New Years

<p> Kyle, Abby, and I made the 4+ hour trip down south to Kansas City on Thursday for New Year’s weekend!<img alt="DSC09643" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dBMYYACjZttLeXi6vTSEXotoYMCYV3F6ctiz-drNSKIBBxioHeJBIQMJIhfCoDS9EmwLDb56sKhdfl2zLIrswzNoiRvqIUOT4oHkyNo_7MRl_zz1r0D1zDRRTglYcqt-2hY48H78VOBe/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09643" width="304"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lu37QVY_mk29XiJCERSeuXuQlwPF1nDZu-m94A5hvfYKbtCOg0DtPSsEuL2wegNZDtwqtrrouZeG-kF1qe4Cka-E5AJbswhIqVIHEQ4tkV1hVx382CLRY91onOBWgnckbQNWSndZvTXv/s1600-h/DSC09641%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09641" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9ObT9b2yZWYRQ23RXb8Ctl82fD5yykcg5hHVHqJ-2xci6feTfxrUf29iLDenRWnp1lcqpL3KJsYe1wDluHS1aXZobQ_VfPO4eRvbkapPn_hH-wg1a_WB_F7N5IwOGk8iM4fwvzc96d-E/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09641" width="404"></a></p> <p>The purpose of our trip? To spend some quality time with 2 <strong>wonderful</strong> people, Mark & Jenna!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnawdrOmBGOz1HKjXpeHDS9INSPvkVk2lIvSx3L8nfzL2w_4D3t-REh5VsywukF31NHvWRgwMB_m12azfSfuI6WSuNOMuaurnQqRk2WdDm7kiOWz8d3pyAZ__LI2KxCdrGUG6BskxQjJC/s1600-h/DSC01652%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC01652" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7Tml5c13yqIbkKIAke-H0HPKBgtWvGcWJfMk9HX1JzeZHuqIqQ4ILV2xofdXnyRRm7fOltsed-Fu_dvJBsUbTzKXQZ6-US4mnFTW5XOpjynIQ91nNieDfF5IvdiYHg0dPI-qZnIjGsG2/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC01652" width="404"></a></p> <p>It was an unbelievable 68 degrees when we got there! Doesn’t seem right for December! The boys squeezed in a game on the PS3 while us girls freshened up a bit!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlSJ23MU_h89pqr0ulxEWtnRDgcdI5OUWepdLotonHGmJgzYDB-WkBC3BZspv2qxwLc4FJEY6rsbXUfzI0Rtw1EneID610spDXMGqlCPbX2tBmSISBtQECcQq1fMmp4YYCURjpFSoNtKV/s1600-h/DSC01643%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC01643" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0P4RX7iSNCI1Sx0lMy2jKl_9o1QLtaP1jDu7XGhGxj7dC-kxzgWvO_PDFjYfwpqN5FbcYRi_n_JEOwD82xdi60aoJqKbBLFdimGvVVp3Yh2hktQ1wOMtli_1S7Y0KQBED8hbR1ZcWqRd/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC01643" width="404"></a></p> <p>Abby did what she does best! ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hVlSAmP3hjMCXczgaftI7AI1LOJ4q9Jbv2-w0k4E97vfrJcrEpz2GTe0fc_65iWTPKrc7_rdvzSdanszycMF6lhuhTCO7BLKSDEY6KOy_v_3AofR2sssPwo4R-T40RXJmp05wzepn2UC/s1600-h/DSC01645%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC01645" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMv7NZvFbYCTzlbAHX7KhmGGCsoH_Q2HR7aS2g0j3nV5gmS31Twfi3qdU7oPblCbgjlxVubbBI7qFXH8h6wJx7BiWJCtP40yUaBuJRtFxzbYOQCeCpI-f0v_EPyHf7guVFvrJwJZnY6fs/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC01645" width="404"></a></p> <p>We had a night of “favorites” planned! First up, Texas Roadhouse! Mark & Jenna are regulars! ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRaCulGe6UXQr1lkctoQTiwN6-lSIw2469vdcM-U51ZHOevrsiJMlQo2B5LaDVScWQQBQ_TfUfEYkMsYmcnyLPxqZSeayllh1q0A8qHKj4TuipFef5DeG8-MsWeYgSs1NKUyDylPjlnAx/s1600-h/DSC09644%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09644" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZ-YQ9TucPwuRFoIylqrPQQJNUE3QgtCOwv12AvedxqBeNsm_U5qo8OPsX82gPsCFI0i5hzAezV-GZBLblNBHCPhmvsz6CAz6nl62UeZ7SHvbI-1TrLKOfOMXmJdsklQCqv77JIV5Acde/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09644" width="404"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSP0VgVqko2xIExJrz8mkBPUGZxqTCkly19iyH2h2snJe_ZrgwUe-_0hVO1lMwZ16aOPRq6C1iY-h6ZA2L0dOhYUiqizJmPsRV3-qbGHij_DvZnv57Z_MCGmGdJVgaVNAIkXfE4jwuLx2/s1600-h/DSC09645%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09645" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2xw8iozw2dAh_yz_e6WiNoIp343Q9QmIYOaJs_Pz4A1surVcsTF7luqfjB74F4DUpqcYF_VF56ZWKkDqm2icN11oWHRXgHNdBfZ7Ss7GPFeAPF3I05EnPBrh0KsUknk-BpeUGoLKSA4Z/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09645" width="404"></a></p> <p>Who can say no to their awesome dinner rolls & loaded potatoes?!?!? :) Mmmm good!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZyXiVaLAzKCHVdUs02dVjRVk12u8smGH3s_uWNJnvxFBMW9CokqzyJjv3rOFRmGWEPfHMjLK-VftmcfHPMWFyfOBe9L5alKw7i2l2ENDOFINhBsrBtRHJH7MBP7nUWueVM5yRygNeRls/s1600-h/DSC09647%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09647" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjna1R1PYBqqnK6l_gLeXTlKOFHsDuViSlgiXdhVQ9yLUdX3o1UTnsN0wYNP76c7s3msLcqFPrms_qS4JELKU9G00DOiuwo3BciSqq2w-N17q1m2yczwBRBuLP-BcwNVCHOdHA64FVfsH-B/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09647" width="404"></a></p> <p>The other favorite of the night…ICE CREAM!!! DQ to be specific!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBilncPiXh1F-O71QXfi3-eqIZgsgZVLlijcAia2-HasGqNoj8qo5waiC20AI6on9UOwUxl5R5Y-MDxKyE6BhOqJeDGhV5clYhBCtv5j49rFikJWX3sQrkQuOk2N6ZKM_IAxpV_aLrc_V4/s1600-h/DSC01655%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC01655" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLSrUc0uDXbOOU4V_5UY7qc4F-5xMJ7hwi-Ibp9TlTpA1YRnZ0XJzxPpy58nW_4gyOLi5phvDJptIRaoHZf4omK71H0k1j7EefC3TlMHcSXnD00QARzi34l-IfAT3IIKfErKHv9nQPvEw/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC01655" width="404"></a>  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67JQp-WqhLUH-u_mknjfaGvHsqsKVwcJu5vzCzbne0YGHBXAF9HW2beWuHDsYUr3lKRZHoE_fUJY8vYFQOKVJEaKS74-0rSPbGg8EgBMBGM699F3MQj2GzLrrBf_LfGdHabh-1cUO98b2/s1600-h/DSC01658%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC01658" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2331FdwXD4-LoqY3gEc222uxj2NGJnu0Bc8iMLG33hIADIWIcwkXkqIbPZbhQmOBEwrOvQZg0X7FFTWf-Io00PfX4S2zMf5mBFThVavhNOR6mYsdokm_GATVOicJrbhmtZEsZ2FAxKiJb/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC01658" width="404"></a></p> <p>Wendi & Hayden also made the trip to KC to see some of her college friends!