Jamaica: The BIG Day! (or... Day 3) PART 1

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999;">**for all pictures, click for a larger image to see the details :) ** </span></div><br />We woke up bright and early on Saturday morning, anxious to get our special day started.  I thought I would feel odd seeing Joel on the day of the wedding, when tradition states that you shouldn't see the groom beforehand.  However, it was no big deal.  We enjoyed a nice breakfast together in the morning, as Joel professed his nerves to me.  It was sweet, though I wasn't nervous at all.<br /><br />I was set for hair/makeup at 9 AM.  I scheduled a 60 minute Swedish massage for Joel at the same time.  The massage was the perfect antidote to relieve Joel's nerves - he said it was one of the best he's ever had!<br /><br />Meanwhile, I was busy being transformed into this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTvanmmqW-4MHNfVv7ta_YqTFhHHbpr8rhVU36DR13ibDFw9673yw_d3Gfjw756r3QjNZCY8uigy-KmlVFl3WE1sF157CMA9dcFO2302VbkwdiiXUbHCFYwm7AaPnPIItCAecVT6R0HU/s1600/hair.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTvanmmqW-4MHNfVv7ta_YqTFhHHbpr8rhVU36DR13ibDFw9673yw_d3Gfjw756r3QjNZCY8uigy-KmlVFl3WE1sF157CMA9dcFO2302VbkwdiiXUbHCFYwm7AaPnPIItCAecVT6R0HU/s400/hair.JPG" width="283" /></a></div><br />A special thank you to Wendy for doing an outstanding job on my hair and makeup, and to Marla for giving me a beautiful mani/pedi.  Wendy was like a magician - translating the hair picture I gave her for inspiration into exactly what I wanted.  At this point, I was truly feeling like a bride!  <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfDcd0dmyej_D3-I2JKhkg0ZN-MFmYO7wUQMwDxkPzwoubJ4xqyOxjlfpFjOsydlUGydGncphauPDVZE0jGdn7QdF4wrKicJQ9vni4wviHo_AQvfAZz2xisH0Cxltn6if-VcltAt9WJY/s1600/hair+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfDcd0dmyej_D3-I2JKhkg0ZN-MFmYO7wUQMwDxkPzwoubJ4xqyOxjlfpFjOsydlUGydGncphauPDVZE0jGdn7QdF4wrKicJQ9vni4wviHo_AQvfAZz2xisH0Cxltn6if-VcltAt9WJY/s400/hair+2.JPG" width="383" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wendy & Marla</td></tr></tbody></table>By the time I was done with the glam fairies, the time was approaching 10:30 AM and our wedding was scheduled for 11 AM!  I was getting a little nervous at this point - mainly because I didn't want to be late for my own wedding.  Joel had finished with his massage around the same time and only had about 10 minutes to get into his suit so that I could get back to the room to begin getting dressed.  In his anxious haste to exit the room, he ended up forgetting the wedding bands :). Oh, my nervous little groom.<br /><br />My dress assistant, Shantelle, picked me up at the salon to escort me back to the room where she assisted with the process of tying me up:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTnW6o6ZVzmSZTFGGnglTziIOcPZrsmcjgbthLoPQlRc3hXw6CczkWySXFkdzi1kM4vzfKVjKAPFHyJyok2ynbRD9DbL3-jLOMsfXjeQ6N11NmbnOQZxnR15vF5n6piO_1mjTLcE7Pv8/s1600/corset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTnW6o6ZVzmSZTFGGnglTziIOcPZrsmcjgbthLoPQlRc3hXw6CczkWySXFkdzi1kM4vzfKVjKAPFHyJyok2ynbRD9DbL3-jLOMsfXjeQ6N11NmbnOQZxnR15vF5n6piO_1mjTLcE7Pv8/s400/corset.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />Believe it or not, she had me all laced up and ready to go within 10 minutes!  I couldn't believe how fast she got me dressed and how awesome of a job she did with the corset.  It was flawless!<br /><br />As the photographer and videographer snapped and filmed away, I applied the finishing touches. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFeKi_7kdpoqlfbJN7n8k62ZaUe-VCI-DnqlPVdeYHcRSUSGqS96lnuU4s5PN5GYTeF9qnhUPwcgK22dKyXXtDVaNCc1vor6Gx8MFcLGJ3tjPfPXzTXm_DaeM3vYW5usfYI3rYPq5aqc/s1600/jewelry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFeKi_7kdpoqlfbJN7n8k62ZaUe-VCI-DnqlPVdeYHcRSUSGqS96lnuU4s5PN5GYTeF9qnhUPwcgK22dKyXXtDVaNCc1vor6Gx8MFcLGJ3tjPfPXzTXm_DaeM3vYW5usfYI3rYPq5aqc/s400/jewelry.JPG" width="287" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQMSmfoQMFeuM7Gf95_fOTbHsa-nTdVCxMV3SYrtF9q_i-lCgg45-IL-hu-qNvyVoeE6uPICEj_vJXXgO8e-dz7xMkTwuvccH5i_uh2vo46MXi9z-poU9EPb7ZLM414iRr6vCyUEMkQo/s1600/jewelry+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQMSmfoQMFeuM7Gf95_fOTbHsa-nTdVCxMV3SYrtF9q_i-lCgg45-IL-hu-qNvyVoeE6uPICEj_vJXXgO8e-dz7xMkTwuvccH5i_uh2vo46MXi9z-poU9EPb7ZLM414iRr6vCyUEMkQo/s400/jewelry+2.JPG" width="283" /></a></div><br />My earrings and bracelet came from <a href="http://www.silpada.com/">Silpada</a>.  My veil came from eBay for $25!  Sure, David's Bridal had a perfectly matching veil for my dress..... for $180!  I am SO GLAD I only spent what I did for my veil because as we speak it is hanging up with the dress right now, probably never to be worn again (unless a daughter would want it).  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9ayZM6dVgyc-kp90ahPkSEbFGCmsN3J9SudNRyeUTowYdwO4JKUdbKaurmrWTy5gVk5sYwf99FhW7xJKM5RYMVzUHu5u2mVvqoh5HooXNqZhe1dBBwwkJuU6u-Y9u-swbPAQk-rjGPA/s1600/veil.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9ayZM6dVgyc-kp90ahPkSEbFGCmsN3J9SudNRyeUTowYdwO4JKUdbKaurmrWTy5gVk5sYwf99FhW7xJKM5RYMVzUHu5u2mVvqoh5HooXNqZhe1dBBwwkJuU6u-Y9u-swbPAQk-rjGPA/s400/veil.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="color: #999999;">(By now you can see <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2012/05/jamaica-mun.html">which dress I picked</a>.  I wanted a vintage and lacy style dress, but I never imagined picking one that was so form fitting.  I couldn't help it - the minute I tried it on I loved it.)</div><br />I had something old (my grandmother's wedding band on my pinky), new (my dress) and blue (my underwear!).  And in a flash, it was time to walk down the aisle.  I was beyond excited at this point, and ready to run down the pier to meet Joel halfway.   <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLppnT4eSrhwTUI5IATOo2lP5Cuu8xaOEhiI7eMM46GPqL1ONFiRr4sowDuZKu-rg6qyGh6kB3j5MHPiroDuZZKrMLUQlWAUTSRUxjHfNUYM4FEeGZ_m-yTz5oXPaG8aXE5_eJiwglX2o/s1600/waiting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLppnT4eSrhwTUI5IATOo2lP5Cuu8xaOEhiI7eMM46GPqL1ONFiRr4sowDuZKu-rg6qyGh6kB3j5MHPiroDuZZKrMLUQlWAUTSRUxjHfNUYM4FEeGZ_m-yTz5oXPaG8aXE5_eJiwglX2o/s400/waiting.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqR8ayaBxNLhW5be9o9GpJNm1HDXfEnoDf63yRaIujDFrB0RjCf7UsbCYlH1NhUPWrI17d6Dr4Wmt8r8tcU4Gshh7U_CUXwTwGH9ALOCdiQJH9b4jcB4Wrr7-Vj4Lv5XUXN2HmoYWM928/s1600/joel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqR8ayaBxNLhW5be9o9GpJNm1HDXfEnoDf63yRaIujDFrB0RjCf7UsbCYlH1NhUPWrI17d6Dr4Wmt8r8tcU4Gshh7U_CUXwTwGH9ALOCdiQJH9b4jcB4Wrr7-Vj4Lv5XUXN2HmoYWM928/s400/joel.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />Our wedding day was fortunately and unfortunately the windiest day of our trip.  It was great because it helped cool us off, but bad because my hair was blowing everywhere.  