Nursery Progress

<p>Over spring break Kyle hung a few shelves in the nursery. I had a picture in my head of what I wanted to do with them, but needed to actually bring it to reality.</p> <p>This is the view from the doorway: the crib is straight on & the shelves on the left. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0nZ8i1bNpuCUpqWKBvwQAaVoaEe-lV5x8R8-G0kVdtzvAbSDveMpxBHxBpmw70le-Q4DRZJIrtue2XEH1tgXLJpCXQihdDRVcN7QpR-LRuKQgEKCJklpB4xZHXIPu6OGgPkAqPktxXV5/s1600-h/DSC09868%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09868" border="0" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2UHjSEjZp5p1V4rSH1jS6Cus195i0jhiMrRSPNZhiFn84BC8otZREc8mfE26d1NcDFXHUq-8wJknygY4JEIvrfOEoRv2AX6PRxa9HPMQmb3nVkKHSLUj1ZFRD0MsB1uKdpiJouBp7D5t/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09868" width="354"></a></p> <p>Here is another view. I used white gallery frames on the shelf we picked up at Ikea. Here are the details:</p> <ul> <li>The frame on the far left has a pink scrapbook paper with a white swirly design, once we pick out her name I’m going to be a big initial of her first name. <li>The 2nd frame is something I designed & framed. (see next picture) <li>Then we have her ultrasound. <li>Lastly, I finished it off with some coordinating scrapbook paper I picked up at Hobby Lobby. <li>The 2 pink iron flowers below are hooks I also got at Hobby Lobby for $3/each.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhDq9o9l-B4H3AcZRheMup5VtJXJ5SlqJgpW0Pm3C6tTYzbj6FBYDcDu1JEfvOjBNgnp7TjQoxunnhxrLa_F-P1HTd3J4B9ga2vIaExFsxpx7fKjW22n6T3L4kStgWCucD836zJqJVNxW/s1600-h/DSC09860%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09860" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3olVlX9YFSskbmrVh9S2qGUSGhyT1d8MSDDwkwL767Px4xLiVCmoGcwK40tKMT9iW0LjWRwWRbPmmLknJba3Ysg_0icOJO5RE8bqgQieOXE9hZ4llsmveLE_bW0Pp9tXaOjxtsFcwEPJ_/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09860" width="404"></a></li></ul> <p>Here is a close up of what I made! I used the colors in her nursery (pink, blue, green, & brown), difference sizes, and jumbled the alphabet for something fun! I was so happy with how it turned out!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEY0Vs9MDTTHVU7hakXwKQ8sIrWaGL43rQsZBGl4Q7Rpdq5EqVzoHFtEe2ZyKkt1c-yIPyA__IvSrEdO5D_YllOpcVXGPG0frbn0dKlRVog9AlxlnnWUDvpYBlT61SlUQTqr8fX_N7LX4r/s1600-h/DSC09861%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09861" border="0" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowCU6X8Ohvs2BeFviA4NSQCcTNqaKbEgT49ikO9LVR3GVN2P9GXirzR4k7FZfuaMsjgvF1usNMPW-TvVLGMqEs0GHW3DMh5j79vQYp0kJP8tDgzHJPsXgnD0SioWNC6m0OZmGef1rP25D/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09861" width="354"></a></p> <p>Kyle also hung something I “stumbled” upon in our storage area in the basement. This is a scrapbook display frame my sister Mindi gave me years ago! It’s magnetic and also has some mini clothes pins. I thought this will be a great place to display pictures, her birth announcement, etc!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFuG5g_G09MSxgcWu4EsrCz6I-xGwHd339QZHvN0vKCFgiu76Mx9oM950CZe13LxqKH7tlyk50jKpjBlAUyXvTy6mchOO7Ywp9OtjxbGUbEHe-vnArUfLUac7jE0ZmPLVjvtizbYm9dX0/s1600-h/DSC09865%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09865" border="0" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEbb7vYALJmoDWPMS7gmbZa-J3JZw5ecS6LYThTyA81B8rRCd9jC5jiI0SmV_FZfHvQLDrqy7L4SvxFv9FFZ2Jfj8_Fsr2OnWw_vNAcCPC6qL9lhfkD_-oEmuDmmwDMRGaHMqaZG0bymu/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" title="DSC09865" width="354"></a></p> <p>After we got these things done, I just sat in the glider and enjoyed the room! *sigh* Just love it so far! I can’t wait for her to get here, the most important piece of this whole puzzle! I have another plan for the remaining 2 walls. One is dependent on what we pick for her name & the other is dependent on finding a friendly seamstress! ;) So we’ll save those for another day!</p>

Nursery Progress

Over spring break Kyle hung a few shelves in the nursery. I had a picture in my head of what I wanted to do with them, but needed to actuall...

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The Big Climb was totally AWESOME!!!

The Big Climb Seattle 2011<br /><br />After all my worrying and fretting about being a Big Climb team captain, after kicking myself in the butt a zillion times because I didn't lose twenty or even ten pounds for the event, I would say today was one of the best days of my life!<br /><br />My husband took a ton of pictures today (and many of them not at all flattering to me), but the one below is my absolute favorite. <br /><br />The guy on the left is Steve, and our team was Alaska Airlines Climbing for Steve. Steve was diagnosed with <span class="goog_qs-tidbit goog_qs-tidbit-0">myelodysplastic syndromes</span><span class="goog_qs-tidbit goog_qs-tidbit-0"> (</span>preleukemia) last August and had a stem cell transplant last fall. The guy on the right is one of our pilots, Paul. He was in the exact spot last year that Steve is now, recovering from a stem cell transplant after being diagnosed with MDS. This year Paul did the climb, and next year, both Paul and Steve will do the climb. I really love this picture. That's me in the back, on the right (with the bleached blond hair hiding behind people).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gcxjLK4CURHA2vcWfkS8ghDtlxhH__4UR9PCQESm9iCpGxT1GoBBVxm7jkfhRmzzfw-ZL43tWdBJEHaysK1htI2RWPVpPUSt7evw4cmdvTF7G6XfOTrbrDIZaJbVQweqKIzrxr_IHg8_/s1600/P1020712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gcxjLK4CURHA2vcWfkS8ghDtlxhH__4UR9PCQESm9iCpGxT1GoBBVxm7jkfhRmzzfw-ZL43tWdBJEHaysK1htI2RWPVpPUSt7evw4cmdvTF7G6XfOTrbrDIZaJbVQweqKIzrxr_IHg8_/s640/P1020712.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />The anticipation and excitement was in the air when my husband and I entered the lobby of Columbia Center at 8:30am Sunday (my team's start time was 10:30am). It's a huge space, and it was packed with people, many wearing their team t-shirts. Most people were very fit and healthy looking. You could feel the adrenalin, as well as the fear that some of us first timers were feeling.<br /><br />We arrived extra early because I wanted to make sure we had a space next to Starbucks on the main floor. It turned out not to be a problem because the Starbucks was located in an out of the way corner. I was a little worried no one would find us, but they all showed up. <br /><br />Our company had two teams, my team, Climbing for Steve (since most of us knew him we wanted to honor him with a team just for him). The other team wasn't climbing for anyone specific. All together we had 60 people. Between the two teams we raised $8,500 dollars, which I thought was pretty good for a first time effort.<br /><br />I was very surprised to see Steve show up to thank us in person. He had told me he would try to come, but if he wasn't feeling well, he might not make it. He's had a rough few weeks lately so I wasn't sure if he'd make it or not. Steve is one of the kindest, most gentle human beings I've ever met. He made a little speech of gratitude to our team before we took off on our climb. It was very touching and made me cry.<br /><br />As we were going up the escalators for our 10:30am start time I heard someone shout my name, "Diana!". I turned around and there was Alan from <a href="http://www.poundsoffplayoff.com/">Pounds Off Playoff</a>, with his wife and two kids. I recognized him from his blog picture. I yelled back a "Hi Alan, and Alan's wife and two kids!". I wish I could have spoken to him and his family. It's so cool to meet people that write blogs. It's like you know the person before you even meet them. But we were on our march to the start of the climb and there was no going back at that point.<br /><br />I'm not going to kid you and say the climb of 69 floors or 1,311 steps was easy for me. It was not easy. It was hard. I slowed down a few times to let younger, more fit people pass me, but I never stopped and rested. My heart rate got up to 161 and stayed there for the last ten minutes. When I work out on the StairMaster at the gym (which is NOTHING like the real thing) my heart rate is usually in the 135-140 range, occasionally going up to 151. <br /><br />A heart rate of 161 for ten minutes is extremely high for me, especially because of my age (55) my target heart rate (85% of maximum) is 140. I really felt like I was pushing myself hard, and I kept repeating over and over in my head, mind over matter, mind over matter...I can and will do this.<br /><br />The hardest part was the first ten floors, because I knew how far I had to go and it seemed like a really long way to the 69th floor, the last ten floors were killer because I was exhausted! They number the last ten floors, each floor with a big sign, only ten more floors, only nine more floors, etc. Plus as you get close to the top there was a person at each landing cheering us on, saying things like "good job!" or "you're almost there!" The floors left numbers and the cheering really helped.<br /><br />One thing that was so emotional for me was the big 8 1/2" x 11" photos on each floor. Several said "In memory of" and a name and date. Some said "In honor of" and a name. This gave me momentum to keep going. I couldn't help but think what each of these people and many others have gone through with cancer. If I could honor them by making this small sacrifice, then it was worth it. <br /><br />The team t-shirt that really touched my heart the most was a team called Project Trevor. On the back of a bright orange t-shirt it had a picture of a young boy. Below the picture, it said "Dad, I have a question. Is Leukemia life threatening?" ~Trevor 2002. I saw some people wearing the t-shirt in the elevator and said to a woman, your t-shirt made me cry, but what a wonderful way to honor Trevor. She pointed to a man standing beside her and said that Trevor was his best friend's son. Then we all started to tear up a bit and someone said, "No tears here today! Only happy thoughts!" and we all laughed.<br /><br />I looked up Team Trevor's web page and this is what their greeting said:<br /><br />Project Trevor is the Big Climb Team Honoring Trevor Price, a young man, lost to Leukemia at 12 years of age. We have been a a key team in the recent growth of this fantastic event. We are encouraged by a young man that will forever be 12 years of age; a young man that was always older than his years. <br /><br />Here's a <a href="http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/iss/community/42433532.html">link</a> to more about Trevor. What's even sadder is that he lost his life five months after he was diagnosed with leukemia, at 12 years of age. Team Trevor raised $15,808.59 for today's event. Wow. <br /><br />Sorry, I digress. Back to the actual climb. First of all, I didn't run it, but I was in the "racer" group so I could be timed. When I got to the sign that said "Five floors left!" I could hear the Rocky theme music (Gonna Fly Now). That really helped. It got louder and louder as I neared the top. You know the music, where Rocky is running up the steps in the movie. <br /><br />So, are you wondering about my results?<br /><br />Time:  19 minutes and 38 seconds<br />Place overall:  2635 out of 3242  <---these were the timed climbers, there was another 3,000 untimed<br />Pace by sex:  1100 out of 1499<br />Place in my age group:  91/131<br /><br />Now those numbers aren't super fantastic, but dang, I'm kind of proud of it for my first time. Especially considering that I'm 55 years old and at least 30 pounds overweight (but not next year!). <br /><br />Are you wondering how the 80-year old woman placed? Actually, this year she's 81.<br /><br />Shirley Lansing, 81, 36 minutes and 36 seconds. <br /><br />I hope I do that well when I'm 81!<br /><br />My goal for next year, 15 minutes! I saw several people in their fifties did it in 15 minutes or less this year. Imagine how easy it would be if I was thirty or even fifty pounds lighter?<br /><br />Overall, I really enjoyed this event. I talked to the other team captain and we're already scheming how to have one big team next year of over 100 people. If we raised $8,500 with 60 people, we can raise at least $10,000 (or more) with 100 people. <br /><br /><strong>Speaking of weight</strong><br />I weighed this morning when I got up.<br /><br />186.4<br /><br />Holy Crap Batman!<br /><br />I've been stressed out a little over the Big Climb. It had some sort of negative effect on my eating. I realize that doesn't make any sense but it's almost like I had this overwhelming pressure to lose weight. I mean seriously, the fat girl is going to climb 69 floors and not have a heart attack? The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to eat. It was really odd how it made me feel.<br /><br />Looking through all the pictures my husband took of me today, I'm looking very fat. There's just no other way to say it, but I can really see the weight on my body and face and I don't like it one little bit. Not to mention hauling this body up 69 flights was a lot harder than it should have been for me.<br /><br />We have a Weight Watchers at work group that just started, and I'm joining it. It's on Wednesdays at noon for 17 weeks. We have over 20 people signed up so we get an extra discount with Weight Watchers for having over 20 people, and our company is paying for 30% of the fee. Plus I'm staying in my Saturday meetings and paying my online fee. So I'll have two meetings and two weighins a week for the next 17 weeks. I feel really excited that I'm going to finally make some headway on losing weight again. <br /><br /><strong>Battle: Los Angeles</strong><br />This post is already too long, but I have to tell you about the movie we saw this afternoon. Battle: Los Angeles. I loved it! It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire movie. I laughed, I cried, and was thoroughly entertained for almost two hours (but it seemed like twenty minutes). <br /><br />It's a sci-fi with aliens-war-suspense-scary movie. All the stuff I love rolled into one movie. I'm sort of a weird female because I love war movies. I'm sure it's from being married to a big history buff for the last 23 years. I've seen more than my share of war movies (but I kind of like them now).<br /><br />Anyway, I loved it. I know the ratings aren't the greatest, but it's one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. Definitely worth seeing on the big screen. <br /><br />I must still be high from my climb. I'm a real chatterbox tonight!