<img alt="DSC01660" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DIcJJl0XvxrHKw2jpN6WCl-dQKzFRdJUyyk9WEp39UXbCr6mKT3J3FWAbwk4i2dWJafhtGVqnY-TD5HNGARF1f4ygjWnVZmWa_jTBoGRGE1Zq6oITGZYZxxurum8qNkHAAujkK9RHg1f/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC01660" width="404"> </p> <p>But first they spent the night with us! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBYnNPMi11dofCMTzcXPr-rpLeOfh87mrOcVx5IIbQF6wRhwEHdg6hBWNCERw13k99wuGkuggrXuHwxnTQaOgVTugek_fU3s0W3felDEubQj4nSDIdgTaRdyNF1GaLKV9esGNUBBVFWlC/s1600-h/DSC09649%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09649" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvEoWh2KmN6kiEiNWDX_qKMVGiqX1E1nr5YsWHpW5wMnMxKNP6lCayR5Ym_miQjGDV6FmfWI-DAhEJqM28AWOZjIPh_sDtFncD2ASQWpg7_3TRBx_ZMLMEux-fNDXqgcDtbuY3pjlyyhi3/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09649" width="304"></a></p> <p>Friday Jenna made us an amazing breakfast! (thanks hun!!) And we hit the mall! Hayden was pumped!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBJieQUOKEc_2UDfYvTy7_6HYEbl88gLgoh3NfMqS-jg8wGlD1gyv-51naBw3mxqKlb7Nv1QQhdGJ5JIoJMzGyuwEWtoejHixmNGZOiI6TxDWEiet6Uj0z-VV60Yb2mFmS1k6JU_Tu6vY/s1600-h/DSC01662%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC01662" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSVLXFVMsx20YBIl4eTDYraLoXpExiLQ9trGwWYFXrcIazS4RPOa5H1JvtgBGvNcZCO3ly8V2Gp7GUYS2YS1opaK0AThpae-wPI1gluBpKNLxy488SQ7NuD9n4br7NJhTCsxBZhoql7Yf/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC01662" width="304"></a></p> <p>So was Mark! This reminds me of another guy I know! ;) <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/03/sundaymonday.html">See this post</a>!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNibSw9gUzON4xdE40sj7quzo1kbm2iAtwYMxpgHafwYfKMRFsCQYecsdKes2QHkGGYH7z6TTxMi5tGqfXr3Ml4Kqqev0ng0RhraLvERIdlFvdo0CDfAqvLYJ2YcvyFgpvLzflb234hpT/s1600-h/DSC09650%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09650" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwSYL7t9eqWkU1Ig9g2nVLk3tnO4Zb27JoG5CWSGsQAtS5Nq1k22_9IGMufsfofshVOX20ZlpwKGpFnEb72LCEtpZWH8sVoA-XYsY6CUZZwQaOnHbIoJ-f4UR2vukFc4NoaoTPFMrDJxg/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09650" width="304"></a></p> <p>After our day of shopping we “pretty-ed” up for a low key night out!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3st6bYrwMLMQxdoq_bDAsI85AT0WI1CYoouXJFrv0tNmBfWFeis0H2upC9glRkKpwWklYskl2FmlcIM5y9zJlGPco_h0p6BM6BAL479OS7yMSuh6_bdrEGpmkIA0YU41hjSjwnhGTGp-V/s1600-h/DSC09654%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09654" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkz9d1-5xidqG6fq3hNjYR3Qa54FH5lX6lOv-ETOn-n2qN2TZlD-yioQn6ud8t5XDbw-EKWAT6wQzsyLLGs3ch-5lIp_7TjijVVlUOv6mFDIWalMIqWNtdOdktwBq9KO3CtQpVKyCTGBJ/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09654" width="304"></a></p> <p>Tough boys! ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgHqXZMxWWyhcs-3XAwr7P3V51lZ3Z45gWxfRNISqULKeeb_v2MiYUKoqpITI8GWHVcYY4NwkxfmkCN4RSzS1C7g2qaUKYQYlqs3lZCy5l1G00o9AuC1amx2y8XVyxx0XKqfejSA4h9cj/s1600-h/kylemark%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="kylemark" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBa9WaplygNmLTMrUQBU7X93NBTARnIhguprAxX7f3pA3jfPHX-M-PGi2eB53DTiT7jm-Jiqg6PJlFTZDliINm8Zm96aYdb6vd9I5oHJYtAHu8u6LGGdFK_o46KsohWq-2D6Fj-7NlZHX/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="kylemark" width="404"></a></p> <p>I sure do love this guy!!<img alt="DSC09660" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_6uKXunyt7IVCMTikW3h-bpUNyYb129dFZIRNm9HtRiFl6RLXI-z1OLVrfSSW7UaNSrST_qehwMd50q8L4opqkA9J7YprEjCzHCcDxSfv-h1wHdYOgS9cBgpmeA_7KOxg7j3XMCK4HHd/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09660" width="404"></p> <p>Soon to be Mr & Mrs!!! :D<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XhXNv38dXj3QStStxZnoTemIkbcRTb2M2nVoBHfhFSiwZ0RaVNKX1h1oNx3f3P4_WGgJaFo-7Y8Uc0vCCKqBvxEueZRqlV03BBYMTmQyRv0MZ5FjJP_d6MzZjr39oyPP-DPj8BiagYzb/s1600-h/marknjenna%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="marknjenna" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-Kiq_Yg8ErgsJfcFANzio8F5G_MjkIufB44Vbnmmkt23hkabIc2FiqWCDZqzASZWGTqggTbcRGCUCs74RY2mR3DeEG1rMwtpXfm-nboHmlgnLRmM3EU7utxcUopru2e_X4rqlhoLEixh/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="marknjenna" width="304"></a></p> <p>We enjoyed Mexican food for supper and spent the rest of the evening at their apartment. Unfortunately I didn’t make it to midnight. But Kyle did wake me up to get his New Years kiss! ;)</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Kyle, Abby, & I headed home early Saturday morning. We keep telling our friends they need to move back to Iowa!! I guess we’ll just have to keep working on them. </p> <p><strong><em>I wish you all the best for 2011!!</em></strong></p>

