tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40350469834327439122024-03-05T20:49:58.111-05:00Thrasher DazeSome days are just regular days and some are.....well....a Daze.Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-85178282717837858112011-10-24T19:47:00.003-04:002011-10-24T20:01:16.383-04:00The Age of Innocence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What a wonderful world. Click <a href="http://gallery.me.com/amandathrasher#100729">here</a> for slide show and feel the joy!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjereH-iCpvXlwQ9vQ6MbwweU6gpBEMtYK6TOVBYFKsgmWhiqhpzfr6fTYzIDtR97SvShH642pXV71MFW_XZU5nruSd3EvYoDOGCG-VFz8VGWrXnABxuotMiI3VtX8pAFk5pA0g2R96_BhS/s1600/DSC_0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjereH-iCpvXlwQ9vQ6MbwweU6gpBEMtYK6TOVBYFKsgmWhiqhpzfr6fTYzIDtR97SvShH642pXV71MFW_XZU5nruSd3EvYoDOGCG-VFz8VGWrXnABxuotMiI3VtX8pAFk5pA0g2R96_BhS/s400/DSC_0195.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-2899412123609500492011-10-04T16:29:00.000-04:002011-10-04T16:29:17.791-04:00Hmmmmmmm.......Wonder when the laundry fairy is coming to visit and giving my laundry room a fresh new look??<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKlz44pqyEY5-4ZIvV08PiGnkc9dEJQvLF-bcV76kXRNW4rKxT4ehZM6PzX6Z8Rrfdlkbq-AOQ-LzjFR9U3sNjoOv_FHgap7IEByMP6w_IgaLezCrjq7QtifPVWBPKOe6nGYK4apLaUsN/s1600/laundryroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKlz44pqyEY5-4ZIvV08PiGnkc9dEJQvLF-bcV76kXRNW4rKxT4ehZM6PzX6Z8Rrfdlkbq-AOQ-LzjFR9U3sNjoOv_FHgap7IEByMP6w_IgaLezCrjq7QtifPVWBPKOe6nGYK4apLaUsN/s320/laundryroom.jpg" width="204" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-84610488841933699512011-09-11T20:05:00.000-04:002011-09-11T20:05:57.478-04:00Remembering<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">September 11, 2001 Memorial</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2iJu4bm0R043o6bSJDKDX-G1Jw8orZTUrjKdIzCY1VZCadz0GmZAeL6gEvYY74Xyny-4ybV0kutIaWJDmnY4WETAg85-yB99g_klVetLmF0CuA8aTuvl92RvrBJI2_t2mqJs7SXtGVTZ/s1600/ANNIVERSARY-511-slide-TXUM-hpLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2iJu4bm0R043o6bSJDKDX-G1Jw8orZTUrjKdIzCY1VZCadz0GmZAeL6gEvYY74Xyny-4ybV0kutIaWJDmnY4WETAg85-yB99g_klVetLmF0CuA8aTuvl92RvrBJI2_t2mqJs7SXtGVTZ/s320/ANNIVERSARY-511-slide-TXUM-hpLarge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Most of us thought about where we were 10 years ago today and probably shed a tear or two. I asked myself what good things have happened in the last 10 years and I came up with the following....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQ0x1_y-T6ihyphenhyphenDJeIbiCzj4TdiaHTwuyCnxyH-2TllZk8Wpm62doqnJgzwId_mZBpgy1FXP1_2YV4bn-lCvSuPsPo-qzNgDnEH13a1LSoIlM5ykaplW70D8XPWLE5l4fKqgFMMv-8AJi2/s1600/103-0376_IMG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQ0x1_y-T6ihyphenhyphenDJeIbiCzj4TdiaHTwuyCnxyH-2TllZk8Wpm62doqnJgzwId_mZBpgy1FXP1_2YV4bn-lCvSuPsPo-qzNgDnEH13a1LSoIlM5ykaplW70D8XPWLE5l4fKqgFMMv-8AJi2/s320/103-0376_IMG.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Brock and Meme </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELTfPNFXv6ltw0xL6hhU1WSDwf1kTlRicTjgro7VqpdJa9qbuVFk-36nfQQqtl_QGufY5qlrhN1T83YQF3JnH0THUi-WNiqNCLFB0dhE49NhxCiLTBhwjgLHDngibsZeKEeuP4xcxKsIy/s1600/126-2679_IMG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELTfPNFXv6ltw0xL6hhU1WSDwf1kTlRicTjgro7VqpdJa9qbuVFk-36nfQQqtl_QGufY5qlrhN1T83YQF3JnH0THUi-WNiqNCLFB0dhE49NhxCiLTBhwjgLHDngibsZeKEeuP4xcxKsIy/s320/126-2679_IMG.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Grady and Mac</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbK-J2ztjt2QnU_Equl_eXzXfaPA5fZ5SNaKd3oeouG4wZ3H2OJp2_JAjrorCeNH8Sg3gOAd6OI7fog9b2otZJu_LkKkmx446yIvuR4ESft76cmyGkHFHyPWvYTVXY_hU1PfzQXvgadDM/s1600/DSC_0174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbK-J2ztjt2QnU_Equl_eXzXfaPA5fZ5SNaKd3oeouG4wZ3H2OJp2_JAjrorCeNH8Sg3gOAd6OI7fog9b2otZJu_LkKkmx446yIvuR4ESft76cmyGkHFHyPWvYTVXY_hU1PfzQXvgadDM/s320/DSC_0174.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And look how far they've come in 10 years.</div>Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-40842212495570166632011-07-27T11:39:00.000-04:002011-07-27T11:39:06.798-04:00Laundry room of the day....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is for you Moms....</span><br />
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Haven't you always wanted to get your childrens' black and white portraits done so you could display them in your perfectly polished laundry room? Wouldn't it be nice to gaze into their perfectly posed faces as you worked on getting out the grape juice and ballpark stains?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhBTrLrwuIONfuYMzQjd40Tv2BdLPuUg1FZQJ5QyQ_AzdVwxy4CyKgqQrb2tTdU4XHMALFMbKj15B2lODrIn5Wu2WllYXcq9XDmslZcAFTHamy9XG2IBmOAyVhk91BV70gxeKZV1KEnyQ/s1600/thumbnail.aspx.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhBTrLrwuIONfuYMzQjd40Tv2BdLPuUg1FZQJ5QyQ_AzdVwxy4CyKgqQrb2tTdU4XHMALFMbKj15B2lODrIn5Wu2WllYXcq9XDmslZcAFTHamy9XG2IBmOAyVhk91BV70gxeKZV1KEnyQ/s320/thumbnail.aspx.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
