tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87469315539625397932024-03-08T15:16:02.029-06:00CoracabanaCorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.comBlogger184125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-55623340124761258422017-07-12T17:04:00.000-05:002017-07-12T17:05:19.588-05:00Lucy, I'm home! <span style="font-size: large;">*taps microphone*</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Is this thing still on?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, whaddaya know....</span>Corahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-87747323924562872812015-07-14T14:06:00.000-05:002015-07-14T14:06:43.616-05:00Because Sometimes The Google Gods Do Evil Voodoo Magic On Your Blog And Cell Phone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SKvy24Xx_jQ/VaVdLlUtCwI/AAAAAAAAK3g/-VqDaRO0DQs/s1600/14%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SKvy24Xx_jQ/VaVdLlUtCwI/AAAAAAAAK3g/-VqDaRO0DQs/s400/14%2Bblog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Corahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-71943236064684976232014-12-01T06:00:00.000-06:002014-12-01T06:12:31.919-06:00Cyber Monday or Flippin’ Sh!t On eBay<span style="font-size: large;">So, my bloggy hubby, </span><a href="http://scope-tech.blogspot.com/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Scope</a><span style="font-size: large;"> challenged all of us </span><strike style="font-size: x-large;">lazy
slackers</strike><span style="font-size: large;"> former bloggers who are content these days just curling up
like pampered pets at the feet of Facebook to venture back out in Blogaritaville
today for a Cyber Monday post and a link-up with him. I figured I could handle
one measly little blog post. Sure. Why not?…. Assuming I could figure out my
password. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />Or that Windows Live Writer still acknowledged my existence. <br /><br />Which it didn't. <br /><br />Now I'm forced to compose my posts in Blogger like an animal. No borders around my pictures or anything! *sniffle* </span><span style="font-size: large;">F**k you, Windows Live Writer. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />But anyway....<br /><br />I figured that since I have
spent so much of my time lately in thrift stores, garage sales, and on eBay, I
might as well tell you a bit about my eBay adventures. Here are some of my
better (and more high-five worthy) recent sales:<br /><br /><br />Out in Seattle last
Christmas, I bought this Green Day American Idiot t-shirt in a thrift store for
$2.99. I really liked it, but it was too short on me (What?! I know!) and my
kiddo, Wednesday, wanted nothing to do with any shirt that had “idiot” sprawled
across the front of it, so I listed it on eBay and it sold to a buyer in
Australia for $18.00. Sa-weet!</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FGFksr424TM/VHvmUS0YlwI/AAAAAAAAK0c/Dkv0s4xdMHo/s1600/2014-05-44%2B2014-03sold2014-03-11%2Bgreen%2Bday%2Bidiot%2Bshirt%2B(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FGFksr424TM/VHvmUS0YlwI/AAAAAAAAK0c/Dkv0s4xdMHo/s1600/2014-05-44%2B2014-03sold2014-03-11%2Bgreen%2Bday%2Bidiot%2Bshirt%2B(1).JPG" height="400" width="361" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><a href="file:///C:/Users/Cora/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles5975CCC/sold2014-03-11-green-day-idiot-shirt%5B1%5D.jpg"></a><br /><br />There’s this really awesome local thrift store
here in Chicago that I walk to every Monday for their 50% off sale. I bought
this uber-slutty Coogi nautical-themed mini dress there for $3.00 and it sold on
eBay for $50.00. Cha-ching! (Ohhhh, slutty sailor dresses, how I love
thee!). I wish I could find one of these every day! </span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gYrW-g0iJ9w/VHvnQ_9MBTI/AAAAAAAAK2Y/aCJftMNY_54/s1600/sold2014-03-19%2Bcoogi%2Bdress%2B(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gYrW-g0iJ9w/VHvnQ_9MBTI/AAAAAAAAK2Y/aCJftMNY_54/s1600/sold2014-03-19%2Bcoogi%2Bdress%2B(1).JPG" height="640" width="432" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><a href="file:///C:/Users/Cora/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles5975CCC/sold2014-03-19-coogi-dress-15.jpg"></a><br /><br />I bought this black, white, and red
Anthropologie mesh skirt that had a really cool Tim Burton kind of look to it at
my favorite thrift store. I got it for $2.19 and it sold for $17.50.
</span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4vVlP1Nzjqg/VHvmUnartzI/AAAAAAAAK0Y/2s4MLK3U9xs/s1600/2014-05sold2014-04-11%2Bsnak%2Bskirt%2B(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4vVlP1Nzjqg/VHvmUnartzI/AAAAAAAAK0Y/2s4MLK3U9xs/s1600/2014-05sold2014-04-11%2Bsnak%2Bskirt%2B(1).JPG" height="640" width="430" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><a href="file:///C:/Users/Cora/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles5975CCC/sold2014-04-11-snak-skirt-15.jpg"></a><br /><br />Over the summer we had a huge community garage
sale where I bought this 1973 Woodsy Owl (Remember him?! “Give a hoot! Don’t
pollute!”) for $4.00. The seller wanted $5.00 for it, but Woodsy was pretty
beaten up and I tried to talk him down to $2.50, but he wouldn’t go any lower
than $4.00. Arg! Dilemma! I crossed my fingers and hoped his damaged spots
wouldn’t be too bothersome to scare off any eBay buyers, but I shouldn’t have
worried. Woodsy sold fast and he sold for $27.00, so woo-hoo!
</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UEqJFVPkqzQ/VHvmUUH32VI/AAAAAAAAK0g/nAk-olg9Uhg/s1600/2014-07-44%2Bsold2014-06-13%2Bwoodsy%2Bowl%2B(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UEqJFVPkqzQ/VHvmUUH32VI/AAAAAAAAK0g/nAk-olg9Uhg/s1600/2014-07-44%2Bsold2014-06-13%2Bwoodsy%2Bowl%2B(1).JPG" height="400" width="335" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><a href="file:///C:/Users/Cora/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles5975CCC/sold2014-06-13-woodsy-owl-15.jpg"></a><br /><br />At the community wide garage sale, I also
bought these Ninjago Lego minifigs as part of a set of two huge bags of Lego
pieces. The bags cost a total of $20, but I parted the various Legos out and
these figures alone sold for $65.00! </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_PrTxik9RY/VHvmWRl-O5I/AAAAAAAAK1A/3cTC7SxerW0/s1600/2014-07-44%2Bsold2014-06-22%2Bninjago%2Bblue%2Bskales%2Blot%2B(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_PrTxik9RY/VHvmWRl-O5I/AAAAAAAAK1A/3cTC7SxerW0/s1600/2014-07-44%2Bsold2014-06-22%2Bninjago%2Bblue%2Bskales%2Blot%2B(1).JPG" height="126" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><a href="file:///C:/Users/Cora/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles5975CCC/sold2014-06-22-ninjago-blue-skales-l.jpg"></a><br /><br />These Batman Lego minifigs were part of the
same garage sale Lego bags as the Ninjago ones. This grouping sold for
$42.00. With all the different Lego groupings and sales I made from those Lego
bags, I made over $150 in profit so far, and I’m not even done listing them all
yet! </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DrgxnrHJW6Q/VHvmWdx-1dI/AAAAAAAAK04/uD_oXCUL6UY/s1600/2014-07-44%2Bsold2014-06-21%2Bbatman%2Blego%2Bminifigs%2B(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DrgxnrHJW6Q/VHvmWdx-1dI/AAAAAAAAK04/uD_oXCUL6UY/s1600/2014-07-44%2Bsold2014-06-21%2Bbatman%2Blego%2Bminifigs%2B(1).JPG" height="105" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><a href="file:///C:/Users/Cora/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles5975CCC/sold2014-06-21-batman-lego-minifigs-%5B1%5D.jpg"></a><br /><br />Other community wide garage sale finds: This
50’s/60’s style Girl Scout Brownie plastic figurine which I got for 25 cents.
Yeah, just 25 cents! I soooooooo felt like I was ripping the lady off! It sold
on eBay for $15.00. </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HlLMMmqwszE/VHvmWdNzNxI/AAAAAAAAK08/1rzXWcSU0k4/s1600/2014-07-44sold2014-06-20%2Bgirl%2Bscout%2Bdoll%2B(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HlLMMmqwszE/VHvmWdNzNxI/AAAAAAAAK08/1rzXWcSU0k4/s1600/2014-07-44sold2014-06-20%2Bgirl%2Bscout%2Bdoll%2B(1).JPG" height="297" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><a href="file:///C:/Users/Cora/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles5975CCC/sold2014-06-20-girl-scout-doll-15.jpg"></a><br /><br />And this little plastic tabletop globe which I
got for 50 cents and it sold for $20.50. </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xB9tzwvH1Oc/VHvmXImIMuI/AAAAAAAAK1M/WcKilobxqsE/s1600/2014-07sold2014-06-20%2Bmini%2Bglobe%2B(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xB9tzwvH1Oc/VHvmXImIMuI/AAAAAAAAK1M/WcKilobxqsE/s1600/2014-07sold2014-06-20%2Bmini%2Bglobe%2B(1).JPG" height="640" width="430" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><a href="file:///C:/Users/Cora/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles5975CCC/sold2014-06-20-mini-globe-15.jpg"></a><br /><br />And this Tupperware Shape-O-Ball which I bought
for $2.00 and it sold for $20.00. </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sRYN5JHQt6A/VHvnGnM8H_I/AAAAAAAAK2I/p0YQkf5k30A/s1600/sold2014-06-20%2Btupperware%2Bshape%2Bo%2Bball%2B(1a)%2B(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sRYN5JHQt6A/VHvnGnM8H_I/AAAAAAAAK2I/p0YQkf5k30A/s1600/sold2014-06-20%2Btupperware%2Bshape%2Bo%2Bball%2B(1a)%2B(1).JPG" height="640" width="422" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><a href="file:///C:/Users/Cora/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles5975CCC/sold2014-06-20-tupperware-shape-o-ba%5B1%5D.jpg"></a><br /><br />Man, we did great with our summer garage sale
loot! But back to thrift store scores. I bought this huge Warner Brothers
Studio Store Harry Potter snow globe at a thrift store for $2.73. I about
fainted when I saw it. I know they are hard to find and can go for quite a bit
of money. This one had some minor damage and was missing its box, but I was
still confidant it was worth it. It ended up selling on eBay for $37.99.
</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nta7ikMXKMU/VHvmYOUU8tI/AAAAAAAAK1c/s7pztcQp9qw/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bsold2014-06-13%2Bwbss%2Bharry%2Bpotter%2Bsnowglobe%2B(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nta7ikMXKMU/VHvmYOUU8tI/AAAAAAAAK1c/s7pztcQp9qw/s1600/2014-09-27%2Bsold2014-06-13%2Bwbss%2Bharry%2Bpotter%2Bsnowglobe%2B(1).JPG" height="640" width="450" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><a href="file:///C:/Users/Cora/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles5975CCC/sold2014-06-13-wbss-harry-potter-sno%5B1%5D.jpg"></a><br /><br />I bought these Serta Sheep beanie babies at the
local thrift store for $3.28 and they sold for $20.00 in about a day.