The Big Climb was totally AWESOME!!!

The Big Climb Seattle 2011 After all my worrying and fretting about being a Big Climb team captain, after kicking myself in the butt a zilli...

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Waiting Till the End to Say My Piece

January 27. I was on my computer when I spotted that the Michigan-Michigan State basketball game was going to be on ESPN3.com. Yes, the game was at East Lansing; yes, the Wolverines hadn't won there in 15 years; yes, they had just lost six straight and were 1-6 in the Big Ten, but I was still excited. It would be the first time I'd really seen them in action since late December - which would make my grand total M basketball viewings for the year go up to 2.<br /><br />But when I got to the website, I was dismayed to see that there was only two minutes left in the game. My sadness quickly turned to elation when I found out <i>we were winning!</i> I nervously watched the final seconds click down, and just like that, the tide had turned. After hearing for a month on Detroit sports radio that Michigan head coach John Beilein would likely be fired after this season, and that this team was too young and there were no leaders, it was a shock to my system. Sometimes, a good dose of positive energy can really renew a person!<br /><br />So I kept paying attention, with my ear to the ground. I didn't make any proclamations that Michigan was the best - because they weren't, but also because I didn't want to take this "upset" and make it a big deal. (Even though I really really wanted to.)<br /><br />That became my mindset for the rest of the season. After close calls (Wisconsin) and more fun games (MSU again, Minnesota), I still wasn't going to announce this team was turning a corner. And even after they came back against Illinois in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament (since they'd earned a bye), I wasn't going to announce to the world that Michigan was back.<br /><br />Nope, not even after Michigan pounded Tennessee 75-45 in the "second" round of the NCAA Tourney was I going to proclaim that this had been a good season.<br /><br />Only now, after a narrow loss to Duke and the end of the season, will I make my remarks:<br /><br />That was a good season!<br /><br />After starting well (beating Harvard) and having an awful middle (you lost to Indiana?!), the Michigan Wolverines' players came together as a team to share responsibilities. Even though players like Darius Morris and Tim Hardaway Jr. got their names out into the public, there were other players like Stu Douglass shooting threes and Zack Novak trying to guard the big men and snatching rebounds away from them. Even though only two players had gone to the Big Dance before (Douglass and Novak), they showed poise and patience in their two games at that level.<br /><br />But there's one problem to this season: haven't we seen this before?<br /><br />Two years ago, in the 2008-09 season, Michigan had built a respectable record and had also gone to the NCAA Tournament's second round, losing to Blake Griffin and number 2 Oklahoma. They had almost everyone returning for the next year, including Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims. But they had a down year and didn't even make the tournament. The fact that they made it back this year with no Senior leadership was huge!<br /><br />But will history repeat itself? After all, we are having almost all our players from this year returning for the next year. Are we going to have all our offseason expectations dashed by Christmas? <br /><br />I hope that the Wolverines take recent history into account and are able to build on this season. Then hopefully I can proclaim this amazing season from Day One!

Waiting Till the End to Say My Piece

January 27. I was on my computer when I spotted that the Michigan-Michigan State basketball game was going to be on ESPN3.com. Yes, the game...

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Zero days until the Big Climb

In about eight hours I'll be getting up and getting dressed for the big climb. In about twelve hours I'll be lined up to start the climb of 1,311 steps.<br /><br />I've picked out what I'm wearing, black cropped workout pants, a black sleeveless, v-neck workout top, the kind that stays dry (you can't see or feel the sweat, it wicks away, whatever that means), my favorite workout socks, and my favorite workout shoes. I have my heart rate monitor ready next to my socks so I don't forget it. Plus my gloves to wear so I won't be touching the bannister with my bare hands (I have a slight germ phobia about public stair bannisters--they're gross!).<br /><br />I picked up the racing packets for my team in Seattle this morning and they're in the trunk of my car. <br /><br />I had my hair cut and highlighted today so I'm ready for pictures. I had about an inch cut off, and it's really blond again (almost need sunglasses to look at it). No reverse highlights this time, just two tones of blond. I'm thinking it's a little bit too blond.<br /><br />And I'm nervous as heck. I don't really know why but I feel anxious about this event. I know I can do the 69 floors, but I know it's going to be hard. My bad left knee has been bothering me a little since I did the Sheraton stairs on Tuesday (37 flights twice). <br /><br />Maybe it's because I'm team captain, and I know I'm going to have to be all smiles and friendly. Basically, I'll have to be "on" as I meet and greet people tomorrow morning. I keep telling myself not to worry, it's no big deal, and it'll be over before I know it. <br /><br />It's for a good cause, raising money for a good reason, to help the people that have leukemiaia, lymphoma or one of the other blood diseases. I keep telling myself that this is nothing in comparison to going through cancer. If you've ever known anyone that's gone through chemo, you know a little about the agony of having cancer.<br /><br />This is basically about 35 minutes of my life where I'll have some discomfort climbing stairs. Imagine months of chemo, daily doctor visits, hospital stays, losing my hair, feeling sick and weak all the time. Nauseousness from the drugs, throwing up. Those are the people that are the heroes in this story. <br /><br />Funny, I suddenly feel better about this whole thing. I'll report back tomorrow how it went. Hopefully I can beat that 80-year old woman's time from last year, 35 minutes.

Zero days until the Big Climb

In about eight hours I'll be getting up and getting dressed for the big climb. In about twelve hours I'll be lined up to start the c...

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26 weeks

<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DzW4YQlfgB5J8G6XzK6RtBvlW1jeoHzMaXr_gQqo4P9-lK_vYVFfmsJxwF-A70ZSCX9yf9rmgqJg-_543bAVg8bwrz2fUEk1jVkckrGH5xR-ZraDhkJsZKgafCdvtnO83hxrmpzy3C-Q/s1600-h/26%20weeks%20-%203.16.11%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="26 weeks - 3.16.11" border="0" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfFWkeui5FH94ipHy07_29Zg6hFL0tekbAzHLXNa505q0WRW4QpHioGoGOjjX_x2HbrskRU_vGrDUWjpNxeAmR_JjA4H3Nzs9HgoQ7pM3tNUU_qIK-rRdC_qQfHE1iNU3Wr0GMTMbLEdu/?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="26 weeks - 3.16.11" width="354"></a> </p> <p><strong>How Far Along:</strong> 26 Weeks <p><strong>Size of baby:</strong> Baby Bangert is the length of an English cucumber! <p><strong>Maternity Clothes:</strong> I wear maternity jeans and pants but everything else is regular.  Things are getting tighter though! <p><strong>Gender:</strong> It’s a girl!!! <p><strong>Movement: </strong>I've been starting to feel her more & more throughout the day! Kyle is anxiously awaiting his turn to be able to feel her, still no luck on this yet! :( <p><strong></strong><strong>Sleep:</strong> Not too bad, I get up a few times throughout the night to go to the bathroom. I guess it’s preparing me for a newborn! <p><strong>What I miss:</strong> Sleeping on my stomach, a bigger selection of clothes, and being able to go up & down stairs without getting winded! <p><strong>Cravings:</strong> I don't have specific cravings. I just like to eat! ;) I don’t think ice cream counts, I love that anytime! <p><strong>Symptoms:</strong> Really can’t complain! Feeling pretty well! <p><strong>Best Moment this week:</strong> Spending a few extra days off with the hubs for spring break! And we locked in our daycare! Feels good to have that checked off the list! <p>So this week you get the real thing, comfy clothes! :) This most likely what I look like once I get home from work!! But hey, who doesn’t love to be comfy?!?! <p>Wednesday was the last day of week 26 for me. Today (Saturday) I’m 27 weeks, 2 days…less than 100 days to go! I’m getting so anxious to meet my little girl!!</p>

26 weeks

How Far Along: 26 Weeks Size of baby: Baby Bangert is the length of an English cucumber! Maternity Clothes: I wear maternity jeans an...