</div>Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-77617956843175180192011-06-24T16:09:00.000-04:002011-06-24T16:09:56.182-04:00I have been waiting all summer.....LAUNDRY!!! 2 boys, 2 weeks, 2 trunks, 2 pugs to sniff it.....My laundry room is rejoicing because the boys are home from camp today! Wanda the Washer is really causing a stink this afternoon but she's gettin it done....one load at a time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9x7XS2mJ8iA_r2llL0vsTlVcpzVEENLGOI07tjkXTgNNDheaQ20mRQLdagRkTe3JqpIL0GUGq8YvC5o4fGuplHOPbpiSyVmlHxhyt6l6Lk-N9xY41M8QTOqRakwyVx_02jwsGvt1TDwx/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9x7XS2mJ8iA_r2llL0vsTlVcpzVEENLGOI07tjkXTgNNDheaQ20mRQLdagRkTe3JqpIL0GUGq8YvC5o4fGuplHOPbpiSyVmlHxhyt6l6Lk-N9xY41M8QTOqRakwyVx_02jwsGvt1TDwx/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPPC9kJ88TRETOjOi9hXAcUPIm8vFDBleEDF1SRc75wB5Ais8ksz4efUk4jkYUF0LL5P5lnYhQIr3jryea9HM6S24eu72sj-0PhxM2aSGY6887ftBx-40uRvUzQ2Nmy6NjfoUwq1gJ7JD/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPPC9kJ88TRETOjOi9hXAcUPIm8vFDBleEDF1SRc75wB5Ais8ksz4efUk4jkYUF0LL5P5lnYhQIr3jryea9HM6S24eu72sj-0PhxM2aSGY6887ftBx-40uRvUzQ2Nmy6NjfoUwq1gJ7JD/s320/photo+2.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-71947428840080945122011-06-09T09:59:00.001-04:002011-06-09T10:01:04.939-04:00The wheels of progress are turning....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw30sUe1aFdEwkekFrWlpISx6_D6t9MjC-hZKe0aQ1nsEam9kzqAzk3x0_LqXXU5JqUYix4d7t1sBuEurhdRIBBev9lEKzR7RwxKepRwSMULIWHQuMpx9DJ5C3zZncWWfts5-NYR-tjgf6/s1600/IMG_1173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw30sUe1aFdEwkekFrWlpISx6_D6t9MjC-hZKe0aQ1nsEam9kzqAzk3x0_LqXXU5JqUYix4d7t1sBuEurhdRIBBev9lEKzR7RwxKepRwSMULIWHQuMpx9DJ5C3zZncWWfts5-NYR-tjgf6/s320/IMG_1173.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">DAY 1--demolition</span></b></div></div>Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-78743739193701447472011-06-09T09:57:00.000-04:002011-06-09T09:57:57.216-04:00What I've been up to...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lk2W95Iru00wUcmHs55sMcEwnpisGP-o0-zqfnYBLnS2ESujTc9I4AoFFJIKy37rjR2wlF3U4VKNgHIzFMDS3gmPGS8Tzc3wmphVFlrsZy-8p9FP9RoGEJhJ6NCU8yND7JqQ0bNL8rjo/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lk2W95Iru00wUcmHs55sMcEwnpisGP-o0-zqfnYBLnS2ESujTc9I4AoFFJIKy37rjR2wlF3U4VKNgHIzFMDS3gmPGS8Tzc3wmphVFlrsZy-8p9FP9RoGEJhJ6NCU8yND7JqQ0bNL8rjo/s320/DSC_0143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hard to believe these are all "grays." Narrowed down from 126 other shades of gray. </div>Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-66221366680791241392011-06-03T12:55:00.000-04:002011-06-03T12:55:08.628-04:00Laundry Room of the day....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxK8mMHOBfj81pJnI3OqZuWu9lHzTDbT0z5KUCWPhPqNWf63evOV_E9O2-mjILzWeSNUjLJytThqq0HLqEm8O8K-u8djQBYixPNqqKMsj3iMy_aCACd-DDtoTKtP5BR8UmJ6aSjEMFqXE/s1600/laundry_room_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxK8mMHOBfj81pJnI3OqZuWu9lHzTDbT0z5KUCWPhPqNWf63evOV_E9O2-mjILzWeSNUjLJytThqq0HLqEm8O8K-u8djQBYixPNqqKMsj3iMy_aCACd-DDtoTKtP5BR8UmJ6aSjEMFqXE/s320/laundry_room_2.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>She looks ready for summer huh?<br />
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I am guessing in the part of the room you can't see she hides wet bathing suits with sand in the pockets and wadded up beach towels. I am impressed the laundry fairy who frequents this room also looks to have a green thumb---Laundress/Gardener?? That would look good on a business card.Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-78273780633991892132011-05-23T12:35:00.000-04:002011-05-23T12:35:34.958-04:00Does the laundry fairy....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XmWyvjgkgSz7pkhG80gYpmhzY7hjaMpT6oX_0j-xQoc3oKAN7fWzedxUyFw6r6FT8b3m-LPhbVVzpjsuaxDekPvt68U1nbklbKxC8B4GzhJiFN_zS57oI5tR4wJvxncArnFEc_XlheCL/s1600/12945017_MqE6iK4r_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XmWyvjgkgSz7pkhG80gYpmhzY7hjaMpT6oX_0j-xQoc3oKAN7fWzedxUyFw6r6FT8b3m-LPhbVVzpjsuaxDekPvt68U1nbklbKxC8B4GzhJiFN_zS57oI5tR4wJvxncArnFEc_XlheCL/s320/12945017_MqE6iK4r_c.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>...in this house really sort the laundry according to each member of the family?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THEN does aforementioned family member take their own personal basket to their room?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THEN does family member put up laundry? </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>THEN does the laundry fairy meet family member back in the laundry room to replace empty basket in the proper slot? </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>When I find this laundry fairy, I will bottle her and poke holes in the top of the jar. She belongs in the Laundry Olympics. </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-89862103906689597372011-05-03T16:17:00.000-04:002011-05-03T16:17:24.231-04:00Laundry room of the day....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzdDCU0HvAStdMk9CbdhCq4gblEew6J4-r-KJdh7ths9TwD2t2KDmaRGZiKwQGmRnIvvpQP-P0P4MNsUsjSj816to055Z5lpVgE0xqT9UR0HeHBasvEpq8-zBARGd2CafZfPDaEybrWVb/s1600/Laundry-Room-Design_Interior-Design-Ideas_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzdDCU0HvAStdMk9CbdhCq4gblEew6J4-r-KJdh7ths9TwD2t2KDmaRGZiKwQGmRnIvvpQP-P0P4MNsUsjSj816to055Z5lpVgE0xqT9UR0HeHBasvEpq8-zBARGd2CafZfPDaEybrWVb/s400/Laundry-Room-Design_Interior-Design-Ideas_8.jpg" width="282" /></a></div><br />