</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RV22X1dAZB4/VHvmXyblyKI/AAAAAAAAK1Y/feXDoq0K_ow/s1600/2014-09-27%2B30sold2014-09-24%2Bserta%2Bsheep%2Bplush%2B1%2Band%2B29%2B(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RV22X1dAZB4/VHvmXyblyKI/AAAAAAAAK1Y/feXDoq0K_ow/s1600/2014-09-27%2B30sold2014-09-24%2Bserta%2Bsheep%2Bplush%2B1%2Band%2B29%2B(1).JPG" height="280" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><a href="file:///C:/Users/Cora/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles5975CCC/sold2014-09-24-serta-sheep-plush-1-a%5B2%5D.jpg"></a><br /><br />I bought this red vinyl snake skin jacket for
$5.46. This one took awhile to sell, but it eventually sold for $25.00.
</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5p7SkBiXrVU/VHvnGpPxIQI/AAAAAAAAK2M/55VRxZAvO94/s1600/sold2014-03-10%2Bred%2Bsnake%2Bjacket%2B(11).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5p7SkBiXrVU/VHvnGpPxIQI/AAAAAAAAK2M/55VRxZAvO94/s1600/sold2014-03-10%2Bred%2Bsnake%2Bjacket%2B(11).JPG" height="400" width="392" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><a href="file:///C:/Users/Cora/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles5975CCC/sold2014-03-10-red-snake-jacket-115.jpg"></a><br /><br />This old 1970’s Sears Winnie the Pooh teddy
bear was sitting alone and abandoned at the thrift store. I got it for $1.09.
It sold for $20.00 to a buyer in England. </span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ETcEPFk48Jc/VHvmZpHLEPI/AAAAAAAAK10/nIGIgz3mWRQ/s1600/2014-11sold2014-10-21%2Bpooh%2Bsears%2Bplush%2B12%2B(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ETcEPFk48Jc/VHvmZpHLEPI/AAAAAAAAK10/nIGIgz3mWRQ/s1600/2014-11sold2014-10-21%2Bpooh%2Bsears%2Bplush%2B12%2B(1).JPG" height="400" width="342" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><a href="file:///C:/Users/Cora/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles5975CCC/2014-11sold2014-10-21-pooh-sears-plu.jpg"></a><br /><br />I also bought this big bag of old Polly Pocket
dolls from the early 90’s at the thrift store for $3.38 and it sold to an
Australian buyer for $35.00 within an hour of listing it. </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--CH49Y_QIcI/VHvmZRzmSXI/AAAAAAAAK1w/K9VlZzjvnXI/s1600/2014-11sold2014-11-19%2Bpolly%2Bpocket%2Blot%2B(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--CH49Y_QIcI/VHvmZRzmSXI/AAAAAAAAK1w/K9VlZzjvnXI/s1600/2014-11sold2014-11-19%2Bpolly%2Bpocket%2Blot%2B(1).JPG" height="226" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><a href="file:///C:/Users/Cora/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles5975CCC/sold2014-11-19-polly-pocket-lot-15.jpg"></a><br /><br />And. lastly, I bought this life sized Jack
Skellington Halloween decoration at the drug store for $15.00 and it sold on
eBay for $90.00. Woo-hoo!</span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4eIw3RWwg-c/VHvmYc3zmEI/AAAAAAAAK1g/s3zvTOkY7_g/s1600/2014-11sold2014-09-17%2Bjack%2Bskellington%2B%2B(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4eIw3RWwg-c/VHvmYc3zmEI/AAAAAAAAK1g/s3zvTOkY7_g/s1600/2014-11sold2014-09-17%2Bjack%2Bskellington%2B%2B(1).JPG" height="640" width="248" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><a href="file:///C:/Users/Cora/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles5975CCC/sold2014-09-17-jack-skellington--15.jpg"></a><br /><br />And that’s what has been keeping me so busy
lately, all the bargain hunting, listing, packing, and trips to the post
office. Whew! I’m not sure how many of you guys are still around and reading
ye olde blogs anymore, but I’ve missed you guys an awful lot. What’s been up
with you? :-)<br /><br /><br /><a href="file:///C:/Users/Cora/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles5975CCC/Coracabanacopyright20145.jpg"></a></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Yy0IZkE4hM/VHvmlQ3qt5I/AAAAAAAAK2A/8cuwnd41pAg/s1600/Coracabanacopyright2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Yy0IZkE4hM/VHvmlQ3qt5I/AAAAAAAAK2A/8cuwnd41pAg/s1600/Coracabanacopyright2014.jpg" height="122" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />
© Coracabana</span>Corahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-19105522797182542362014-06-15T22:55:00.000-05:002014-06-15T22:56:58.737-05:00My frog ate my homework. (I don’t have a dog.)<br />
Maybe I just needed a blogging break. Or maybe I thought that running through the fields of Facebook would be easier for awhile. (It isn’t.) But for whatever reason, I haven’t blogged in—*looks at watch*—half a freaking year. Yeah. Wow. And I’m starting to miss it. <br />
<br />
I will be back with a less pointless post soon. I guess I just wanted to see if I still remembered my password and whatnot. Let’s find out! (Ha!)<br />
<br />
*fingers crossed*Corahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-56254304615092861722013-12-02T06:00:00.000-06:002013-12-02T06:08:22.548-06:00And then I forgot how to blog.<span style="font-size: large;">Once upon a time I was a single mama, working eleven hours a day in a tiny room stuffed to bursting with other people’s obscenely sugar-ified children. (Seriously, if all you feed your kids is a breakfast of marshmallow Peeps before leaving them with their teacher / nanny / babysitter, you are evil. And you know it.) </span> <br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />One day, for no reason, I started a blog. I don’t even know why I did it. At the time there was a snotty little voice in the back of my head saying, “Really, asshat? You think you have time for <em>this</em>?!” <br /><br />The voice had a point. <br /><br />Minus the asshat part.<br /><br />I had the workload of two parents and a laundry basket piled so high it was threatening to dent the ceiling, where did I think I was going to squeeze in the time to blog? Yet, I did…. until I got married and moved across the country. Then—pffft!—I dunno, it was like my old vibrant bloggy motivation just woke up one morning and dropped dead.<br /><br />Kind of like <a href="http://www.policymic.com/articles/44641/smash-tv-show-finale-why-did-the-show-get-cancelled" target="_blank">Smash</a>. <br /><br />Honestly, there are so many other things I would rather be doing. Reading The Hunger Games and Percy Jackson with my kid. Talking about everything and/or nothing with my hubby. Ebaying (I made $70 on a skirt just the other day. Yeah, $70 on a stupid, ugly <em>skirt</em>!). Walking my neighborhood with my camera in tow. Working on my photo albums. <a href="http://aplang006.edublogs.org/files/2012/01/phish_food-ice-cream-2f57wd0.gif" target="_blank">Getting friendly with Ben & Jerry</a>. All the usual stuff. <br /><br />However….<br /><br />Over on Facebook (where a lot of our former bloggy buddies are these days) my hubby, <a href="http://scope-tech.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Scope</a>, challenged us all to do a post today. Just one itty bitty little post on Cyber Monday, just to say we did. <br /><br />One post? I can handle that. Probably. So, here’s a quick update (with pictures! WHEEEEE!) of what’s been going on around here <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2013_02_01_archive.html" target="_blank">since I last did a real blog post</a>:<br /><br />We spent Spring Break in St. Louis….</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OHvUNalHu5o/Upv9bcEUyzI/AAAAAAAAKm0/ucGyZ-c4vjc/s1600-h/27%252520DSC06121x%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="616" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9Tx-QwrtpfM/Upv9chb6MeI/AAAAAAAAKm8/XYTPsVVS-Hg/27%252520DSC06121x_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">….where we hung out with <a href="http://everythingilikecausescancer.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Gwen from Everything I Like Causes Cancer</a>. </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aPJWLRspOMc/Upv9dY9TOXI/AAAAAAAAKnE/gteZi67K66g/s1600-h/28%252520DSC07135x%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mVxAEY96Aso/Upv9eduXuuI/AAAAAAAAKnI/I-h7OOKmQuA/28%252520DSC07135x_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday started driving lessons. Here she is after a successful stint at parallel parking.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_yK5-QTrruo/Upv9faaNCHI/AAAAAAAAKnU/JTiSkestnJA/s1600-h/19%252520DSC04634cx%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DwPwUDiLUpQ/Upv9gGM44UI/AAAAAAAAKnY/MU6nad8FZDk/19%252520DSC04634cx_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We grew strawberries in our deck garden this summer. (Lettuce too!)</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bIzi9HC6LcM/Upv9g8bvdcI/AAAAAAAAKnk/piV-A6mIS7A/s1600-h/9%252520DSC09209c%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_g73-Uww3dE/Upv9hoaXOwI/AAAAAAAAKno/rTh1wwwmnuQ/9%252520DSC09209c_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We watched fireworks from our rooftop on the 4th of July (and our 3rd wedding anniversary).</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_60_twG1tKE/Upv9iEltUgI/AAAAAAAAKn0/KcrvU7gZqdk/s1600-h/4fb%252520%25252819%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-76PLofddChU/Upv9jH5zYbI/AAAAAAAAKn8/cOqzXENDff0/4fb%252520%25252819%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In Summer, Wednesday cut about 8 inches off her hair and dyed it dark red. It looks AMAZING! </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vOKRMk9VYtc/Upv9j92ziZI/AAAAAAAAKoE/MwNImykOATU/s1600-h/15%252520DSC04806cx%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tTBYEFAfep8/Upv9kr1UkGI/AAAAAAAAKoI/n0CCRLYW1Z4/15%252520DSC04806cx_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We spent two weeks in Seattle in July, seeing family….</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wScCY8cUsKU/Upv9lZds6_I/AAAAAAAAKoU/91hh7w0sPpU/s1600-h/fb%252520day%25252026%252520%2525281%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KQErZLUJlHQ/Upv9mM1iH9I/AAAAAAAAKoY/eWnsIzwQwWE/fb%252520day%25252026%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">….and Wednesday’s Seattle-y friends…. </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JnvhILffazQ/Upv9nAhyAEI/AAAAAAAAKok/k8A-ofZV-5w/s1600-h/fb%252520day20%252520%25252819%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" height="616" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bbN7A4MMEcQ/Upv9oICvvbI/AAAAAAAAKoo/_ly9Iw5Dfu4/fb%252520day20%252520%25252819%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vYo-na56mCQ/Upv9oxGj7uI/AAAAAAAAKo0/fr_poHVCP0Q/s1600-h/fb%252520day19%252520%2525286%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yI06GBVGEY8/Upv9pyx90-I/AAAAAAAAKo4/fNNF1ChFfpY/fb%252520day19%252520%2525286%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">….and Scope finally got to meet <a href="http://skylersdad.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Skyler’s Dad</a>!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-A6DmAg5G2Z8/Upv9q3a2D6I/AAAAAAAAKpE/BczLZhEhLKs/s1600-h/23%252520eric%252520DSC03802xc%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-i8MjR7VrFXs/Upv9sgMYFsI/AAAAAAAAKpM/5Yon9VIV7-o/23%252520eric%252520DSC03802xc_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In August, our neighborhood was weirdly invaded by a gang of really pervy looking mushrooms. (I mean, really, hubba hubba.)<br /></span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-quPlP9yk6qA/Upv9t09h49I/AAAAAAAAKpU/g-OaCErN4oA/s1600-h/23%252520DSC01960c%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-s28swdjGxbA/Upv9uxKhtiI/AAAAAAAAKpY/YEqwSTF5sFA/23%252520DSC01960c_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday started her Junior year in high school in late August.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-igfQJOe5Dww/Upv9wO5Ze-I/AAAAAAAAKpk/S-ofFQiS8HI/s1600-h/26%252520DSC05105x%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tj8G7moyMIM/Upv9xzemBsI/AAAAAAAAKps/ViETF-ajdos/26%252520DSC05105x_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For Halloween, Wednesday was Edward Scissorhands….</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ht0nmIj2P3s/Upv9ykMIkFI/AAAAAAAAKpw/ZDyxU5tLsEM/s1600-h/26%252520DSC05299c%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5YL2iqysaEw/Upv9zRAq8JI/AAAAAAAAKp8/Lhsyvqje4Rs/26%252520DSC05299c_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">….I was Batgirl….</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LtH2A5RH0VM/Upv90CIYd5I/AAAAAAAAKqE/p6fuhuzBgdc/s1600-h/26%252520DSC05295c%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F-hPd3LspcE/Upv91GbhZ9I/AAAAAAAAKqI/pnz5FXfguzQ/26%252520DSC05295c_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">….and Scope was a mad scientist clown, terrorizing Chicago in the dark!