My veil also started to come lose from my head, so Venecia tucked it into the back of my dress for the ceremony.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wkfuIxhN1WuG9M6Hxbl8XkqKf0REfbP-68FdOsMgee32xJUC2ef6qbWuf0t1JwSnx70TjxAQ_xuGsMX1NnCekz-g0pbW9v1QT-IhD7-UvqZVn3ab8K6IgJgI5rP0hXNtAY9lHIrgbbA/s1600/meet+joel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wkfuIxhN1WuG9M6Hxbl8XkqKf0REfbP-68FdOsMgee32xJUC2ef6qbWuf0t1JwSnx70TjxAQ_xuGsMX1NnCekz-g0pbW9v1QT-IhD7-UvqZVn3ab8K6IgJgI5rP0hXNtAY9lHIrgbbA/s400/meet+joel.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JO2lAgbNrvFLGpX8PmVyWu0lyBZxZzSTgPPtA9JFO0rEZIZrTd_CHqNTzO-0oYFc-VzQWPTLXdEMe9k0emOf5z2-G1t_wHZpRhL2FqFygeUqG3_TGoShBCxvm4CaSEmU1p9j16l8DVY/s1600/walking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JO2lAgbNrvFLGpX8PmVyWu0lyBZxZzSTgPPtA9JFO0rEZIZrTd_CHqNTzO-0oYFc-VzQWPTLXdEMe9k0emOf5z2-G1t_wHZpRhL2FqFygeUqG3_TGoShBCxvm4CaSEmU1p9j16l8DVY/s400/walking.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><br />As much as I didn't want to spend the money to have a video filmed of the ceremony, I'm so glad we did because I don't really remember much about the actual vows.  I was distracted by the wind, my hair blowing in my face, the veil slowly coming loose, and worrying about how the pictures would turn out to really remember what was going on.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY56PpbBWlkG8Mofn4lGRo0pZG_Wa8o8c7jje5dMbrmMBB3tLZecz0RczAFru4LDkxXhgtiAbyjX_xWX6ADJzH-KZS7FT_0ukkmCw9KLz5Qe9xVban1U5pad9TJeaVcqCYVLs9aBD4pBw/s1600/022_22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY56PpbBWlkG8Mofn4lGRo0pZG_Wa8o8c7jje5dMbrmMBB3tLZecz0RczAFru4LDkxXhgtiAbyjX_xWX6ADJzH-KZS7FT_0ukkmCw9KLz5Qe9xVban1U5pad9TJeaVcqCYVLs9aBD4pBw/s400/022_22.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />And just as past brides warned me, the ceremony seemed to go by very quickly.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswBIVx_Pa-MDp4IPJxKNzHMgOnoqPp4Mh2oaA4ookeL9JtvkOVMVzCIFT5d9H83nZMMC5dJWTx_tTuWd7G0O6r8iR_BAmhbZSExkUeBlj0Vf1gbVLp2HDVvTi5uV1z9CPIcw_IIY1XtQ/s1600/026_26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswBIVx_Pa-MDp4IPJxKNzHMgOnoqPp4Mh2oaA4ookeL9JtvkOVMVzCIFT5d9H83nZMMC5dJWTx_tTuWd7G0O6r8iR_BAmhbZSExkUeBlj0Vf1gbVLp2HDVvTi5uV1z9CPIcw_IIY1XtQ/s400/026_26.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />But, pictures are priceless moments in time.  Sitting here writing this I tear up looking at these photos, especially these next few.  It was such an emotional milestone in our lives - exchanging our vows before God and each other in a lovely setting.  It was perfect.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51TyiARjr5M30vZZ-woJT89altqMnjEQTW-IdupJEFzmkBrHXvxjRks0QEavXWYaiBaoS5RoexDXobGjyTc1e1pT4gy0VIYRdFB3qPZ3rE922lfp2K7YMpGMXzk-AEYc_Dbrh9A6V0cw/s1600/027_27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51TyiARjr5M30vZZ-woJT89altqMnjEQTW-IdupJEFzmkBrHXvxjRks0QEavXWYaiBaoS5RoexDXobGjyTc1e1pT4gy0VIYRdFB3qPZ3rE922lfp2K7YMpGMXzk-AEYc_Dbrh9A6V0cw/s400/027_27.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2MSdr7iXKmxyhl0RgW4LM5bYCZ9QWjtaSYKrJmUPvwVnrV0aiZ7GMNjt3Zstj720-Rta7Lb20ZYpALNrTrAWjPD9vU68oUjIk3ORn3FHTQTSacObqNtRd6VJCaYbyjFiW6au5pWPELk/s1600/029_29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2MSdr7iXKmxyhl0RgW4LM5bYCZ9QWjtaSYKrJmUPvwVnrV0aiZ7GMNjt3Zstj720-Rta7Lb20ZYpALNrTrAWjPD9vU68oUjIk3ORn3FHTQTSacObqNtRd6VJCaYbyjFiW6au5pWPELk/s400/029_29.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />And before I knew it, it was time to pronounce us Mr. & Mrs. Joel Busbee!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3dY-MAjSEjRHGw4XnHehrX17b5hJXWJzHfA6SzIubi3pCcds1YRftBLQdqIOTcXEmXXx3GuQvCs0n42h5w8O-CH13AnkMvC2p37u1XHXf6djLUZA9vZYl9zcUTNRCT8Ha_OlqPYbu08/s1600/first+kiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3dY-MAjSEjRHGw4XnHehrX17b5hJXWJzHfA6SzIubi3pCcds1YRftBLQdqIOTcXEmXXx3GuQvCs0n42h5w8O-CH13AnkMvC2p37u1XHXf6djLUZA9vZYl9zcUTNRCT8Ha_OlqPYbu08/s400/first+kiss.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><br />I think the pictures clearly demonstrate my emotions of how I felt in this exact moment.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXCt87HQTSp7MflzA_MYLmPX3RX14ejKt1EUmLK1lGiebQf7wzE4sjD3FPkI2R-H8m_RukZfwQzQI8kP3Nl0jsII9SWOztos9KN7ZZLkXyCFjGAfiDP7HVko_-xwIU5WRwBzaDtNWa4A/s1600/032_32.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXCt87HQTSp7MflzA_MYLmPX3RX14ejKt1EUmLK1lGiebQf7wzE4sjD3FPkI2R-H8m_RukZfwQzQI8kP3Nl0jsII9SWOztos9KN7ZZLkXyCFjGAfiDP7HVko_-xwIU5WRwBzaDtNWa4A/s400/032_32.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />We walked back down the aisle to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_DKWlrA24k&list=FL5_Klc2e7_Pv9iRZlVzY-YQ&index=2&feature=plpp_video">Somewhere Over the Rainbow by IZ</a>.  I lived in Kansas City, MO for work right at the very beginning of our relationship.  The Wizard of Oz became our little "thing" and I had always said I would wear ruby slippers on our wedding day.  Well, I didn't wear ruby slippers but we did walk down the aisle to that song, and it was so fitting.  The song is sung with a Caribbean/beachy/Hawaiian feel to it. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnb_x1JAXIKcz6_pvr7Xo4QW4mlue9VoMk0GBUgNh5Z-8ZKOCySUAM6Y9aeOPpOiAyKdxa05GFNgM6mq9tFS5gAtmOYMj1ZbekOp92SJu3HMlrQ-xmF8sdPY58rAtoR_9aoMM8i2d9g0/s1600/035_35.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmnb_x1JAXIKcz6_pvr7Xo4QW4mlue9VoMk0GBUgNh5Z-8ZKOCySUAM6Y9aeOPpOiAyKdxa05GFNgM6mq9tFS5gAtmOYMj1ZbekOp92SJu3HMlrQ-xmF8sdPY58rAtoR_9aoMM8i2d9g0/s400/035_35.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />After our walk down the aisle, we signed our marriage documents to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6tV11acSRk&list=FL5_Klc2e7_Pv9iRZlVzY-YQ&index=3&feature=plpp_video">Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6vbce_oF8kLMQ0mD3rfaGpN7R5eDR8O2pno5ckALLvPOcdhlVCzAKvCDv7tYh2tdhZ8JSrnmtJQLADdCiwpdWMNnehXmC_i7mDtoCqyXoDxD4nsrsN_POuPLSPfKEHU18U1F1tTgpZw/s1600/041_41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6vbce_oF8kLMQ0mD3rfaGpN7R5eDR8O2pno5ckALLvPOcdhlVCzAKvCDv7tYh2tdhZ8JSrnmtJQLADdCiwpdWMNnehXmC_i7mDtoCqyXoDxD4nsrsN_POuPLSPfKEHU18U1F1tTgpZw/s400/041_41.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />Roderick, our photographer, captured many moments on the beach before we proceeded to the cake cutting and first dance.  I am a person who loves pictures and I wanted to ensure that our official pictures were as perfect as possible.  I knew I was going to get sweaty, so we carried around napkins to blot my face and I instructed Joel on how to fix my hair.  Unfortunately, the Roderick didn't much care about those details, so many-a-picture was taken with hair plastered across my sweaty forehead.  Thankfully, I have Photoshop skills!