Chandelier and wallpaper---yes! Judging from this laundry room all the laundry must be sent out.Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-26820468621739765392011-04-27T12:33:00.000-04:002011-04-27T12:33:54.720-04:00When life gives you lemons........squeeze them on your laundry.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsB_HIw7vT6LvguQ-yyAzc7cnfBFoKUi8p05g1rQd8X9usrm3-nIMTdW6VaJGmk-XznEFekciqrWOQmT_V6XSZUt4rEQLk0EuQxmWVFkitTsv9q2AbrGCggYYLOwXrsA56JqMom6bFxlke/s1600/lemons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsB_HIw7vT6LvguQ-yyAzc7cnfBFoKUi8p05g1rQd8X9usrm3-nIMTdW6VaJGmk-XznEFekciqrWOQmT_V6XSZUt4rEQLk0EuQxmWVFkitTsv9q2AbrGCggYYLOwXrsA56JqMom6bFxlke/s1600/lemons.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I will remind you again---I love/hate to talk about laundry. The boys now know how to do laundry literally by osmosis. I haven't taught them how. Brock and Mac told me yesterday that if I put a 1/2 cup of lemon juice in with the laundry it would whiten our whites. Who knew? Apparently the folks over at Zombie Farm---some *&ap;(*&^%^ video game that gives you "fun fruit facts" everytime you nail a zombie with a piece of fruit or sumpin like that. Headin to Publix for lemon juice. Summer is coming and I LOVE white whites.Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-73475868261271076632011-04-12T21:28:00.000-04:002011-04-12T21:28:06.306-04:00Laundry room of the day....Do you think the Laundress of this household reads biographies of former 1st Ladies while she sips a martini in her striped chair while waiting on her delicates to dry? I like to imagine her that way.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdIS11PKMSO_H0r4D498sKNuhrdAoAvEpvFMXWd5TLQPKviS_AxwWsXultajqXV8iZ7HoZ070rhyphenhyphen5Acaahy1ihgLsrTw7xDOMewE9SmBAjBydLzPejOEFEd2kDB_H29c9LRAPph7J604Z/s1600/2s0n41k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdIS11PKMSO_H0r4D498sKNuhrdAoAvEpvFMXWd5TLQPKviS_AxwWsXultajqXV8iZ7HoZ070rhyphenhyphen5Acaahy1ihgLsrTw7xDOMewE9SmBAjBydLzPejOEFEd2kDB_H29c9LRAPph7J604Z/s320/2s0n41k.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-14017821859862510672011-04-12T11:36:00.000-04:002011-04-12T11:36:35.637-04:00The key to happiness.......is ORGANIZATION!!! I knew it wasn't weird that I've been having an affair with my label maker.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwY81U0Z1MHt7BE8zbL-C4A_PeBQ0vr-YaJ5UOsh60AJXEf39DFyGqOjq10kxfQnLGsnp_vZCrH70qdycVl4zpewtPHvWZs6KPpKWEHspa42AXXxGiNuYUQS8m8sb4IFGUJrytuGtqMBj4/s1600/IMG_1107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwY81U0Z1MHt7BE8zbL-C4A_PeBQ0vr-YaJ5UOsh60AJXEf39DFyGqOjq10kxfQnLGsnp_vZCrH70qdycVl4zpewtPHvWZs6KPpKWEHspa42AXXxGiNuYUQS8m8sb4IFGUJrytuGtqMBj4/s320/IMG_1107.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-56056297054236322952011-04-07T22:18:00.000-04:002011-04-07T22:18:41.893-04:00The Stepford Wives........must do laundry here, because no real wife or mom looks like she's ever really worked up a sweat in this one. Though, I could really sort some lights and darks in here--on 2nd thought it's so spa like--the darks would get their feelings hurt because the lights would talk about them behind their backs. A girl can dream...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWUIiLF3czE4aB2CsN99KVidz8ftX_xQNCAcUa0_p6_qnCCD6U6_bPYZ2i4id5N5Tbtaa9tGYpZhfqE2rE05ikAst_eJAOrg68PrTarJVYOfiHhNiexXswdQLiG05p7yrwYJzY_disQfO/s1600/LAUNDRY1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWUIiLF3czE4aB2CsN99KVidz8ftX_xQNCAcUa0_p6_qnCCD6U6_bPYZ2i4id5N5Tbtaa9tGYpZhfqE2rE05ikAst_eJAOrg68PrTarJVYOfiHhNiexXswdQLiG05p7yrwYJzY_disQfO/s320/LAUNDRY1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-74323720270936530192011-04-05T07:48:00.000-04:002011-04-05T07:48:12.709-04:00Laundry room of the day....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhd0HyLpCil2cF0dXz0C-aWbe94GrrTFRmHrsTaLv5A_LJY1Q31EfP2mLYc0lM7RBFnCfZnIeKxqZVJWfv0dfVJxhyphenhyphenKP8KId4kO7UF7I05EohY6ymK_ruuli6MmFj4KSGF6evGGJrllJA/s1600/laundry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhd0HyLpCil2cF0dXz0C-aWbe94GrrTFRmHrsTaLv5A_LJY1Q31EfP2mLYc0lM7RBFnCfZnIeKxqZVJWfv0dfVJxhyphenhyphenKP8KId4kO7UF7I05EohY6ymK_ruuli6MmFj4KSGF6evGGJrllJA/s320/laundry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Dreaming of the peaceful mom who soaks stains in the room above. </div><div style="text-align: center;">My boys came home from a weekend camping and my laundry room looks like this....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRO28J0MWWr5xel2rnnRcWXxgdIlOpjfodHJ0xEFkir_3-EDvJ7YkuaCVY8B9HM1WDsx_jYfA1f64Syg00jrUnJe2j_d8uPjNgriaBF0rOv0ETraNfyJje_TkcRijAEbVvxJvF5Q8iSOgJ/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRO28J0MWWr5xel2rnnRcWXxgdIlOpjfodHJ0xEFkir_3-EDvJ7YkuaCVY8B9HM1WDsx_jYfA1f64Syg00jrUnJe2j_d8uPjNgriaBF0rOv0ETraNfyJje_TkcRijAEbVvxJvF5Q8iSOgJ/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KqwW46S6vdbtYo4wDlPvWKZca_OT8brNMUs3u1YVVCvPDyICxh4zVaYNLgE5equvzHA4XySMudqLC6v-EAAEo5Kbep7JxR4bzXP-RYVSNLYJa41GC7Lh8jO1GdZfD7JHCiW049h6sXr8/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KqwW46S6vdbtYo4wDlPvWKZca_OT8brNMUs3u1YVVCvPDyICxh4zVaYNLgE5equvzHA4XySMudqLC6v-EAAEo5Kbep7JxR4bzXP-RYVSNLYJa41GC7Lh8jO1GdZfD7JHCiW049h6sXr8/s320/DSC_0014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-5127947790925133772011-03-27T22:06:00.000-04:002011-03-27T22:06:52.951-04:00Honesty is funny.Me: I will see yall in awhile. I am going to the gym. Dad is upstairs. Love you. Be good.<br />