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cAaHIvv0spY/Upv91tJrVXI/AAAAAAAAKqU/OZtNBKZdNwo/s1600-h/31%252520eric%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" height="553" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--A-C1Imr4xY/Upv92Qq2-8I/AAAAAAAAKqc/aZOnNcKpHtc/31%252520eric_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the Fall, Wednesday turned 17.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-x1carFKpDvg/Upv93eWSdlI/AAAAAAAAKqk/V0k6fnQ9WV0/s1600-h/2%252520DSC04767x%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xwYLoen23wo/Upv94NKfJTI/AAAAAAAAKqo/osRqUdZX-1A/2%252520DSC04767x_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For her birthday party, we took her and one of her best friends to the <a href="http://www.msichicago.org/whats-here/exhibits/treasures-of-the-walt-disney-archives/" target="_blank">Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives museum exhibit</a> where we saw some pretty spiffy stuff.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Zuyn0sYU1L8/Upv95KavOII/AAAAAAAAKq0/3n_ZtI8jJds/s1600-h/2%252520DSC04391x%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_81-ltrti4k/Upv96P7dMyI/AAAAAAAAKq4/MIdCXCYUW5o/2%252520DSC04391x_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tmriC4S-0aQ/Upv97MXnNTI/AAAAAAAAKrE/oda6WfA7ZLg/s1600-h/2%252520DSC04425x%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" height="616" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z-MHeUVBRME/Upv98GKKmTI/AAAAAAAAKrM/9CXPX_UCaPw/2%252520DSC04425x_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7aqEabSx2Tk/Upv99X_1LDI/AAAAAAAAKrU/AUTmZxNP9Ws/s1600-h/2%252520DSC04524x%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6egzmGwaIBg/Upv9-Yew1rI/AAAAAAAAKrY/tl8G-psQDjM/2%252520DSC04524x_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And we even learned how to draw Mickey Mouse.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TNs2CzDtN1E/Upv9_BbKK_I/AAAAAAAAKrk/HSR8x0LPUNs/s1600-h/2%252520DSC04709x%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--oIt5tsYU4I/Upv-AYcqSBI/AAAAAAAAKro/04x7Gap6B0U/2%252520DSC04709x_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6EcNros_EeQ/Upv-CUq3xLI/AAAAAAAAKr0/DmkqPPc_PCU/s1600-h/2%252520DSC04708x%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fXLZjlPi1F8/Upv-DJCRt_I/AAAAAAAAKr4/-xOxCjxK9os/2%252520DSC04708x_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then about a week ago, we sent our bloggy guest pig <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/search?q=fernando" target="_blank">Fernando Von Bakonstein</a> back home to his owner, <a href="http://mcgone.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">McGone</a>. Fernando kissed Wednesday goodbye at the bus stop before school, then he walked to the post office with me, climbed bravely into a box, and off he went. </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gR87GGSSAlc/Upv-D9Eg4jI/AAAAAAAAKsE/Bfo2753Kcn0/s1600-h/22%252520DSC05527cBLOG%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hsjJAncUyQM/Upv-EpPbF0I/AAAAAAAAKsI/mHNK7W4LLEU/22%252520DSC05527cBLOG_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And now, well, we’re just trying to get a grip on the holidays. I’ve got a new 7.5’ spinning (yes, SPINNING!!!!) Christmas tree that just ain’t gonna decorate itself. So, you know….<br /><br />I’m not sure if I’ll be back blogging regularly anytime soon, but this was fun. Yes, really. <br /><br />I guess I didn’t realize I was kind of missing it until now. :-)</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yWEEPdW1Fik/Upv-Fvh1haI/AAAAAAAAKsU/Ubpsduuy7f8/s1600-h/Coracabanacopyright2013%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" border="0" height="154" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fuoOJNnmWqw/Upv-GYzduaI/AAAAAAAAKsc/pNwUwRoPgS0/Coracabanacopyright2013_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="370" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">© Coracabana</span>Corahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-53321609297208600762013-07-11T17:32:00.000-05:002013-07-11T17:32:43.687-05:00How to look like a garden gnome (And other stories from 1974)<br />
So, enough with all this slacking, agreed? Agreed. I believe I promised The Internet pictures and stories from 1974, right? Well, okay. I can do that. Here’s what I’ve found out from scouring my mom’s hoard of old family pictures….<br />
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When 1974 began, I was about one and a half years old (and still mostly bald) (of course). I used to go on lots of rainy wintery neighborhood walks with my Mom around our gray Seattle suburb. But, hey, check out my snazzy red walking suit!<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8WnPt2sLSkw/Ud8rFsw0dfI/AAAAAAAAKfA/ANyx4ZcC0a0/s1600-h/1974-01-a-2edit5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4YlCp2rU_38/Ud8rGIAQVGI/AAAAAAAAKfI/_Pf6EemUfpU/1974-01-a-2edit_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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Yeah, go ahead and say it. I can take it. I looked like a beardless garden gnome. <br />
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*sigh*<br />
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Apparently, I was a dog person from the very beginning because I unearthed several shots of me <strike>running</strike> waddling through the streets with random neighborhood mutts.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z8FYUMcgXPM/Ud8rGjB6p9I/AAAAAAAAKfQ/2NOwICeqp2c/s1600-h/1974-01-a-1edit5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XuWHGls80kg/Ud8rHJiOZqI/AAAAAAAAKfU/TPxUNP_2BH0/1974-01-a-1edit_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kpj63iZ04ZM/Ud8rHsLApOI/AAAAAAAAKfg/qOI3N5Gz2fU/s1600-h/1973-12-d-feed-butch-2edit5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-STMlRqOaEG4/Ud8rIIGS0rI/AAAAAAAAKfo/hVzrvRdj3HI/1973-12-d-feed-butch-2edit_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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Ahh, good ol’ 1974, when dogs could just roam the ‘hood without pesky hindrances like owners, leash laws, and litigious neighbors. Those were the days. <br />
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But anyway….<br />
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Our tour through 1974 is skipping Spring and jumping face-first right into the middle of Summer due to an absence of pictures. Apparently, my parents misplaced their camera for six or seven months…. or they were just preoccupied with other things. Like my soon-to-be-born little sister. So, here is my preggo mama (still rockin’ her bouffant beehive wig!) and me on my 2nd birthday.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mzjClJMcuTU/Ud8rIiZqQhI/AAAAAAAAKfw/fqPwtmUv-Zs/s1600-h/1974-07-a-my-2nd-bday-24th-noddy-gpa%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-D40-AogqfsM/Ud8rJPOZ-CI/AAAAAAAAKf4/6qw2R6Z-XKI/1974-07-a-my-2nd-bday-24th-noddy-gpa%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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I got lots of Noddy books and a Noddy doll that birthday, which were sent over from my relatives in England. <br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nIlCdq0Utrs/Ud8rJ8s4o4I/AAAAAAAAKgA/WszxgBf52e8/s1600-h/1974-07-noddy14.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="565" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wBlYG5ItE8I/Ud8rKedpT5I/AAAAAAAAKgI/XlUR1TVSL7E/1974-07-noddy1_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-39K-GwOXCcg/Ud8rKhZLTXI/AAAAAAAAKgQ/2zbBTiLCOMQ/s1600-h/1974-07-a-my-2nd-bday-24th-noddy-gpa%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Oxs9-1hfiA8/Ud8rLaj_EjI/AAAAAAAAKgU/EWSlhPBql14/1974-07-a-my-2nd-bday-24th-noddy-gpa%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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Oh God, I will never forget those Noddy books! I ended up with a whole bookshelf full of them and I remember feeling really uncomfortable about them. In a nutshell, they could have been written by Paula Deen after a bank robbery, okay? (What? Too soon?) <a href="http://www.cracked.com/article_19610_the-6-most-secretly-racist-classic-childrens-books_p2.html">The books were populated with “Golliwogs” in racist blackface makeup who lure Noddy into the woods and then steal all his stuff. One of them was even named N*gger</a>. Yeah, his <strong><em>name</em></strong> was N*gger! Unbelievable. <br />
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My mom wouldn’t read the books aloud to me and I remember her pulling them all off the shelves and hiding them whenever I had friends over, so, even really young, I definitely had the idea that they were bad books. I just wasn’t sure why when I was little, but I supposed it had something to do with all the scary pictures of Noddy being robbed in the forest. When I was about seven years old, I stumbled upon the old Noddy books and hid under my bed sheets with them, like a boy with a stack of stolen Playboy magazines, reading bits of them to myself when my mom wasn’t looking—and I was shocked at what was in them. <br />
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These were <strong><em>children’s</em></strong> books????<br />
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<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/6359248/Noddy-returns-without-the-golliwogs.html">In 2009, Noddy was, apparently, given a makeover and the Golliwogs were removed from the newest stories</a>. (It took until <strong><em>2009</em></strong> for that to happen???? Really???? Wow.) I can’t seem to find my old Noddy doll on eBay or anywhere to tell you how much he sells for these days (although I’d really love to know), but you could buy the old Noddy books on eBay anywhere from $1 to $14 each, if you’re so inclined. <br />
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Okay, enough about Noddy….<br />
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For my birthday, I also got a huge orange baby carriage which, obviously, made me feel like hot stuff strutting around with it on the parquet floor.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-U3ktS2IIPCI/Ud8rL8S-HvI/AAAAAAAAKgg/AEL4Gs-EiDA/s1600-h/1974-07-a-my-2nd-bday-24th-noddy-gpa.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AeGIFjNRgo8/Ud8rMQyCcEI/AAAAAAAAKgk/LXsyePjpbCg/1974-07-a-my-2nd-bday-24th-noddy-gpa%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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My birthday cake, like most cakes in the 70’s, had a big, scary rubber clown head on it. <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NJdK2Du1OQw/Ud8rM2GH8UI/AAAAAAAAKgw/z5dNZBfndMQ/s1600-h/1974-07-a-my-2nd-bday-24th-noddy-gpa%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Qno2h31GxZo/Ud8rNYJz4jI/AAAAAAAAKg0/tDSu62SH-QU/1974-07-a-my-2nd-bday-24th-noddy-gpa%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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Why oh why did people feel the need to befoul perfectly good cakes with gruesome clown heads in the 70’s?! I’m telling you, I just don’t get it. Nope. Here’s a closer picture I borrowed from Etsy of some 1970’s cake topper clown heads. <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0RyR3tiN8_U/Ud8rNpJnX7I/AAAAAAAAKg8/PJZkVhQgVGA/s1600-h/1970s-clown-etsy4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="436" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hb8yzbz2bGc/Ud8rOMDRGDI/AAAAAAAAKhI/zQ18fmecnQY/1970s-clown-etsy_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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*shudder*<br />
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As the Summer of 1974 rolled on, I could be found looking quite movie star-y, digging in my sandbox in my shades, handmade outfit, and Salt Water Sandals. <br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BS9XWKdLg1g/Ud8rOv2ZBAI/AAAAAAAAKhQ/eIu8RoAUGyw/s1600-h/1974-07-b-mom-made-that-outfit-1edit.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-S-Y5jIWmsdc/Ud8rO4o1jxI/AAAAAAAAKhU/RTMGyA6eipA/1974-07-b-mom-made-that-outfit-1edit%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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Did you grow up in the 70’s? If you did, I’d bet my Bee Gees lunch box that you had Salt Water Sandals too, am I right? Every kid I knew had them. I had a red pair and a white pair. <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9jo_BjGxJGA/Ud8rPagrrMI/AAAAAAAAKhc/Og5oVLoR9Q4/s1600-h/1975-salt-water-sandals-hoy-best-bab%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="682" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NpNnq6ztxgY/Ud8rP_G0C5I/AAAAAAAAKho/EllfMjHVtCw/1975-salt-water-sandals-hoy-best-bab%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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And if you grew up in Seattle in the 70’s, I bet you wore socks with your sandals too! ;-)<br />
