Posts
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May 8
Today we spent the day in Salem with Shane and Cassandra, which worked out perfectly since it was kind of rainy today. We visited downtown Salem, where we bought candy in the oldest candy shop in America (yum!) and then later we went to see Iron Man 2 at the Imax. Brittany ordered water and then got Coke, which we found apalling but she didn't think much of. She has no soul.
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May 9
Today was our last day in Boston, and Brittany and I started the day with a Duck Tour, which is a tour of the city on a bus that turns into a boat. That was lots of fun. Then, we ate at the original Cheers and then walked around the city a little more. Not long after that, it was time to go back to the airport, and after a small adventure with the Subway system being broken (evidently it had been catching on fire the week before), we caught a cab and got to the airport safely.
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May 10
I'm back home with my husband today, and it's a nice place to be!
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May 13
I got to visit with my friends on TokBox again tonight! It's always so nice to see these girls face-to-face. Ellyn told us about her love life and we talked about how excited we were to go see Sara in a few days. It's going to be great to see them all next weekend!
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May 14
Today my mom had a lymph node biopsy surgery, so I went back and forth between work and the hospital all day to be with her before and after her surgery. She didn't much like having the surgery, but we got really good news from her biopsy so it's nice to know for sure that she has nothing to worry about.
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May 15
Today I had a gig on a video crew at Stonebriar for their spring choir concert. I always enjoy chance to get out and shoot in the field, plus it was easy money, so it was a good time. Plus, Jack and I met the Wildmans for dinner after, which was also very fun.
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May 16
Today Jack and I spent the day together. After giving Maggie a (really bad) at-home haircut, we decided we'd better treat her to a corn dog at Sonic. She just about bit my hand off, but she definitely enjoyed it.
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May 17
This weekend, Jack brought home a practically-new carpet steamer from the taekwondo school garage sale, and I was absolutely thrilled. Today I tried to figure out how to use it, and steamed my carpet for the first time to get ready for all my guests (Jack's parents are visiting Jack and Brittany and Amie are meeting me so we can drive to Iowa to see Sara this weekend) who will be here this weekend!
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May 18
I realized after yesterday that I put the water in the soap dispenser in my steam cleaner, which explains why I ran out of water so fast. This time, I did it right, and it worked a lot better. Now if I can just get this little devil to stop peeing on my carpet, it will stay looking this good!
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May 19
Today I got an e-mail from Brittany saying her throat hurt. This was a problem, since Sara can't be around anybody who is sick even a little, because she has immunity issues and will get pnemonia. So Brittany couldn't come. Then, a few hours later, Amie said that she was sick too. Which meant that everybody who was driving with me was sick and couldn't go. Since I didn't think I could do a 14-hour drive by myself, we had to postpone the trip. I was so, so bummed. We got together on TokBox to chat but it wasn't quite as fun this time.
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May 20
Today Sarah and Angela and I finally got a chance to go out to lunch. We had Cafe Express and it was yummy and definitely great company.
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May 21
Today Jack's dad arrived in town to help us fix up our house a little bit. He and Jack got onto the roof today and redid some of the wood that had been rotting on our chimney. They made great progress!
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May 22
Today, after Jack's parents left, we went to dinner together. It was nice to catch up.
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May 23
Jack completely pampered me today. He took me shoping at Charming Charlie and some other stores in Watters Creek, then he took me to get a pedicure (and he got one too!), and then he took me to PF Chang's for dinner. I'm so spoiled!
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May 25
Today I came home from work and chatted with Ellyn. This is becoming quite a regular event and I enjoy it quite a bit.
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May 26
Today we decorated Eric's office after he left because his 40th birthday is this weekend. We hung black balloons everywhere, and then we all took pictures like the headshot we had of him from when he was really young (probably my age!) and hung those on his window. We got quite a kick out of doing that.
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May 27
Today we planned on having a special birthday breakfast for Eric, so Jack and I got up early to make The Pioneer Woman's cinamon rolls. They were incredible. And not at all healthy. Jack was very, very excited that he got to partake and told me to "thank my work friends for experimenting on him."