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Mac to Shelby: Dad doesn't do much while mom is gone.<br />
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Keep it real.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaSXoVVOrx3MKLrSwKPv0D2A8U4jfj9EmZr5L4jomcgkCLyBMUqCuqjeDUULXLG1IFoqOv_nsxxlVuYQtanO17c-DMLnOvg1MzO62K47gPjaSIkleN7CMFx0Q0B4WPb6j_fuhoUyxBzCz/s1600/DSC_0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaSXoVVOrx3MKLrSwKPv0D2A8U4jfj9EmZr5L4jomcgkCLyBMUqCuqjeDUULXLG1IFoqOv_nsxxlVuYQtanO17c-DMLnOvg1MzO62K47gPjaSIkleN7CMFx0Q0B4WPb6j_fuhoUyxBzCz/s320/DSC_0012.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-85032844995497885652011-03-25T23:49:00.000-04:002011-03-25T23:49:53.644-04:00You can tell a lot about laundry......by the person who performs it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHw5aevsJ9NKuV_cYTSs2dmaRzmHTPKGPmZ3LGKU42PhVEIqxdc-kL9CRRBhkmhWWIRHNCBXowgX8USK9v7QGPfwXFfhhAsKV7DYH0AGRFQEHbfR4VCWhmjENEv5jfnHBcqdgJrDGomj_/s1600/DSC_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHw5aevsJ9NKuV_cYTSs2dmaRzmHTPKGPmZ3LGKU42PhVEIqxdc-kL9CRRBhkmhWWIRHNCBXowgX8USK9v7QGPfwXFfhhAsKV7DYH0AGRFQEHbfR4VCWhmjENEv5jfnHBcqdgJrDGomj_/s640/DSC_0008.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>These are the baseball pants that have only been through 15 or so practices but I am hopeless. These ball field stains never had a chance. I probably put them through the dryer cycle a time or two before treating the stain but so be it. At least it looks like Brock is really putting in a lot of effort. Tips?Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-77744718500565983852011-03-24T00:12:00.000-04:002011-03-24T00:12:43.360-04:00Real Simple thoughts on laundryIt's interesting that not only my friends and I incessantly talk about laundry but <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/laundry/tackle-laundry-00000000020666/index.html">Real Simple</a> has a stand on it as well. Some interesting tips in the linked article.<br />
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What kills me is one of the author's brilliant suggestions: have a stain stick in every child and spouse's hamper so when the clothes are put in hamper--the owner of said clothes can go ahead and treat the stain preventing stain from soaking in for two days.<br />
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I don't know what planet her spouse and kids are from? Maybe she's married and has another WIFE!!<br />
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Anyway there are some good tips, but even more interesting comments from Real Simple readers at the end of the article. One reader actually brags she's a laundry bad-ass. She has 5 kids and says "is laundry really that hard for you people." You people? She must employ the services of a Laundress. Maybe I can be her 2nd Laundress when her 1st one reads about her making "light" of laundry and quits.<br />
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For now I will just lust for this laundry room. can you imagine sitting on top of one of these babies while on the spin cycle?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhezCFDmOJlbrinPsW4Ewyeg_oO_58uMXwhQz3N7ajcDbuaxCxdjSBIjsc2cSMxnqGpNMVXaPPDRSV7bTKxhaQi3KKT9cCqIKujwi15GdlF-hOs5K0BaKZJ3lUbKW8Zue9lYCP0qLvATDU/s1600/Laundry_room_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhezCFDmOJlbrinPsW4Ewyeg_oO_58uMXwhQz3N7ajcDbuaxCxdjSBIjsc2cSMxnqGpNMVXaPPDRSV7bTKxhaQi3KKT9cCqIKujwi15GdlF-hOs5K0BaKZJ3lUbKW8Zue9lYCP0qLvATDU/s320/Laundry_room_1.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-2653750450961314172011-03-23T12:38:00.000-04:002011-03-23T12:38:25.611-04:00Much ado about laundry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx94gKwg_YAwAF3q34NvdWIsgHWUR4VtCk1Hqyd7Czc2PqsYVErRR83mvTHmOEzwa13e9gCHLzcOCAAv8rYdZKCBx7vPFVqjnwq5W3rVof4ZpnO7_HwLD7l7v3ma3Eh71SXCUJpMz1l4Lj/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx94gKwg_YAwAF3q34NvdWIsgHWUR4VtCk1Hqyd7Czc2PqsYVErRR83mvTHmOEzwa13e9gCHLzcOCAAv8rYdZKCBx7vPFVqjnwq5W3rVof4ZpnO7_HwLD7l7v3ma3Eh71SXCUJpMz1l4Lj/s400/DSC_0047.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><b>There's a lot of talk about laundry around here ALL the time. I mean ALL the time! Did I say all the time?</b><br />
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I seriously am thinking of a new career---Head Laundress. I think there's a market for it.<br />
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For crying out loud---I gather it. I frown at it. I accumulate it. I tackle it. I re-arrange it. I sort it. I fold it. I re-locate it. I put it away. I repeat.<br />