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For Japan...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStMj8ZEOj4FcIn6y8b0D1rl6dAUKEJajmFiJrkrWh80xpAXswNIv0FFejYv2TMKOJ0J_02VJ4awcgRoJbDEVY1Xzsaw3t498M8EP1N4e2xTmRVWz2eGq2evDTkr24kfRmZnJ-sT4ajngN/s1600/japan+blogathon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStMj8ZEOj4FcIn6y8b0D1rl6dAUKEJajmFiJrkrWh80xpAXswNIv0FFejYv2TMKOJ0J_02VJ4awcgRoJbDEVY1Xzsaw3t498M8EP1N4e2xTmRVWz2eGq2evDTkr24kfRmZnJ-sT4ajngN/s320/japan+blogathon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>This is my entry in CinemaFanatic/JapanCinema's blogathon to benefit victims of the earthquake/tsunami disaster in Japan...I hope those of you visiting my reel life will donate generously by <a href="https://www.paypal-donations.com/pp-charity/web.us/campaign.jsp?cid=-12"><span style="color: red;">clicking here</span></a>...</i></span><br /><a name='more'></a><br /> <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/AVvXsEi0DuI5fZovoqQtm93X85KZkq7O43GcszSqjJVmwFxr1j5jriFR5ZNOXwaPUBm6mKUqsJXQ4fyaK_JaqCokdl4n2mgs30CwTFlchg1FW3NvVMCP7-eX9-PgShPWxLhJZ2EKYyiO_T5DGIgy/s1600/WomanInTheDunes2%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0DuI5fZovoqQtm93X85KZkq7O43GcszSqjJVmwFxr1j5jriFR5ZNOXwaPUBm6mKUqsJXQ4fyaK_JaqCokdl4n2mgs30CwTFlchg1FW3NvVMCP7-eX9-PgShPWxLhJZ2EKYyiO_T5DGIgy/s200/WomanInTheDunes2%255B1%255D.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Woman in the Dunes</b></td></tr></tbody></table> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I wish I were more knowledgeable about the cinema of Japan, but I am not. That's not to say that I am completely ignorant of Japanese films ...I have seen my share of Kurosawa, most recently, <b>Red Beard </b>(1965) and - amazingly - the first Japanese film I can ever recall seeing is <b>Woman in the Dunes</b> (1964). I was fortunate to have been young during an era when an art house/revival house culture thrived - and it was in a theater dedicated to such cinema that I </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">saw Hiroshi Teshigahara's great film. On the surface it is about an entomologist who becomes trapped in a sand pit with a woman whose life is devoted to the daily shoveling of sand. But more than that it's a consuming existential meditation, beautifully photographed, filled with striking imagery and accompanied by a jarring, expressive soundtrack. I couldn't get it out of my mind then - and I really never have since.</span> <br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Japanese film I viewed most recently is a completely different kind of film...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Not long ago I posted a blog about food and film - films in which food "played a lead or supporting role." At the end of it I invited others to comment on their favorites of this "genre."  Among the films mentioned was one I hadn't seen, Juzo Itami’s comedy, <b>Tampopo </b>(1985). I was curious and eventually tracked it down…</span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></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/AVvXsEjj-T3eHtJhoKiM1EH9_FjMa0rH9wM4Fbm67am9sVNveZhJ42sb7iLi1GyuECwNbywZQYcvXCFsBg747p6Y_GWRhUcJwwlJYsOWbWRun0XKzujBpnbf7OOruNRuFU-7hz8Opj-NLWQIzefd/s1600/Tampopo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-T3eHtJhoKiM1EH9_FjMa0rH9wM4Fbm67am9sVNveZhJ42sb7iLi1GyuECwNbywZQYcvXCFsBg747p6Y_GWRhUcJwwlJYsOWbWRun0XKzujBpnbf7OOruNRuFU-7hz8Opj-NLWQIzefd/s320/Tampopo+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nobuko Miyamoto in <b>Tampopo </b></td></tr></tbody></table> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Goro (Tsutomu Yamazaki) is a truck driver on a long haul with his younger partner, Gun (Ken Watanabe). One night they stop at a roadside noodle shop run by a widow, Tampopo (Nobuko Miyamoto), struggling to keep her restaurant going while raising a young son. When she asks Goro how he likes her ramen he tells the truth: not very good! He then embarks on a mission to help Tampopo master the art of the noodle bowl…</span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A variety of colorful folk join in and weigh in on concocting the correct recipe and developing the proper method of preparing perfect ramen...broth, noodles, style, attitude...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><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/AVvXsEgL4Ugcx_980t8l96K7kFKVWCOIzBsl5EO9dZJAdxQpLRjMmaxuXfeVwxSbc8vk3KPxnpcKM5veZxkdrqWVb-ela1yUQSB9HEksGh0Z39OYKOqweavpqmBYSca_JKBXyYMAD9JAQIECxi3B/s1600/tampopo_3%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4Ugcx_980t8l96K7kFKVWCOIzBsl5EO9dZJAdxQpLRjMmaxuXfeVwxSbc8vk3KPxnpcKM5veZxkdrqWVb-ela1yUQSB9HEksGh0Z39OYKOqweavpqmBYSca_JKBXyYMAD9JAQIECxi3B/s320/tampopo_3%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Tampopo</b>...sharing food</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But <b>Tampopo</b> is not a start-to-finish narrative. Several vignettes are woven in - all are related to food but not all directly related to the ramen odyssey. Highlights among these side stories include the amusing predicament of a group of corporate types grappling with the menu in a French restaurant, several friends who get together with the intention of eating spaghetti in the western style and…most famous of all…a gangster and his girl sharing a raw but ultimately sensuous egg.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The mastery of ramen is achieved and the film ends on a high note. Goro, a wandering cowboy of sorts, seems almost to ride into the sunset once he accomplishes his purpose. A final scene puts an exclamation point on the link between food and connection/intimacy/love.</span></div>

Japanese Cinema Blogathon Tampopo The Lady Eve (author) Woman in the Dunes For Japan...

This is my entry in CinemaFanatic/JapanCinema's blogathon to benefit victims of the earthquake/tsunami disaster in Japan...I hope those ...

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Three days until the Big Climb!

<div style="text-align: center;"> Grace, Me, and Roxie at Palomino's in Seattle</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not my best picture but Grace and Roxie look gorgeous.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbtwhO8A_idmpTWi3jUNSI44ixaSa504h8T6PumtoFn09ZaT6TRSlIv8gBiLRY-fRCqFo532JqwPfGlfd6iBGnHmbWKxNXid_ZDI91X0TE9gBEPbRVST1rgxw6h5qjSe9g-WCXxpGeBQ3/s1600/Gracie+Roxie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbtwhO8A_idmpTWi3jUNSI44ixaSa504h8T6PumtoFn09ZaT6TRSlIv8gBiLRY-fRCqFo532JqwPfGlfd6iBGnHmbWKxNXid_ZDI91X0TE9gBEPbRVST1rgxw6h5qjSe9g-WCXxpGeBQ3/s640/Gracie+Roxie.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Tuesday I had a wonderful lunch with <a href="http://gravelandrust.blogspot.com/">Roxie</a> and <a href="http://notes-by-grace.blogspot.com/">Grace</a> in downtown Seattle. It was the first time I'd met Roxie. She's exactly like she is on her blog, sweet, really funny, charming, beautiful and skinny too! I absolutely love her. Seeing Grace again was very fun. She and Roxie are very much alike, and I adore them both.<br /><br />After our fun lunch I climbed the stairs at the Sheraton, twice. 1,154 steps up total. It was 37 floors to the roof, but their floors are weird. Some are 30 or 40 steps, but most are only 15 steps. On my way home I stopped at the gym for thirty minutes on the bike and a half hour of lifting weights. This morning it was back at the gym for 30 minutes on the StairMaster. I'm planning a regular workout tomorrow, a light workout on Friday, probably the elliptical and some upper body weights, then nothing on Saturday. A day of rest before the big day, the <a href="http://www.llswa.org/site/PageNavigator/BC_homepage">Seattle Big Climb</a>.<br /><br />I'm a bit nervous about the climb. I'm sure I can do it, but I know it's going to be difficult. Going up 37 floors at the Sheraton in eight minutes yesterday was difficult, but thinking about 69 floors without a break is a little intimidating.<br /><br />My eating has been pretty good, but not perfect. No junk food, but a little too much chicken and fruit. I've been tracking my food, tracking both calories and PointsPlus. Yesterday was 1900 calories but only 17 Points (I'm suppose to have 29). The new Weight Watchers plan is a struggle for me, I can't seem to figure it out. I think it's best if I stick with calories. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I missed breakfast this morning because I was running really late for work. I rarely miss breakfast. I had lunch out today at Anthony's Seafood at the airport (my favorite Sea-Tac airport restaurant). I had Cioppino - Wild Alaska salmon, Manila clams, Puget Sound mussels and lingcod simmered in a savory tomato herb broth. I love this stuff. The last time I had it though it was super salty. I asked the waiter to tell the chef to go really light on the salt. It was perfect!<br /><br />Well, it's past my bedtime (midnight!). I'm going through a really bad spell lately of not being able to sleep through the night. I can fall asleep in a flash, but I wake up several times during the night, finally getting up exhausted in the morning. I have my annual physical coming up in a few weeks. I'm going to ask my doctor if I need a sleep study or something because something is wrong with me and it's making me crazy!

Three days until the Big Climb!

 Grace, Me, and Roxie at Palomino's in Seattle Not my best picture but Grace and Roxie look gorgeous. Tuesday I had a wonderful lunch wi...

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You know what they say about weight loss bloggers that don't post