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June 2
Today I spent most of my day at work digitizing and logging some footage from the Israel tour.
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June 3
Today Jack's dad arrived and he and Jack did some more work around the house. They're replacing all the bad wood so it's ready to paint. They're doing a great job!
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June 4
Jack's dad is really handy to have around, but another reason to have him here is because we enjoy his company so much! I'm luck to have such a kind, generous, easy-going father-in-law.
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June 5
Today was the last full day Jack's dad was here, and you guessed it, he did a lot of work around the house. I helped him this morning by priming some of the new wood, and I also pulled some weeds in the backyard as I went. Multitasking!
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June 6
Today we had the Wildmans over to paint their new TV stand in our garage and dinner, and Jack spent a lot of time swatting a bunch of flies that had gotten in this weekend when we worked on the house. There's a classy move in front of your guests.
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June 7
Evidently a bunch of the weeds I pulled on Saturday while I was painting were poison ivy. Today my face was itching and I told my friend Sharon that a mosquito must have gotten in our room last night and bitten my face. Then Jack came home tonight and said "did you scratch your face? Oh wait, no, you have poison ivy." And so I did. A line across my forehead, another across my cheek, and another cluster right near my eye. No fun. No fun at all.
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June 8
The poison ivy is definitely worse today. And uncomfortable.
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June 11
This morning, I got to direct a small video shoot for a small project I have every month for the web. I had the Seibert girls do some acting for me, and it went very well. I'm looking forward to editing it!
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June 12
Today I spent most of my day cleaning out my office and listing things on Craigslist to get rid of so that I can install cabinets and countertops for crafting. I'm excited about the change, but that means it's time to get rid of the desk I have had since college.
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June 13
this evening, we got to go see Wicked at the Dallas Summer Musicals. We have been looking forward to this for months, and it definitely did not disappoint. It was one of the best musicals I've seen there!
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June 14
Today I spent the day editing the footage I got of the girls on Friday. This video is coming together very well!
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June 15
Another evening with Ellyn and Amie (though Amie didn't have a webcam today so she could see us but we couldn't see her)! It's good to have friends to come home to, even if she's hundreds of miles away.
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June 16
This week has been "crazy hair week" at taekwondo, and today Jack came home looking like this. He made me laugh so hard, and I couuld't take him seriously when he was trying to talk to me tonight.
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June 17
Today Brenda and Joanna finished the puzzle we've (they've) been working on at work. I didn't contribute much. I'm really not good at puzzles. Jack, however, got quite a few peices when he visited a few weeks ago. He gets pretty excited about puzzles.
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June 18
Tonight we went out to dinner with my parents and then visited at there house for a while after. Their dog Tia has her grumpy look perfected.
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June 19
Tonight was the "Top Ten, State Champs, Testing" party at the home of one of Jack's takewondo students. We had a blast eating hot dogs and hamburgers (and all kinds of other food!), visiting, and playing Rock Band together!
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June 20
Today was Father's Day, so we spent the day with my dad. I gave him a little case for his new mini-laptop, and we went and saw the A-Team and then to dinner. It was a nice day.
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June 21
Is there anything better than the lines on the carpet after you steam clean it? No, no there is not. I steam cleaned the carpet twice this weekend. And I'm not going to lie, I thought about doing it a third time.
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June 22
Today I got a new bookshelf in my office! We've been cleaning up our offices a little bit and I spent most of my work day helping Eric move his office to Dave's old office to make room for Owen to move into Eric's on Monday. We're really excited about the new addition to our team, but it's sure a lot of work getting ready for him!
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June 23
Today we headed to Little Rock for our anual "vacation" to World Championships there. This year, Jack will be testing for his sixth degree and competing for world champion in two categories: forms and weapons. We're excited to see the outcome of this weekend!
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June 24
Today, we are completely ecstatic. This morning, Jack tested for his 6th degree black belt and did very well (though we won't know the results for quite a while). Later this afternoon, Jack competed for world champion in weapons. He was ranked first in his division, so he had the privlage of competing last. He completely blew the competition out of the water and won world champion for the very first time ever! He is beside himself, and I love seeing him this happy.