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I now estimate that after successfully managing my own laundry and the laundry of my family and friends, I have washed and folded approximately 12012 loads! 22 years of laundry at 52 weeks a year at an average of 1.5 loads a day equals 12,012 loads. Surely, when applying for said Head Laundress position I would have the equivalent of an MD, JD, MBA, Phd in experience. How could I get passed over?Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-54380468552315016822010-12-31T17:10:00.007-05:002011-01-01T17:40:13.189-05:002010 was inspiring.<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">What inspired me in 2010...</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieEbaJDtjOz4i759U7Y6WLdDMWG9ynop0RfRxHC7w0CaPqlpw4q8J8nVZ4I5bySXcFVmnZyfBXysFo7sb3CTknVETi9bWexSmkFftjVuWGXx68utT9R2ooFFLoBKUaQ0DUlLpZ8-BcbbJ/s1600/DSC_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieEbaJDtjOz4i759U7Y6WLdDMWG9ynop0RfRxHC7w0CaPqlpw4q8J8nVZ4I5bySXcFVmnZyfBXysFo7sb3CTknVETi9bWexSmkFftjVuWGXx68utT9R2ooFFLoBKUaQ0DUlLpZ8-BcbbJ/s320/DSC_0232.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqLgH0oAI3VQMNYOXyKBwy6Yz5UJotnODTJo5JS9T8A8CVbZ6vYzz9lQ4cMI9wajTq3KmXWE-fmS5Z_XsGOd8KSV8Q3xWWPpq2lZWP87MkpvMN0aBlfrdPF-lL0RCDaFiYby0TZkC68J1/s1600/DSC_0235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqLgH0oAI3VQMNYOXyKBwy6Yz5UJotnODTJo5JS9T8A8CVbZ6vYzz9lQ4cMI9wajTq3KmXWE-fmS5Z_XsGOd8KSV8Q3xWWPpq2lZWP87MkpvMN0aBlfrdPF-lL0RCDaFiYby0TZkC68J1/s320/DSC_0235.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZT9tS1peA9L4ReQyzHxhmuKkxZNpTw4zgqz_swmKOb1GOB76OLl-X2Wve9IQpSzcoWjRPQTQ0oau7QPhHbYcDOOIBvFEwusBf5ZowITowwarWno0uUkqOr2hkvUYqAO2Df-KhhvsGHQV/s1600/pug.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZT9tS1peA9L4ReQyzHxhmuKkxZNpTw4zgqz_swmKOb1GOB76OLl-X2Wve9IQpSzcoWjRPQTQ0oau7QPhHbYcDOOIBvFEwusBf5ZowITowwarWno0uUkqOr2hkvUYqAO2Df-KhhvsGHQV/s320/pug.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b></b></span><b></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Grady, Brock, and Mac</b>--They inspired me to be a better wife and mother everyday.</span> <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Teddy and Bea</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">--THE PUGS! You haven't seen love until you've seen the boys in my house hug a pug.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Our vet, Lance Hirsch</b>--We spent quite a bit of time at the vet this year due to Munson's ailing health and acquiring new pups. The day we lost Munson was such an emotional one for the boys and I. Grady was out of town and it couldn't wait. Lance gently held the boys' hands, explained the life of a dog and how Munson's life would peacefully slip away. He showed great compassion as he taught the boys about the circle of life that Saturday morning. Thumbs up for the compassionate and sincere caregivers of humans and our pets.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>My Girlfriends</b>--They made me laugh my bottom off everyday and laughter does a body good!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Yoga</b>--I got a taste of this physical and spiritual practice which I hope to devote more time to in 2011. It truly stretched not only my physical self but my mind as well. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The Gym</b>--This was the year I finally added a weight circuit to my workouts. This made me feel strong, and somedays I even felt like a bad-ass.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Blogs</b>--There were lots of beautiful pictures, words of wisdom, and everyday stories of Moms and their families out there. I was lucky enough to peek into the lives of these bloggers. I found lots of comfort and support in sharing professional and mundane experiences with other mothers and now new found friends in the blogosphere. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Rosalie Davis and Betsy Robinson</b>, my instructor at The Schenck School and Mac's former tutor--if either or both of these amazing women are willing, I think I found a mentor for the new year. Betsy worked miracles with Mac, helping him find his confidence, and I've since watched her do it with several other children--what a gift! Rosalie helped me find a passion I never knew I had--1. wanting to sit in a classroom and learn something foreign (how to teach Dyslexics to read), and 2. the desire to explore new opportunities in the new year. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Books</b>--I didn't read as many as I wanted to, but nontheless, I was drawn to a number of memoirs. Reading the stories of folks who faced huge life challenges and how they coped gave me lots of inspiration. I already visited my favorite bookstore today and added 3 new memoirs to my library. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Music</b>--I sure hope one of the kids wants to play something musical one day because I find lots of inspiration in music--whether it's country, blues, folk or pop, I love (and am lucky) to work from home and play what I like to hear. There might be guitar lessons in the new year for me. We'll see if I can get to that. Be thinking of a good country music pseudonym for me. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The Santa Shop</b>--I found the inspiration to hopefully help even more of the underprivileged in our community next year, by sharing with them this year at St. Martins School and Church.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I know I am leaving things out. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Mostly, I think I found inspiration in the little things every day--a freshly lit candle, a full CLEAN basket of laundry that was folded, a freshly vacuumed van, a fire in the fireplace, and dinners where we were all at the table together. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here's hoping 2010 will melt into 2011 tonight with Grady and I giving thanks for the good health of our family and friends. The following quote from Mark Twain is going to stay next to my desk this year to keep those resolutions in check. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0U-NY9EJxWYfKIq4TdhsrOta3em9-fn35kxyxf-9H3YO0NmNT2vZVGlbejKx32nUnHvI_3wzMpVqHfun8vugpocBsuQSzLnenslTrQWbLAlmdJ-XUHA61p-cNHencFx0FGrVx-sWPg-7/s1600/quote+mark+twain3_thumb%255B2%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0U-NY9EJxWYfKIq4TdhsrOta3em9-fn35kxyxf-9H3YO0NmNT2vZVGlbejKx32nUnHvI_3wzMpVqHfun8vugpocBsuQSzLnenslTrQWbLAlmdJ-XUHA61p-cNHencFx0FGrVx-sWPg-7/s320/quote+mark+twain3_thumb%255B2%255D.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To whoever is reading this, I wish you peace in 2011. </span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b></b></div><b></b>Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-25188352003992317702010-12-08T09:40:00.000-05:002010-12-08T09:40:25.207-05:00Bbbbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrr......<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Baby it's cold outside!!!</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTSG-SpSzqFnsCDGRDfoZ9aMwkV2a-_FthxtXeRqkPMJFPYUL3hoW1Opn2DjWjp4-Bvx9iMvNJv2grbZUVrwlwQu77xTdSkvIP4yDDMLkS6lQrRze5rcsWo8xs-YEqLXL5agHDnvs888S/s1600/DSC_0124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTSG-SpSzqFnsCDGRDfoZ9aMwkV2a-_FthxtXeRqkPMJFPYUL3hoW1Opn2DjWjp4-Bvx9iMvNJv2grbZUVrwlwQu77xTdSkvIP4yDDMLkS6lQrRze5rcsWo8xs-YEqLXL5agHDnvs888S/s320/DSC_0124.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's 21 degrees in case you are thinking you need to go get your reading glasses----<b>21!!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjrcWTUJN44jrT4_bRYabEAGEYue4SFGYB77FWEqaBK_0q632rDjLsc5Toagr8fjD8mBTe35VilZw70SVyVMdBojhPnZTC95-wo_MPAseieIJvdgGMBsFzBvGRcBjRFlGZmQr32t0_XFW/s1600/DSC_0126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjrcWTUJN44jrT4_bRYabEAGEYue4SFGYB77FWEqaBK_0q632rDjLsc5Toagr8fjD8mBTe35VilZw70SVyVMdBojhPnZTC95-wo_MPAseieIJvdgGMBsFzBvGRcBjRFlGZmQr32t0_XFW/s320/DSC_0126.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b> </b>It should really be quite illegal to be the one that has to drive carpool on these mornings--though I am spoiled and have the heated front seats so after about 7 minutes I am roasty toasty. The gas gauge does read Empty though and quite frankly I am completely sexist. It's a man's job to keep the tank filled. I might have to indulge and go to full service lane today. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There's a few folks who are staying warm around here.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagrMd5nVcVbaAOX_2pPHEAxO4fnOv-osxg7CjNmrYFNGPAmeRHKV838EjQzGoc452n_08owu4ftzCj8Nc0k9H6JkYrO8iex1t1XlT52CvFIt0Grb6rKqasgTTFLLDip-DQEsHsj3F4l6F/s1600/DSC_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagrMd5nVcVbaAOX_2pPHEAxO4fnOv-osxg7CjNmrYFNGPAmeRHKV838EjQzGoc452n_08owu4ftzCj8Nc0k9H6JkYrO8iex1t1XlT52CvFIt0Grb6rKqasgTTFLLDip-DQEsHsj3F4l6F/s320/DSC_0116.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The Christmas mice were warm enough to indulge in peppermint milkshakes before our "ELF" screening last night.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuGKyDF9nMTkCXDsXGQnOJNlYYcPMY7c_IUy3868N5FNT6AIecpmr9V6SwM-GEPhLa0pJOFo7Z-d67TvlDA6YEx38bKofmBpRmAYGucqfjKDHzDBFAvSeXCe59MhLQs-8HfgeahDcGJX3/s1600/DSC_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuGKyDF9nMTkCXDsXGQnOJNlYYcPMY7c_IUy3868N5FNT6AIecpmr9V6SwM-GEPhLa0pJOFo7Z-d67TvlDA6YEx38bKofmBpRmAYGucqfjKDHzDBFAvSeXCe59MhLQs-8HfgeahDcGJX3/s320/DSC_0121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> On a random note, after much arguing and cussing at strings of white lights yesterday, we have lights!!<br />
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</b></span>Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-3464369681809131972010-11-03T22:46:00.001-04:002010-11-04T11:18:40.842-04:00Have you hugged your pug today?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6645kl6KrE-RysShKhq6GUTjgMY3KJQUmd_wlptscXhNuim1ufVxFekViWBonuhZqSSDEkdYR83QT8C9CNxVZMGIhUhhwmyh_ybbvwjB3cpC_G-qX7JExUNYqfa8q7jbg8ITWKLJecT_B/s1600/DSC_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6645kl6KrE-RysShKhq6GUTjgMY3KJQUmd_wlptscXhNuim1ufVxFekViWBonuhZqSSDEkdYR83QT8C9CNxVZMGIhUhhwmyh_ybbvwjB3cpC_G-qX7JExUNYqfa8q7jbg8ITWKLJecT_B/s320/DSC_0119.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