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEanitav4oV-BV-MjV1Yu_lIdBgnrExR4TKqh2Cxx0U8AnxGiME7T2iLIRbkvWIxr2ez-k1a5eLKmDpDuACJdoWCmrCU7YfPzlTXZ8hxD31nG6fqlaopgqaMMBiDcDsVrTVG6IzDRJW4g/s1600/048_48+%282%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEanitav4oV-BV-MjV1Yu_lIdBgnrExR4TKqh2Cxx0U8AnxGiME7T2iLIRbkvWIxr2ez-k1a5eLKmDpDuACJdoWCmrCU7YfPzlTXZ8hxD31nG6fqlaopgqaMMBiDcDsVrTVG6IzDRJW4g/s400/048_48+%282%29.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWiGTDo1H4nR8qShaxCXiO0csj9lETSuolJo2r2KsrArW7ZcF9B4C3pdrqk666yt1q5VZvmn3RXxU2Veqly1FY9nxTWsvQaMESNF2lH85LaHkKo59DaR3_ylgjWBOVOUf4dgNhd6LTAw/s1600/051_51+%282%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWiGTDo1H4nR8qShaxCXiO0csj9lETSuolJo2r2KsrArW7ZcF9B4C3pdrqk666yt1q5VZvmn3RXxU2Veqly1FY9nxTWsvQaMESNF2lH85LaHkKo59DaR3_ylgjWBOVOUf4dgNhd6LTAw/s400/051_51+%282%29.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />This was Joel's favorite picture:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoDGAAGvuu-KrOOlTWphFc_obZiVUc0nxEvTRPQiquAtWtNXHmhUegKq50QGD-ZIqAlF9TKdXvzGeqJCaDqwLbSGtWqvFsB_jF_doZB2E3nHoP7aw2H6jMOaLd5nncOt_X9LcTnxWyQU/s1600/054_54+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoDGAAGvuu-KrOOlTWphFc_obZiVUc0nxEvTRPQiquAtWtNXHmhUegKq50QGD-ZIqAlF9TKdXvzGeqJCaDqwLbSGtWqvFsB_jF_doZB2E3nHoP7aw2H6jMOaLd5nncOt_X9LcTnxWyQU/s400/054_54+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />I cannot wait to show you MINE! ;)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR27lA276Hb5qEUTm3GupedCA4X_ZAWDt3-AVBzphyphenhyphenYFzH8QQ2ecVAMUs2h8r3zBpQRG7yrLpqMn0nfIG0GYT7_HbIRaciJL2lxSlo4acIGdsxUY9L-7PDDhAoYFAzBc9Auqb114PUiXs/s1600/050_50.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR27lA276Hb5qEUTm3GupedCA4X_ZAWDt3-AVBzphyphenhyphenYFzH8QQ2ecVAMUs2h8r3zBpQRG7yrLpqMn0nfIG0GYT7_HbIRaciJL2lxSlo4acIGdsxUY9L-7PDDhAoYFAzBc9Auqb114PUiXs/s400/050_50.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />I am an "attention to detail" kind of person.  In fact, that trait alone caused me madness when planning the first wedding.  I wanted every little thing to be perfect for <i>me</i>, nevermind that others would not necessarily notice.  It made me crazy!  Even though our Sandals wedding was pretty much taken care of for us, I still had opportunities to insert my own ideas into the day as well.  Take my wedding shoes for example:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4PtdvN5zGKctkLQ28dnzS3RCZFZ2I7K_k1rGzRYjaE25Az2xtQq_Q27XmX0-7ymw5GlZSOQy2LWr-BuKOXUxJXFOkHVaje5T1M2jJYAvWOV8Alv-vWX61OobP48nelCTmplY1VFMxEQ/s1600/052_52+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4PtdvN5zGKctkLQ28dnzS3RCZFZ2I7K_k1rGzRYjaE25Az2xtQq_Q27XmX0-7ymw5GlZSOQy2LWr-BuKOXUxJXFOkHVaje5T1M2jJYAvWOV8Alv-vWX61OobP48nelCTmplY1VFMxEQ/s400/052_52+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I also chose to paint my nails purple, rather than going with the traditional French manicure, in keeping with the colors that I would have chosen for our first wedding.  Not only that, but purple was my grandmother's favorite color and the color of her wedding dress when her and my grandfather wed on Halloween oh-so-many years ago.  <br /><br />I also had 2 wedding bands - 1 in rose gold and 1 in white gold.  The resulting 3 band look symbolizes God, husband and wife.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i style="color: #351c75;">.....A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. ~Ecclesiastes 4:12</i></b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXjtFX_i_UOyMly-Uj1_FaaKTgHH7e6d3YGddK9Go-cnhIde9rFd6RAOgYlEd_KZUv3DkIks2pNlQUO0MjQYH6b2_qf0odVMa2ZHU8MzjzIt9zslRDqbK5eqNH2Cd7OZ9FJGWrytXjdU/s1600/053_53+%282%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXjtFX_i_UOyMly-Uj1_FaaKTgHH7e6d3YGddK9Go-cnhIde9rFd6RAOgYlEd_KZUv3DkIks2pNlQUO0MjQYH6b2_qf0odVMa2ZHU8MzjzIt9zslRDqbK5eqNH2Cd7OZ9FJGWrytXjdU/s400/053_53+%282%29.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />We had our first dance to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GpXYKp7_Qw&list=FL5_Klc2e7_Pv9iRZlVzY-YQ&index=1&feature=plpp_video">Keith Whitley's version of When You Say Nothing At All</a>.  This is kind of a joke for us because Joel hasn't quite gotten over how much I love to talk yet, even after 5 years together.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-xWA-YOPu6GSSKhGde6kYzFRy7R9OJjcMRV_oCWl1ob_qwUxk1Obqm9592wDeliBAWz6Gnbv1D65vligbzVpgnt15TGQEDfz8GostXXwJiiSOGSQ63K6ZhCqVjxfQumAdNv8Dk3nv4Q/s1600/056_56.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-xWA-YOPu6GSSKhGde6kYzFRy7R9OJjcMRV_oCWl1ob_qwUxk1Obqm9592wDeliBAWz6Gnbv1D65vligbzVpgnt15TGQEDfz8GostXXwJiiSOGSQ63K6ZhCqVjxfQumAdNv8Dk3nv4Q/s400/056_56.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />Then we cut our Carribbean fruit-flavored cake!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RWYvZF1P6fGXQcI_M6O4waoZAvrfmOuUZMSjEsSXytEfOdE-f7PFn60bNVq3izuFjatXePyJzJt3jBg6QzTQsyLVk5mS_TTPGEipKWDbYTlhM0MMrrA45E9m9RXbEcv9u0sBkAsfX-k/s1600/063_63.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RWYvZF1P6fGXQcI_M6O4waoZAvrfmOuUZMSjEsSXytEfOdE-f7PFn60bNVq3izuFjatXePyJzJt3jBg6QzTQsyLVk5mS_TTPGEipKWDbYTlhM0MMrrA45E9m9RXbEcv9u0sBkAsfX-k/s400/063_63.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />And honestly, I didn't want to select a picture of me being fed.  Even with a wedding photo, I don't really like capturing moments of me doing something that I'm not proud of!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MFB1Bet2MAwFCbcq_yESfF8GkDwYAg6LbKDwNL-P8JQ27UbroCNkLA4YvBjTZ_tRoV0IzfyZ1Uo_Ii5kEmrxitRLsi0OpPIgLzUu5Is_AqU93y-ppNr0pK_VI6zYTPBb4_-D2uurvYc/s1600/cake+feeding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MFB1Bet2MAwFCbcq_yESfF8GkDwYAg6LbKDwNL-P8JQ27UbroCNkLA4YvBjTZ_tRoV0IzfyZ1Uo_Ii5kEmrxitRLsi0OpPIgLzUu5Is_AqU93y-ppNr0pK_VI6zYTPBb4_-D2uurvYc/s400/cake+feeding.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I was definitely okay with some champagne though :).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1N2STDrtf56WmubGXw22Obu8QWHnm80vvUk2iketokIbbV5amPzA_lRHh_5lnFFjRnEaIyTTc1CtFEY-ghCIL6Z0SKdEsosoLQVoMsHl497Ui4EgvSXVtB2VikJko4Folp3VHJhR2N4/s1600/cake+cutting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1N2STDrtf56WmubGXw22Obu8QWHnm80vvUk2iketokIbbV5amPzA_lRHh_5lnFFjRnEaIyTTc1CtFEY-ghCIL6Z0SKdEsosoLQVoMsHl497Ui4EgvSXVtB2VikJko4Folp3VHJhR2N4/s400/cake+cutting.jpg" width="257" /></a></div><br />We were served hors d'oeuvres, more champagne and a slice of our cake before we continued with the rest of our pictures. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxr3aSO6GuhAP3SZpRDExHF4rTxqdcusvTgl4YcinDylNgMM8xfumhAxiDOvWooUhUUyxQcNx7ibQiH5Lwf3iPf21TA5-bVGHpYHuXEmZRTy3a24h7L_RdXxaIEg1PpZL09s-bdT7WppY/s1600/eating+time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxr3aSO6GuhAP3SZpRDExHF4rTxqdcusvTgl4YcinDylNgMM8xfumhAxiDOvWooUhUUyxQcNx7ibQiH5Lwf3iPf21TA5-bVGHpYHuXEmZRTy3a24h7L_RdXxaIEg1PpZL09s-bdT7WppY/s400/eating+time.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />

Jamaica Montego Bay Sandals wedding Jamaica: The BIG Day! (or... Day 3) PART 1

**for all pictures, click for a larger image to see the details :) ** We woke up bright and early on Saturday morning, anxious to get our sp...

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SYRIEN KONFLIKT

<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">               <span style="color: red;"> Eine objektive Syrienanalyse </span></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="266" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ImvT39JQINA?feature=player_embedded" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: blue;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Eine objektive Analyse über den tatsächlichen Hintergrund des Syrienkonfliktes und die Geopolitischen Interessen der USA, Europas, Saudi Arabien, Russland, China und der Türkei an Syrien und den Mittelmeerraum.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> 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mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style><![endif]--> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;">Unten angeführte links zu „Geopolitical Analysis and Monitoring“ Syrien Analysen bekräftigen die Aussagen von Karin Leukefeld <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>im Youtube Interview.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/06/russia-and-syria.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/06/russia-and-syria.html</a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;"><a 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href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/06/syria-feasts-and-rites-of-confusion.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/06/syria-feasts-and-rites-of-confusion.html</a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/01/strait-of-hormuz-and-syria.html"><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/01/strait-of-hormuz-and-syria.html</span></a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2011/08/saudia-arabia-usa-turkey-versus-iran.html"><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2011/08/saudia-arabia-usa-turkey-versus-iran.html</span></a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/06/syria-israel-iran-and-usa.html"><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/06/syria-israel-iran-and-usa.html</span></a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a 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SYRIEN KONFLIKT

                Eine objektive Syrienanalyse  Eine objektive Analyse über den tatsächlichen Hintergrund des Syrienkonfliktes und die ...

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i wear my sunglasses at night - deck reveal