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June 25
Today Jack competed for World Champ in forms. He had a good form, but came in 4th in this competition. I'm still super-proud of him, and he's just happy he's coming home with a gold medal and red letters in weapons!
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June 26
Today I made Jack pose for a few pictures with his gold medal out in the HU Lee memorial garden. He wasn't thrilled with having to be my model, but I really love the pictures I got of him and his medal!
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June 27
Oh, my handsome husband, wearing his blues, complete with his bright, shiny, new world champ pin. He had to be at the tournament this morning (while I slept in and got us checked out of the ridiculously busy hotel). This evening, we drove back home. It was nice to finally get out of Little Rock, but we definitely had fun this time around!
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June 28
When we got back home, we noticed Tia wasn't feeling so well tonight. She's having some trouble getting up and down, so my parents will probably go get her some pain pills this week. Poor thing.
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June 29
Today, Owen started at Insight! He's a really great addition to the team - his personality fits with everyone else's quite nicely.
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July 1
Today for lunch, we went to an Indian restaurant, and they had this kind of cola instead of coke. Thumbs up!
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July 3
Tonight, Jack and I went out to The Harbor House on Lake Lavon to visit our friends Greg and Vicki, and we ran into the Simms family there too! It was a nice evening to sit out by the water with good friends.
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July 4
This morning, I was hungry, so I got up to make some breakfast. I asked Jack if he wanted an Egg McMuffin (my mom used to make them for us when we were little!) and he said no. So I made mine, brought it out and started eating it, and Jack got this wistful look on his face. "Do you want one too?" I asked. "No," he said, sadly, "I said I didn't want one, so I don't need one." I could tell he wanted one, so I got up and made him one too. He was so happy about it!!
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July 5
This morning, my mom took Tia to the vet. She had been feeling much better in the last couple of weeks since we got her the pain pills, but she had stopped eating the last few days. The vet told us that she was going into kidney failure, and we had to make the very tough decision to put her to sleep. She was a sweet, loyal, stupid, and loving dog, and we will definitely miss her a lot.
(We all went to play putt putt today after we put her to sleep to take our minds off of the whole thing, and we actually had kind of a nice day together.)
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July 6
My mom cleaned up Tia's room (the enclosed back patio) and washed all the blankets Tia liked to sleep on around the house. When I came to pick Maggie up this afternoon, all the blankets were folded up on the couch. It was sad.
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July 7
Today we got some new lights at work, and every time we get new equipment, it's like Christmas!
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July 8
I spent most of today scrapbooking, and for the first time, I stitched on some of my pages with a sewing machine! AND, I wound a bobbin without any difficulty at all. I was so proud!
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July 9
I found out my friend Sara's dad died yesterday, so today I made her a card to send her. It was so sad and unexpected, and it just feels like it's one thing after another for her.
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July 10
I spent most of today scrapbooking, yet again! I've made several pages that I just need to add pictures to, and it's so nice to get my hands on paper again!
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July 11
Tonight, Jack and I went to Dreamgirls at the Dallas Summer Musicals, and it was so fun as always to get dressed up and go downtown and see live theater. What a privilege!!
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July 12
This morning, Jack and I had to get up at about the same time for work, so we got ready together. Maggie just loves it when we're all together, so we did most of our getting ready on the floor with her. I did my hair while Jack brushed his teeth, and Maggie went back and forth between the two of us, trying to get us to pet her. I absolutely cherish these moments we have together.
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July 13
Tonight, Jack brought me a big Sonic slushie! It was such a nice surprise! He spoils me.
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July 14
Every so often, at the office, somebody will find a toy or something strange to play with or put on or run around with. And it's usually Joel.
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July 15
Today we made the 16-hour drive from Dallas to Vail. I was absolutely dredding it, but it actually turned out to be not quite so bad after all. I did a lot of sleeping, and Jack and I had time to talk and listen to Odyssey and the radio. We got to Vail around 9 p.m., and we're excited for our weekend with my brother and sister-in-law to start!