As I reflect on my 38th year (today is my birthday if you are anyone but my family reading this)....I am reminded that my life is one big analogy. That saying you see on needlepoint pillows: "I want to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am" is about THE. MOST. HONEST. TAKE. ON. MY. LIFE.<br />
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I didn't grow up with dogs. I was forced into them---another reason my husband is still the best thing that ever happened to me.<br />
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Some days I think they (the dogs) are the only ones that understand me. Of course, (not unlike Grady and the boys) I am also the only person that understands them as well. I know when and how and where they like to eat. I know when and where and how much they need to do their business. I know when they need their quiet time, play time, snuggle time. Oddly, they know when I need mine. Meet the puggies. They've stolen my heart and everyone they've met. Wouldn't trade them for a million $$. My loves....<br />
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</div>Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-62831097198345265912010-10-22T11:33:00.000-04:002010-10-22T11:33:56.962-04:00I dare you.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rM67frZSt9quHLbOIT65DugCNVTZUkH5P4ncGgctcgVGVteHvZjrQFkQ92PN4f_0NJY7y0_XSg7hhFyliSk-gprHPEpHfKkEdpndkW6jx974B8U74B0balbje0G5o1u3bpWgk2cCoELT/s1600/picture-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rM67frZSt9quHLbOIT65DugCNVTZUkH5P4ncGgctcgVGVteHvZjrQFkQ92PN4f_0NJY7y0_XSg7hhFyliSk-gprHPEpHfKkEdpndkW6jx974B8U74B0balbje0G5o1u3bpWgk2cCoELT/s1600/picture-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
...to take a few minutes to go to this <a href="http://www.racetonowhere.com/">link</a>, watch the trailer and see this film.<br />
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Last night I was afforded the privilege of seeing a screening of <a href="http://www.racetonowhere.com/">Race to Nowhere</a>. We ended up on the front row and as a bonus got to sit near the director and have a few minutes one on one time with her. What an inspiring parent.<br />
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In a nutshell, it's no surprise to any of you that most of us are parenting kids who are running on a hamster wheel--but not only are the kids, but we the parents are too. (hmmmmm--what's wrong with this picture?)<br />
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I would encourage each of you to send this link to any educator and parent you know. This is a film which can't help but make you want to join in or start a grassroots movement in your community schools. I am working to get a screening for our school and neighborhood as we speak.<br />
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Please take 10 minutes on this. You'll be hearing more from me.Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-7180013348235572552010-10-17T09:13:00.001-04:002010-10-17T09:19:27.225-04:00I rode my butt off....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiq4Q8LQOIb_IwD5LYbarYxYB_DGsbP9s3q0i4mtVxk-sSbP_W6Uw3IwlZwMOqbkN03QnW_zaGNgujo4hoE5JQz66vVJxrgeLUjsUwJtuFQ4PDmbln09li-TOSqq-f5-z3JHNWAb_TrmO/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiq4Q8LQOIb_IwD5LYbarYxYB_DGsbP9s3q0i4mtVxk-sSbP_W6Uw3IwlZwMOqbkN03QnW_zaGNgujo4hoE5JQz66vVJxrgeLUjsUwJtuFQ4PDmbln09li-TOSqq-f5-z3JHNWAb_TrmO/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
...only to find when I fell into the bathtub after the race that it was still there! Dern!<br />
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I had quite the experience yesterday under the clearest blue skies, sunshine and cool breeze. I participated in the <a href="http://www.ysctourdepink.org/site/TR/Events/TourdePink?fr_id=1092&pg=entry">Tour de Pink</a>. It was one of those postcard days. I told my dear friend, Tracy who I was riding with that if I were a painter I definitely would paint this day.<br />
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Back to the race--50 miles on road bike---a little overly ambitious I learned. Fortunately, I was completely ignorant when it came to road races---otherwise I would have been scared to death and probably talked myself out of it. Once I was on the route with the 600 riders out to raise $$ for breast cancer there was no turning back. I would pass people that I couldn't believe were riding so I knew if they could do it surely I could too.<br />
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Fast forward--I did FINISH---but it was not easy. I heard your voice Collette--"Anything worth doing is hard."<br />
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Tracy was very supportive and although she could have left me in the dust, she stuck with my pace and encouraged me the whole way. We got to the 1st rest stop. I thought surely we'd already been 20 miles only to learn we'd been 6. (ewwwww) The next rest stop would be at 21 miles and I thought when I got off my bike I surely would not be able to get back on. Tracy made me eat a banana, apples, nuts, drink a gatorade, and re-fill our water bottles. We used the restroom and I was ready to get back on because I knew Grady and the boys would be at the 1/2 mark cheering us on. Easily found them at mile 25 for a quick photo op. 2 of the girls we started riding with called Tracy to say they had just crossed the finished line--OMG!! Through sign language, I tried to tell Grady I was in over my head and how could I go another 25 miles UPHILL---yes--I think 49 of the 50 miles were all uphill. I'm sure you're thinking "how could that be?" Keep reading.<br />