New Years

Kyle, Abby, and I made the 4+ hour trip down south to Kansas City on Thursday for New Year’s weekend! The purpose of our trip? To spend so...

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Break out the champagne (the '55 Hitchcock)...

<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuu-j93w_O4SAZI35_v2b7KGevhXQy_WvDxLVNBYtMHbsY7tmgjWZVU4lXBmrhAWqRtI6pkot7SRLI8Bw5oqSnZi8-8vbfmusmfX2mnM8dp463edZ0RLidEHP9uPZBuJ-oW7h3pXhK_54/s1600/cote+d+azur.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuu-j93w_O4SAZI35_v2b7KGevhXQy_WvDxLVNBYtMHbsY7tmgjWZVU4lXBmrhAWqRtI6pkot7SRLI8Bw5oqSnZi8-8vbfmusmfX2mnM8dp463edZ0RLidEHP9uPZBuJ-oW7h3pXhK_54/s1600/cote+d+azur.bmp" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">Sometime just after Labor Day it began to seem that 2010 suddenly accelerated and was careening headlong toward Halloween…Thanksgiving…Christmas.  Each holiday quickly came and went and, what seems like moments later, 2011 is here.</span><br /><a name='more'></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In my life, 2010 was a year highlighted by reconnecting with old friends and making new ones…so today I celebrate the old year along with the new.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Traditionally, of course, champagne is the <i>drink du jour</i> at New Year’s, and so champagne it shall be now. A bottle of ‘96 <span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Dom Pérignon Ros</span>é<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> would be great, but I’m in the mood for something really special…an old favorite… Hitchcock’s distinctive ’55 </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">vintage</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> from the </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Cote d'Azur. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">To Catch a Thief</span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> (1955), or “Hitchcock champagne,” boasts a rare combination of elegance and flair. Light-bodied with a smooth finish that lingers, it remains unmatched, though it has been imitated far and wide for decades.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A jaunty score sets the tone as the opening credits roll over a shot of an international travel service with a poster in its window, “If you like life, you’ll love France.” The tinkling keys of a grand piano hint at continental sophistication and adventure long before the first scream bemoaning stolen jewelry issues from a Riviera hotel balcony.</span></span> <br /> <br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48Sgpw1nuTnGKA-hGWpGyPdQwOaT7n03Owk9uy7NmHcFMWFTNuebRjyaRRf1IL2SDRiAlyPMIflEK8rOeDZOaYHCfQLdUwz65_Al6d5ZsB3w2qQqY95hbdjGH0ShuV8axK6eP9sPlFOax/s1600/sainte+jeannet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48Sgpw1nuTnGKA-hGWpGyPdQwOaT7n03Owk9uy7NmHcFMWFTNuebRjyaRRf1IL2SDRiAlyPMIflEK8rOeDZOaYHCfQLdUwz65_Al6d5ZsB3w2qQqY95hbdjGH0ShuV8axK6eP9sPlFOax/s320/sainte+jeannet.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">John Robie's Sainte-Jeannet villa</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial;">Quickly enough the action takes off with a colorful cruise through the Cote d'Azur as the French police speed to the village of Sainte-Jeannet and the hillside villa of retired jewel thief and prime suspect, John Robie (Cary Grant). The film has just begun and cinematographer Robert Burks has already heralded Hitchcock's first film in VistaVision/Technicolor.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Alfred Hitchcock and Robert Burks had initially worked together five years earlier, following the director's return to the U.S. after making two films in England. Hitchcock was beginning production on <b>Strangers on a Train </b>for Warner Bros. and the studio cinematographer assigned to the project was 40-year-old Robert Burks. This would be the beginning of a fabled partnership.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-aJ-LFhxBKGBVxsOpoMXKA9LFUFZ3nn0ZmbCFLYOEwnvpwl08JKliUAQyoatZUrp6FC-Dip7VCoYoKQA50NGVH3tOnfqGOOUi2pIb5WsF8-LzdqT_BHBSyPcbdGA-ZkwEtTMLr_Yyfm-6/s1600/robert+burks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-aJ-LFhxBKGBVxsOpoMXKA9LFUFZ3nn0ZmbCFLYOEwnvpwl08JKliUAQyoatZUrp6FC-Dip7VCoYoKQA50NGVH3tOnfqGOOUi2pIb5WsF8-LzdqT_BHBSyPcbdGA-ZkwEtTMLr_Yyfm-6/s200/robert+burks.jpg" width="141" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cinematographer Robert Burks</span></td></tr></tbody></table> <span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Burks began his career in the Warner Bros. special effects lab at 19 when Hal Wallis, who liked shadows and high contrast from his cinematographers, was in charge of production. Burks, who apprenticed under James Wong Howe, worked his way up, becoming a DP and then a cinematographer by 1948.</span></span><br /><br /><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The early influence of German expressionism on Hitchcock corresponded nicely with the influences Burks absorbed at Warner Bros. and the two collaborated on twelve films from 1951 – 1964, every picture Hitchcock made during that period except <b>Psycho</b>. Like Burks, Hitchcock had detailed knowledge of special effects and tended to devise scenes featuring complex imagery. One of the most memorable scenes in all of Hitchcock came in <b>Strangers on a Train</b>, the scene in which Robert Walker’s strangulation of Laura Elliott is reflected in the lens of a pair of fallen glasses. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />Robert Burks was Oscar-nominated for <b>Strangers</b> and again for <b>Rear Window</b>. With <b>To Catch a Thief</b>, he won the Academy Award for Best Color Cinematography.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From 1955 – 1958, Burks shot five Hitchcock films in VistaVision/Technicolor; four of the five were for Paramount Pictures.</span></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzr8W-czTC3FMiCGK16WWGMNjigxqu6CxCVVO-PuVsxPiv1AqVSTVL9SfVDGpGd9prBf7E4__YFzTxtlIjTyWtpwvPhEtKGSG2wduZYjDmyRFyufRfBx73micT6qZm-hBiBCqakqV5Mikq/s1600/filming+TCat+in+VV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzr8W-czTC3FMiCGK16WWGMNjigxqu6CxCVVO-PuVsxPiv1AqVSTVL9SfVDGpGd9prBf7E4__YFzTxtlIjTyWtpwvPhEtKGSG2wduZYjDmyRFyufRfBx73micT6qZm-hBiBCqakqV5Mikq/s200/filming+TCat+in+VV.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hitchcock on the set with VistaVision camera</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />Paramount had been the only major studio to balk at the widescreen CinemaScope system when it came into use in 1953, and set out to develop a process of its own. The studio worked with Eastman Kodak and came up with VistaVision, a method that delivered a higher resolution, widescreen version of 35 mm. The VistaVision process printed down large format negatives to standard 35 mm, creating a finer-grained print and improved image. The use of Technicolor's dye transfer process was key to VistaVision image quality.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />For his first VistaVision/Technicolor excursion, Hitchcock contrived a stylish romantic thriller fueled by dazzling starpower.