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According to my baby book, I was talking up a storm in 1974. I said “bunnit” for bunny rabbit, “tombut” for bottom, and “alligator” for escalator. On a related note, I accidentally asked my kid to “plat in the flug iron” instead of plug in the flat iron just two days ago, so at least I’m consistent. <br />
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In early autumn of 1974, a very bizarre series of events took place which left me with no choice but to conclude that my parents had lost their wig-loving minds. But…. we’re going to have to probe through those questionable moments in an upcoming post because—*sniffle*—I’m out of bloggy time for today. I’ll be back soon, swearsies! <br />
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Wanna relive my discoveries of 1973? Click <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2013/04/when-not-to-play-horse-y-with-baby-and.html">HERE</a>. Or for 1972, click <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2013/03/and-thats-one-more-reason-i-shouldnt.html">HERE</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aHGOuWfCma8/Ud8rQUz1cKI/AAAAAAAAKhs/6S_fSnadCwg/s1600-h/Coracabanacopyright20135.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="135" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SdSjNkIpAsU/Ud8rQuGA16I/AAAAAAAAKh0/c5rpPRz1ASU/Coracabanacopyright2013_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="320" /></a><br />
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© CoracabanaCorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-5219746937474772612013-07-03T06:30:00.000-05:002013-07-03T06:30:00.964-05:00Three is a magic number<br />
So. Apparently, I am just not coordinated enough to both be a blogger and…. well…. do anything else at the same time these days. What with my eBay selling, plethora of photography projects, trying to keep my city deck garden alive, and all my fun daily life adventures with <a href="http://scope-tech.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Scope</a> and Wednesday, somehow blogging just always seems to find its sad, neglected self crying at the bottom of my to-do list. <br />
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Just pitiful. <br />
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But never mind all that. Today—TODAY—is a very special day, so, dammit, I’m dusting off ye olde bloggity skillz because, you see, there’s this:<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--O0KNEx0Fa8/UdOmcPFSnLI/AAAAAAAAKek/fypyutKuiiQ/s1600-h/3%252520rachel%252520%25252810%252529cx%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="624" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O9L4jFKS21o/UdOmcjOuE-I/AAAAAAAAKes/qPnde316da8/3%252520rachel%252520%25252810%252529cx_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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Love.<br />
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Family.<br />
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<a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2010/07/goin-to-golf-course-and-were-gonna-get.html">Three years ago today, I married my very best friend, my dear, sweet, precious Scope</a>. *squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!* It was a truly amazing, delightful day and, honestly, each and every day since has been more wonderful, like a warm, fuzzy blanket we can snuggle up in (or pull over our heads on those more difficult days) and I wouldn’t trade this life we’ve made together for anything. So….<br />
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To my dear, incredible Hubba Hubba Hubby,<br />
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Before I met you, I didn’t know how to trust anymore. What could be more dangerous than trust? Nothing. I didn’t, I wouldn’t, I <strong><em>couldn’t</em></strong> trust anyone. But, most of all, I didn’t trust myself. <br />
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When I saw my reflection in the mirror, all I could see was a mistake in my past. I could never shake it. I sometimes felt like I was nothing more than that mistake. It was me; I was it; we were one—just one big mess. I couldn’t forgive myself for what had happened and I was determined to never risk it happening again. Never. <br />
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I knew my Mr Right was out there somewhere in the world, but I couldn’t see how I would ever recognize him or be capable of trusting him or myself enough to allow him to get close. I remember saying aloud that “the universe is just going to have to be blunt and drop the perfect guy right into my lap” or else I’d live out my life alone, because I there was no way I was going to go out into the world looking for him and risk crossing paths with another Mr Wrong. <br />
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The universe must have heard me loud and clear, because one amazing day—BOOM!—you dropped right into my lap, just like magic. You made trusting you feel so easy and safe. You made trusting myself feel easy and safe as well, and I’m still trying to figure out how on earth you did that. (Seriously, how did you do that?!)<br />
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You swooped in like Superman and changed both Wednesday’s and my lives in all the most wonderful ways and every day I am thankful and still in awe that we met. Your smile lights up my whole world, just like it lit up the whole airport on the day we first met. Every time you hug me or kiss me or make me laugh or make Wednesday feel loved, I fall more and more in love with you. <br />
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You’re simply perfect, Scope. You’re sweet, smart, handsome, hilarious, sexy, silly, cuddly, and all the most marvelous things all rolled into one. You're such a great husband and father and I can hardly remember what life was like Before Scope.... or B.S. as I like to call it. (See what I did there?) I love you to pieces! Happy Anniversary! :-) <br />
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Love,<br />
Cora
<br /><br /><br />© CoracabanaCorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-11142346653786038022013-04-15T10:26:00.000-05:002013-04-15T10:27:25.748-05:00When NOT to play horse-y with a baby. (And other adventures from 1973)<br />
Yep. I’m still stuck in the 70’s, people. So, all aboard the time machine! Today, we’re voyaging back to 1973….<br />
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(For a refresher of my 1972 discoveries, click <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2013/03/and-thats-one-more-reason-i-shouldnt.html">HERE</a>.) <br />
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I was about five months old when 1973 began. According to my baby book, that’s when I started talking. My first word was “hi”. I was about fifteen pounds and I had no teeth and virtually no hair. Oh! And I lived in a house with hip bright red shag carpet and a faux midget polar bear skin rug on the living room floor. You know you’re jealous.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-K__l7nweV3U/UWwY_dfBS0I/AAAAAAAAKUY/VeKfFv1RW_w/s1600-h/1973-02-45.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mnt2pSoucCA/UWwY_4QvxRI/AAAAAAAAKUg/LgIeqtIz_mw/1973-02-4_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />My mom was still in her ridiculous wig phase. Clearly. *snicker*<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-j4835Cxg__A/UWwZAjW8YdI/AAAAAAAAKUo/1gn_txJgEiM/s1600-h/1973-025.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YCsVwBu_lBw/UWwZA0VoMyI/AAAAAAAAKUw/d2b4Vx0bhww/1973-02_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />Despite my mom’s frightening wigs, I was kind of a happy little thing.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BLbMNDSD0ac/UWwZBvqKhFI/AAAAAAAAKU4/nBOzLquMtT4/s1600-h/1973-02-115.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Wl41rtYGtk8/UWwZCIrp9aI/AAAAAAAAKVA/BvH8ndQGbls/1973-02-11_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />Okay, fine. Make that <strong><em>VERY </em></strong>happy….<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PpImrQdF8N0/UWwZCvp4PtI/AAAAAAAAKVI/LIgvEFSnY-Y/s1600-h/1973-02-15cen5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G3s9d1er7u0/UWwZC7piVII/AAAAAAAAKVQ/d3wy4D8rtN4/1973-02-15cen_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />….unless I was having my passport picture taken. Then I was just freaking confused. Apparently. <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-E6lzIUKJ63E/UWwZDQyEc1I/AAAAAAAAKVY/j-j6vRffiNI/s1600-h/1972-12-a-passport-29th-2x5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="520" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p0bmh1f4O1k/UWwZD2hM54I/AAAAAAAAKVg/5EuzQ2ohulQ/1972-12-a-passport-29th-2x_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />(Funny, I still make that exact same face when I realize we’re out of ice cream!)<br />
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That passport picture wasn’t just for craps and giggles either. When I was about ten months old, my parents took me on a trip to to England to meet all my relatives there. The flight from Seattle to London was over nine hours long. Let’s pause and let that sink in for a moment….<br />
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A nine hour flight? <br />
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With a <strong><em>baby</em></strong>?!?! <br />
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I don’t know if that makes Mom and Dad really brave or just really stupid. <br />
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But anyway….<br />
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During our three week vacation in England, I was Christened. Here’s a shot of me outside the church with my parents. (Yes, I’m grinning up a storm. Again.)<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vEGbQO7vRTo/UWwZEb5v-8I/AAAAAAAAKVo/u53GFF4Ub_I/s1600-h/1973-06-england-christening-15.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KkjQJOVir4k/UWwZFOWmKvI/AAAAAAAAKVw/8QzklRvaaJc/1973-06-england-christening-1_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />And here’s one of me at the church with my Dad’s parents, my aunt, my uncle, and my newborn cousin. (Uh-huh. Still smiling.)<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yNO5l4ZQy3c/UWwZFpYulDI/AAAAAAAAKV4/V-jNVLuH9Ns/s1600-h/1973-06-england-129.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aV_TgjbI8Og/UWwZF3bYmHI/AAAAAAAAKWA/UdTSfn7GTbs/1973-06-england-12_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />Here I am with my mom’s parents in their home. They had a huge chocolate Easter egg for me, which I just couldn’t wait to get my little hands on. (On a related note, I just ate half of Wednesday’s Easter M&M’s this morning while she was in school, so at least I’m consistent.) <br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ptuJ5N2ymXE/UWwZGvjczzI/AAAAAAAAKWI/MA4NNOE0brs/s1600-h/1973-06-england-christening-12edit5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QHXaJ4QeZwY/UWwZHUG-g5I/AAAAAAAAKWQ/jssTmH33tL4/1973-06-england-christening-12edit_t.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />But our England trip wasn’t all church and chocolate. No, no, no. I also got to sit on my grandpa’s motorcycle!<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4GvJapzZuRM/UWwZH1MlQhI/AAAAAAAAKWY/z1hGJf3O8zY/s1600-h/1973-06-england-185.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DP1puvtLVok/UWwZIPL-8_I/AAAAAAAAKWg/aBhXuOZqH_0/1973-06-england-18_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />I noticed Grandpa is wearing his helmet and riding jacket in that picture up there. Umm…. yeeeaaaahhhhhh. That makes me somewhat suspicious that this might not have been just a posed picture on that motorbike, that <strong><em>maybe</em></strong> he might have actually given me a quick little ride down the driveway on it. Grandpa was a troublemaker and it seems like the sort of thing he and my dad would have cooked up. (Hey, it was the 70’s after all!) But if they did, I know it was totally behind my mom’s back. Grandpa lost an eye in a motorcycle accident a few years earlier and was sporting a spiffy glass eye in that shot up there, so if—<strong><em>IF</em></strong>—he gave me a ride on it, it would have been while Mom was in the shower or something so she’d be oblivious and couldn’t have relieved him of his other eye. Because she absolutely would have!!!! I’m soooooo going to ask my dad about it the next time I call him.<br />