When a weight loss blogger stops posting it's almost always a bad sign. Boy, is that ever true for me!<br /><br />Tonight I looked back at my draft posts from the past week. These were posts I wrote, but could never actually make myself hit the publish post button. They had titles like "Disappointed", "Depressed", "Struggling". Each time I'd write about my life and re-read it, I'd think to myself, who would want to read this depressing stuff? If you weren't depressed when you started reading it, you'd certainly be depressed by the time you were done reading it. <br /><br />I've had a bad few weeks. Actually it's been more like a bad few months. Okay, several bad months. About a week ago I seriously was considering the following:  divorcing my husband, quitting my job, and completely giving up on ever trying to get to a healthy weight. I wanted to run away from everything, including myself. Definitely bad times. <br /><br />I'm not getting a divorce, and I'm liking my husband a lot more this past week. I'm not quitting my job. Even though it sucks the  life out of me at times, it's not a bad job. I love the company I work for and the people I work with. I like the work I do for the most part, I just need to figure out the life-work balance thing.<br /><br /><strong>Weight loss or lack thereof</strong><strong><br /></strong>About getting to a healthy weight and how I've failed. Where do I start?<br /><br />The last six months of trying to lose weight has not been successful. Almost every day was perfect from the time I woke up, all day until about 9 or 10 p.m. Then I just throw away an entire day's hard work and binge. Maybe it wasn't always an actual binge, but it was always too much food.<br /><br />Usually I'd overeat healthy food, but a few times I bought candy or some other junk food and ate it late at night, alone. I probably did that four or five times in the last three or four months. Mostly I'd eat too much fruit or too much chicken, or some other healthy food but in a large quantity. <br /><br />The last two weeks my exercise, the one thing I was good at doing, went south too. I was going to the gym at least five times a week, but most of my workouts were a struggle. I knew it was my 180+ weight that was making everything so difficult. A few weeks ago I was up to 187. I still went to the gym, but my eating wasn't good.<br /><br />I've been going to my Weight Watchers meetings but not weighing in, and I stopped getting on my own scales at home. Not weighing every day is really a dangerous path for me.<br /><br />Fortunately, whatever had been going on with me seems to have passed. Like my mom use to always say when I was having a difficult time in my life, this too shall pass...and it always does. <br /><br />On Saturday I started tracking my food again and counting calories. I'm still struggling with the new Weight Watchers plan, the zero Points for fruit and most vegetables doesn't seem to work for me. I'm doing a hybrid of Weight Watchers, where I'm trying to follow their healthy eating guidelines, but also counting calories. When it comes down to the bottom line, it's really about the calories. <br /><br />This morning I stepped on my scales at home. 182.2. Not much I can say about it. True, it's just a number, but it's also an indication of how poorly I've been doing with my goal of getting healthy.<br /><br /><strong>Fun news</strong><br />Tomorrow I get to meet <a href="http://gravelandrust.blogspot.com/">Roxie</a> in person. She's here in Seattle for a workshop. <a href="http://notes-by-grace.blogspot.com/">Grace</a>, another blogger, and I are meeting Roxie in downtown Seattle for lunch. I consider both of them great bloggers. I met Grace last fall at a Geneen Roth workshop and loved her. I just know I'm going to love Roxie too. I've been following both their blogs for a long time. I want to be them when I grow up (make that if I grow up). <br /><br /><strong>Big Climb update</strong><br />Five days until the <a href="http://www.llswa.org/site/PageNavigator/BC_homepage">Seattle Big Climb</a> on Sunday. Obviously I'm not going to lose the twenty pounds or even the ten pounds I wanted to lose before the event. I've stopped beating myself up about it. I can't change my past behavior so there's no purpose served by crying about it. I screwed up. Plain and simple.<br /><br />In preparation for the Big Climb, I've been climbing the stairs at the Sea-Tac DoubleTree on my lunch hours. Last week on Tuesday and Thursday, and again today. Fourteen floors, climbed six times, or 1,350 steps. I don't take the elevator down, but walk down the stairs. It takes me thirty minutes for up and down fourteen times, and burns 230 calories according to my Polar heart rate monitor. Plus I've been doing the StairMaster at the gym almost every day. I keep thinking it's going to get easier, but it's still a killer every time.<br /><br />Tomorrow after lunch with Grace and Roxie, my plan is to climb the stairs in the downtown Sheraton, 34 floors. If I climb it twice it'll be 68 floors, comparable to the 69 floors in the Columbia Tower for the Big Climb on Sunday. I'm sure it's going to be a challenge but I want to see if I can do it without passing out. :)<br /><br />Thankfully my workouts are back to normal. I feel stronger and have more energy. I'm starting to feel like my old self. <br /><br /><strong>My plan </strong><br />My plan for the next week is to keep exercising, keep tracking my food and get back to daily posts. Even if my life isn't going perfectly, it helps to write about it. I'm back.

You know what they say about weight loss bloggers that don't post

When a weight loss blogger stops posting it's almost always a bad sign. Boy, is that ever true for me! Tonight I looked back at my draft...

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25 weeks

<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-EGjoq3WpfJiTpJBYR9a_EdEFDPaY50EEbgYjeGela47daIgS6UB8agAcdgkXcnT1W1AFoFovg7uNdSpCwlowW2cuq111kIJcycNJOucPQ7MSivmkpcRkV2YcZYQVysZHDOzcoNiLmZT/s1600-h/25%20weeks%20-%203.9.11%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="25 weeks - 3.9.11" border="0" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSoxD8jZXTd_eyWcqoQqnUZsI9F0U_sekfa3ZMVnNSWcIaFfcRHSqlmchrmvsa7Mfu3md4u-xn3WuSRYfw8QiAlaJgEwSR38GIWkPI4_y4xBrVaBO1__xdDlk5qWaTfb3PmqK5dL39qRp/?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="25 weeks - 3.9.11" width="354"></a> </p> <p><strong>How Far Along:</strong> 25 Weeks <p><strong>Size of baby:</strong> Baby Bangert is the size of an eggplant! <p><strong>Maternity Clothes:</strong> I wear maternity jeans and pants but everything else is regular.  Things are getting tighter though! <p><strong>Gender:</strong> It’s a girl!!! <p><strong>Movement: </strong>I've been starting to feel her more & more throughout the day! Kyle is anxiously awaiting his turn to be able to feel her! <p><strong></strong><strong>Sleep:</strong> Not too bad, I get up a few times throughout the night to go to the bathroom. I guess it’s preparing me for a newborn! <p><strong>What I miss:</strong> Sleeping on my stomach and a bigger selection of clothes! Being able to go up & down stairs without getting winded! <p><strong>Cravings:</strong> I don't have specific cravings. I just like to eat! ;) I don’t think ice cream counts, I love that anytime! <p><strong>Symptoms:</strong> Really can’t complain! Feeling pretty well! <p><strong>Best Moment this week:</strong> Spending the weekend in Chicago with family! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7wG6aK3iCQLXrThHE492cuWlmFrpiSfK9-DdW3faQ_3SWZn93l1nyzhwJnh8G1G1AyOqV2oIZrWqPBrM6yVVskCgxWaOcV24KmIUp72RtVLxnKI4BnwLX_64Lsl1ht7fCp28L3QaSdpvm/s1600-h/DSC09850%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09850" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAk0kjHFPrNCw5iJWIPVSyXAZl82ySHJBifgzZ3PwDZhz9AvBzOtdDjCgwltvi-dsYBlN8K7dEZQ46qyIkaATAPOq-1qaqQpTb-oEx1MOA_3bZNND8iNwpBVHEf1X_cMHRWVPbqKon2YP/?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="DSC09850" width="404"></a> <p>Big surprise friends, I’m behind! Today I am actually 26 weeks, 3 days. But I wanted to get this post up, for my reference! Kyle and I are on spring break the first half of this week. We have lots on our agenda…visiting daycares and a few meetings to make sure we have all our ducks in a row before baby gets here (aka insurance, lawyer, investments, etc!). Have a great week everyone!</p>

25 weeks

How Far Along: 25 Weeks Size of baby: Baby Bangert is the size of an eggplant! Maternity Clothes: I wear maternity jeans and pants but...

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A Résumé Checklist: 13 Things to Do Before You Apply for the Job

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/5w/ar5f5n55ws53hmb2v25w.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/5w/ar5f5n55ws53hmb2v25w.gif" /></a></div>By Selena Dehne, JIST Publishing. Featuring an excerpt from "Step-by-Step Résumés" by Evelyn Salvador. <br /><br />When writing the first draft of your résumé, you probably know it could be -- and should be -- stronger than it is. If you're like many job seekers, though, you might feel pretty mystified as to which specific steps will lead you to more powerful content and a more attractive design.<br /><br /><br />Fortunately, boosting a bland résumé or simply polishing it before applying for a job isn't as cumbersome as you might expect. According to Evelyn Salvador, author of "Step-by-Step Résumés," there are many simple, yet effective, tricks that can significantly strengthen your résumé's readability, call to action, marketability and overall appearance.<br /><br /><br />In her book, Salvador recommends you take the following steps to improve a résumé before using it to apply for jobs:<br /><br />1. <b>Remove personal pronouns</b>. The subject (I, me or my) is understood in your résumé and you should leave it out of each sentence. If your résumé contains any of these words, delete them and restructure your sentences if necessary.<br /><br />2. Check for action verbs. Be sure each bullet in your "professional experience" section starts with an action verb or adverb preceding the action verb.<br /><br />3. Delete redundant or superfluous words. Review each sentence or bullet and delete any words that your sentence reads fine without, such as "the" and "that," as well as unnecessary "fluff" words. Edit down to the most concise sentence possible without omitting any important content, such as achievements.<br /><br />4. Include personal attributes. Double-check that your primary attributes are included in your "professional summary" section and that you didn't leave out any important ones.<br /><br />5. Ensure that all pertinent, targeted qualifications are included. Compare your résumé to the description of the job you're targeting. Is there any information you didn't already mention that would address a function or need listed in the description? If so, revise your résumé to include that information.<br /><br />6. Prioritize your bullets. Review your responsibilities and achievements in each position and move the more important, targeted ones closer to the top under each position.<br /><br />7. Remove irrelevant information. Check to ensure that anything irrelevant or not directly related to your targeted goal is minimized, put toward the end or omitted altogether so that your résumé includes more relevant information.<br /><br />8. Subdivide and categorize bullets. If you have many responsibility and achievement bullets under each position (say, more than 10), you can divide them into two categories ("responsibilities" and "achievements") and subtitle them as such under each position for easier reading.<br /><br />9. Check for quantifying information. When reviewing your sentences, ask yourself, "Did I include how many, how much, how often, how big, how fast, how well and so on?" If not, go edit your sentences to include more specific, concrete information.<br /><br />10. Verify that "CAR" and benefit info is included. Do your achievements include the Challenge you faced, the Action you took and the Result? Be sure you show how well you performed these functions and always include the benefit(s) to the company.<br /><br />11. Vary bullet line length. Try for a good mix of line lengths. Bullets are effective when they are a combination of one, two and three typed lines. Because it is important to show not only what you did, but also how well you did it and what the benefits were to the company, information should be concise without sacrificing content or meaning. In this way, you will have an action-packed, achievement-oriented résumé that is tightly and concisely written.<br /><br />12. Check grammar, punctuation and spelling. Spell-check your document in your word-processing program. Proofread several times. Be consistent in your use of capitalization and hyphenation. Be sure you have used correct grammar and punctuation. If this is not one of your fortes (and it isn't for many people), give your completed résumé to someone you trust to proofread it for you.<br /><br />13. Add more descriptive adjectives or adverbs where applicable. Check to see whether you can infuse any additional descriptors that show how well you performed your job functions.<br /><br />Selena Dehne is a career writer for JIST Publishing who shares the latest occupational, career and job search information available with job seekers and career changers. She is also the author of JIST's Job Search and Career Blog (http://jistjobsearchandcareer.blogspot.com/). Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/SelenaDehne.

A Résumé Checklist: 13 Things to Do Before You Apply for the Job

By Selena Dehne, JIST Publishing. Featuring an excerpt from "Step-by-Step Résumés" by Evelyn Salvador. When writing the first draf...

