had heat, hot water and light!!!! I then promptly shook my exhausted and boards-anxiety-riddled husband to tell him the news. And even more promptly regretted it when he bleary-eyed said that was great and he needed his sleep. You know, so that he could be rested to take his career-defining test. Oh, yeah, that little looming thing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8u11NS6OujzWf_-dr_5-g6eJEilMNuWzmwor950nSak7SjhZUqFLjANFfQKsSR5LHy_6HxRxq9mxlIJ9IoqHQd98mmi2hC0mSfKJxI00RPMoEm0QNTVbnhLa-x2DA-1uE5wm7sg/s1600/P1030826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8u11NS6OujzWf_-dr_5-g6eJEilMNuWzmwor950nSak7SjhZUqFLjANFfQKsSR5LHy_6HxRxq9mxlIJ9IoqHQd98mmi2hC0mSfKJxI00RPMoEm0QNTVbnhLa-x2DA-1uE5wm7sg/s320/P1030826.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The evergreens are bent almost in half!</span></td></tr>
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After taking four bags of ruined food to the dumpster I relished a gloriously hot shower. (We had resorted to showering in the locker rooms of the hospital, but nothing is like your own shower that you've bleached yourself. Oh, and I managed to meet Hunt's boss for the first time while heading to said locker room *sigh*) I threatened Chloe, who badly needs a deep cleaning, that I would take her with me in the shower, but just couldn't bring myself to handle a wet, squirmy and yelpy puppy after multiple days of cold water and dark rooms. I don't think she minded. In fact, I'm pretty sure she supported this decision whole-heartedly.<br />
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I'm told by our neighbors that this was a first, that they didn't lose power at all last winter during the most punishing blizzards they had had in decades. Hopefully this won't be a repeat and is due to a freak snowstorm smothering tree limbs heavy with foliage.<br />
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Remember when I was wishing for cooler weather in the midst of hot and humid August? I take it back.<br />
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<br />Melissa http://www.blogger.com/profile/04739181143439540841noreply@blogger.com0