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We got to the last rest stop--Mile 35--only 15 to go----Yippee. That was a much needed rest and the volunteers were soooooo supportive and after re-fueling and laying on my bottom moaning for a few minutes in the grass--I knew the sooner we got back on the bike the sooner we'd be done. All I could think about was a steak dinner.<br />
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This is where you can start feeling sorry for me. We'd made it I thought about 43 miles---man---only a few more to go. Tracy told me she thought we were coming up on a REALLY LONG BIG hill. "Wait--what were the last 38 hills we did?" Anyway, I told her she was doing so well she could just power on ahead and I would meet her at the end. She said, "No--I will power up the hill, but I will wait for you. Just do whatever it takes to get up the hill. If you have to walk, walk it."<br />
<br />
I think she knew I was getting really fatigued and didn't want me to make a mistake on my bike that could cause an injury or accident. As I was on my own for a bit, I started to get a 2nd wind, knowing I'd accomplished over 80% of the race, the sun was on my back and Perimeter Mall couldn't be too far ahead. I was in the home stretch--until---unbeknownst to Tracy and I someone had manipulated the directional signs---Uh insert A_ _ hole!<br />
<br />
Experienced with road races, Tracy had determined there was no way the route would take us on Roswell Road so she turned back looking for me. Ignorant me, looked at Roswell Road, cussed to myself and thought--"the signs say turn left" I guess that's what I'll do. I am an idiot!! I started praying right there in the middle of Roswell Road. If I was lucky I would escape with my life. I couldn't believe this was the route but also I couldn't believe a lot of other things I'd seen this day so I plugged on. I did get on the sidewalk though and thought if I get pulled over i will just start crying and get the police officer to drop me off at Perimeter Mall. So I am trudging UPHILL on Roswell Road with half of Atlanta traffic whizzing by me at 70 miles an hour. I kept thinking I'll see a tour de pink sign at any moment---no signs. Lucky me, at this point my chain falls off. My hands were shaking so badly I didn't think I would get the chain back on, but I willed it back on and kept trudging---really trudging.<br />
<br />
After what I knew had been surely 10 miles with no signs I finally saw Spalding Drive. I knew I could get back to Perimeter via Spalding so with my tail between my legs I made an executive decision to go it alone and get off course. I had no gatorade or water left, my legs were shaking and I knew I had to finish.<br />
<br />
Shortly after turning on Spalding, a peace came over me as I saw about 6 riders coming towards me from the opposite direction across the street. I hollered at them--"are yall headed towards the finish line?" YES!!! They waited for me as I crossed the street and rode the last 3 miles with them. 2 of the riders were the cutest couple. He was actually pulling his wife's bike with her on it and riding himself up the hills we were cussing. Man---where was Grady?<br />
<br />
Obviously I really screwed up, and as a bonus I got to ride an extra 5-6 miles!! As I crossed the finish line behind riders who had ridden 100 miles I was just happy to see Tracy and talk to Grady on the phone. 55 miles for me---took me approximately 5-6 hours but done--CHECK!!<br />
<br />
I learned several really important lessons yesterday.<br />
1. I can do it.<br />
2. Always carry your cell phone.<br />
3. ALWAYS carry the map of the route.<br />
4. ALWAYS carry the map of the route.<br />
<br />
Thanks Tracy for believing in me. Thanks Grady, Brock, and Mac for hugging me at 25 miles. Thanks John McDonald for fixing me up with a bike. Thanks Richard for the steak dinner and thank you all for your support and contributions to a good cause.Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4035046983432743912.post-8563035478143239272010-09-05T23:58:00.000-04:002010-09-05T23:58:59.495-04:00Labor DazeHard work never hurt anyone, but here's hoping you all get a break from your labors.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NQ2AtAy-h81rNxjwLOKN-r0p4J-KvJ_4N93aM5_cONv6dvuQvt3NmkKa5OsEEoZzpLdYe6paAgfBC1THTnjezjLWiJXFBSfSMMVSjwTXJSQAzXW3cjKzjJ-212NY-jfAXExM4-Ek3-Od/s1600/DSC_0149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NQ2AtAy-h81rNxjwLOKN-r0p4J-KvJ_4N93aM5_cONv6dvuQvt3NmkKa5OsEEoZzpLdYe6paAgfBC1THTnjezjLWiJXFBSfSMMVSjwTXJSQAzXW3cjKzjJ-212NY-jfAXExM4-Ek3-Od/s320/DSC_0149.JPG" /></a></div>Amanda Thrasherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06785526577093895410noreply@blogger.com0