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtLE882JFOZgUtqIjSrnbv55ZduFCRVVu9gm11qpDvjVoBrfLE00ow453l5wdjAcWI6gYh43NRBsrtwr2t5H31LrfvgystnxYvCWDdlM7uhB9P_ipuuR5i-HUHsKKdpcNFLVCHUanhqoX/s1600/TCAT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtLE882JFOZgUtqIjSrnbv55ZduFCRVVu9gm11qpDvjVoBrfLE00ow453l5wdjAcWI6gYh43NRBsrtwr2t5H31LrfvgystnxYvCWDdlM7uhB9P_ipuuR5i-HUHsKKdpcNFLVCHUanhqoX/s200/TCAT.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cary Grant and Grace Kelly</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Robert Osborne remarked, when he introduced TCM's most recent screening of <b>To Catch a Thief</b>, that it had “the best asset any film could have...Cary Grant.” Good point. This was the third of Cary Grant’s four Hitchcock pictures and it came nearly ten years after their last collaboration, <b>Notorious</b> (1946), one <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of</span> the best films in either man’s illustrious filmography. In the interim, Hitchcock’s career had gone into and dramatically come out of a slump. During the same period, Grant had continued to make popular films, but had increasingly moved away from the kind of part he had trademarked – the dapper, self-effacing man of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following <b>Dream Wife </b>(1953), Grant retired, dissatisfied with the films he was being offered. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>But then he was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>approached by Alfred Hitchcock who had a project in mind with the requisite amount of elegance and comedy to attract him. </span></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">With <b>To Catch a Thief</b> Cary Grant returned to type; John Robie, “The Cat,” is a dashing charmer, “a man of obvious good taste” very few could or would want to resist. Grant seldom departed from type for the remainder of his career.</span></span> <br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoJXaYjZ9ofOEJ5VFOE-jaUbsAeQQPtBML85fsIj7ONQ1VlAayIENcDsIObokCFf-ggUJve55Qm2kRvG-03vylAwZR-sic_Vf9Ujgfd0YDDiigJlpDf4Ezm_gfXGPEHZ1kSZAfJfkPoft/s1600/last+scene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoJXaYjZ9ofOEJ5VFOE-jaUbsAeQQPtBML85fsIj7ONQ1VlAayIENcDsIObokCFf-ggUJve55Qm2kRvG-03vylAwZR-sic_Vf9Ujgfd0YDDiigJlpDf4Ezm_gfXGPEHZ1kSZAfJfkPoft/s320/last+scene.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cary Grant and Grace Kelly</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>To Catch a Thief </b>was the third and final film Grace Kelly made with Hitchcock, who would have worked with her for the rest of his career had she not left movies <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">at the height of her stardom to marry Prince Rainier. </span>Hitchcock’s breathtaking onscreen vision of Kelly brings to mind Josef von Sternberg’s cinematic exaltation of Marlene Dietrich 20 years earlier. Kelly was a beautiful woman but among the handful of films she made, her image as<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a screen goddess achieved perfection only in her films with Hitchcock. In <b>To Catch a Thief</b> she plays a spoiled rich girl, the ultimate "snow covered volcano" and "Hitchcock blonde."</span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9y5C_Wc0Ior6XOQknst_xU10BJT7TDn8OiWVjwkcmhJdK-8t-xkWLrqr-fbM4IagH0gezvhBJDtS7HoARoIcpDXP8wGvG1taFUGP1oCvbZcTUW8Gvzn6TAaIZKN2d7O3hoHAoduYiepxa/s1600/TCAT+Jessie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9y5C_Wc0Ior6XOQknst_xU10BJT7TDn8OiWVjwkcmhJdK-8t-xkWLrqr-fbM4IagH0gezvhBJDtS7HoARoIcpDXP8wGvG1taFUGP1oCvbZcTUW8Gvzn6TAaIZKN2d7O3hoHAoduYiepxa/s200/TCAT+Jessie.jpg" width="147" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jessie Royce Landis</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The pairing of Grant and Kelly is irresistible. The two are perfect for the roles of debonair thief/innocent man and haughty/hot debutante, and they literally generate fireworks together.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In her first Hitchcock outing, Jessie Royce Landis portrayed Kelly’s jovial, down-to-earth, bourbon-sipping mother. Hitchcock liked to include colorful women as supporting characters in his films, ranging from the silly (Florence Bates in <b>Rebecca</b>, Patricia Collinge in <b>Shadow of a Doubt</b>) to the clever and wisecracking (Thelma Ritter in <b>Rear Window</b>,  Barbara bel Geddes in <b>Vertigo</b>). Royce Landis portrayed two of the most appealing of the latter type in this film and <b>North by Northwest</b>.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Actor John Williams appeared in his third Hitchcock film with <b>To Catch a Thief</b>, this time as an insurance agent helping Robie track down the real jewel thief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His H.H. Hughson is a fine foil for Grant’s Robie. Their early scenes provide Hitchcock the opportunity to have some fun with a favorite theme, the ambiguity of guilt and innocence...Robie tells Hughson flatly that though he “only stole from those who wouldn’t go hungry,” he “kept everything myself.” Chiding Hughson for stealing hotel sundries and cheating on his expense account, Robie comments, “I was an out and out thief…like you.” Robie emphasizes his point with the throwaway line, “I wish I’d known someone in the insurance racket when I went into the burglary business.”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAMDio0AmddkrFXfJpPwo8RBcWrGDzjg0vhSntaTSrnp9bQ99AzG7VsDOefNmShmdsQbHJZB0OL11czH0OIHYsFaVIlPs2n1B5iLkSFT6tyWUy6SFqG4Youd2B0oCFBw-PJnlisdolSfB/s1600/robies++villa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAMDio0AmddkrFXfJpPwo8RBcWrGDzjg0vhSntaTSrnp9bQ99AzG7VsDOefNmShmdsQbHJZB0OL11czH0OIHYsFaVIlPs2n1B5iLkSFT6tyWUy6SFqG4Youd2B0oCFBw-PJnlisdolSfB/s320/robies++villa.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cary Grant, John Williams, Georgette Anys</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hitchcock toys with guilt and innocence again when Robie refers to the sensitive hands and gentle touch of his cook and housekeeper, Germaine, who bakes a quiche as "light as air" and who, during the war, “strangled a German general once…without a sound.”</span></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> <br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some have dismissed <b>To Catch a Thief</b> for its lack of weight, however, it is a strong reflection of Hitchcock’s meticulous craftsmanship, lightly touches on some of the director’s pet themes, and is a solid film of its genre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Hitchcock delivered exactly what he intended, an exciting, lighthearted, romantic thriller. All elements click into place…from the John Michael Hayes screenplay to Robert Burks's VistaVision/ Technicolor photography, Lyn Murray’s score, Edith Head’s eyeball-popping costumes, two scintillating stars and the Cote d’Azur setting.</span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>To Catch a Thief</b> was successful and influential, and many later films bear its earmarks... most prominently Stanley Donen’s <b>Charade</b>, as well as his <b>Arabesque</b>, William Wyler's <b>How to Steal a Million</b>, Blake Edwards's <b>The Pink Panther</b> and countless romantic romps ever since.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TlPETvkuwu0?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TlPETvkuwu0?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> </div>