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Speaking of Grandpa’s troublemaking, there’s also this picture.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yBE2OgvIwrM/UWwZIgo5LnI/AAAAAAAAKWo/bQxFZMtojb8/s1600-h/1973-06-england-165.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GgHV_BX_VGc/UWwZJKu1VrI/AAAAAAAAKWw/3gxCjQGQquE/1973-06-england-16_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />That’s me on his shoulders in his backyard. It looks innocent enough, doesn’t it? But, no. No, it’s not. You see, I had just had breakfast five minutes before Grandpa flung me up onto his shoulders and started galloping around the yard like a horse. Both my mom and grandma told him that was a bad idea and pleaded with him not to do it, but he did it anyway…. only to end up wearing my upchucked breakfast all down his face about two seconds after this picture was taken. <br />
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Yes. Yes, I threw up on my grandpa’s head. And Grandpa learned a valuable lesson on when <strong><em>not</em></strong> to play horse-y with a baby. Just trying to do my part.<br />
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In later years, Grandpa was without a doubt my favorite grandparent. He nicknamed me “Carrots” because of my red hair, and even though those sorts of nicknames offended me when anyone else used them, for some reason when Grandpa did it, it felt like a badge of honor. And, yes, he forgave me for vomiting on his head. That takes a lot of love, you guys. <br />
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<br />
A. Lot. Of. Love. <br />
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<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aBu5QL4tJQ8/UWwZJTddqGI/AAAAAAAAKW4/X8EYaVN0tCA/s1600-h/1973-06-england-christening-55.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9wjqMEiiulQ/UWwZJy6YkTI/AAAAAAAAKXA/1DMvIB83yH0/1973-06-england-christening-5_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />Well, anyway, when we got back to Seattle, Summer was in full swing. As you can tell by the previous picture, I had four teeth now. And still no hair. I also had a friend (let’s call him Jesse) whose sandbox I got to play in. Jesse poured sand on my shoulder, so I retaliated by stealing his cookie. <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b8Kr3oaLwkY/UWwZKUpSrvI/AAAAAAAAKXI/WpBs8qWpruc/s1600-h/1973-07-jess-lebow-14x65.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dvJB1z6lZPs/UWwZKyPJ0eI/AAAAAAAAKXQ/K5vsMG3KbUA/1973-07-jess-lebow-14x6_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />Seems fair. <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0SOS3nuORPY/UWwZLVxamAI/AAAAAAAAKXY/V0I8YvjAz-4/s1600-h/SCAN1237-45.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1DjDtEA1Ouo/UWwZL62qjHI/AAAAAAAAKXg/7F4nloe0RYI/SCAN1237-4_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />I liked cookies. A lot. I’m told that my favorite kind of cookie at the time was Arrowroot by Nabisco. Here’s a picture I borrowed from Google that shows what the Arrowroot box looked like in the 70’s. <br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HNJ1JzgXMOA/UWwZMVY51BI/AAAAAAAAKXo/_ABDCCjjZuU/s1600-h/1973-02-nabiscoarrowroot-24.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="706" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7xpBis9BHEA/UWwZM5hO00I/AAAAAAAAKXw/P2mUiB7KZL4/1973-02-nabiscoarrowroot-2_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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I remember five or six years later, I would drool like Pavlov’s dogs every time my mom pulled that box out of the cupboard to give a cookie to my baby brother. I would beg her for one—just one!—because they were sooooooooooo delicious. Mom would always roll her eyes and tell me it was baby food and I wasn’t a baby anymore, but deep down inside she knew I was right that those suckers were pure heaven and she’d give me one anyway. <br />
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<br />
Sometimes two. :-)<br />
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<br />
In July 1973, my first birthday rolled around. According to my baby book, my parents had a party planned for me, but then my sandbox friend, Jesse, came down with measles, so at the last minute the party was cancelled in case I was coming down with it too (since I stole and ate Jesse’s cookie and all). No-one wanted to risk any other babies catching measles, so everyone was told to stay away. <br />
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(Seriously? What the hell? What kind of 70’s attitude was <strong><em>THAT</em></strong>?!?!)<br />
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<br />
So, I spent my first birthday with my parents. My mom was rockin’ her beehive wig for the occasion, and I just wanted to get a taste of the cake.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jV6Cy_ukujQ/UWwZNWOdsvI/AAAAAAAAKX4/9-ahozyARes/s1600-h/1973-07-24-my-1st-bday-24x65.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dNY16-uvB90/UWwZNkJquvI/AAAAAAAAKYA/bVUsg7sq2PQ/1973-07-24-my-1st-bday-24x6_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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Which I did. And I liked it! <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fHO2leaUNTg/UWwZN2a2BvI/AAAAAAAAKYI/vaDAkNBT5WA/s1600-h/1973-07-my-1st-bday4x65.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Xkw27NkUb3A/UWwZOaXbChI/AAAAAAAAKYQ/U9NCPsuowPI/1973-07-my-1st-bday4x6_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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After cake (and maybe a bath!), I opened one of my presents. It was a Dorable Daksy dog. Dorable Daksy’s tail would wag when his leash was pulled, and he barked and sniffed as well. <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-K0Ez5cHtFSM/UWwZOnP6yGI/AAAAAAAAKYY/L54pbly4oH0/s1600-h/1973-07-24-my-1st-bday-7-daxy-4x65.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Jk71FQHhzAM/UWwZPEOuDjI/AAAAAAAAKYg/EUlsakzjwRI/1973-07-24-my-1st-bday-7-daxy-4x6_th.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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Daksy was so well-loved that he, sadly, didn’t survive my childhood. I remember being about five years old and Daksy’s fur had fallen half off his plastic and metal body, and was just hanging on by a mere thread or two. Mom always wanted to throw Daksy away, but I would never go for it. But I guess Mom won that battle at some point while I wasn’t paying attention because I have no idea what happened to him.<br />
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<br />
*sniffle*<br />
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Daksy dogs are really, <strong><em>REALLY</em></strong> hard to find these days, but they do pop up on eBay every now and then. I once replaced my long gone Daksy on eBay for about $10, but, sadly, my replacement Daksy doesn’t work—no barking, no uber-cute tail-wagging—however, he’s still freaking adorable. And he has all his fur! See?<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SODQXoSpmqs/UWwZPtwxchI/AAAAAAAAKYo/WKtGFUsNsWU/s1600-h/11-DSC07426x4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i8YEwzHHFTc/UWwZQJpu2sI/AAAAAAAAKYw/vpbTioucWyc/11-DSC07426x_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />Anyhow….<br />
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The now measles-free Jesse and my other baby friends came over for my rescheduled birthday party about a month later. (And, no, I never came down with measles too. Whew!) Jesse, it appears, was still sore from the whole cookie-swiping incident and attempted to murder me with the elastic on my party hat, but—whatever—I was <strong><em>WAY</em></strong> too enthralled with my new toys to even bother to notice. <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HFIijZqmzFI/UWwZQXR3fEI/AAAAAAAAKY4/cB-TKyqaQXo/s1600-h/1973-08-party-25.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5zfH81HNw9Y/UWwZRNf6nSI/AAAAAAAAKZA/kCALZ3DEtmI/1973-08-party-2_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />Mom and Dad, for some reason, waited until some point several days after my late-birthday party to let me open the gifts sent from my relatives in England. Mom was in a black bouffant wig and fake eyelashes that day and was looking a bit like Amy Winehouse.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OPFNVuxhZoQ/UWwZRTJY2xI/AAAAAAAAKZI/gRRvZ-VTv3k/s1600-h/1973-08-e-my-bday-party-presents-gma%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gM6ubeQ85TY/UWwZR0f9ndI/AAAAAAAAKZQ/POBFGd75eqU/1973-08-e-my-bday-party-presents-gma%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />One of my favorite new toys I got that day was a Fisher Price Chatter Telephone. Here’s a picture of one that I borrowed from Google. <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BlhKyHz1Zy4/UWwZSV3M9II/AAAAAAAAKZY/fCAbsMWlBHc/s1600-h/fpphone4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lGMCOSZAolg/UWwZS7PiltI/AAAAAAAAKZg/U_S1uO61bag/fpphone_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />I, obviously, had lots of important calls to make, so I got right down to business. <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dXnVWwZCk-o/UWwZTGpD0mI/AAAAAAAAKZo/9VV50BpD1z8/s1600-h/1973-08-e-my-bday-party-presents-gma.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-97BgQezLhts/UWwZTvwIc4I/AAAAAAAAKZw/ImwINZiXO10/1973-08-e-my-bday-party-presents-gma%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />These days, 1970’s FP Chatter Telephones sell on eBay anywhere from $1 to $40. And FP Chatter Telephone Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments (jeez, that’s a mouth full) are hocked on eBay anywhere from $55 to $149. <br />
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<br />
(Yes, really.)<br />
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Around my first birthday, I really started getting into music. I loved listening to the radio. I even had a favorite song that would make me drop whatever I was doing, hold onto the coffee table, and sing, dance, and totally rock out to it every time I heard it. Here’s shot of me doing just that.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UduYrTAUiU8/UWwZUbs5f1I/AAAAAAAAKZ4/PjyHuGRBtas/s1600-h/1973-08-b-14x65.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0FJxjxq0c8Q/UWwZUhFwGuI/AAAAAAAAKaA/aAmkTIhxwtI/1973-08-b-14x6_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />So, what kind of song would make a one year old drop all her toys and get her groove on that fiercely? <br />
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<br />
This one.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dJm51jsRoo0?rel=0" width="460"></iframe><br /><br /><br />
Yeah. “You Make Me Feel Brand New” by The Stylistics. Oh, I knew how to party, people. Definitely. I loved that song so much that my parents bought me the record album. <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y4U79K7CpcA/UWwZU0nOMzI/AAAAAAAAKaI/G6Dp8Zp9mYk/s1600-h/1973%252520The-Stylistics-Lets-Put-It-All-T-457529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="409" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-w4bCTy4jExs/UWwZVT1sGxI/AAAAAAAAKaQ/BpQxDY_L4GI/1973%252520The-Stylistics-Lets-Put-It-All-T-457529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />Eight or nine years later, I would still play that record whenever any of my Barbies were dating or getting married. (In fact, I’m pretty sure my <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9hn8yIXFo7i0JlbEk7G0ByIZqZ1f9OiD_QBf6mqLlVdpd6ZUzsy5qQkTI98vJ73B-VLYrCGtW_AU-4RZRSxYQKPxhwW5MVn5MYOWpyRGhB_hUdch9CR1P_EJNdbeMcesIkQLJJM4Tg0/s1600/starr1.jpg">Starr and Shaun dolls</a> conceived a baby to that song once in 1982. But that’s a story for another time. Moving on….)<br />
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In addition to dancing my ass off, I also liked going on walks to the park with my mom. Although, why Mom wore a half-shirt, mini skirt, and stilettos to the park, I’m not quite sure. (????)<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-c269YcAzm1k/UWwZV5vVdgI/AAAAAAAAKaY/RztEupIERIE/s1600-h/1973-08-a-25.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Fh5ZbnlD21s/UWwZWbXLIkI/AAAAAAAAKag/mybCNKsfbR4/1973-08-a-2_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />(Wow.)<br />