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From Saint to Sinner: Jean Seberg

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9_HFFULxvQdH48SzNa_FHjy7dG3TIJKOCmUZ8ioZ_9Ujm-9DQT9ZRbmsq85YsPEvH5M3f-rMiP6TYvhrB6K5rC9ys-hwZnM5ZgJktlhtu4qFtCvThrCiqceN5Z24E-5zlDPWN-SDWfi-/s1600/JeanSeberg%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9_HFFULxvQdH48SzNa_FHjy7dG3TIJKOCmUZ8ioZ_9Ujm-9DQT9ZRbmsq85YsPEvH5M3f-rMiP6TYvhrB6K5rC9ys-hwZnM5ZgJktlhtu4qFtCvThrCiqceN5Z24E-5zlDPWN-SDWfi-/s320/JeanSeberg%255B1%255D.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This Sunday, March 13, the first Sunday of Lent, Turner Classic Movies will feature films about one of the Catholic Church’s most popular saints, Joan of Arc. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Wednesday the 16^th, TCM will honor the Museum of Modern Art’s film archive by screening 14 films representing its collection. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each of these tributes will include a film starring Jean Seberg and directed by Otto Preminger.</span><br /><a name='more'></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While <b>Saint Joan</b> (1957) and <b>Bonjour Tristesse</b> (1958) rank somewhere in the mid-range of Preminger's body of work (which includes <b>Laura</b>, <b>The Man With the Golden Arm</b> and <b>Anatomy of a Murder</b>), they were Seberg’s first two films and significant for their influence on the evolution of her unconventional career.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Preminger was riding high in 1956 when he announced that, a la David O. Selznick’s <b>Gone with the Wind</b> campaign, he was going to audition unknowns for the title role in his upcoming opus, an adaptation of the 1923 George Bernard Shaw play <b>Saint Joan</b>. Enormous publicity accompanied his worldwide search and he auditioned thousands of candidates. In the end he made only three screen tests and selected an inexperienced American teenager over actresses Kelli Blaine of New York and Doreen Denning of Stockholm.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jean Seberg was a 17-year old amateur from Marshalltown, Iowa, when she was chosen to star as Saint Joan. Though she had aspired to be an actress from an early age, her stage experience consisted of one season with a local stock company. But Preminger was impressed with the unusual combination of piquancy and pliability he detected in her - plus Seberg was an innocent, “younger than springtime,” fine-featured blonde.</span></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/AVvXsEix7cGIoKKZWZZyY6R4Ntz-tn569lRGS9gGTcmSlvU071XYFolNLaqr-AACtfzHEjfmSTwCKgIKxK8gJLx_NzJT4Ig5dBoWksFCN1iD3qr4MaKUXo4xG_8_ExVdZ3rfQXUnOm-eaWQa18in/s1600/saint+joan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7cGIoKKZWZZyY6R4Ntz-tn569lRGS9gGTcmSlvU071XYFolNLaqr-AACtfzHEjfmSTwCKgIKxK8gJLx_NzJT4Ig5dBoWksFCN1iD3qr4MaKUXo4xG_8_ExVdZ3rfQXUnOm-eaWQa18in/s200/saint+joan.jpg" width="173" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jean Seberg as Saint Joan</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For Seberg, the high point of her experience on <b>Saint Joan</b> may have been her fairytale discovery. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once</span> filming began she found herself in the intimidating company of veteran actors such as Richard Widmark, John Gielgud, Anton Walbrook, Richard Todd and Finlay Currie. Gielgud, who was fond of her, noted that she barely knew the rudiments of acting but struggled mightily to find her way. Preminger did little to help. Notorious for mercilessly bullying actors (though not stars), he made no exception for his protégé. In the view of observers including Gielgud, the director endlessly berated her, crushing the very freshness and spontaneity that had attracted him in the first place. As if Preminger's behavior and the pressures of making her first film weren't enough, an accident on the set may have summed up Seberg's dilemma. The scene in which Joan of Arc was to be burned to death required that the actress be chained to a stake. During filming, as smoke and flames began to engulf her, Jean started to scream that she was actually burning. She was quickly rescued and not badly hurt but Preminger, who realized the mishap had been caught on film, was so pleased with "crowd rea</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ction" that he told a reporter he might actually use the footage.</span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Saint Joan </b>was not well received, though Preminger's promotional fanfare had stirred up great interest and anticipation. Saul Bass's evocative title sequence (shown below) hints at the film's appeal. Perhaps its true potential was the moderate success of a well-intentioned presitige piece, but it failed with the mass audience to which it was promoted. The press criticized Preminger's direction and Grahame Greene's screenplay, but it was Jean Seberg who received scathing reviews and was widely blamed for the flop.</span></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="269" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SXqeCnTr9MY" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Preminger's next project was already in the works by the time <b>Saint Joan </b>wrapped. And he planned, once again, to feature Jean Seberg in a starring role.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In 1954, 19-year-old French writer Francioise Sagan created an international sensation with her racy first novel, <u>Bonjour Tristesse</u>. Preminger and Seberg's next film would be an adaptation of Sagan's bestseller. Seberg was to co-star with Deborah Kerr and David Niven as Niven's daughter, a spoiled caf<span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">é</span></span> society brat. The melodramatic tale of dissipation and cruelty was primarily set and filmed on the French Riviera during the high season. And Preminger provided his company with the finest in accommodations and luxury extras. Nevertheless, Seberg was once more subjected to his volatile temperament. This time, though, one of her co-stars stood up to the director. Deborah Kerr challenged Preminger, telling him she could not tolerate his abusive treatment of the young actress.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwMLc1VDOZaE96UEDer1CHyQaUa8KPfvCHxNkhGLktg_tD8T51BhqaV5qaHW-0kYUtUPlUZ1pJ66aQd1o14SsCwzD5_CA_VgQeFrk55ugOscv-xHeHHyfVOWLoAfjcEWpyFYfmxYhdLUn/s1600/jean+seberg+tristesse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKwMLc1VDOZaE96UEDer1CHyQaUa8KPfvCHxNkhGLktg_tD8T51BhqaV5qaHW-0kYUtUPlUZ1pJ66aQd1o14SsCwzD5_CA_VgQeFrk55ugOscv-xHeHHyfVOWLoAfjcEWpyFYfmxYhdLUn/s200/jean+seberg+tristesse.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana;">By the time filming was completed, Seberg was engaged to Francois Moreuil a French lawyer, and her collaboration with Preminger was about to come to an end. <b>Bonjour Tristesse</b> was set for release in January 1958 and, following the demise of <b>Saint Joan</b>,<b> </b>Seberg's career seemed to rest on the success or failure of her second film. In an interview at the time of <b>Bonjour Tristesse</b>'s<b> </b>release, she was aggressively grilled on the subject... <a href="http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/multimedia/video/2008/wallace/seberg_jean.html"><span style="color: #990000;">click here</span></a> to view Jean Seberg's January 1958 interview with Mike Wallace.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Bonjour Tristesse</b> failed miserably when it was released, and both Preminger and Seberg were subjected to a drubbing in the press. Perhaps by this time the director had given up his dream of making her a star for he had no future plans to work with her and when Francoise Moreuil, by now Seberg's husband, approached him about selling her contract to Columbia, Preminger agreed. Within a year the studio cast her in<b> The Mouse That</b> <b>Roared</b> (1959), a popular Peter Sellers vehicle and, though a "small" film, it was Seberg's first success.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Very soon Jean Seberg's career would undergo another unexpected twist.</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><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/AVvXsEj91vPLis5INBRyQW-GBhR5D6WmkQB_JkM2V159NLZiL8OQj-sgHN_g8qXwj813W3P7uUeDv8CTW1vWdC94wDVywvSHd3-8yKtbSvK50i7iapUJUgXOZk7D97S0YvinOFAoOay6XxZyCR7K/s1600/jean+and+jean+paul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="169" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91vPLis5INBRyQW-GBhR5D6WmkQB_JkM2V159NLZiL8OQj-sgHN_g8qXwj813W3P7uUeDv8CTW1vWdC94wDVywvSHd3-8yKtbSvK50i7iapUJUgXOZk7D97S0YvinOFAoOay6XxZyCR7K/s200/jean+and+jean+paul.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...with Belmondo in <b>Breathless</b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">T</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">o begin with, and importantly, <b>Bonjour Tristesse </b>had been a critical success in France and Seberg had become a critics' darling there. Meanwhile, her French husband, Francoise Moreuil, happened to be connected to filmmakers/writers associated with the fabled French publication, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Cahiers du Cinema</i> - where both <b>Saint Joan </b>and <b>Bonjour Tristesse </b>were highly regarded and Seberg was revered. Soon the young actress was being pursued by about-to-become-legendary filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard to co-star in his first major feature, <b>A Bout de Souffle</b>...or <b>Breathless </b>(1960).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seberg was introduced to Godard by her husband. After much discussion between the actress and the auteur, a 12-page telegram from Godard to Moreuil and an affordable arrangement for all concerned, a deal was struck. Godard saw Seberg as an international name who could help his film succeed outside France, and Seberg was anxious to prove herself. To her good fortune, Godard was no bully and worked well with actresses, filming them to advantage. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another surprise for Seberg in working with Godard was his approach to the script. She might be given her lines on pieces of paper in the morning before a shoot or Godard might shout lines to her during a scene. Godard was experienced at writing dialogue and he was able to shout while shooting because the film was shot mute with sound and dialogue added later. But all of this was new to Seberg whose previous performances had been entirely controlled by the autocratic Preminger.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">No one on the project at the time realized <b>Breathless</b> would receive the level of acclaim or have the influence on cinema that it achieved. Hailed for its bold visual style and approach to editing, it became a pivotal film of the French New Wave.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Jean Seberg became a legend along with the film and her co-star, Jean-Paul Belmondo. Her casual boyish chic and pixie haircut (predating Mia Farrow's famous 'do by many years) remain iconic today. She went on to make films in both Europe and the U.S., though her later American films were generally lackluster.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b>Saint Joan</b> is now appreciated as a sincere if uneven attempt to translate weighty Shaw to film and is generally viewed as an honorable effort. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b>Bonjour Tristesse</b>'s <b></b>popularity has improved dramatically since 1958. Frequently cited are visually striking scenes of grainy black and white that dissolve into stunning color as the story moves from present to past and back again. The film's themes, estrangement and excess among the rich and languid, are noted for anticipating those Fellini famously visited with <b>La Dolce Vita</b> a few years later. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Jean Seberg's earliest performances have been assessed more fairly in recent years and many critics view her work far differently than her detractors of the 1950s. David Thomson has called her Saint Joan "a shrewd and touching fusion of provincial America, rural France, and Shaw's notion of a fustian saint picking logic with kings and bishops." He has deemed her portrayal in <b>Bonjour Tristesse</b> "marvelous" and praised her self-possession and maturity.</span><br /><br /><u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b>Turner Classic Movies Schedule</b></span></u><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Saint Joan </b>airs Sunday, March 13, at 10:30pm Eastern/7:30pm Pacific</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Bonjour Tristesse </b>airs Wednesday, March 16, at 9:30pm Eastern/6:30pm Pacific </span></span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="269" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kjNkrlLiJQg" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe></span>

Bonjour Tristesse Breathless Jean Seberg Jean-Luc Godard Jean-Paul Belmondo Otto Preminger Saint Joan TCM The Lady Eve (author) From Saint to Sinner: Jean Seberg

This Sunday, March 13, the first Sunday of Lent, Turner Classic Movies will feature films about one of the Catholic Church’s most popular sa...