Alfred Hitchcock Cary Grant Grace Kelly Jessie Royce Landis John Williams Robert Burks To Catch a Thief Break out the champagne (the '55 Hitchcock)...

Sometime just after Labor Day it began to seem that 2010 suddenly accelerated and was careening headlong toward Halloween…Thanksgiving…Chris...

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Happy New Year!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.irobotic.co.uk/Site/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/nye2007_fireworks_gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" n4="true" src="http://www.irobotic.co.uk/Site/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/nye2007_fireworks_gif.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wishing one and all a wonderful 2011!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Happy New Year The Lady Eve (author) Happy New Year!

Wishing one and all a wonderful 2011!

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Year in Review

<p>2010 was a great year, filled with accomplishments, trips, additions, and much more! Sit back & enjoy my year in review!</p> <p><a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/01/2010starting-again.html">January I started back on track</a>…for the millionth time! ;) In my mind that is a great accomplishment in itself, making the commitment to get back on track!</p> <p>February was a great OP month! And we have squeezed in a <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/02/weekend-chicago-trip.html">trip to see Kyle’s sister & her hubby</a> in the windy city, Chicago!<img alt="DSC06084" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCSExJuSGf7lTvcyrVFPh5cpzUTKHq6d-J6WHm_i6aLnwpp-2_6T8N0JPouZDArxHgz1MHOP117yjVUrP5CZPTSIM7meVR958j2-V-6HPRtMuUV4fSnpdernKGDtqNmPb6kI3MISvVHqf/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06084" width="404"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjWAmL-Kji-ZLcsYY3HsX9AgSzgYDVWgIVvdRh3KpFTSadMrv6fvr6yydLHRRJXKqxaVDGjXaLzMbjCET6X9IwLXc_CYxWSkOGox2OLi-psCWTOyEGRXAPzEP2wN1BSOR8sVW2HuFHu0n/s1600-h/DSC06147%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06147" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7FOqboFxeSIk1_8TYr_EowqNO4EJpHwhprro95xd6wrJzqRMJw364mGQ7B0qUs-whEAJJdDfqpfmfbXLpFW0GZ5M-_MfaGTzQgLgfMLbuw_IMo1hNw8aKt6tDu-1DfSDrErj1umnkc4d/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06147" width="404"></a></p> <p>March marked the 7th year in a row I made the trip to Florida to see my Grampo (pronounced Gram-poo) and sister, Wendi, over spring break. Click here to see <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/03/day-1-in-florida.html">Day 1</a> and if you want to see more Florida posts, just click “newer post” at the bottom of the page. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UsAyXVieZMAtnuGJFVJkSPE7akHy9bzqDrBDVdKBE1En8zH2_r4grimIz0S8ZG4EfpMts2Q3zjjVpZwlNb6zv2rcx2HvZoELd4JKeSIk-zoP0PLssgn7Y4h4JssY8HHCIAFHBjfQp857/s1600-h/DSC06463%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06463" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3_cqBpIvms1DLBDyB2sGI8lHmQq-Ow7nNHopaRsAz0Dp7BV8Cl9oTYgMGf8lp-M-I7o_TlkR71HT9H2iKSYWqaPVkCX8qmeHlV4CK3dXJiuNcasu8pTIsRb5pv0sX8EpdLInGSHuoV6o/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06463" width="404"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUb5jnvk5P51tpXTtANq59DnLLcdbfkoS2GVd9oxmkemixvgDTvl-LRkVpJRq00jO93yEIml9mXVNh4000_M9CmMaLP9tPr-Cm8HnBu1F6bOPHJI1Cv51O_RVnSe1GTYpOx67Orb8bvkC5/s1600-h/DSC06543%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC06543" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOPz_pPFtDW4WenBSf4p5ePH_tkqFzma_LdlAJczg8D-8X5ZxGm7MFL-h_McLdl09YLvIyWKoaOYZJYdazYj_1Cv8jkTVpwbLV508N19ZrEWlFpaC7KlK_wb_83htMoitmxheNOR6uLT2/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC06543" width="404"></a></p> <p>April was <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/04/ram-5k-park-time.html">my first race of the year</a>! It was a 5K in a small local town. I finished in 28:38, not a PR, but still a great time!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygWqkEogzRGWphUCr-AiVv8cP_hNAJzjEMV-NTE3fa3J4XNqVWFvG02NarjuVy2a9FE8sp4XYiHWSDnEEn55zxpGlLCqrdd8BwLrh272FoM6Ri4ZnMRW96_mcD6l3I_-yB1ZG4TX4MIEi/s1600-h/DSC07015%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07015" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_K9q3fELknjjNXhFaagrGrKpbqbc5NvXTMKo0lZEB582WPFag7p9cWotHme5rc3yot0wda2Xo5Sh9b2PdrNKMRWp1IYnRgA28m1glcsuSUmHhrXKea8P6HNYaioZehApcWFEjNYwRJQF/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07015" width="404"></a></p> <p>May marked a big change in the Bangert house, Kyle left his job. It took lots of careful thought & consideration over a very long period of time, but we decided you cannot put a price on time off. No amount of money is worth what he was doing. And he started back to school full time. Click <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/05/announcement.html">here</a> to read more. <img alt="DSC07141" border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYA33cZme7CHcBne7TcnnG8ST4CTU4467YbK9vEPA9t5lw1_FUTCY7l3vDwSylkjp2X4A3L_j27zA5yxb0gwTJC1G3qeINLMxpu1i7duPgc_fHc9cXQFV9Zr4KmLOfVNdscwwVhIOmRsLX/?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="DSC07141" width="300"></p> <p>It was <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/05/kyles-birthday.html">Kyle’s golden birthday</a>, he turned 26 on the 26th! I was super sneaky and threw my main man a <a href="http://bangertfam.blogspot.com/2010/05/surprise.html">surprise golden birthday party</a>!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcuGs6Wovn6u0AWc6-GtWwTU95VZGUdBSndrKcF3Pyozu7S6nNa4iN71ZZxgvsb-HHLGSLTAJhYBw1c_zb6Te1BdiRjrvD4uBrBIQ0seMiGiu5KV5yw8lqOn1eWKGcevtWasEKRgfDMgN/s1600-h/DSC07364%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07364" border="0" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1f9AmvJE8KCh1s40LX0Tye2n-jVnLlX3AZmdYgOATuD8oEL38d-lDq3Kp8bblsP09QXqz9Fxsaq3aTSDnOTuIxzAeX9t0Z9RGXIKXe2GZsUPu2qGpjJ7G8RqRY0LR4hof1unpcFv7BsVB/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07364" width="354"></a></p> <p>June started out with a <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/06/austin-texas.html">work trip to Austin, TX</a>! I think we did more recreation that work things though, ssshhh! ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNQHIpmGSn80fvrZPg0MNo_7-6EKD9ulWHM2DpAiWb5mdZxv2kMW3E-zaaww8beXe3jTKFXmLB-qIKeZAWDG6MNybQmjOA1UiR6Vg3-vgR27UbyfdjVqcn8lFA294TmGuZ7F6dPC9qdqY/s1600-h/DSC07420%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07420" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAfcqXY9UJNKm5BjlK6udMhiLhUKpg89rqTpRthK56GNl5Kkx7atIuMGUgvSXZSdvStUB7iroYMWExPsmBWmrlbSsa41W0mM0fhLVBdvpNzAkgQsYluQW_cy8MkPq5GBCMCFBYhfDNSeo/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07420" width="404"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>I squeezed in a few runs exploring downtown!</em><em><img alt="IMG00037-20100530-0722" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvGKZ4GCBU1EobgvFaOw18MVZW1ZKiDpiat56sdwzrEUtfI4XRjvazgIowqHoqHCyhyJ0IyulYwntIjJS0QAVaJeoi5Q49Qx6tqt70xrGopON7LSBxg5j7x-Xie_7zY6C7V91L3bj2S-5/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="IMG00037-20100530-0722" width="404"></em><em></em></p> <p align="center"><em>And tried a few new things, including alligator! ;)</em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfAxkOniLW6FpqYDyb2PuhVkE_AbCJu6zbIHdJO25y_hRl5rZQM4aaGWiRPrGzecwksBLmixh5mXuscsg4D0vcDoqQqNVbojt6CcMloDhehYIMEyrwLkgcMd26IjBc5kYhr7daFzNBfI3/s1600-h/DSC07487%5B3%5D.jpg"><em><img alt="DSC07487" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDioiO57psiCC8O6n18z7IhbJx5-IzK0DLslrsiXZAa07aGuekjfmfc4z7Coatp2Slz40ybBqUluDU_LPADRTzIe1tXuIO2hyphenhyphenlGWUf9FC4etMdpAJEOXgi8BxUoo49zDKqlja-FlqmLOfC/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07487" width="404"></em></a></p> <p align="left">In June I also ran my first 20K, the Dam to Dam in Des Moines. The big side note on this though is that I was completely un prepared! But I pushed through and finished the 12.4 miles, couldn’t have done it without Kyle! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5PWFR8xDzBXR-uvAShmeRSwNzr-ah-IdjULka8eexrHzf9ZUHK2I6yUP-kZ9Ea4kD6x9yhV2osctwk9_hGXUuYh84u2mf1wVTuUepaUzu5Ux9Fk3JN_BMsgRqFc-g9sDxqU24m0XU6jw/s1600-h/DSC07500%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07500" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDkCdEYqxiBpaRd3NadORN9QVujBGmAoq2b_bdu5rIK69GmPPl-8mefWojpKrCghvC79BS6INoSsK9zOb-W2VoMRrjGVZXY7DzGvzS26UBnam1gAf5Rfjw-DPEezY8HvCKZDgrvFm0Xgv/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07500" width="304"></a></p> <p align="left">In July Kyle had multiple interviews and <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/07/big-news.html">accepted a job at the community college</a> in the town where we live, which also happens to be where I work! ;) Of course we had to go out to celebrate!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RBwVpks0WpnVkXvhcnWKEbn7uKKCJaNd7KozptRocHogpT5TWgGYKEO9AQSJ3t-0yn0s3H6VjciSiqa-BFX_VTMvOnK4UmO1cWDjXDd-W_TyaehhbXMSARvB9r8gKIZxOtDy7eHdhReM/s1600-h/DSC07886_thumb%5B1%5D%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07886_thumb[1]" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YcF_yfDp8CWtP4_r7g5t28NXQvp2J1qOi-N1yQudCc9yB7PXR3Xq253HTra7H-IB3rMvi1H55MILY8dMopc2MezLUubdhHqt_ZPwrIvf3pj8C4zX2V7GqC-aU1doTU7bjcuhfIb-GY-0/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07886_thumb[1]" width="404"></a></p> <p>And that next week he started his job, M-F 8am-5pm, can’t put a price on that!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcztW89W-3XYfjge4LJWqVp57Yd76E_5m1Z4iO_mWw-FPJwXg6dKSxBVQz6CqahyphenhyphenZL9VjdLc0r-Qmz4zH_koNIX3UDA9Q3TlC4DnQGUbKreEY0CSr98bsI0nwOfmpYGTCjEHdK7MaJb4Z/s1600-h/DSC08049%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08049" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYJZG0H0_Fn0SFHoYX_ujiQQ1FfPWu56PDJFCfYDi5VWxwtT_u2ULBwp7JuQyDkXSgC7jV_5r9rjPf6HiJfb3OxKFZs03fZ6EVM5WkuR33B2Hdbf_ilLRJkzCJCe9C0__ErGHqU2qsRT2/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08049" width="304"></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>August was a rough month. We lost Kyle’s Grandpa. We miss him dearly, but were so thankful that we had the ENTIRE family together over the 4th of July weekend. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqHR6MaNXFwWiUfEadAjfNQfVuMWhL9dgcNupIbWegwRRkKxTPe3_bfnF0xh73fRbqAY_VKMkN84wbZxqvs-QF5gvDqjg4rK0M7q2WspXgc0u6yRS5xnuhJr2cPs9xAQxU-gwgozNEhh9/s1600-h/DSC07792%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07792" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnthfB2COPFWgM7wifpoERXMFW0NI2XYBpeWYTrWlV3NaSydGSMj8YffivuiIJ3Brzv8WcTMt1P54qKiCahK9_lLHBhkRPPMgOb1aapYfJedEte989axMeMRFnCKTduJuLNbqdBKq7GmY/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07792" width="404"></a></p> <p>One good thing about August is I marked another year in the books, yep I’m now 26! <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/08/early-birthday-celebration-saturday.html">We celebrated a day early</a> because…<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2GUQFpPQwxtEXfkYdM5bHcGrfnL9N8J3Bho6shOM7c37W3Vm1u7slgl3ByaCi12n0YBLRQ74U7tNL2GedwUm61y-2bTEFQyK21hg3cIuqU_rf5g_7KgwnXaA0aDlgsw4Fq_rjVxNj4pJ/s1600-h/DSC08255_thumb%5B1%5D%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08255_thumb[1]" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7yViE1uH512ZAMQa0iRLkuhaG2dsEALnKxjaNCnhhvE5eEqfVRvXConCw0H8lIo-a1PWUPV4uc3asR44IEcU9XJh2MIShA6sxlEAPUGprCmy9xVm_1ANhjzoUzf8z6A4AqDeoCw09aCz/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08255_thumb[1]" width="404"></a></p> <p><a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/08/another-year-in-books.html">I had to work on my birthday</a>, but my staff did well with making the day extra special!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2XMIwEyOAvxGUVMG9KjK4ZqPSYqCkkjm5imzQ6dgpXG-e3TnIRZA3R_jUeDjiDcDobt6scOVyWlEy3MXde-QLlHZASvbd0t3Qrjq-yrPrelRZzvmqmjjv1X71darPsKi0GccY_1IlElp/s1600-h/DSC08282_thumb%5B9%5D%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08282_thumb[9]" border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZj0Ftqh_36JBwMut27ubi8M53bl1SfNIPvXWNjTJJGs9LQBoHIKz8PjRqi9Z3X-bt68wDyLnlH-pN1WLlztsBaIFlmIRxYGLrL9gjC8F5mos9oWeBxztuVjsq9AIRVMS5Rn15hBDaBce/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08282_thumb[9]" width="304"></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>September was an extra special month, <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/09/hes-here.html">my nephew finally arrived</a>!! Hayden James, born 9.12.10!<img alt="DSC08548" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Fegcx9TIKPXF3w5ByjkuIYocQiwUAKTCInnlscRKNvLkZB95w68quTKYw-s38o9OAWmdluQSiz9FOqG93bCTN3MaEgDLyF28tmw1fnEFLmYWYiSLDva8q8q1lxk8i7B-KRsUUZ_Yq-BJ/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08548" width="404"></p> <p>It was extra special because my sisters & Mom all got to be there for the birth. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRfhWf1fD4kMqOXkzA5bvWb_6zCXI0ieykdrVj9UZg2K0Hk0d4yatJzxjqHXNtBdc3fBrhSJVl5N9q0UycBABHoReFVNNw4zuO5Ma52uuuh-FfhHayD-eLhEdCuUdRYMTzWxZwIzt_s2X/s1600-h/DSC08564%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08564" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOn9-eu_05J1r65gdc1m3IoF8_gC9iV0xBlD0C2DiABqMTkDBknEcIoIRxuVZNJCroVGvNDxHcYzR5yvAoHGiTwdSnkR25VzTum5iQ3cG9SnvJhHjqA-9jSFmLzGjZGrXLJUqcAaS6gjA/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08564" width="404"></a></p> <p>I sure do love this little guy. <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/09/im-proud-to-introduce.html">He spent the first week of his life in the NICU</a>, but is now a healthy growing boy!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxTKVfnFSvHNW-R77VqzWq_m3Rjhbnsaz53AoD5Phyphenhyphen4DxVC11TakjBkv4nC99dKyorT4YGrUtAIU3tlFbI3xkUqB4MUcuwAbP2CMd3FOQ2nHJutiUzZuj1im1u8dRSug1EMw5mFpjq8LJ/s1600-h/DSC08544%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08544" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Dsj-czTD9ECOQnf787MYupBARz8bmHw6O9mezDaOs6sHkDcNWU9wUIRwTjRaG7YFgbyrq7mIAJ7zO9NRgaJ2pRrfTHxhMGUu64-HqeEJfqpLv9GDfEzHHyWXPL0uxQAJ-5cBUB4ptqZS/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08544" width="404"></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Of course we all spent many weekends in Iowa City cheering on the Hawkeyes! This was our 3rd year as season ticket holders.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdHhJHOCYUW0MipZ8WUhLDUeEczGnkdcDRkw2fzKH8AH4SHceRdZGxUMtaBxe2xfnSTRWKwgcouOjnTWp7pTZI5svVM7TzKLOXGkDugk2JVtpSrjx5KMhLxGRPoiuWfTFkyEdl1SAsaZ9/s1600-h/DSC08463%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08463" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGpTKEQiQ-ypLCn0k431f_eIy3cpACsBQmyy4o-D59lF0zRZwJ5rLZi5_0okcc7cwJIQWWFHFW3qK3dag0icuMtQfg1wlSeZaLEyK9vAnfJyLBeb6XiynDHoQjmKSmv2kSvDV9uIl7eaa/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08463" width="404"></a></p> <p>October started out with our final race of the year, the <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/10/applefest-5k.html">Applefest 5K</a>. It was our first race in our hometown! Little did I know…<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OTTdadfUoStM4PBUaqBWAN1ae99zcChz_X-CUYSs8-rkM5DX7fcAdhUoIaIkHVkqur9NFUf7TxUISUeiHyMP_jEzmOKTm2LWBI9X0bPW_Hz13uEu1aKQEzyjNi-oqN7yxDZLun-57AQC/s1600-h/DSC08875%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08875" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvva2Y9UktA7z3NH4JpPABOISktfOuMDBnZHkiy34HX1ZglLMzqJL05NqSrhyphenhyphenCVgvs9-mQAk6yDSo2ERyum6CpKKcHgnTQYB-xtmU11uLU_JtJKdRUKfeFP9yZ0tgLvAKkqjOYdK7aLZ7/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08875" width="404"></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>I was pregnant at the time! We didn’t find out till 10.16.10, a day Kyle & I will forever remember! Click <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/12/101610.html">here</a> to read all about that day!