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When Fall rolled in, Mom and Dad took me to a reunion with their Lamaze and Baby Care class buddies now that all the babies were one year olds. For some reason, there was a newspaper photographer at the reunion and, maybe because I was the only girl and all the other babies born to the class were boys, but the photographer was quite smitten with me. Some pictures of me at the reunion ended up being published in the newspaper and in a Red Cross newsletter. Here are a couple of them.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qmgEnBkvgsA/UWwZW0t0wfI/AAAAAAAAKao/I1tMhI0ANao/s1600-h/1973-09-red-cross-2touchup5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="598" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T_YQmtJTpl4/UWwZXMejeWI/AAAAAAAAKaw/8nx85V5WIVg/1973-09-red-cross-2touchup_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R8FW55AeZ9Y/UWwZXoOaA9I/AAAAAAAAKa4/utKeJz9WY5o/s1600-h/1973-09-red-cross-34x65.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ibp7rGdco5w/UWwZYO_OAKI/AAAAAAAAKbA/MgvDfOGv4RE/1973-09-red-cross-34x6_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uLdoRiW5Wvs/UWwZYWEbFbI/AAAAAAAAKbI/EpM6NzDJRCM/s1600-h/1973-09%252520red%252520cross%252520%2525284%252529SAFE%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_-jDM0ha5kU/UWwZYxwVbxI/AAAAAAAAKbQ/2YqaLIb1v_g/1973-09%252520red%252520cross%252520%2525284%252529SAFE_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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When Halloween hit, my mom made me a pumpkin costume and I went to a party with Jesse and my other friends. Always the jokester, Jesse tried to poke my eye out….<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YVUYHfo4nw4/UWwZZNv7UDI/AAAAAAAAKbY/2CNvQ-m49K8/s1600-h/1973-10-b-chad-hallo-party-2edit_cro.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5EIgShpKZLE/UWwZZrhBkqI/AAAAAAAAKbg/YJUtgjMveeI/1973-10-b-chad-hallo-party-2edit_cro%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />….so, I ate a cookie and watched a poodle’s tail wagging (which probably reminded me of Daksy’s). <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z74HeM-4u-Y/UWwZZ-TJOaI/AAAAAAAAKbo/6gaqlMoZ9Lc/s1600-h/1973-10-b-chad-hallo-party-4edit5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HmeTlRR3rxI/UWwZaLd0NUI/AAAAAAAAKbw/P1QqiHlZVjA/1973-10-b-chad-hallo-party-4edit_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />As 1973 came to a close, my parents took me to a Christmas party at my dad’s coworker’s house. <br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NiCaGrTiYJA/UWwZapjgnAI/AAAAAAAAKb4/1jmj4cT-TU0/s1600-h/1973-12%252520a%252520xmas%252520eve%252520party%252520dick%252520and%252520kathy%252520courteau%252520in%252520port%252520orchard%252520%2525281%252529editcrop%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="420" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MDYQiq0sjwc/UWwZbLZXB6I/AAAAAAAAKcA/bsrLhOAQyTA/1973-12%252520a%252520xmas%252520eve%252520party%252520dick%252520and%252520kathy%252520courteau%252520in%252520port%252520orchard%252520%2525281%252529editcrop_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />My earliest memory is of that party. I was only one and a half, but I definitely remember those other kids in the picture up there and that I knew they all thought I was little and cute, and they kept trying to tickle my neck. I remember looking at their huge, glittering Christmas tree and knowing I shouldn’t touch it and then, when their mother told them to, the other kids took a present out from under their tree and gave it to me. I remember how surprised I was that there was something for me under their tree! Kind of sweet for a first memory, huh? :-)<br />
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What I don’t remember is that I somehow made a horrendous mess in their house with a box of packing peanuts, but there’s photographic proof that I did. Whoopsie!<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-T0iD0YUfAEA/UWwZbSjdpqI/AAAAAAAAKcI/_8u24H6t3xI/s1600-h/1973-12%252520a%252520xmas%252520eve%252520party%252520dick%252520and%252520kathy%252520courteau%252520in%252520port%252520orchard%252520%2525284%252529editcrop%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="420" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iPtsU4zX73A/UWwZbx9QvEI/AAAAAAAAKcQ/SndD3aPAn3A/1973-12%252520a%252520xmas%252520eve%252520party%252520dick%252520and%252520kathy%252520courteau%252520in%252520port%252520orchard%252520%2525284%252529editcrop_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />(Oh, looky. An eBay Seller in the making!)<br />
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For Christmas that year, one of my favorite gifts was my new Fisher Price Music Box TV.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VD3q-pF_pQc/UWwZcG_xLAI/AAAAAAAAKcY/uIo-fK8cTNY/s1600-h/SCAN1257%2525204%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-46p7O7Oc8-Y/UWwZckiv2eI/AAAAAAAAKcg/T361us-bT4Q/SCAN1257%2525204_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />The FP TV played two songs, London Bridge and Row, Row, Row Your Boat, while the pictures on the screen moved and changed according to the songs. My TV is long gone. I have no idea what happened to it, but here are some pictures of one just like it that I borrowed from Etsy.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Z4ZMe4hB2yU/UWwZdDsZivI/AAAAAAAAKco/EOqVngp4YVE/s1600-h/1973-12%252520fp%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="430" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AY_UIkUj9eQ/UWwZdo51haI/AAAAAAAAKcw/UkLF3Xmqbkw/1973-12%252520fp_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0pSf1oM5ZLE/UWwZd44FRzI/AAAAAAAAKc4/oKuX1C9wNTQ/s1600-h/1973-12%252520fpt%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="365" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8ixPUqEjdfY/UWwZef-nolI/AAAAAAAAKdA/HWlvCdwNzx4/1973-12%252520fpt_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />These days Fisher Price Television Sets like my old one sell on eBay anywhere from about $10 to $30. <br />
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And as 1973 ended and 1974 began, I saw my first ever dusting of snow. And I mean <strong><em>dusting</em></strong>. (Hey, sometimes Seattle goes a whole year or two without any snow.) It’s kind of hard to see it in the picture, but it’s there. <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-49nMgBIyD_s/UWwZeoQLk4I/AAAAAAAAKdI/-zYpo-NDbcU/s1600-h/1974-01%252520a%252520%2525284%252529edit%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r_8tuSgTn_k/UWwZfGKmqsI/AAAAAAAAKdQ/HL9TzCKCZV0/1974-01%252520a%252520%2525284%252529edit_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />In the next post, I’ll be telling you what I’ve discovered about 1974—the year I became a big sister, got into Kraftwerk, and watched my scary little cousin eat a whole stick of butter and then climb on top of my fridge.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tlBVCDdv3GQ/UWwZfb8EwXI/AAAAAAAAKdY/ztVCAf5nkFg/s1600-h/Coracabanacopyright20135.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="135" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-U4CZMKKp7Eo/UWwZf6dd4eI/AAAAAAAAKdg/VrA5b5g4q-k/Coracabanacopyright2013_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="320" /></a><br />
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© CoracabanaCorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-21137603142230452772013-03-20T09:55:00.001-05:002013-04-15T12:03:57.227-05:00And that’s one more reason I shouldn’t have eaten those beans! (And other adventures from 1972)Last summer, I spent five long, <strong><em>lonnnnnnnnngggggggg</em></strong> weeks loitering like a bum on my mom’s couch, 2000 miles away from home. Sounds like fun? Yeah, not so much. It wasn’t my idea to be there. At all. I just got all tangled up in the spider webby, complicated, court-ordered crap involving Wednesday and my ex-in-laws—(or are they called out-laws now? I dunno….)—because I’m Wednesday’s mama and I was ordered to be her rescuer-in-waiting, should things turn sour. Which they did. Duh.<br />
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(Yeah, it’s complicated, but don’t worry, I’m not going to delve any further into it.)<br />
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(You’re welcome.)<br />
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While I was stuck out there in Seattle, living out of a suitcase, with nothing to do for over a month but wait for Wednesday to need me, I decided to tackle a hefty task I’ve been meaning to do for roughly twenty years. Remember how I was telling you about my parents’ pitiful photo-organizing skills which resulted in everyone in my entire family (but me!) completely forgetting about a trip we took to California in 1986? (Need a refresher? Click <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2012/06/and-that-is-how-a-team-marty-mcfly.html">HERE</a>.) Well, I decided enough was enough. Before any more memories could go *POOF!* and disappear like M&M’s near a chocoholic, I decided I would round up all the old family photos I could find, scan them all into my laptop, put them all in chronological order, and piece my childhood back together, picture by picture. <br />
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People, this was not easy! And, at times, it was most frightening! Ever stumbled upon a full-on crotch shot of your mom giving birth to your little brother? No? Well, I have! And, frankly, I have never been the same since!<br />
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(NEVER.)<br />
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(*vomit*)<br />
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(*twice*)<br />
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Most of the pictures (including the horrific beaver shot) (*shudder*) were found randomly crammed into cardboard boxes. They weren’t labeled, dated, or in any sort of order whatsoever, just a messy hodgepodge of images spanning the 60’s through the 90’s. Totally overwhelming. And the pictures that did make it into the family photo albums were often even worse! I don’t know what Mom was sniffing while she put the albums together, but absolutely nothing made sense. I found pages mislabeled “Christmas” which featured an obvious Halloween party; and barren pages with no pictures at all; and entire albums that skipped back and forth here and there throughout the years, like Bill and Ted on a time-travelling acid trip. <br />
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Oy.<br />
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When I came back to Chicago, I brought the scanned clutter of my past with me on my computer with the intention of putting it all in a nice, pretty, labeled, sense-making order so I could preserve all the memories, say “HA!” to my slacker parents, and so Wednesday could laugh at my 80’s hairstyles and my 70’s pants. *le sigh* But…. It’s been seven months and I’m <strong><em>still</em></strong> trying to sort it all out! It’s been taking some effing serious CSI work, my God. I’ve been scrutinizing haircuts, coats, and shoes; counting candles on birthday cakes; matching up missing teeth in children’s smiles; looking for subtle changes in house décor; and Googling information on toys and books littered in the backgrounds of old photos, all to try to figure out when these hundreds of pictures were taken. It’s been one massive, aggravating, puppy-kicking, pain in the ass—*snarl*—but, of course, I have loved every minute of it. <br />
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I guess I underestimated what a gigantic journey it was going to be. When I started, I truly had no clue that I would learn so flipping much about my history and that I would spend so much time twirling around in dizzy circles inside old memories that I haven’t stopped to visit in a long, long time. It sounds like a dumb cheesy cliché (and you know that clichés are the only time that I am <strong><em>NOT</em></strong> pro-cheese), but maybe you need to face where you’ve been to understand where you are going. (I know. Deep, huh?) That’s part of the reason I haven’t been blogging or skipping through Facebook as much lately. I’ve been busy in my past. And I’d like to share some of it with you over the next several posts. <br />
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We’ll be lingering in the 70’s around here for a little bit, talking about toys, TV, clothes, books, music, wigs (yes, wigs) and just pretty much what life was like back then, sifting through scattered pictures and misty water-colored mem-ries of the way we were. <br />
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Can you dig it? Far out.<br />
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My parents grew up, met, and married in London. In the late 1960’s, they moved to the US (first Atlanta, then Seattle) because my dad got a job with Boeing. I was their first baby (and the first person in my family born in America). I popped out into the world in the Summer of 1972. Here’s a picture I found of my mom while she was pregnant with me.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DLt40Fw9q2Q/UUnLGOrqc_I/AAAAAAAAKQM/OvWwt8-FZB0/s1600-h/SCAN1346-45.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Wczy8jCCwS4/UUnLGWDmTqI/AAAAAAAAKQU/T-ye6Z_GOkU/SCAN1346-4_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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Yeah, you read that right: <strong><em>WHILE SHE WAS PREGNANT</em></strong>. Mom looked fabulous, no? I don’t know how she pulled that off, frankly. I know I never managed to squeeze out even a mere millisecond of fabulousness while I was pregnant. Instead, I just galumphed around in over-sized t-shirts, while oozing blubbery, nauseous, crankiness, and looking like Louie Anderson in drag the whole nine months. How most unfair.<br />