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July 16
Today, we all went rafting in Buena Vista. We had SO MUCH FUN. It was about a 4-hour trip, and we had so much fun paddling over the rapids and enjoying the beautiful weather and scenery. At one point, the guide let us get out and jump into the water from a 10-foot mini-cliff! We had such a blast today.
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July 17
For our last full day in Vail, we went to a nice golf course and Jack, Shane, and Cassandra played a course there. Jack spent a lot of time trying to find his ball (or missing his ball), but overall he had a great time. It has been such a perfect weekend, and we wish we had longer to stay.
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July 18
Today we made yet another 16-hour drive back home, though this one wasn't quite as fun since we weren't driving into the beautiful mountains, but into the boring Texas flatland. It was nice to get home, though.
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July 19
When we got home from Vail, we were greeted by a rambunctious little Yorkshire Terrier that my parents had adopted while we were gone. He has way too much energy for his own good, but he sure is cute in the face. They named him Newbie. Jack and I call him Filbert.
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July 23
My parents had to go out of town suddenly because my grandmother isn't doing well, so we are dogsitting their new dog, Filbert, that they got while we were in Vail. HE NEVER STOPS MOVING. Surprisingly, he and Maggie get along very well, even though Maggie has never been all too friendly with any other dogs. They are in constant motion around here!
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July 24
Tonight, Greg and Misty Potter took us out for dinner at Jaspers to celebrate Jack's 6th Degree and world championship. We had such a great time with them! We ate way too much gourmet food, then walked around the Shops at Legacy and visited with them. Misty and Greg just found out they're pregnant as well, so we had much to celebrate with them!
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July 25
When we first got married, I was a little offended that Jack said that I don't fold towels correctly. Two years later, however, I have realized that his deciding that I fold towels incorrectly means that he always does them. So I've definitely embraced his anal OCD thing - it means I never have to do laundry!
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July 26
My friend Brittany came into town tonight! We had a lovely dinner at Olive Garden, and, as is tradition, followed it with a trip to Braums for dessert. She is absolutely one of my favorite people in the world.
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July 27
Today I drove home and saw a beautiful rainbow! I love seeing rainbows. Unfortunately, they're really hard to get pictures of!!
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July 28
Earlier this week, we had a video shoot at some old historic churches in Allen for an upcoming promo. It was fun to get out of our box and shoot on location! Plus, the lady who is in charge of opening the churches for the historic association happens to be my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Gifford! It was really fun running into her again!
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July 29
Today was a very, very sad day. I called my parents this morning and found out that my Grandma Barbara had just passed away. She was the grandparent I was closest to, and I talked to her on the phone about once a week. She was a loving, classy woman and we will miss her more than words can say.
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July 30
This speeding ticket is just the cherry on top of the giant pile of crap that was my day. In addition to trying to make last-minute plane reservations (and messing those up), I had to make sure everything at work was ready for me to leave - and it's a terrible weekend for leaving since I was supposed to work with Eric on the Reformation Tour video blog (he's in Europe right now). I finally left work at about 9 p.m., and got pulled over going 14 miles over the speed limit on the way home. When I finally got home, I still had to pack for an early flight tomorrow. This has been quite a crappy week.
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July 31
Today, after many hours of flights and layovers, I finally got to South Dakota to see my family. Even though the circumstances of visiting were truley terrible, it was so nice to see everyone and spend some quality time together, and my grandparents' ranch is beautiful.
...and not so much like Dallas. I shot a gun for perhaps the first time ever. Took me a few tries, but I got the egg.
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August 1
Today was day two in South Dakota, and we spent the day just visiting with my family and going through Grandma's things. Grandpa took me up in his paraplane tonight. It made for a beautiful view of his ranch.
That evening, we got some group shots together since we're all parting ways tomorrow. It was nice to get a picture with Grandpa Kent, but her absence in this picture is very apparent to us.