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31Bwpn-WXoYF0818U0lgYZxkrBeJprbwxr_GAdLHpYNMzOfMp_Z6N8AeCebjr2Ks5b5Oq5ayJe0VWoLJmiVpkrY9DHYGOOWJsozfkJXwyO_OzOrqDZsh4L-QR-BPGHt6SwC37Pn9MgI04/s1600-h/DSC09069%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09069" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FMdgKO3v-vm1PaMNTaP90edVptfDNz7RiGmC8c8GMSmbcTMr8OZRhItpUdj3P80wzIrUua-0z_WBl_wproil8jAInEVuA1fXQc9khGgrHvfAAx4xo9cwlToOd-42NIqSIRtZrKSXNwIl/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09069" width="404"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUdzLwNpBCaP4TH2-9PaU_DMuObT2umiZIqBa5nU1b_0XFjzYZKBBXYm1TRBxtC9KNql_RknghSrZZwIzKVAztDk3sdmlHG_amGExPOE727d-23f2rlXTV8BUvpCOKMAvhqGCfyK9qG0P/s1600-h/DSC09052%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09052" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLM-RL_uEZPy8L91TAiufCP0d8sQLlehq5JVhpmBRpMeKZrCPiCvx1pMHdIvBKBPm4qq-qSLUuoBr5HWJDIv-wexWpWtDnIHKWvzj1YKQXd3XVZ-RfVfUJkxSU2heZA9pNQFLU02N8ZfZt/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09052" width="404"></a></p> <p></p> <p>November was a fun month! November 4th marked 2 years that I have been on this journey! It was fun to look back to see what I have accomplished over that time! Click <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/11/2-year-blogiversary.html">here to read my blogiversary pos</a>t. </p> <p>We also enjoyed <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/12/sharing-news.html">sharing our “news'’</a> with our immediate family over a few weekends! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj485WXUAtTVy-f-133Q0iN4_cUDKqtYVSe8FE9tmx8LQ0HT4mkZ_HxYcHtcDNEXi82lTwso82icY4hEFmzK8SVvthY-wrW29tajlZaRuFWS8xLhyphenhyphenVG-VADHtMdYcpkI0n7r4vRc1p7quC_/s1600-h/11.14.10%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="11.14.10" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjkqDUi3i_K6R9FWjdempFdK5grOcQM1MGyT5tE3PVbbFjaq4Zf0-RfvKqNyHRnM25ye0lu2IxwD4y6VPZ7yyfbzTWkdl5mXh7Fl_KCPmglBpxt5i7-LHPQfxWf7rShRXNCj2N2rJgJsR/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="11.14.10" width="404"></a></p> <p>And we finished the month off with an awesome 5 day cruise with family & friends! Click <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/12/family-fun-cruise-days-1-2.html">here for the 1st half</a> & <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/12/family-fun-cruise-days-3-4-5.html">here for the 2nd</a>!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonZBCoSo0i8xvuC2vVWJhVF_-R6h1indNxkKINOFRd-G3nJfAxj1IqMD5pVfspLRti-Umbl5e2tkQtqTagqOVYuKciJqKE9sBGvwlAcI_bqA-jFLFfw2OB90jpcaTmiFVDYoCeNtrVfVS/s1600-h/DSC09483%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09483" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBN6kFS1RZG4QB0i0bTk9jWkizs_ECOsnZk3realxmgFqKXh5OQcgezwvDBbj0ZJeNjl77pB-qBRRVh0TwXQR9clcBEG77etCTydljHM1WWF6BetZgE_z-Zxr7-YM_UQTh0ws9Vh3Eboq/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09483" width="404"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UmkIept8T7vNOqPQ4B25BZvW1RRcdGOoODp5-ZA27SK3QT_X1JyWNz4X3b6si8seGc3YMdjqcB0Z1nQt5lWctJXGEe0O-jOvqZp-pIrT8fygSBWzrezEhl_5-aB6MbLXkwSkgG4m8SQO/s1600-h/_DSC2377%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="_DSC2377" border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUEGEMO0SWxbHtFoiomjEgA5Td7Zlk8gSaK8rHNo_R6qRi4cd62R4hnShBq1AmHo7r6dTX1WpNKiwu88AFgeq78YQEkgeXpQw1QNfwIllqaGQgv_msLjLZrLfGci0yPOEACcdtI7yvsgH/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="_DSC2377" width="404"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRBGqq9q7Yba5m2o6zvP3h6_GAlgPzKSG2-dTYxSkIThQc0Kzqml0DlhyAzRnrLRI4pCVeRwF7KqOOUMwqeulodZnVv1fUyJ2hsGBXDtWkmeKR7aIbUKazk5alRjyuMyeEt8eET7u534q/s1600-h/_DSC2349%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="_DSC2349" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_a7qm2bBkcqdpWc2Ab_JD0BcaaLQQrSx02Ned9J95TPHBfwM4boQv-qVabQcKXUkY1Hp0sP-yvFN-xFHcn4XOGNLZP2hOioui0tTqzPs26izQiNx86x91O1oj6R6EYtIsdaO_XbGUkeiX/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="_DSC2349" width="404"></a></p> <p>In December we got to see our little one for the first time! Not to mention also hearing that heartbeat! Priceless! Click <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/12/sharing-news.html">here</a> to read more!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERdmFWTuBikAgseUR-ksz6COXqpkeLo0yHiXCHrkOC5tWmoituBGIEt-Lbrj5bsRV9bHHvR65eooQHI1iBeXv-icA1dV1lZB_BhnoD12cmZze21J2vwfHjcyndSulA1k4XVNOoW5K8Bxe/s1600-h/ultrasound1%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="ultrasound1" border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlvb3PQscHMrBnY0XRGye1N03AY7AqnCTboRXP8WWii07ITXIm5m5D9-xipt7-csd7fX5bV9J8gWnZufe35jFpZRXo5nPXFcCO5UAdXM9wTe-GstjbVTfCzuD8091CI0Tsaoz9G62p-rF/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="ultrasound1" width="404"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oZAt0Wx3BA7HkwAU8cdAuSTP1uB1MbOLLt6fWibjKFtmjBC_HwsMXOJhPiZ62LChsKBHN2dMH_eTtOSFF19xaH0H9qSqYYwlNb73wVEXhGqqLtN9wj0rOkRJ4zHTom2bozYUI6iyred3/s1600-h/ultrasound%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="ultrasound" border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKP-Ws3JeHC_4UqB1DZmtmBLPe-e9i5t_WaW0GvD6mCLtknxcCNc_TmTX4DeijRhejuv0Gu4L7r0q9_LUBHqTPG1wWXPpEbU-wfKQKdSXHO-e1NtnLzgd1xDk1DJKUL2ZcUZVQKQXKJDg/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="ultrasound" width="404"></a></p> <p>December we also made the 10 hour drive to my cousin’s wedding in Oklahoma!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4okZjPj_ttX8gw1GonLqdMY-PTKR1KtyzmFuW-snj4QgXtut72jbYTH4GTvbfvtTxw6DMCL6D7-nwi1Vju4Qul7vFwV0h146mPkWHC_SfdZzwVU85UqFNEMHxBwWy79M4wMt8Y_p0ekx-/s1600-h/DSC09529%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09529" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreF-PzsMm2keFtXcgFuqSlCrbRulVcnYBmMRxsKGfEKjrxKzW2n7t_JTwj-fdFOxYmoRuWu9unlkhCgh1mguAWUjBpIjFz0SVB-FLic2bLhMVAMZGfgAh54cIXYXA3Pm1GFp64KwSv17V/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09529" width="304"></a></p> <p>My entire family made the trip!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkzx0VpN9jcDcnZFx8RPfdLwHOkzC-55OYXpHYxJ5IgDbFzK2M7j1hZzHEgxLsGg0cMWA4cP5sP22YipGbpy6WSngL0ndvz27jQfkkQO5lSAUnCj_urRapV_Q5hGnPINM__u-YTyoXVoQ/s1600-h/DSC09541%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09541" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dcQoynjJiQYTrur7hpHL2zTrbaQjLxe4n35ZDyP3McXVW92LgywjNn0j5boDrG3oVxZ7nLELIMulpKqcw54RaNJaometbXQ7tr5DMCAsZS-PZLAC5MF5OPkt7KBwy5kqPSmPqKPlzfWX/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC09541" width="404"></a></p> <p>And of course we can’t forget <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-recap.html">Christmas</a>!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mVMX9x_WeJbGYIoovHqFPcLDL44MIn4ZMhwndjjqAEQe3NxAilS6cAySaCpSHRDRNbCrC5QvI4QB3tVFr8AEvqCS_Myj-kiibMgZibonJRxlk3lCf99-H6uxOKdI_mM61YmhDwDvg1MB/s1600-h/front%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="front" border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGSEAU6v_HVVoIFZ549UyscuXd8ggIgKHUdaB38sftRU4_MsXf33IY-nhReTTyaO9WgDYtj8IUAEOuvaZviI98UGhffE-Rd6oaa2XxtAuIN_UiLdPakbGzfjsZOkoj9KsfUC9kr1NBj-y/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="front" width="479"></a></p> <p>And now we are ringing in the new year in Kansas City with some great friends!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRI49JaJUiuCXubBiqRTDhDTCwr8np3A4uwDa-f2qvgQ95xIjost7V9Hn83Iso8HimUMjRqNRSAjpNv9ONeFvvK9QOAEY5a4ElYBJE-7O1ERj8z0lDnXkbSF_mXVCPmAGlwxIs0ASETOk/s1600-h/DSC01652%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC01652" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64uKdxrMQup4nTYTRI_J2qXYv4TeJkrLTBBaWJMN9EaG86JTSzjNpEGKSAct6eD3pNWk-HNA6Bq_l8ACINbMF35_F1zqDD_d9_rddujvejidu_T7c2M_BfBVIYIQ_M1B3aKt1XwwOnJM1/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC01652" width="404"></a></p> <p>I know that 2011 has lots to offer, can’t wait! :) See ya next year!</p>