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5 Secrets to climbing the ladder faster - CEOs and other top execs share tips for getting where you want to be

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.cbdr.com/artieimages/4c/ar5l1zm69j6yhj3vc54c.gif?time=12/8/2010%202:51:08%20pm" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://emj.cbdr.com/artieimages/4c/ar5l1zm69j6yhj3vc54c.gif?time=12/8/2010%202:51:08%20pm" /></a></div>By Beth Braccio Hering, Special to CareerBuilder <br /><br />Sometimes getting from where you are to where you'd like to be career-wise can seem like a daunting task. While time and experience certainly help, there are other actions that can speed the process along. Here, executives in a variety of fields share their tips on how to move up the ladder a bit faster.<br /><br />Accumulate knowledge<br /><br />"Knowledge is power," states Linda Matzigkeit, senior vice president of strategic planning and human resources for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. "You need to read about your industry, know what people are doing and keep your edge on innovation."Anthony Leone, founder of Energy Kitchen, a restaurant franchise based in New York City, agrees. "Learn as much as you possibly can in your chosen field. Become such an asset to your company that the owners tell themselves, 'We cannot live without this person.'" He further suggests asking your boss what skills would most benefit the company, then going out and learning them "to the point that they just roll off your tongue, like your phone number."<br /><br />Know how to ask questions<br /><br />Armed with a solid understanding of their field, workers who gain attention are ones who know how to ask appropriate questions.<br /><br />"Asking good questions is an art," states Elizabeth Sobol, managing director of IMG Artists, North America. "I will be much more impressed if you ask me good ones than if you talk over me, trying to show me how much you know."<br /><br />Similarly, employees should not worry that asking questions is a sign of ineptitude. "Do not be afraid to admit that you do not understand something," says Robert Stack, president and CEO of Community Options Inc., a national nonprofit organization that develops homes and employment for people with disabilities. "There is nothing wrong with not knowing; it is not asking or pretending to understand that always seems to have negative ramifications."<br /><br />Think outside yourself<br /><br />People who move up quickly are often ones who are good at examining the needs and goals of the company as a whole, not just in their own particular niche. Matzigkeit says that because her field (health care) is very specialized, it is easy to get deep in your own area. "In order to advance and truly identify ways you can have continued impact in an organization, you need to get connected to the big picture. Only then can you develop your skills, broaden your exposure and find ways to apply your transferable skills."<br /><br />For managers looking to advance, Randy Murphy -- president and CEO of the restaurant franchise Mama Fu's Asian House -- suggests wandering around. "Have a presence in your store, and always know what is going on with your guests, employees and overall operations." He also notes that ambitious employees should always be looking for their own replacement. "Develop and train those under you so the team overall does better and so that you have a quality replacement to free you up for promotion to the next level."<br /><br />Give it your all<br /><br />Of course one of the best ways to gain notice is to be a solid performer. "If you execute flawlessly, you will have a solid reputation, which will allow you to network into the right circles," states Brian Curin, president of the footwear chain Flip Flop Shops.<br /><br />"Go beyond the job description," Stack adds. "If you are a person who is supposed to help persons with disparities find jobs, then work extra hours and get creative. If you are supposed to help with fundraising, go out of your way to ask someone you do not know for support. Always be a little early, and always ask you manager what you can do that means a little extra."<br /><br />Let your passion shine through<br /><br />Doing all of these things, from learning as much as possible about a field to regularly giving 100 percent, can involve a great deal of time and effort. Some employees will look at these challenges as obstacles to overcome in order to get ahead. Others will view them with enthusiasm because they truly have a passion for their field. Guess who usually moves up faster?<br /><br />Sobol says that she is impressed by people "who are fascinated by our business and are clearly always trying to learn and understand more about it," adding that "it is not hard to glean who is doing it out of genuine interest and who is not, so don't try to fake it!"<br /><br />For those who lack that passion, maybe it's time to consider looking for a new ladder to climb. The rungs might not seem so hard to navigate when the journey upward is already enjoyable.<br /><br />Beth Braccio Hering researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues for CareerBuilder.com. Follow @CareerBuilder on Twitter.

5 Secrets to climbing the ladder faster - CEOs and other top execs share tips for getting where you want to be

By Beth Braccio Hering, Special to CareerBuilder Sometimes getting from where you are to where you'd like to be career-wise can seem lik...

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Who Is My Neighbor? Muslims In America

I just finished Barbara Kingsolver’s excellent novel, The Lacuna. It’s about a good-hearted young man who grew up in Mexico, became a popular American novelist, and was then done in the House Un-American Activities Committee during the McCarthy era because as a teenager he had been a cook for Diego Rivera. It all seemed so odd. I wondered if Peru has a problem with Un-Peruvian Activities. I wondered what an Un-Italian activity would be? The story was about a historic oddity when we had panicked over the spread of communism to China and Eastern Europe. We look back and shake our heads in wonder.<br /><br />But today I tuned in to see the House Commmittee On Homeland Security hearings investigating Muslims in America. This strikes me as more disturbing than McCarthy. Here the “association” that makes one suspect is a religious association – an association protected by the 1st Amendment’s “free exercise clause.” I can live with the intrusive searches at airports and the surveillance of all sorts of communications. I am grateful to the Department of Homeland Security for its remarkable success in stifling terrorism. But this action of the House Committee is a troubling intrusion of government into religious practice.<br /><br />Bob Herbert’s editorial “Flailing After Muslims” in the March 8 New York Times expresses most of my concern. He says of our past instances of demonizing religions, races, or ethnic groups, “there have always been people willing to stand up boldly and courageously against such injustice. Their efforts are needed now.” Despite the committee chair’s claim that Muslims do not cooperate with law enforcement, Herbert notes that of the 120 Muslims accused of terrorist plots in the past decade, 48 were turned in by other Muslims. What he does not say is that targeting Muslims is fodder for anti-American propaganda and actually increases our risk of attack as well as diminishing our credibility in international relations.<br /><br />So I am all the more struck by the generosity of spirit in Akbar Ahmed’s excellent article “Fair To Muslims?” also in the March 8 New York Times, in which as a Muslim he says, “The topic is urgent and the hearings overdue . . . . Muslims should embrace the chance to explain their beliefs fully and clearly.” Ahmed paints an honest and mixed picture of the situation today. Having traveled the length and breadth of our land studying the experience of American Muslims post 9-11, he has heard the stories of school children called terrorists, women attacked for wearing the hajib, and mosques vandalized. He has heard Bill O’Reilly compare the Koran to Mein Kampf.<br /><br />But he has also heard Muslims say that America is the best country in the world to be a Muslim and heard a Nigerian Muslim say that Thomas Jefferson is “at the top of my heart.” Ahmed writes of the slow, steady process of reconciliation that has been achieved through interfaith dialogue over the years. So I will try to open my mind about the House Committee on Homeland Security hearings. God may bring good out of it. As Job said to his brothers, “You meant it to me for evil, but the Lord used it for good.”<br /><br />I am very pleased to see strong Muslim participation in Las Vegas Valley Interfaith. Here Christians, Muslims, and Jews are not looking for bomb making materials in each other’s closets. We are working together to fight the sexual exploitation of children. Neither terrorists nor congressional committees will distract us from the real mission of mediating God’s love to a hurting world.

Who Is My Neighbor? Muslims In America

I just finished Barbara Kingsolver’s excellent novel, The Lacuna. It’s about a good-hearted young man who grew up in Mexico, became a popula...