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Being fabulous when you’re pregnant has a price though, I suppose. After Mom sloshed down drinks at a party five weeks before my due date, I, clearly, took offense at her marinating me in alcohol and I kicked so hard that her water broke. She went into early labor and then magically found herself the surprised mother of a five pound itty bitty preemie who failed the <a href="http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_center/q_a/apgar.html">Apgar Test</a> and had to be whisked away to an incubator immediately. Oops. <br />
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This was me the day I was born, looking exceptionally pissed off and already plotting my revenge. <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k_ylfJNPraQ/UUnLG-zUCBI/AAAAAAAAKQc/BNjF7OajGJw/s1600-h/1972-07-i-was-born-15.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-e6BwMdSRU9o/UUnLHSgbuwI/AAAAAAAAKQk/zs_JTRdmb9k/1972-07-i-was-born-1_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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It’s a good thing they put me in mittens, so you can’t see the middle finger I’m brandishing there. But anyway….<br />
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These days, everyone gasps in horror, of course, when they hear about Mom knocking ‘em back while she was pregnant, but she assures me that it was no big deal at the time because, hey, it was a party and that was the norm in 1972 and it’s what everybody did. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu5zrI3eUL0">I guess life was like that bar scene in Hairspray back then</a>. (“Wow! They’re so glamorous.”) But I’m not complaining; I survived. <br />
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Unlike these days when the hospital kicks you out the door 24 hours after giving birth, back then moms and babies got to live it up in the hospital for four whole days before going home. (Again, so unfair.) Once they got me home, Mom and Dad were eager to fatten me up, it seems, because here they are, shoveling baby food in my face while I was trying to sleep. <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2IeB6xu83bc/UUnLHvCoMpI/AAAAAAAAKQs/V1lOnWHSYt0/s1600-h/1972-08-a-1.25.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8bQ4GUh6Lks/UUnLIIFPQzI/AAAAAAAAKQ0/QQ_UPdx4LCI/1972-08-a-1.2_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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I seem really perplexed by the whole thing—and rightfully so, I think, <a href="http://www.modernmom.com/article/at-what-age-do-babies-eat-baby-food">because, obviously, I was waaaayyyyyyyy too young to be eating solid food</a>. (Hell, I was a preemie, and I shouldn’t even have been born yet!) But, again, it was the 70’s and there were no rules on… well… anything. After eating? Yep, they gave me a bath. And I was most displeased.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1UiyUu156uo/UUnLIqdsPdI/AAAAAAAAKQ8/sN_gk31kGbc/s1600-h/1972-08-a--4cencored5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y3IQfVILWhc/UUnLI3z3qrI/AAAAAAAAKRE/qM1A1uP5WeE/1972-08-a--4cencored_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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This is me, after being force-fed and dunked in water, further planning out my forthcoming revenge.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uAJh2doMy9A/UUnLJIVdTqI/AAAAAAAAKRM/JrENnnfIW1I/s1600-h/1972-08-a--115.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Qd3WxbV6mjs/UUnLJr-r-_I/AAAAAAAAKRU/opVhApl36Bg/1972-08-a--11_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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(”Well, that settles it. Now I am <strong><em>SO</em></strong> going to be a shit when I’m a teenager. You have no-one to blame but yourselves.”)<br />
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But I guess I eventually got the hang of the whole eating thing, because I was as round as a beach ball just a couple of months later.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZgiZumagQn0/UUnLKDhsP6I/AAAAAAAAKRc/6Z5eyHMOhj4/s1600-h/1972-08thru11-not-sure-gexp-4x65.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WEyoB7iHqLU/UUnLKbieAVI/AAAAAAAAKRk/mEyh8MABpnA/1972-08thru11-not-sure-gexp-4x6_thum.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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Mom thinks I’m laughing jovially with her in that shot up there. But I’m pretty sure I’m really laughing at her sagging beehive wig. My mom had a whole collection of bizarre wigs back then. She even had a gray one! (Seriously? Who voluntarily gives themselves gray hair?!?!) She seemed to have a different hair color and hairstyle each and every day of the week. I wonder if I knew it was all the same woman or if I thought I had a whole battalion of mothers coming and going?….<br />
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Hmm….<br />
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Well, anyway….<br />
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There aren’t really any decent pictures of what my nursery looked like back then, but I know from the bits and pieces in the backgrounds of various pictures that there was a lot of yellow in it and that I had a cute hand-painted wooden <a href="http://modernkiddo.com/vintage-storybook-lamps-anyone/">Irmi</a> Mother Goose mobile hanging over my crib. <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-COzXrrw72KA/UUnLKxunWaI/AAAAAAAAKRs/P1rUUKEYnvE/s1600-h/1972-07-28ish-home-from-hospital-my-%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-b5Fhxm2sQBM/UUnLLtcn1aI/AAAAAAAAKR0/H2Uii4awu3g/1972-07-28ish-home-from-hospital-my-.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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I have vague memories of that mobile. I Googled the heck out of it and found out that <a href="http://modernkiddo.com/vintage-storybook-lamps-anyone/">Irmi mobiles, lamps, and light switch covers were everywhere in the 70’s</a>. My one played Rock-a-Bye Baby and had cute wooden nursery rhyme characters hanging from it. These days they sell on eBay for about $10 each. Here are some close-up shots of the old, long-gone mobile that I borrowed from eBay and Etsy.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FlBbWIXif8M/UUnLMKE-fvI/AAAAAAAAKR8/8jaeKy2IBoA/s1600-h/1972-07-irmi-mother-goose-mobile-15.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="336" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eVhP6VBla0k/UUnLMt44nOI/AAAAAAAAKSE/Fs37IPf4mKM/1972-07-irmi-mother-goose-mobile-1_t.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-csgjgLibYj4/UUnLMxJeEkI/AAAAAAAAKSM/gyDkw469eHw/s1600-h/1972-07-irmi-mother-goose-mobile-65.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="628" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sh0WpJEKB8Q/UUnLNS3pR3I/AAAAAAAAKSU/2AazEOVXH9g/1972-07-irmi-mother-goose-mobile-6_t.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HCdvv851GIo/UUnLN1WNu1I/AAAAAAAAKSc/ZiG_jfVUyr4/s1600-h/1972-07-irmi-mother-goose-mobile-74.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="569" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XzVow06Makg/UUnLOf3lMFI/AAAAAAAAKSk/fD_tbnVYUOY/1972-07-irmi-mother-goose-mobile-7_t.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HCH_6_mpE4w/UUnLOl12qHI/AAAAAAAAKSs/3wypXHJdkAo/s1600-h/1972-07-irmi-mother-goose-mobile-24.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="533" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Qa1C4Ms1yn4/UUnLO4pWoQI/AAAAAAAAKS0/oQbbK1k-VQo/1972-07-irmi-mother-goose-mobile-2_t.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
<br />
Ahh, the glorious 1970’s! When people put wooden objects the size of grapes in their babies' beds and the term ‘choking hazard’ hadn’t been invented yet. Fifty bucks says that was lead paint too.<br />
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<br />
I was about five months old when Christmas rolled around. Here I am with my dad (who looked like a young Alan Alda) who gave me a teddy bear.<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nRNv2OpB400/UUnLPaxu27I/AAAAAAAAKS8/WEbNyV_xnR0/s1600-h/1972-12%252520christmas%252520day%252520%2525284%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tJsKhJ4AXWs/UUnLPheHFVI/AAAAAAAAKTE/p2rgdbucSiY/1972-12%252520christmas%252520day%252520%2525284%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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I still have that bear. He’s a threadbare old man now. Like, literally. These days, he’s dressed like Dumbledore and sitting in my den. See?<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1SvuR07RxjU/UUnLQB_6BPI/AAAAAAAAKTM/6oZTusnfNWA/s1600-h/20%252520DSC05901crop%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="764" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MLvMwuTBau0/UUnLQp9pjFI/AAAAAAAAKTU/8xVFAe2pRuo/20%252520DSC05901crop_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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Here I am with my bear and the rest of my Christmas presents back in 1972. Mom opted for a black wig that day, but I’m pretty sure that’s the same purple dress as before!<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NxcNTK2HP-w/UUnLRAp3hdI/AAAAAAAAKTc/MNU03eSXJzo/s1600-h/1972-12%252520christmas%252520day%252520%2525287%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oZpXRUB8Rn8/UUnLRUDU-3I/AAAAAAAAKTk/Ny1tWMF-zR4/1972-12%252520christmas%252520day%252520%2525287%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
See the little pink doll just beneath the bear? That was my <a href="http://www.dollinfo.com/babybeans.htm" target="_blank">Baby Beans Doll</a>. Baby Beans was made by Mattel in the early 70’s. She had a vinyl face and hands with a floppy, soft body that was stuffed with orange plastic “beans”. <br />
<br />
<br />
According to family legend, Baby Beans wasn’t with us for long because, one tragic morning, my mom found me sitting in my crib, eating the plastic “beans” that had poured out when I had ripped open Baby Beans’ seams. Whoopsie! Even forty years later, Dad still loves to tell the harrowing tale of the Battle of the Baby Beans. (Apparently, the next several diaper changes were quite beany…. and orange…. and interesting to say the least. Ugh!) Here’s a better picture of Baby Beans that I borrowed from eBay.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5o3g_pHg60I/UUnLRyPX_UI/AAAAAAAAKTs/HoSYfo6hfAk/s1600-h/1972-12%252520baby%252520beans2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="553" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yVxWDvxQ2vI/UUnLSai21hI/AAAAAAAAKT0/Mk5Ef5Yt9_A/1972-12%252520baby%252520beans2_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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These days Baby Beans goes anywhere from $5 to $50 on eBay. $50! Can you believe that? And that’s <strong><em>ONE MORE</em></strong> reason I shouldn’t have eaten those beans! <br />
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<br />
<br />
In the next post, I’ll be telling you what I’ve discovered about 1973—that magical year when I rocked out to the Stylistics, rode a motorcycle, discovered the joy of birthday cake, and taught my grandpa a valuable lesson on when <strong><em>NOT</em></strong> to play horse-y with a baby.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bkfE-bvYcd8/UUnLSrDfLBI/AAAAAAAAKT8/ZCDWeW_xWNE/s1600-h/Coracabanacopyright20135.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="135" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8qqOrPfOkp4/UUnLTAUstNI/AAAAAAAAKUE/VEb-sziK0RU/Coracabanacopyright2013_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="320" /></a><br />
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© CoracabanaCorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-38727241046644546632013-02-13T11:34:00.000-06:002013-02-13T11:34:37.364-06:00The Rainbow Connection<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jSFLZ-MzIhM?rel=0" width="460"></iframe>
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<br />No. Sorry. This isn’t going to be a post about Kermit the Frog, but after typing that title, I just couldn’t resist slipping the song in. So, anyway….<br />
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<br />