Ding dong, the deck is done! I mentioned...what, 4 weeks ago, that we'd started some <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2012/05/party-in-front-business-in-back.html" target="_blank">repair work to the deck</a>. Well, as with any reno project, replacing two boards turned into 11 and a new wider staircase and stain and hell, let's just throw in some new furniture while we're at it!<br /><br />But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's remember how this all began. (picture me with my best 'thinking back' soap opera face)<br /><br />Here is the deck on the day we bought the house. Glorious to people with new house googles on. They're like beer googles, only they last longer than just one night. Our inspector had told us at the time that the stairs were rotting and should be replaced within the year. That was six years ago. (Don't you wish you had bought a flesh colored house?)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmJrQqOGrmSO4SWEO0t_Se1Xx9FpC6OthDaCsBcl46R0iKJUhENI8cG7EbepVTsqkGvx8BZRjqXN6ZWaAjjMuExD1oE2VPggEsPMjfiNPHr8bhxjXNDQ8J2ZfpaWzjvzskbzcKtoMWXl9/s1600/LBDOldDeck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmJrQqOGrmSO4SWEO0t_Se1Xx9FpC6OthDaCsBcl46R0iKJUhENI8cG7EbepVTsqkGvx8BZRjqXN6ZWaAjjMuExD1oE2VPggEsPMjfiNPHr8bhxjXNDQ8J2ZfpaWzjvzskbzcKtoMWXl9/s640/LBDOldDeck.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Every spring and every fall we would put the deck on our to-do list. And every summer and every winter would go by with the same wobbly stairs and rotting boards.</span><br />We used the space less and less until it just became a place for the girls to use their sidewalk chalk. Finally after sitting outside with the girls, drawing yet another hopscotch, I noticed our dog (a 22 pound beagle) going down the stairs. You would have thought there was an earthquake on those suckers.<br /><span style="background-color: white;"><br />If the stairs couldn't support 22 pounds...well you get where I'm going with that. So the project moved up to the top of the list. </span><br /><br />While getting supplies at Home Depot the fatal words were uttered, "If we're going to replace the stairs let's just replace those two boards on the floor as well." Now I'm not going to point fingers or name names, but this suggestion was made by someone who's name rhymes with suke (Luke, that's you.)<br /><br />When the two boards came up they gave a lovely view of 9 more boards that needed to be replaced as well. I swear I hear the deck laugh at us. Nieve suckers. Good times. So back to Home Depot, which brings us back to the here and now.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70cX-FYUFcdYKqKGy8yewyDjcE694AVjLn1YEEYrDD1yvndZkkpLAE9rKuYgJd1gVvsR0iDqsbfKw_HO8U_V-986uJ7VnOTNrcaha7aWb2kZAi4XHWJat6qdGqUHpBFZgQave7F4Dk5vZ/s1600/LBDDeckBefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70cX-FYUFcdYKqKGy8yewyDjcE694AVjLn1YEEYrDD1yvndZkkpLAE9rKuYgJd1gVvsR0iDqsbfKw_HO8U_V-986uJ7VnOTNrcaha7aWb2kZAi4XHWJat6qdGqUHpBFZgQave7F4Dk5vZ/s640/LBDDeckBefore.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />After only mild cussing and grunting the handy hubs got to work and replaced all the offending boards in pretty quick order.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzZt1sugO5G4NApx4rd00TYgueL4pi4hteL2Q5GOTwcWfAA99yyuxyZwnPXqfi9MQHyR3Uf3i53Se9e8s1Zlf63Ls4FuJCs2idKzyEtfgWYzJRvPziwc_nug5Vy2MJxLgMCTSvQE9zIlF/s1600/LBDDeckProgress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzZt1sugO5G4NApx4rd00TYgueL4pi4hteL2Q5GOTwcWfAA99yyuxyZwnPXqfi9MQHyR3Uf3i53Se9e8s1Zlf63Ls4FuJCs2idKzyEtfgWYzJRvPziwc_nug5Vy2MJxLgMCTSvQE9zIlF/s640/LBDDeckProgress.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Which ment we could finally get to the part of the project that we were supposed to be doing in the first place - the stairs. Mid stair progress though I realized I liked how nice and wide(r) the deck felt with some of the railing removed.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9vHERATHrk7tJTLU87k8_TAUimV5D4DPYE0COEaei9aKXbqy2RVukyK51WXU0eC5ZPilbfVh0Y4aw5df3wzvAV61fQuPnPt4yu2cNQroo1bpHf12X2dPLLSc9torveV7W276kiQxP2vI/s1600/LBDBeforeStairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9vHERATHrk7tJTLU87k8_TAUimV5D4DPYE0COEaei9aKXbqy2RVukyK51WXU0eC5ZPilbfVh0Y4aw5df3wzvAV61fQuPnPt4yu2cNQroo1bpHf12X2dPLLSc9torveV7W276kiQxP2vI/s640/LBDBeforeStairs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deck work makes the whole yard messy</td></tr></tbody></table><br />"My dear, I know you already made the frame for the stairs, but...could we make the stairs wider?"<br />"Sure, no problem."<br />I love a man who gives me the right answer.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCVqnaRCJYiL3fYrK4Td8dKDZuw6sBD6_HZvGDRk8ylUi8_zMSeXMG4NyXowFFAB6HEXTLQAFDSF_8Fknsc7Cz5XdHiyklmpjPMKYIACD1ZJM_SGbdQ7GXnT6eew5K9vKOJOkzLvyDnKa/s1600/LBDDeckStairProgress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCVqnaRCJYiL3fYrK4Td8dKDZuw6sBD6_HZvGDRk8ylUi8_zMSeXMG4NyXowFFAB6HEXTLQAFDSF_8Fknsc7Cz5XdHiyklmpjPMKYIACD1ZJM_SGbdQ7GXnT6eew5K9vKOJOkzLvyDnKa/s640/LBDDeckStairProgress.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proof that he was almost done laying the stairs when I asked him to make it bigger</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />With the deck and stairs repaired and in great shape, it was time to stain and protect all of <strike>our </strike>his hard work. We had done a lot of research on various stains and decided to go with a new product at Home Depot, <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=202692167&storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&PID=1319015&cm_mmc=CJ-_-1319015-_-10368321&cpncode=33-60570732-2&AID=10368321&cj=true&srccode=cii_13736960" target="_blank">Restore Deck Liquid Armor</a>.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUtBDiODD1yjRw5l89kUoBSnrC3hJNOLYf0W-2sPi8H0C1AN7uA-nLqig3JhBGOvV1YO74Fktc9bWJIYQBrfWTKlqmTlSDkspnzdlmBP2DKSg3SpqxwyxG4sDHBnMxCvIHR3XosLnuY3b/s1600/LBDRestoreBox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUtBDiODD1yjRw5l89kUoBSnrC3hJNOLYf0W-2sPi8H0C1AN7uA-nLqig3JhBGOvV1YO74Fktc9bWJIYQBrfWTKlqmTlSDkspnzdlmBP2DKSg3SpqxwyxG4sDHBnMxCvIHR3XosLnuY3b/s640/LBDRestoreBox.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restore Deck Liquid Armor</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Our deck is surrounded by 100+ year old oak trees and the poor thing gets pummeled all year around by whatever those trees feel like dropping on it. So we were intrigued by this stain as it adds a bit of coverage from the elements in addition to just sealing the wood. All of the reviews we read online were positive and at such a great price point, we figured it was worth a try.<br /><br />And I'm happy to tell you that this stuff rocks! There are several colors to pick from and we found the color to be a true match to the chips.<br /><br />It's important to note though that this stuff is like peanut butter so a standard wood paint stirrer thing isn't going to cut it.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2rMbli8zowWcTkcN3SsSq4sHLgiI5zKJPKzFgX4pEzay553DdA9D4Me2mHg0EoxtE2iCxCyibLKV1DjS1aD6HnLt5nmQr8_PVwwhtCd5dLlHouAQ4mh3FUPMNMWfFyGU5vWJj3Rn2Vg_/s1600/LBDRestoreTight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2rMbli8zowWcTkcN3SsSq4sHLgiI5zKJPKzFgX4pEzay553DdA9D4Me2mHg0EoxtE2iCxCyibLKV1DjS1aD6HnLt5nmQr8_PVwwhtCd5dLlHouAQ4mh3FUPMNMWfFyGU5vWJj3Rn2Vg_/s640/LBDRestoreTight.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">You've got to pull out the big guns and get yourself a mixer attachment for your drill. Happy Father's Day!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tzg_IolXaB1rR_q2RKAwOESvDeDoilT62XGn4FT5ojtqOEDkJIH4KFrT_h70Qb0WqZt-MiG8qsAVIa94dVQNoloF6X24F0mYiGjqcCJRlcJ2LlTQSAAIocHFJ1f014YTu7PQBe94X_l9/s1600/LBDDeckMix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tzg_IolXaB1rR_q2RKAwOESvDeDoilT62XGn4FT5ojtqOEDkJIH4KFrT_h70Qb0WqZt-MiG8qsAVIa94dVQNoloF6X24F0mYiGjqcCJRlcJ2LlTQSAAIocHFJ1f014YTu7PQBe94X_l9/s640/LBDDeckMix.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Once mixed you just roll it on like a regular stain.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7gh-f6-LVAAu_68DDo3KhY2dXlSuOhbnJJNci_NUn-Q5dqNopGKAgboV69JG7mGZpsHOMz9dAMrJTo7huXwKQxJ0POjgI_fqgcryt6axQGmav8yvHmn0qB662sWJhOLLBrsY1b1LP3AL/s1600/LBDDeckFloorProgress.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7gh-f6-LVAAu_68DDo3KhY2dXlSuOhbnJJNci_NUn-Q5dqNopGKAgboV69JG7mGZpsHOMz9dAMrJTo7huXwKQxJ0POjgI_fqgcryt6axQGmav8yvHmn0qB662sWJhOLLBrsY1b1LP3AL/s640/LBDDeckFloorProgress.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />There is a great deal of splash that happens so make sure to wear long pants as this stuff takes a bit of elbow grease to get off your skin.