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Weekend Chicago Trip

<p>Kyle and I made our 2nd annual trip to Chicago to see Mel & Steve (Kyle’s sister & her husband). We took off for Chicago after he got out of class Thursday night, which ended up meaning we had a 3am arrival time! I stayed up with Kyle about half the time, but boy being prego I just can’t last as late! Kyle did great though and got us to Chi-town safely!</p> <p>We slept in Friday morning a bit and then headed about an hour north to Wisconsin to a HUGE outlet mall! But before our day of shopping we went to the Jelly Belly Factory!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGqMy2Ih3_-N8TGbxXwPITgDQ4fDflOZeV1ACe92_TG9ItRjhLlRh4sew3RSFvORPsN-ox_dKGUxh9H9FCv6YBulWjW0jpNXUxDDsizJxuiGHqnSA8nj8wgtVVhU0aBqjurtCBtHoul8n/s1600-h/DSC09822%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09822" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrswlv2C46F4mm1v0uh9z8q8bD_5lahznGzvvZAuTgKvZ_yNxkV6_2KXQSvMoRgXvqo0cUdMIsT0Obsyp1D96-MtcOZ6_mvqW5pk0IPNpubIvMB3tybb7I0qajao86jX0BHX66GNul-Qbi/?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="DSC09822" width="404"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlXx6uKK7GZ1LYb4wT01FzbC1osxCHtkWrC0FFXj4Z6zwWp5LgtQ84wkBgpfs5XuajWdq7U1QYxhpSTGBbA1D41svBMgPQ1vLq4soUm8WIPN5KItGxPUIUS66lh6CtGVdugkuWwzwcyHh/s1600-h/DSC09824%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09824" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvuZMb-N0DweVjTLsMdsRnAfJQCL516inlHV-rKyVHnEDE3yFUG7O91OT1Mf_SPxQhYlAZ5vW6IIfLV-woBIpvbTk76cPrW8hpBxpp3QkgXNLSTePuJUCkl2UR3wcU4WlH6q_GZge_pgM/?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="DSC09824" width="404"></a></p> <p>The middle of the store was a huge sample station! Look closely and check out some of those flavors on the bottom…baby wipes, booger, barf, skunk spray…no thanks! ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VV0gk4R-biT0r6WRbxqonxUjKUBFnW1A8z-j77QPg6UYuyZ_QIxkj3HiGAZGHnkuGMBknc8ycS0fVhf4oCz6wWEYEdUcsR9AI2B1Xp2CfLTbdFmJZ4FaUGp7ts96ueQiPoEIvkOt5TjP/s1600-h/DSC09823%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09823" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFpfPFwO29iu4do532v04lgzTzGQJDOBnsREA4-k8gXhFxVsqSkonL2QIAcSMBK7pmFfnmXNB8DqqWMqh1YxJYe7vSyfZRKpFTcSZmGZXhecaW5qvHannnoBF9NvQau_xygnugBzWrEN6/?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="DSC09823" width="404"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rWgjRwqnpeTAr20zN8nHZM1B8cjVPZbyMvV0zxaPL5cJ6M6xbDj95Bp9ZiUnKmk89XUPUReuigvrc0ilJDDbC5LpFJ7Q2OXIl79tWaDPxx8UbafuhW7dJayM5R9yCySPBT62SWstDTGr/s1600-h/DSC09826%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09826" border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_-n0xq_ZZaTkQoNI0y_oT71zeBv18p4WbEYypnb3qPM5NUVTtjOZJuVuWUA_iYJkmVRoKiiGObIyn7QqXSZIEJrLTBYPReCQZvazv1U2Wy2BBuEzBbHhAmc9hJDQLi70Ojb6r9bOy9XG/?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="DSC09826" width="404"></a></p> <p>Not sure if this counts as vegetable serving! ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gQaNQZkVkA0KZVsK8Qhupy-rqBkJUDz4fCeuH3GjARWmULKTEsUI6WhPJ_yxWpb-xZ9pVX1KvzvGnCSK-JOAvBw2eFouI0WmrpFj6_GR_JZIgkh7ne5XAccqnmxG4J1krscSjd8s1Vrn/s1600-h/DSC09825%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09825" border="0" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkrWP0GOrWESv0xbseh_xTe6919EsnxqHn047i71lJf6xOIwBxMA2eDdwtu-vlyHutYt68cBJRGtWuWBZkzZ_uJ6sPNPIQYBCNTtjImq1ar4trjLxSt2EHB5MazQp4aeLRxnyF-WBQ6Nj/?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="DSC09825" width="354"></a></p> <p>We finally made it to the check out with a few Jelly Belly finds, only to find out they were hiding the good stuff up there! Check out the size of those peanut butter cups! Of course we HAD to get one!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZzIdPUwu_Ie9IatSIqfQp2AWVyBkjw8ccNSbcqwRftj0MrpjDBxOXzzLHiZgxMUewexl-NvsyGsWCppfYiGrZGxxWA_tkQh2N1zsL2UNebLs2SKUW9S-nW9WpYQNiiwzJFqPZpZmvFnU/s1600-h/DSC09827%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09827" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULkpB6UQ_XQ4V6cbVgG0sE4o4WHmPCuaX9KWzudaZg96v7fAy7mxkhDE-6VfAZJ_Pkvat-iMKCQX2oWw4EBhtlOpxjnX0Nz12yDx4uGWtpmtH8Lcgnic2Goz_8-ovvwyq59NSm9MsiQHv/?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="DSC09827" width="404"></a></p> <p>Next we were off to empty our wallets at the outlet mall! The place was HUGE! Sadly it was raining so we hit our favorite stores and called it an afternoon by 3pm. <img height="225" src="http://www.fsdir.com/upload_files/logo_41.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" width="400"></p> <p>So this was Kyle’s first time in Wisconsin, so he had to have a real Wisconsin experience! Cheese!! Mar’s Cheese Castle to be exact!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYHS3nyHKaynfOuliqokZlOfqEVDSOa1Ll8XS7kE5ZE1mA7FkrkksGR9qhnnW-uxbld3OcdVx4Z6oSI8JxgYlyePCs_dX0lyNeuIP2TfdNzyt345azfekq9LZsJ7w1t8Ez_ZNJHb9I2LD/s1600-h/DSC09838%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09838" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRpe66JZ08gymc20X3081h-LYGASGJcmrEGqdmsZxi9waGzj1OCjEQRkqCwj7mVXzsMbkHd-uSPi-2ysOiKo3kgyRu8a1Gz_Vq8sZvCnCbQJgstZptUlqeMXiCti5_hvKFxq-OtH7Z62W/?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="DSC09838" width="404"></a></p> <p>It was literally a castle! And it just opened the day we were there! Great timing, huh!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGbWkCSN9NeiOwAaSF1oq076MOuF9U1BPa4uooxqylVtGylECFWUCdechQzA1pY3-sjWpC0aBwFbcZOyFJPgo7wW-DjpgadbN-h0kNNZ609ZLT2HNlhSHCswOXW8vskO3a2ELiNndzM41/s1600-h/DSC09837%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09837" border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bKnneVIYnB0WECjUUxDKd3KEOqtP-aaoaidbcW4Y-DI-J710iyf4z9au2KosiU6ZHMkzr9_WhBGOjnVzlm2H2_09CUE8LZD3csykjhqCAMEBKCbZuF-gGPE3jCFxe_ftGP-0FHlHLUGC/?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="DSC09837" width="404"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHXDlgCCUO1o3w9AKwGSJGrVEA4Gv_vx-OV86Q4B3GBGHnAG6pKsfZqFp4kmYXuFRgYqhxJ_XZUiFqbrgKIZpOl6HlBvACvSsmRpZWh-Y5B2DqkyFNNyq01nxHAHAHGy0Flo7scJXzIAS/s1600-h/DSC09835%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09835" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix193f0dc8ipNCURuRqYpV17cvuxIAHK-2UABfnOo79MDmvCRH_lHr7YTDc2ZjIITgiQmi6iikRahf8XsP5ZF7d5KT3QifIMzMEjtj0g9It4zlxfSdIOFy8J2lDRFUG-2H8HGVXplKroMD/?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="DSC09835" width="404"></a></p> <p>There were all kinds of things made out of cheese…<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDhNTMs6d8McS-QCFRMfGO0FieNp3rJUYvbyzqB_Fq8ntWnLIqRpSKurLi7hPl8hCpfWJ-ebiKiid3_e3CC-IyFqPyyirpDfm35Agax-xwZTdXpIIUoUekSJYJ_mk48O_NXFsutF8cRUx/s1600-h/DSC09828%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09828" border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IYNenbIRxpvHFaq8mdgfalIDNSJwVYdXgFgZqZD2-Nn_IljBgipXLyOolW1RkOZvZyUJzJnxVij8jwA0yX3HIPQImL6WDh4oaY65qG4OR9W4NuFobl46m2GaShelTCvLhpaguEHuXS6A/?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="DSC09828" width="404"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDugAGcuSJ3l4e2uTr-I53439ibbfMtlJcGZhEYCUwjVa9y_6KHsvL3JUbXen5M4daWKDTeWlHDjT32Zar-kBwRKQydIVTVrO7vxIO_9Zl74cxWnrkLpp6ZvThdo2fHfBW422MUm_ZFHxq/s1600-h/DSC09829%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09829" border="0" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4xy_YpdU5ga-60c8ZkERc9D9-qUmqbBc1AWac7F3EQa53d1st71AFCmcFdfTvZOvfdHyE5fXolEPG8Z2rx-dkW-_cIC6e70usyeTvMgbyR9d4CdceYJFVqzNd3qfzVbYpXvt25c2KfYm/?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="DSC09829" width="354"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMw4RjnsRbPu3XxYxHtfCSBP9__HK0Zenhh9Eu68LfB477Fk5gzZD2pP9Za6yq1DWlievtdeMk2QMnOft-_WMZrfCJXy0YLoWsOicZ1B5WZtu_VNzpsP0lnAjJ6NaJ4bwiHLnW5cZeNUT/s1600-h/DSC09830%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09830" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iORiZsxiDV2o8XAgYCEThGHhAX246zs_2i4t-XBmrOKk-2yjJjFoULSlvIrsp9TwwsP_FINcKGxTC7kfq_wzeTRIQZz6pdkyNEKK0kme4R-TfXdsKL4erbAEuvfFUOkzh35lPV1j8cr_/?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="DSC09830" width="404"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFrLYybALlnHifooXxCKqhIr5Nb8JT3m1cJqCtW322KAM7cP9Oq4yWxCroPakBxvlqOp9Zkjf4TJpJnzPaRYwE942Dp4sLbWeFpf_-LE6V56G5tA6OfFSEsBqSDmA7IuositSKWU3ouza/s1600-h/DSC09831%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09831" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXdy8cSjlI_SeKXQ3Oo2BSLq7yTNlWqGK0bkP01oD8A2LBonTTO4jPZ95VRTAip-GB9DvoZBdfqucb8YZgHcDnKo12r2Js2fVm24qRrmC4e1043i3-kqjTHHBuiDqputJLBrU29egY84k/?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="DSC09831" width="404"></a></p> <p><strike>Beer</strike> sausage & cheese anyone?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zLhAL2Rba9vIiAJzgjdBFa8TiCvuK4GUdN8KB4yIaOpMSvcovAFw_KxiG6iJIXcpfBslQZjp5Gl5G9Ch8UA-ALGHd7vDpiiP8ChQhOHK7bOgcro-KNkwxy50X7yk580ZhTFiivjRnOuQ/s1600-h/DSC09833%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09833" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRHh2H4mR9ss72R0XRCeYoJ6TpnvJJ7sawnHWfu0i1-7XWnFKpYElIGLfedMVlfTbMJij_tom6th0ypBT9JXgU9iBo289vNbfSja0Rk9FTVEpCOFbdHfzWm39CfJg67LIr-H-p2DLk7Go/?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="DSC09833" width="404"></a></p> <p>Of course there were samples galore! Check out that giant wedge of cheese!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvv32jIxsMGwHxzbrjxbRksfc-o-_4n2FALbN7uDUVBbCwVsm2fYVj8j0VwM0FB5FBVCV3KYr_QwsbpKXKANnzuR5FqL9yzjhhfBz4Pk9FHmgEIKoTwXvLVUGgksPe-MK9Dai5HreXV26/s1600-h/DSC09834%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09834" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoBL7-FmVSYXDH5D8Qov1k6PZM3LdvZODkXu4OdcWL6QipAxqpDsA5EpPmpNroePY6ShMlNz9E08e9nsYG8zWmKTEucJJonbJhqL32iK71X8n1RmK06XdQFpGlnL1DHE8ZN8xnoorKz_k/?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="DSC09834" width="404"></a></p> <p>Chocolate cheese fudge anyone? It was actually <strong><u>VERY</u></strong> good. The said they just replaced the milk with cheese. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SfvWT9lllHiAxVzYDO1k6Bh189tX3jYRzSSH9V61jU9-pAmbN91JKbMfp621THgTdrjqfkvjJGgiJC2fAxR717_qxWkozdcEDMiV3vp4S1vpxIo6mW-WPp17042Gzvkn0LghtYH0C4DS/s1600-h/DSC09832%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09832" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqcyoTpYtqyo_SysMd6oayw-I9n2E9a744YWFB4Me8y6obpj6XUKR5FQ9YEAarp7wSmfYf2tMnzHYIKwZV68MrYHiMmRUhCTzvRrzzH9PGoHOVYJb9OOdfYSnp0ZlBwti1jGV5Pq4fJWD/?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="DSC09832" width="404"></a></p> <p>No castle is complete with knights! :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXJTZb-WIDuB3z_ivxQBFIbRPNC9NuMxynogD1f-KRHpEdZ_8-DuQIVjulPuxcVrswo0CQLJR8tdgwMhmoDG9_UHX630ZM9S0p3MKMYP5OkQaCRE8LtbM6eHR-IhABp7FE_SLtidOSmg3/s1600-h/DSC09836%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09836" border="0" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HG_RZ9wy3sIa9rnyVbT2z5A7-OjhIxlJOXeiUnvJgLBC-EIzgCoD6p5lli5OA-xj75qvPLwQpqLub7QTMq1kts_ExE68747NyQ4XJRHjy2sffqXPllpwqFP8dHJzV6VXhZy9Mp-gZkIu/?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="DSC09836" width="354"></a></p> <p>After our cheese excursion we hit up Ikea! This is an old picture, it was raining cats & dogs when we got there! We picked up a few things for the nursery. Can’t wait to show you guys!!<img height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAAqeTmV5EInnHpxn0Y5s9coT8jRp9Dp-o_LqlsrI8oYEilALVMKUMxERW7GtOShSYDn_VdvPLkaue_9ne7_Tc0Lx3kcs629TMomevOgbZbUubwK15984iSFwEHmN1h8KByzuri4wtek/s1600/Ikea.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" width="400"></p> <p>When we got back to Mel & Steve’s place and knew just what we wanted! Our giant peanut butter cup! We cut it into 4th’s and each enjoyed a piece of delicious-ness!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oIYxSzLKrA40QavjWDJvv0DcgftNLent1mDDcSwGBES0HlcLOzYr-VtPJdQ9fG4odrrLrTE6oU9gt3HC2Iw4CCB0DQnwzlBjFHCNTgcRF6_BDXlnDi0iDzw44xrycXGtfgxCTU5QBatW/s1600-h/DSC09839%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09839" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdga-jYyaI3a1ERz_cFasLTlK8T_cyW6CTf69lQqdeayY-iHG1YveVWR8_Lxmf5mhPrOoJG5sf9bAYJvD4N6ithid_CkmsdKgDeUrhxflk9nIlb8hvkWVx44_yf8o52dfzQHPg_DfaqHs/?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="DSC09839" width="404"></a></p> <p>Friday supper we knew just where we wanted to go….Giordanos!!<img alt="[DSC061423.jpg]" border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAeaTJTPOSpVe8rtYiXeGlnGsx-oqVu4hCOg6a1J9lM27ygLvFWerCcPVrzvKBYKKWVxCmnjPzITcAwkNErTQd9iNR2QM29Ugn2EC6ATYIbQfk_mhVawHyGJtsmTcqjRLNLFzFcc5stolI/s1600/DSC061423.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" width="400"></p> <p>It was well worth the 30 minute wait for our pizza to cook!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIZjhJWH9YL03LUclCXClIT8ng62AGgnoNuYV7v54tNBdH_G8MeF1wnmPUvc7vkjCIuq3fC-SRPfVgLwkQ-VvTkkhro7OQkCZntPtaFu5exe4dtgYPDM-huh7yjHvwgesh99D_uC2pslV/s1600-h/DSC09842%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09842" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8KNGCoG0tjlgkIN3hWSwr0wNX0SrZrQTmzS8Ajs6F842StaoO3-Q1CtNlBwbCquixlQ7DXos3mT-1Z1z_EQlPvO3rTMyf_fFG2-pr2W4jXzGjrevBY272zFZnnQiVxfxIRDLp7KsKHSx/?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="DSC09842" width="404"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqQx0Q1lHcQG-eqrerIJRktlRANQy2R4vScTheQluLqt9EzZ2ANbEskegRpQxCBC9bRjOgxrSyjBXe4GAeddwVgUhU2cZixVtaOck8p-a4lkMoKAHcuIhimzYs-HjueSuR4Ip4lDgDjZc/s1600-h/DSC09841%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09841" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkUy8z9bn2L-6t0s15ywEGoGroFZpmHSCJ5XYu8HvQ8J-5pYlW6d3UFobXgWzQpUgtZ1Ewa8heAPodVphMKmt_3kmSuofFnmYHYiGWLeifTBQGOkjGFEtyU-uXiAk0pM5d-8bYZNXJaRS/?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="DSC09841" width="404"></a></p> <p>Mmmm, look at all that cheesy goodness!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Ug-KOEfIZmSlXDmiZ7ZdgUEFRN4ElKFmdxhwDFkbdj5cPtmVd9GcOpGQP5ZB8_0DLtD50w8RCVCz4Jf4vk0t_PZEePj0rsghmTXgnPklyW61cMESsnv5V_ODZsQcS-ArKsFJwGydCNHq/s1600-h/DSC09843%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09843" border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwsRV2uJ3KICOaI-6Ct_TfYw3hbwds1B7Zpoh2bYtnAqjpERfCVZmFzQMezXEAEyvg-V_Zf0yUFx2LOIzgEz05ct6ZnYcymIen1pCIpj1JiJI0w-LL48dXttlA5SGoRKkSBOqWDIzsnyT/?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="DSC09843" width="404"></a></p> <p>Saturday we spent our day shopping…the mall, Costco, Marshalls….you name it! :) Here are a few of my favorite finds!</p> <p>Some new kicks!! Don’t ya love the sparkles!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUVZbHGpOGVRhbNXWUa1ljyIYzJS3RzfcoIm8u_r1O-7QvxRHcFTaKupwk6SbuYOfk0wzCuiIiQZ8y6qIQn8zZUoPiNiEVnRIQ4OK9oYte1tuDi7QdymKFP5NLkRa4wOB05xmiQExwmCy/s1600-h/DSC09852%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09852" border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZjUWnsIWx0kmcII4GHmMbTtZr_mXpbV-3Ay9tCVefvOlAoEtgcwK6ggtSNXH7J9h_S3ZAIKQr6vdNlLo4a-bHbE1KlWD_MGeJqySR15gx-akouWpIPHI9E96sFu5SadVlO1UGLxK-QRs/?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="DSC09852" width="404"></a> </p> <p>And of course I couldn’t pass up a few things for Baby Bangert!</p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="721" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="359"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2tjf5EoVKn8IQqVWl5PViSNAFDdoDrt-dr8B15LYUu3K3fZ3Jl_mq7pFtOWoj5D3gSDg3wYbVXCQUZ7Ifa983Te7pvBvKuQeukLGW4H7zfyOExflryuWoUhEoNKFPiqAyFMlNCng-ccx/s1600-h/DSC09853%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09853" border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQr1uhzG-gmJlo8Mb98EQ31zTLiDc3TRLlJLuBJMHsr9e1yeQDmTJbvQUt-6_MgppbtNdQE3Zjf4YOrjTNKt7RhArzs7pd9D8MBqTidrSVuhQSNl57e_Hgi4la7neglAoz_oz6GhHmlLBh/?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="DSC09853" width="254"></a></td> <td valign="top" width="360"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjArlkiOO_IRgBqA-1j-xaV3ZbrUgxEThJMsCVXytT3J3BBcIig48aBDSD4NtDaVZ4YwuL7Lm3sGQiC_EDg3DdGHyNMELtPNmA9rvL36BgjVKR6MjjzOq-O3SyxBsHJhY8b2YE9b9dWCL/s1600-h/DSC09854%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09854" border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoVHh2r2dS6CzlfOk-QvS8hwhGcmPjBN59Wntn6OzrpNJocsi4mR_XPzwcdLGnUJRsA9_14knyirMNu9ZwZO2XUfTW-foijtz0Ac8CfzuEpObzP_sZEYI1h_8APeplbaIwSXYTGJ7pR4x/?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="DSC09854" width="254"></a></td></tr></tbody></table> <p>After our day of shopping we went out for supper with some of Mel & Steve’s friends at one of their favorite spots, Ron of Japan, a Japanese steak house. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhBh0zjV9rUJlEZSsW45l5bZlrdtz3GqQSh4z4JJ63hYGUOOyCDQJKz5Bye86H6TYTDHoKQ-rcWbuRcizZneSTkDKKz8m9wCZso3dLNj0Alh3skDjCoBDpgl88BhpwSemPeIbPd5gn3-J/s1600-h/DSC09844%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09844" border="0" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECqB0BpH1DFUrHDGWkl88kbOnY75hyinTWWYwvBc6bgZWcXWOsilTXBOQmcFBgB1mKQDcXUi0CHvZLMVQHqexx7aIjbL3Pz-fszy6F9Mj0lmgntxYtZirrvtlIkLi1xAbC3mT0FWDSBEN/?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="DSC09844" width="354"></a></p> <p>This was the kind of place where they cook right in front of you!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIxeZo75foVMLJizQz-Q77Kkn3yPfgHaIVqWxNVJ7emHF7d38OQ-pnbW2Virpr5WbYvntGUi8ZC2PXv1msrRhKc-yweaJf6hF5_iKsMHtLHkfVhKT9sWbJAETYfQE_2XoeWYip731__2-/s1600-h/DSC09845%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09845" border="0" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrW16OjvmyiSBtQz76mRe19KT8XKa2CGFFR711Hp2dJ0HWdUSVwPdgzQzXTPqMum9-EwT7rEzRD9qjJ2CN54wdXe98m9p0LFt5Cny1FqYC6jTaYr2RoSroeaeLXNheo2cU615xUz4o1-k/?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="DSC09845" width="354"></a></p> <p>Pretty impressive!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1z0VkAP6Ne_VproVkQk28ehm9hF04oXOpzGAWvEheilRTnymR-dkfC5eAZcsSHcKyuDMEhhOlPNdloyHBsgsCfeCpVUiszQsrfDV3C4sttYYKkyLr8q_eqf6MmbWVHRTLoW1YR8re9gn/s1600-h/DSC09847%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09847" border="0" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1m_U2sNGPC6nLneohV48R47dRQaMTHvF6qeRxY4byHIFbKkHS1zuhwgGOPnuUKfQmPHsQCeDf0WHA5LLn_7FCiXsi8Vuc1Ji7u50osyLoadZGfnDhxoDggRK3o12DiPEBLxLnIu34xtgg/?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="DSC09847" width="354"></a></p> <p>We had a good time & of course, plenty of food!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKxJ-3D0tiRDNxygh8py-kX4Uc7uKqnLIKb-D3rKxXrR848bFmnYMujHlaDNnA9qH3Kd2fPowhGZwIXaniI6pAtvupIqi6MIEBNLtaQTdRvelOUqUEa14F5JrZxyz-doBfPrZOyjCRPmF/s1600-h/DSC09850%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC09850" border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJTTtjtH1xVFH_J0vFJhHHxZeL1-uxwcKnvo3J4mPaDDY6jBJOOMf0wDZIoFB6HDMdOAWqdG2f_1lXf25ya_0iGb6UHj5Z2gdiSbpsaG7kvx_qT36HOfkPd-Dpesi5QKgPW3Zv1OB_wJa/?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="DSC09850" width="404"></a></p> <p>Sunday we slept in, packed up the car, and Kyle wanted one more stop before we left town…Portillos! Kyle got his hot dog & Italian beef and I stuck with their chocolate cake!<img alt="[DSC06116[1].jpg]" border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV04_2H2iePwwRzx3pNXLA2HoHJUL9LCAiIb9Z-y1tRqjlMCUchgZ4JLbH_FAB3QbRolSvO1w8DhcbRzTeR8-7EhStUoU2cBI55w9DedSB14FRAQQRd2lHf-7YkhnyDFsKLGHP2Xzxy8bG/s1600/DSC06116%5B1%5D.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" width="400"></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 align="left">We said our goodbyes and made the trip home. Thanks for a wonderful weekend guys! Next time you’ll have a family of 3 visiting! :)</p> <p align="center"><img alt="[DSC071383.jpg]" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBo1MGLf6xbqvmquomHQb4qPv24A1gwFyUpQmEPYAzpMvaBKPv0NhDmnUk2DxjpeWdcLL-ahwM7cyV6ENlHD1cCAUw9qu1L2v1mAeEo-bmCTfuybW_qWn6I0hjsGB7-lENqy0V2XemQud/s1600/DSC071383.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" width="400"><em>(old picture…sadly we didn’t get a picture of the 4 of us while we were together)</em></p>

Weekend Chicago Trip

Kyle and I made our 2nd annual trip to Chicago to see Mel & Steve (Kyle’s sister & her husband). We took off for Chicago after he go...

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