Year in Review

2010 was a great year, filled with accomplishments, trips, additions, and much more! Sit back & enjoy my year in review! January I star...

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Happy New Year! A Year's Worth of Good Behaviors.

It's so hard to believe that it's almost 2011 already.  It seems the older you get, the faster time goes by.  So, we sit and make some New Year's resolutions that often involve exercise or eating right or enjoying life more.  And, how long do we stick with them...probably till about mid-February if we're lucky.  So, how does one start healthy habits and KEEP them? General consensus says that if you can do one thing at a time and do it for a month, then the habit is more likely to stick.  So, here is a whole year's worth of monthly healthy habits you can do for yourself, your students, your family, and the outdoors:<br /><br /><strong>January--Plan a Garden!</strong><br />Growing your own veggies is fun and healthy.  This can be done in your own backyard or on your school grounds as part of your life science curriculum, art curriculum and family and consumer science courses.  Pouring through all the seed catalogs that come out this month is a great way to budget and plan what you'll grow the rest of the year.  And it's a great way to spend a quiet hour at home on the couch!<br /><br /><strong>February--Swap For a Healthy Snack!</strong><br />Small steps are the key for eating healthy.  There is a lot of discussion over which is better, local or organic, when it comes to produce.  But, either is good if you're making the choice to eat a fruit or veggie everyday instead of something from the vending machine or convenience store.  This small step could save you several hundred calories everyday, which can add up to losing a pound or two a week.  Try a cup of blueberries instead of a handful of chips, or an apple instead of a candy bar.  Your waistline will thank you at the end of the month.<br /><br /><strong>March--Start the Seeds!</strong><br />If you're planning a garden and want to start your plants from seed, this is the month to do it in Ohio.  Most plants take about 6 weeks to get to a height that's appropriate to transplant.  This is also a fun activity to do with your children or students.  They get a lot of satisfaction out of seeing the first little leaves poke out of the soil, and even more when they get to transplant them in May or June.<br /><br /><strong>April--Get Outside for 15 Minutes Everyday!</strong><br />Again, starting small will make the difference in your success.  If you're someone who doesn't like to exercise, walking in nature is the easiest and cheapest type of exercise you can do.  And, there are plenty of free parks and nature trails in Ohio to access.  Take a pair of binoculars or a camera with you, it will seem less like work and you'll get to see some birds or take some photos of some of Ohio's beautiful spring wildflowers while you're there.  And you'll be amazed what it can do for your frazzled state of mind! <br /><br /><strong>May--Plant That Garden!</strong><br />One of the best forms of exercise and relaxation is gardening.  It can be a peaceful yet challenging way to spend a few hours outdoors.  And, with how many forms of exercise do you actually get to eat your efforts?  And again, this is an excellent way to spend time with your children or students.  Kids love to get dirty and what better, safer place to do that than in the garden.<br /><br /><strong>June--Get Outside for 45 Minutes Everyday!</strong><br />With the warm weather and the kids out of school, now is when you can really take the time to get outdoors.  Take the dog, take the kids, take the Frisbee, fishing rods, bikes or GPS and Get Outdoors!!<br /><br /><strong>July--Swap For a Healthy Drink!</strong><br />With the hot weather, keeping an eye on what you're drinking everyday can really make a difference if you're trying to lose a few pounds.  Sodas, juices, flavored water and sports drinks are loaded with sugar and calories.  Swapping out a glass of water for even one or two bottles of these high calorie drinks can lead to shedding a couple of pounds a month.  If you just can't take water, try adding some lemon to it.  Drinking diet versions of sodas and sports drinks is better than full sugar versions, but water is the best source of hydration on a hot summer day.<br /><br /><strong>August--Swap for a Healthy Meal!</strong><br />It's state and county fair time and there are a lot of delicious but VERY unhealthy foods to indulge in at these events.  So, one thing to do this month is to swap out a high calorie meal for one that's more healthy.  And, with the produce in your new garden coming on right now, this will make it even easier to try new recipes that are loaded with veggies and herbs.  You can even go meatless for one day a week! And, with all the good produce available at the farmer's markets this time of year, you should have plenty of tasty alternatives to try.  Experiment with new veggies and fruits in your kitchen.  There are a lot of great resources online for trying new cooking ideas.<br /><br /><strong>September--Feed the Birds!</strong><br />This time of year is perfect for starting a bird feeding station in your yard or schoolyard.  No matter where you live, you'll attract some birds with even the simplest feeding station.  All it takes is one feeder that's located near a window and some cover for the birds, such as a bush or tree, and you'll enjoy the beginning of a regular cast of visitors for the coming winter months.<br /><br /><strong>October--Start a New Hobby!</strong><br />The days are getting shorter, the kids have settled back into their school routines and, if you're like me, this is the time of year when you're looking for something to do.  So, find a new hobby, preferably one that gets you outdoors.  Whether it's hunting, fishing, hiking, geocaching, cross country skiing, canoeing or any other activity, this is a good time to get the ball rolling on any new hobby.  Having a hobby that you enjoy is proven to reduce stress and anxiety.  So, ease your mind by getting outside with a new hobby!<br /><br /><strong>November--Eat at Home at Least Twice a Week!</strong><br />Eating a home cooked meal is not only satisfying, but it's typically healthier than any take-out, fast food, or restaurant meal you can buy.  You can control the portion size, the amount of salt and fat, and you get to spend some time with your family knowing you're giving them a good meal.<br /><br /><strong>December--Find an Environmental or Conservation Group to Join and/or Support!</strong><br />One of the best indications of a person's support of the environment is their willingness to put up or shut up, so to speak.  If a person is willing to spend their time and money on a cause, that is a true mark of support.  So, if you're willing to give of your time, energy, expertise and funds, December is an excellent time to join any organization.  Many groups are looking for support this time of year to raise awareness of social and environmental issues.  And, an end of the year donation to a charitable or non-profit organization can be a tax benefit in the following year.  So check out the websites of your favorite organizations and see how you can help their cause, and make it your cause too!<br /><br />I hope this list gives you lots of ideas and challenges you to make some healthy and positive changes in your life.  I know I'll be doing a few of these myself.  I hope you all have a safe and Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! A Year's Worth of Good Behaviors.

It's so hard to believe that it's almost 2011 already.  It seems the older you get, the faster time goes by.  So, we sit and make so...

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The Los Angeles Philharmonic Performs Bernard Herrmann...

<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/AVvXsEj5fuZmHXT7cBUDQug3GbNkCKNlDlIey7KjXcqHPT8sqIv-uqpGwnhmaxKVH5fkQr_8Fad0x7h9oe1hC6hqBH95wVEaLd0rpQkW4rnvARMS-wcRtWGq0twfjRpsKEL-gxeR9j6g3YDZkzGF/s1600/avert2%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fuZmHXT7cBUDQug3GbNkCKNlDlIey7KjXcqHPT8sqIv-uqpGwnhmaxKVH5fkQr_8Fad0x7h9oe1hC6hqBH95wVEaLd0rpQkW4rnvARMS-wcRtWGq0twfjRpsKEL-gxeR9j6g3YDZkzGF/s320/avert2%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James Stewart and Kim Novak in <strong>Vertigo</strong></td></tr></tbody></table>While perusing <em>YouTube</em> the other night I happened on the video below of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, performing Bernard Herrmann's "Scene d'Amour" from his score for Alfred Hitchcock's <strong>Vertigo</strong>. I watched and listened several times, swept up in it...and then, afterward, remembered something I'd nearly forgotten...<br /> <br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKqK7HtkC4m9Kk-K5ak39mBwbU2A9ZBAj6QN43c3lrC94gaLi4BK8MYDtF9yRN7C1Cn9BpeBwrknQappVWCbJhfgLWjy1H5dCQqsK2Mpq70ag0kuQw4PWbnS-oY26dlCuZORVzLPNcbEG/s1600/900%252520Lombard%252520entry%255B1%255D%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKqK7HtkC4m9Kk-K5ak39mBwbU2A9ZBAj6QN43c3lrC94gaLi4BK8MYDtF9yRN7C1Cn9BpeBwrknQappVWCbJhfgLWjy1H5dCQqsK2Mpq70ag0kuQw4PWbnS-oY26dlCuZORVzLPNcbEG/s200/900%252520Lombard%252520entry%255B1%255D%255B1%255D.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">900 Lombard, San Francisco, today</td></tr></tbody></table>Just about a year ago a videographer friend and I toured and shot footage of San Francisco film locations. I later recorded a voice track and hoped to post the video online, but had problems uploading it. Naturally, we got footage of <strong>Vertigo </strong>sites (the film includes many locations in the city) and I also took some still photos of 900 Lombard St., "Scottie Ferguson's" apartment in North Beach. The building had changed so little in the 50+ years since the movie was made that I almost expected a vintage green Jaguar to pull up and an elegant, ethereal blonde to slide out...<br /><br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_naJH44Lk3I?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_naJH44Lk3I?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

Alfred Hitchcock Bernard Herrmann Esa-Pekka Salonen Los Angeles Philharmonic The Lady Eve (author) Vertigo The Los Angeles Philharmonic Performs Bernard Herrmann...

James Stewart and Kim Novak in Vertigo While perusing YouTube  the other night I happened on the video below of the Los Angeles Philharmonic...

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