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0oN31NPFTCehbK79tXvq3mrIeW94fOsIgPXL7Aksf2A63pu1RSSdoIqzgcD2PmJ6IZXRrtyCNQje_fB5AL9NwuzNAuL45L6O16dMR-Qyt7pmyRgdCTbfaUjPUS_mXBhSeej15C3K9m0x/s1600/LBDDeckSplatter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0oN31NPFTCehbK79tXvq3mrIeW94fOsIgPXL7Aksf2A63pu1RSSdoIqzgcD2PmJ6IZXRrtyCNQje_fB5AL9NwuzNAuL45L6O16dMR-Qyt7pmyRgdCTbfaUjPUS_mXBhSeej15C3K9m0x/s640/LBDDeckSplatter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">One coat on and it was time to turn our attention to those horrible railings. Although that wood was in good shape, the ugly color was bringing down my pretty new gray. So we settled into a very long day of painting. every. freakin. spindle. three. times.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4jn0wVl9dH21Y-V9kuMi0rdqqI1HHn4NZnjH8sovUlJ8iXF9n_mmg2vNyV7soiANAUW5Ekt8-bXF0rp7EKP4_0UeP3ejmy2g1xKRMX4QjJBeu9ntejRjzAzA8Gg5yskZSxBaiTycsJWt/s1600/LBDDeckFirstCoat.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4jn0wVl9dH21Y-V9kuMi0rdqqI1HHn4NZnjH8sovUlJ8iXF9n_mmg2vNyV7soiANAUW5Ekt8-bXF0rp7EKP4_0UeP3ejmy2g1xKRMX4QjJBeu9ntejRjzAzA8Gg5yskZSxBaiTycsJWt/s640/LBDDeckFirstCoat.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />But, it was worth it. We now have a brighter, tougher deck who is ready to party.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpHf7NP8z2wRrw-iPC6w66DAgfZSJzJiQu5yGDkofl9V8f3kd6PCqHp9z_2KWGuLpnTByQRfrc7iZriSzLmgdXLa-qvUT-GHlE7TnZbr0BTS_alCbn4DC0kL3eFKUAW4U1ReEeLs-8KOk/s1600/LBDDeckFloorAfter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpHf7NP8z2wRrw-iPC6w66DAgfZSJzJiQu5yGDkofl9V8f3kd6PCqHp9z_2KWGuLpnTByQRfrc7iZriSzLmgdXLa-qvUT-GHlE7TnZbr0BTS_alCbn4DC0kL3eFKUAW4U1ReEeLs-8KOk/s640/LBDDeckFloorAfter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">Zoey surveying her land from the new, wider, staircase. Did you know that sawdust kills weeds? And grass? Great for the patio, not so much for the grass around it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvc9PKwXrHpxe2fNHKENHElJtLAhT-wrhRtYuS11q5xugo_fff7EAruP0wn-mm2VflU2clfN7pqWdDX0A6grFoFj22GgwTh1A-agszLg20vsvwoMJJP0RH0MQeniqTyRqOlPwQOy01Ngoo/s1600/LBDDeckStairsAfter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvc9PKwXrHpxe2fNHKENHElJtLAhT-wrhRtYuS11q5xugo_fff7EAruP0wn-mm2VflU2clfN7pqWdDX0A6grFoFj22GgwTh1A-agszLg20vsvwoMJJP0RH0MQeniqTyRqOlPwQOy01Ngoo/s640/LBDDeckStairsAfter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The thing that started it all, the stairs. We are liking how open it is without the railings but obviously will need to add those...someday.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JJRyGuOkoRcuf4fSQKs7_ju7nvk7YWY-NIZH4YGveGnqn4L-dyygV8mrnTAZoFUy6ZBsPtka6TQbIpSEXBSaB_Fl56rSk9TSpIBZGSVn_AOHFFjHXWiWMXpYdJQtNVmZI72RnCoTLeCG/s1600/LBDDeckStairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JJRyGuOkoRcuf4fSQKs7_ju7nvk7YWY-NIZH4YGveGnqn4L-dyygV8mrnTAZoFUy6ZBsPtka6TQbIpSEXBSaB_Fl56rSk9TSpIBZGSVn_AOHFFjHXWiWMXpYdJQtNVmZI72RnCoTLeCG/s640/LBDDeckStairs.jpg" width="592" /></a></div><br />A little before and after action for you. Before...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmJrQqOGrmSO4SWEO0t_Se1Xx9FpC6OthDaCsBcl46R0iKJUhENI8cG7EbepVTsqkGvx8BZRjqXN6ZWaAjjMuExD1oE2VPggEsPMjfiNPHr8bhxjXNDQ8J2ZfpaWzjvzskbzcKtoMWXl9/s1600/LBDOldDeck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmJrQqOGrmSO4SWEO0t_Se1Xx9FpC6OthDaCsBcl46R0iKJUhENI8cG7EbepVTsqkGvx8BZRjqXN6ZWaAjjMuExD1oE2VPggEsPMjfiNPHr8bhxjXNDQ8J2ZfpaWzjvzskbzcKtoMWXl9/s640/LBDOldDeck.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />And after. We went ahead and painted the french doors to match our front door (black) and added some lanterns from Home Goods to act as sconces. I'd love to have some real sconces out there someday. I tell ya, I could keep an electrician busy for weeks around this joint. (We painted the house a few years back)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbYGr1ySf3ao0iUswzzzHLagJX3w6Xj69SwSDnIUBf1mBo_EKWBriX8x1l2z1EZ4OY_ltrU0BlSoQ3JxBjyAS6wK6g3KxN9m9qqlqtJz1YIKq4NkVLdMgXNCodNXkCrcrorXucyBl_Mf2/s1600/LBDDeckWide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbYGr1ySf3ao0iUswzzzHLagJX3w6Xj69SwSDnIUBf1mBo_EKWBriX8x1l2z1EZ4OY_ltrU0BlSoQ3JxBjyAS6wK6g3KxN9m9qqlqtJz1YIKq4NkVLdMgXNCodNXkCrcrorXucyBl_Mf2/s640/LBDDeckWide.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The flower boxes help to create a bit of privacy/blockage. Particularly from the dinning room, the flower boxes add a lot to 'the view'. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2Mppb8607g34Zmgv9wntFoxlqwkUlSMobWvpBD_a7wzz9LsvIErdSws3dzImJ4B3YmSfd2MUvurp2-H1wRpU16ftiYSZKkn1xghdBNwASr_gqNZg4ZUuEUn0B5ofFGjxeqgIGY4RVCJe/s1600/LBDDeckSide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2Mppb8607g34Zmgv9wntFoxlqwkUlSMobWvpBD_a7wzz9LsvIErdSws3dzImJ4B3YmSfd2MUvurp2-H1wRpU16ftiYSZKkn1xghdBNwASr_gqNZg4ZUuEUn0B5ofFGjxeqgIGY4RVCJe/s640/LBDDeckSide.jpg" width="616" /></a></div><br /><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We weren't going to buy outdoor chairs at the hight of the season (good gracious outdoor furniture is big bucks!) but needed someway to enjoy the new table my parents gave as an early birthday present. So down to the basement where we had a few old directors chairs of all different colors. A few cans of <a href="http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=400" target="_blank">RustOleum</a> spray paint and new chair covers and they look ready for summer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ko27kXuXRsFaERoeoiyCycLBqEmkRLqpoBuxBY6fW6z6nNXjLI2k_GBbpKvmO9X6HdYHiXEPkei-QjVUVEuEYLtKlOv3JMWTeqYMKWruv6IgxNeqbFkf2QC2KiEoqEimAhpmqBTf_ipW/s1600/LBDDeckTable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ko27kXuXRsFaERoeoiyCycLBqEmkRLqpoBuxBY6fW6z6nNXjLI2k_GBbpKvmO9X6HdYHiXEPkei-QjVUVEuEYLtKlOv3JMWTeqYMKWruv6IgxNeqbFkf2QC2KiEoqEimAhpmqBTf_ipW/s640/LBDDeckTable.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMp25Br1yhpytyEQbt7Q-z4_3A1neOshggeoqtu519okCYJpjnhnlxjnBLgSSvN93qPDXLLEBvS5cIwimmuha5Ki8qq_xsHvjt5pzSLDWoRcuBhPxuubGQ3htNgQlizc9bhKOPRhmG1Gou/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMp25Br1yhpytyEQbt7Q-z4_3A1neOshggeoqtu519okCYJpjnhnlxjnBLgSSvN93qPDXLLEBvS5cIwimmuha5Ki8qq_xsHvjt5pzSLDWoRcuBhPxuubGQ3htNgQlizc9bhKOPRhmG1Gou/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />With all of the work done to the deck, and a weed-free patio (thanks to the sawdust) I figured the adirondack chairs needed a spruce as well.<br /><br />We got them several years back at ACE Hardware for $19 each (in the dead of winter) and although we had to assemble them ourselves, they have been great little chairs. We picked up the two foot stool things off the side of the road. The wrong color but in perfectly good shape.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJKOMUtjwcOk78eFZ3R_YGnSqoDrGYAe2aoha9Uf-Hf0jxf7J8OWAQP8z1WGKQMdFOAaPSluPdPlzQj4gKPVgGD0MfyfyqJUqfddDc36E1tgVq6X_jcltNIAN9S467gSZnN-hCFURGMvN/s1600/LBDAdorondackBefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJKOMUtjwcOk78eFZ3R_YGnSqoDrGYAe2aoha9Uf-Hf0jxf7J8OWAQP8z1WGKQMdFOAaPSluPdPlzQj4gKPVgGD0MfyfyqJUqfddDc36E1tgVq6X_jcltNIAN9S467gSZnN-hCFURGMvN/s640/LBDAdorondackBefore.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />More cans of <a href="http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=400" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">RustOleum</a> than I care to think about and they look brand new. My finger still hurts thinking about all that spray painting. Luckily my nails are no longer blue. When will I learn to wear gloves?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgderoJCDRjvCS8rSXvGg1FzuFr9hQrrOEwW_YO4kHNcJyKWiwiPgQHEkMWJN-ULzPAjn4X2EW0PMvfFYCYbVn4bS3UmwetLcJ9wn7zbOAFRDpuSCdW4OU5apdxgkrXZy8qnbKGf40fXNkH/s1600/LBDPatioAfter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgderoJCDRjvCS8rSXvGg1FzuFr9hQrrOEwW_YO4kHNcJyKWiwiPgQHEkMWJN-ULzPAjn4X2EW0PMvfFYCYbVn4bS3UmwetLcJ9wn7zbOAFRDpuSCdW4OU5apdxgkrXZy8qnbKGf40fXNkH/s640/LBDPatioAfter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">And with that, I'm done outside. There is still a million and one things to do out there, but they will have to wait for fall because the only thing I plan to do is enjoy my deck and patio. Who's ready for a drink?</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Have you tackled any outdoor projects lately? Do you wish for a pool after a hot day of work like I do? Know of any massage techniques for my spray paint finger?</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://diyshowoff.com/category/other/diy-project-parade/" title="DIY Show Off"><img alt="DIY Show Off" src="http://i899.photobucket.com/albums/ac195/Roeshel/DIYprojectparadebutton-1.png" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