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August 2
Today, I flew back to Dallas. When I got to the parking lot at the airport, I remembered that I had left my car keys in the suitcase I sent home with my parents. Which means I couldn't get in my car. I called Jack and he left work to bring me my keys, and then he took me to dinner too. It wasn't ideal at first, but it was nice to get to catch up with him over a dinner that I didn't have to cook anyway.
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August 3
One of the memories about my grandma that stands out most in my mind from my childhood is that she always had Fig Newtons. When we got there this weekend, these were in her pantry, just as expected.
When I got to work today, I passed by the vending machine and noticed that there were Fig Newtons in there, though they had never been in there before. Needless to say, I bought a package today.
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August 4
Since my parents are still in Wyoming, we're still taking care of Filbert for them, and they couldn't be happier about it. They play constantly.
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August 5
When I head to work in the morning, instead of walking the dogs over to my parents' house, where they have access to a dog door all day, I usually drive them so that I can just get back in the car and head off after I drop them off. Filbert is just so darn happy to be going anywhere and everywhere, even if it's only a drive down the street.
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August 6
Today I picked up a Willow Tree figurine and a nice frame to put my Grandma's picture in for my mom's mantle before she came home.
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August 7
Today was Jack's boss's taekwondo tournament, and afterward we went over to Greg and Misty's house for a party with the Murphy crowd. They're always super-friendly... sometimes a little too friendly!
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August 8
Today Jack and I spent the day together, shopping and catching up. At Target, he tried on these super-cool Transformers sunglasses. I don't know why he didn't buy them!
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August 9
Tonight, Jack went through his safe to see what was inside. It's mostly old baseball cards and proof sets from his godmother, but he found this super-important Sony Discman owner's manual. Thank GOODNESS we still have THAT!
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August 10
Today at lunch, my group went to a cool little coffee shop called the Global Peace Factory. They had really good paninis there, and they donate some of their profits to global charities. Pretty cool place.
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August 11
When Owen put up his wire picture hanger today, Joel decided that he just HAD to create a tiny tightrope-walking version of himself to put on top of it. After some brilliant engineering, artsy photographing, and careful crafting, Joel and I had created the perfect accessory for Owen's "tightrope." We laughed very hard making this little beauty.
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August 12
Today is my parents' 33rd wedding anniversary, so we went out together together after work. It's nice to have such a great example of sticking together in marriage in my parents.
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August 13
This morning, our computers went down for a good two hours. So for some of that time, we went for a walk. We were glad it turned out to be such a beautiful day.
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August 14
Our friend Keith is in town from New Zealand this week! He is absolutely delightful to talk to, and we don't get to see him much since we live so far away. But tonight we had good conversation and good food at Spring Creek BBQ. It was delightful.
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August 15
Tonight Maggie and Filbert started playing tug-of-war with each other! It was so funny!
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August 16
Tonight Jack and I spent a good part of our evening on the floor putting together his students' belts for the next testing this week. He's such a good worker.
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August 17
The other day, Erin made this Starbucks cup into the official "Cricket Cup," so that we wouldn't kill crickets in the office anymore. The side says "If anybody sees a cricket please come get Erin and she will catch him or her to release them." It's too funny. So today, she was out of the office, but I caught one that was hopping around and set it free, and took this picture and sent it to Erin as that cricket's "thank you" for her keeping him alive.
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August 18
I inherited some clothes from my grandmother, and the pair of pants I put on this morning still had the tags on. $108. The woman DEFINITELY had great taste.
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August 19
Tonight I spent the evening talking to three of my very best friends on webcam. The nights that I spend talking to these three women are some of my very favorite nights ever.
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August 20
Tonight my parents had a bunch of friends over, including Keith (our friend from New Zealand) and Darlana (our friend from Canada). I love these two, and it was so fun to have them all in the same room again!
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August 21
Jack and I went to Sally's today to get some new hair dye, despite Jack's protests to "please please just go to the salon and do it." But this was cheaper! Jack painted the hair dye on for me (and did not like that one bit) and I just hoped that I wouldn't screw it up like last time. But this time (thankfully), it turned out quite well. I actually like it a lot!