i wear my sunglasses at night - deck reveal

Ding dong, the deck is done! I mentioned...what, 4 weeks ago, that we'd started some repair work to the deck . Well, as with any reno pr...

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Teach This! Teaching with lesson plans and ideas that rock #teaching 06/21/2012

<ul class="diigo-linkroll"> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.sharemylesson.com/TaxonomySearchResults.aspx?area=resources&keywords=display+board">Search for display board teaching resources - Share My Lesson</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Here are some display boards that you can use in your classroom as you prepare for the start of the new school year. I hope you'll add your own (there is a competition and you can win money!)</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/displays">displays</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/classroom">classroom</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/organization">organization</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.sharemylesson.com/early-elementary-teaching-resources/">Early Elementary (Grades K-2) Activities, Lesson Plans, Educational Worksheets & Handouts - Share My Lesson</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Early elementary lessons organized by topic from share my lesson. There are almost 40K free resources. This is a great place to join.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/elemchat">elemchat</a></p> </li> </ul><p class="diigo-ps">Posted from <a href='http://www.diigo.com'>Diigo</a>. The rest of my favorite links are <a href='http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher'>here</a>.</p>

Teach This! Teaching with lesson plans and ideas that rock #teaching 06/21/2012

Search for display board teaching resources - Share My Lesson Here are some display boards that you ...

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Library Director - Norfolk Library

<strong>Library Director - </strong><span style="color: #48286d;"><strong>Norfolk Library</strong></span>. Join us as we write the next chapter in the story of one of Connecticut’s unique and highly respected public libraries. The Norfolk Library Board of Trustees is seeking a thoughtful, energetic and capable leader to become the next library director. You will join our team of staff, an experienced and engaged board and a committed group of community volunteers to expand on our tradition of service. Norfolk Library provides modern library services as well as an ambitious offering of cultural programs, including art exhibits, concerts, lectures, book discussions and story hours. The Library’s beautifully maintained 1889 facility along with its “Great Hall,” added in 1911, and its children’s room added in 1985, make it the prime destination for local residents all year round. The large influx of summer residents adds even more vitality to the programming and events sponsored by the Library and its Associates. Please visit the library at <a _fcksavedurl="http://www.norfolklibrary.org" href="http://www.norfolklibrary.org/" target="_blank">www.norfolklibrary.org</a> and Norfolk at <a _fcksavedurl="http://www.norfolkct.org" href="http://www.norfolkct.org/" target="_blank">http://www.norfolkct.org</a>. Norfolk, located in beautiful Litchfield County at the foot of the southern Berkshires, is one hour from Hartford and Springfield and one-half hour from Torrington and Great Barrington. This area of northwestern Connecticut features historic rural towns, covered bridges, welcoming restaurants, inns and small museums and a plethora of activities, including Yale University’s Summer School of Music and Art/Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, fly fishing and kayaking in its scenic rivers and streams and hiking and biking throughout its quiet woods and hills. Candidates should have an MLS degree and experience as a public library administrator or department head. Excellent interpersonal skills are a must, as well as a hands-on work ethic and knowledge of emerging technologies and fundraising. Starting salary is competitive and commensurate with experience including an excellent benefit package. Resumes will be reviewed as received and the position will remain open until filled. To be considered, send a cover letter and resume with salary history to: <a _fcksavedurl="mailto:librarydirectorsearch@gmail.com" href="mailto:librarydirectorsearch@gmail.com">librarydirectorsearch@gmail.com</a>. For inquiries please contact Alan Burger of Library Development Solutions at <a _fcksavedurl="mailto:ab@librarydevelopment.com" href="mailto:ab@librarydevelopment.com">ab@librarydevelopment.com</a>.

Library Director - Norfolk Library

Library Director - Norfolk Library . Join us as we write the next chapter in the story of one of Connecticut’s unique and highly respected...

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Children's Services Librarian - The Edith Wheeler Memorial Library

<strong>Children's Services Librarian -</strong> The <span style="color: #48286d;"><strong>Edith Wheeler Memorial Library</strong></span> in Monroe is seeking an enthusiastic and creative Children’s Services Librarian for a full-time (35 hour) position. Assumes full responsibility for operation of Children’s Services Department including collection development, programming, supervising staff and volunteers, management of funds assigned to children’s services, reference, and outreach programs. Strong customer service and computer skills, ability to work as part of a team, excellent verbal and written communication skills. Requires a varied work schedule including some evening and weekend hours. Qualifications: ALA M.L.S. or significant progress toward MLS, plus relevant experience. Salary Range: $39,008 to $46,238 depending on qualifications and experience, with a comprehensive town benefits package. A full job description is available at <a _fcksavedurl="http://www.ewml.org/employment.htm" href="http://www.ewml.org/employment.htm" target="_blank">www.ewml.org/employment.htm</a>. Submit letter of interest, resume, and completed town application (available at <a _fcksavedurl="http://www.monroect.org" href="http://www.monroect.org/" target="_blank">www.monroect.org</a>) by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, <span style="color: red;">July 12, 2012</span> to Director of Human Resources, Monroe Town Hall, 7 Fan Hill Road, Monroe, CT 06468. EOE/AA.

Children's Services Librarian - The Edith Wheeler Memorial Library

Children's Services Librarian - The Edith Wheeler Memorial Library in Monroe is seeking an enthusiastic and creative Children’s Servic...

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Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 06/21/2012

<ul class="diigo-linkroll"> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.sharemylesson.com/teaching-resource/Proof-of-area-of-a-trapezium-equals-1-2-a-b-h-50000763/">Proof of area of a trapezium = 1/2(a+b)h - Resources - SML</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Matthewm is a very interesting teacher who has a lot of great math videos he's sharing. When you join sharemylesson, you'll want to follow him if you teach middle or high school math.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/math">math</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://community.sharemylesson.com/forums/t/14.aspx">Information about Common Core State Standards - Questions about Common Core - Share My Lesson</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Common core forums have been created in the share my lesson website - cosponsored by the aft and tes, this is going to be an interesting place where teachers converse.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/commoncore">commoncore</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/newapp">newapp</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.sharemylesson.com/teaching-resource/Finland-Discovery-through-Technology-50000536/">Finland: Discovery through Technology - Resources - SML</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">I like to watch things about teachers in Finland because they are so progressive and exceptional. This video shares how this teacher is using "progressive learning" strategies and technology. For grades 3-5.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/ideas">ideas</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/learningtheory">learningtheory</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2012/02/simple-pinterest-for-beginners.html">Cool Cat Teacher Blog: Simple Pinterest for Beginners</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">This is my blog post on how to get started with Pinterest, including tips to easily score an invite (It isn't that hard.) This is a great thing to do over the summer.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/pinterest">pinterest</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/howto">howto</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://pinterest.com/esheninger/?d">Eric Sheninger (esheninger) on Pinterest</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">ERic has moved to pinterest and has a set of pinboards that any Administrator will learn from. </p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/pinterest">pinterest</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/administration">administration</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://pinterest.com/mlundy5/">Michelle Lundy (mlundy5) on Pinterest</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Michelle is another great teacher here in Georgia that I'm following. She likes to organize but has a technology board with 426 pins that is a great set of resources.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/pinterest">pinterest</a></p> </li> </ul><p class="diigo-ps">Posted from <a href='http://www.diigo.com'>Diigo</a>. The rest of my favorite links are <a href='http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher'>here</a>.</p>

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 06/21/2012

Proof of area of a trapezium = 1/2(a+b)h - Resources - SML Matthewm is a very interesting teacher wh...

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Elearning and global competency #flatclass #globaled 06/21/2012

<ul class="diigo-linkroll"> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.sharemylesson.com">Share My Lesson - Free K-12 Teacher Resources Aligned to Common Core State Standards</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">So excited that one of my favorite sites for teachers (TES) has created a website particularly for US teachers called share my lesson. It is linked with many other websites and already has more than 200K resources on the site.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/flatclass">flatclass</a></p> </li> </ul><p class="diigo-ps">Posted from <a href='http://www.diigo.com'>Diigo</a>. The rest of my favorite links are <a href='http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher'>here</a>.</p>

Elearning and global competency #flatclass #globaled 06/21/2012

Share My Lesson - Free K-12 Teacher Resources Aligned to Common Core State Standards So excited that...

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Teach This! Teaching with lesson plans and ideas that rock #teaching 06/20/2012

<ul class="diigo-linkroll"> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2012/02/simple-pinterest-for-beginners.html">Cool Cat Teacher Blog: Simple Pinterest for Beginners</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">This is my blog post on how to get started with Pinterest, including tips to easily score an invite (It isn't that hard.) This is a great thing to do over the summer.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/pinterest">pinterest</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/howto">howto</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://pinterest.com/Reallyrachel/">Rachel Lynette (reallyrachel) on Pinterest</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Lots of free resources for teachers. Follow the board for your grade level and find a lot of great ideas. </p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/pinterest">pinterest</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://pinterest.com/Abbril/">Sara Hart (abbril) on Pinterest</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">If you are a homeschooler, then Sara Hart's pinterest boards are must follow resources for you.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/pinterest">pinterest</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/homeschool">homeschool</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://pinterest.com/mlundy5/">Michelle Lundy (mlundy5) on Pinterest</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Michelle is another great teacher here in Georgia that I'm following. She likes to organize but has a technology board with 426 pins that is a great set of resources.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/pinterest">pinterest</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://pinterest.com/Project7/">Project 7 (project7) on Pinterest</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">I like these areas to help others on Pinterest and the ideas they have. If you like to help others, this is a great set of pinboards to follow.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/pinterest">pinterest</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://pinterest.com/VasquezFrogs/">Lorraine Vasquez (VasquezFrogs) on Pinterest</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Another great teacher to follow on Pinterest. A fourth grade teacher who has lots of ideas, particularly in reading and grammar.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/pinterest">pinterest</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.sharemylesson.com/resourcecalendar.aspx?nbday=0&nbmth=6&nbyr=2012">June teaching and activities for US teachers</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">I'm so excited that the way I like to find monthly resources is right here for US teachers. These are the lessons and information for June - feel free to upload and share your own. Start off with Carribean-American Heritage month - that would be fun for a daycamp.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/june">june</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/lessonplans">lessonplans</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.sharemylesson.com/teaching-resources/">Share My lesson resources organized by grade level.</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">The Share my lesson (cosponsored with the american federation of teachers) has organized lessons and materials by grade level.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/resources">resources</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.sharemylesson.com">Share My Lesson - Free K-12 Teacher Resources Aligned to Common Core State Standards</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">So excited that one of my favorite sites for teachers (TES) has created a website particularly for US teachers called share my lesson. It is linked with many other websites and already has more than 200K resources on the site.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/teaching">teaching</a> <a href="http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/flatclass">flatclass</a></p> </li> </ul><p class="diigo-ps">Posted from <a href='http://www.diigo.com'>Diigo</a>. The rest of my favorite links are <a href='http://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher'>here</a>.</p>

Teach This! Teaching with lesson plans and ideas that rock #teaching 06/20/2012

Cool Cat Teacher Blog: Simple Pinterest for Beginners This is my blog post on how to get started wit...

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