Remember <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2013/01/and-that-i-guess-is-that.html">that stop-motion/claymation video Wednesday made about bullying and self-esteem which won her the top prize and $2000 in the Expressions Contest</a>? (If not, click <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2013/01/and-that-i-guess-is-that.html">HERE</a>.) Well, we attended the award ceremony a couple of weeks ago; Wednesday was presented with her prize money (cha-ching!); and then we went home and it was over and done with.<br />
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<br />
Or so we thought.<br />
<br />
<br />
Then we got a phone call from Expressions last week that the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow/PUSH">Rainbow PUSH Coalition</a> was all excited about the contest and the kids involved in it, and that they wanted to honor Wednesday and the other winners at their headquarters in Chicago. (Rumor even had it that Rev. Jesse Jackson might be there! *mind spinning*) So, of course, we agreed to go.<br />
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Saturday morning, we got up early and dolled ourselves up and headed out to the car. We were given the address of their headquarters in two different emails the Expressions people had sent us, so we plugged that address into our GPS and off we went. But…. Unfortunately, the address was wrong! We ended up outside someone’s home, not the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. D’oh! Thankfully though, we had given ourselves plenty of extra time just in case and <a href="http://scope-tech.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Scope</a> had noticed a building we had passed a few streets back had the word PUSH on it, so we backtracked to that location, hoping that it was either the correct place or that they would at least be able to tell us where we should go if it wasn’t. <br />
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<br />
*fingers crossed*<br />
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<br />
When we got there, they buzzed us into the building and, after a little confusion at the receptionist’s desk, it was determined that, yep, we were in the right building, but we were too early, so we were asked to wait a few minutes before heading back. As we sat in the waiting area, watching people quickly filling up the lobby, I was suddenly struck by two sharp revelations: <br />
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<br />
1. Everybody was <strong><em>SUPER</em></strong> dressed up. Like, Sunday best kind of dressed up, with snazzy hats, jewelry, dress shoes, the works.<br />
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2. Scope, Wednesday, and I were the only white people there. <br />
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I was suddenly <strong><em>EXTREMELY</em></strong> thankful that I had chosen to throw on my little black dress that morning! I mean, I almost didn’t. I almost went casual, thinking that only Wednesday needed to look spiffy since she was the one being honored and all. But then Scope had put on a tie and, well, frankly, I’d rather eat spiders than be out-classed like that. So, on a whim, I grabbed the LBD just to balance out the fanciness. <br />
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(Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, thank you, thank you, thank you, vanity!!!! You day-saving, sexy beast, you!!!!) <br />
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As I sat there, boiling over in thankfulness that my chosen outfit was a nice dress and not a Harry Potter t-shirt—(hey, if I’m going to be the one representing my heritage, I wanna do it right!…. Or at least not disgrace myself)—it started to dawn on me that this event we had been invited to was a much bigger deal than we had realized. There were a lot of people there; a lot of really excited people who had gone to much trouble to look their very best. This couldn’t all be for the four Expressions contest winners, right?….<br />
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Just as worry started to whisper in my ear (seriously, what the hell was going on and where were all the other Expressions winners?!), the three of us were called back into a maze of corridors and offices, where, standing near a doorway, beckoning us into a conference room, was none other than the Reverend Jesse Jackson himself! <br />
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<br />
Yes.<br />
<br />
<br />
Really.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><em>THE</em></strong> Jesse Jackson.<br />
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I could hardly believe it. He shook our hands and greeted us warmly, and I told him it was wonderful to meet him, while a very star-struck Wednesday’s eyes grew to the size of dinner plates. Yeah, we had been told that Jesse Jackson <strong><em>MIGHT</em></strong> be there, but as poor <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/02/hadiya-pendleton-funeral-attended-by-first-lady-michelle-obama-city-officials/">Hadiya Pendelton’s funeral was taking place that same day</a>, I had assumed he would not be, because he, very clearly, had more pressing matters to attend to. <br />
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We entered the conference room and were directed to sit down at a big, oblong table, where another Reverend of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, who was practically pulsating with purpose and activity (let’s call her Busy Reverend), came in to meet us and kept talking to us about “the program”. <br />
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Umm…. Program?…. What program?….<br />
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She looked at us in disbelief and then told us that Wednesday was supposed to be giving a speech <strong><em>ON LIVE WORLD-WIDE TV</em></strong> in just a few minutes from now.<br />
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Huh?!?!<br />
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A speech? On TV? <strong><em>WHAT?!</em></strong> When Expressions had told us we were invited, no-one said anything about any of that. In fact, I had specifically asked them on the phone if Wednesday needed to bring or prepare anything, and they told me no, that they would supply a poster for Wednesday to hold on a stage while she was congratulated, and that would be that. But now they wanted a speech?…. <strong><em>ON LIVE TV????</em></strong> <br />
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<br />
Holy crap.<br />
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Busy Reverend didn’t seem at all amused by our confusion, our unpreparedness, and our ignorance of the weekly TV show Wednesday was about to be a part of. She wanted to know where all the other Expressions winners and coordinators were and why Wednesday was the only Expressions representative there. I stammered something to her about how the address they’d given out was incorrect, so, perhaps, everyone was lost and would be delayed because of it. That didn’t sit well and I was, again, reminded that this was a <strong><em>LIVE WORLD-WIDE TELEVISION BROADCAST</em></strong> that would wait for no-one. <br />
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Poor Wednesday must have felt like bolting for the door! I know I would have. But she held it all together and quietly whispered to me out of the side of her mouth, “Mom! What should I do?” And the two of us put our heads together at that table to quickly cook up a two-second thank-you speech for her to give, should no-one else show up before the broadcast began. <br />
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A few other people were ushered into the room with us for a quick briefing before the show started, but they weren’t the Expressions people; they were with other organizations who were also slated to be part of the show as well, and they all seemed to know exactly why they were there and what they were supposed to be doing and they were practically doing cartwheels of excitement over the whole thing. I felt a pang of annoyance that we hadn’t been adequately informed about what we were walking into like everyone else seemed to be, and a double pang of annoyance that my baby would be on Live TV but I hadn’t set up the DVR to record it or been able to tell anyone about it because this was the first we had heard of it! <br />
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Jesse Jackson came in and out of the room a couple of times while Wednesday and I were quietly hatching an impromptu speech plan on the sly. Then he told us he wouldn’t be staying for the television broadcast because he would be attending Hadiya’s funeral, as I’d expected. He asked us if we would like a picture with him before he left, so we ran out to the lobby with him for a quick photo session. <br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NULqm5gxAss/URvNFFJzZGI/AAAAAAAAKOg/MrVFiCcNAUQ/s1600-h/9-DSC05489crop5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qHxl2i2vUPk/URvNF7t32II/AAAAAAAAKOo/DmPhaZddV24/9-DSC05489crop_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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(You can’t tell in the picture because she’s behind me, but Jesse Jackson had his arm wrapped around Wednesday’s shoulder in a really sweet half-bear hug! She was all star-struck after he had left. “Mom! Did you see it? He had his arm around me! Squeeeeeeeee!”)<br />
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But anyway….<br />
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The Expressions coordinators and other winners (including the real girl who was picked to give the speech) ended up making it to the right building just in time for the broadcast after all, saving Wednesday a heaping helping of humiliation and stress! (She practically melted into a puddle of relief when the speech girl showed up, I swear!) and then we were all led into the auditorium for the televised ceremony.<br />
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<br />
Oh.<br />
<br />
<br />
My.<br />
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<br />
Goodness.<br />
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<br />
I don’t really know what I had expected. I’d had so little time to concoct any sort of well-formed expectation of what a live TV show stage at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition Headquarters might look like, I guess. I just know I wasn’t expecting what we stepped into. It was like a church and a telethon had had a baby! There was a gospel choir, blinding lights, a stage, massive TV cameras swiveling in all directions, and a very (VERY) excited audience.<br />
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We were ushered into the front row, right in front of the stage. They made us switch seats up and down our row a few times in an attempt to make the audience look just right—and only then did I realize that Wednesday wouldn’t be the only one of the three of us on TV that day, and that the cameras would be on Scope and me too. *gulp* An energetic fellow got on the microphone at the front of the stage and told us all to put our “best TV faces” on, and then the show started and we were on live TV.<br />
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<br />
What happened over the next hour is a complete blur to me. I don’t know, maybe my brain had just reached its limit of surprise-tolerance for the day and shut down or something, I’m not sure. All I have left are fragments of it, including bright lights in my face; a preacher making me burst into tears (On! Live! T! V!) when he started talking about Hadiya Pendleton’s murder; and that every now and then the gospel choir would erupt in song and everyone would leap out of their chairs and dance and clap along in that awesome, enthusiastic way that African American’s possess…. and which made me horrifically aware that I have all the rhythm of freaking Fozzie Bear.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/32j8M5G1f8o?rel=0" width="460"></iframe>
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<br />(Yeah. Muppets again. I don’t know where this keeps coming from. Sorry. Oy.)<br />
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And, of course, I remember my baby being honored on stage. She stood there, smiling and looking so brave, so composed, so alarmingly grown up. *sniffle*<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-trjxsw_HVT4/URvNGkThROI/AAAAAAAAKOw/ADITW2uGi8g/s1600-h/9%252520DSC05525crop%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lKXAyN2w8y8/URvNHnrexQI/AAAAAAAAKO4/D-Mss0MUzNY/9%252520DSC05525crop_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />Despite all the confusion beforehand, the show went off without a single hitch. And, looky, you can even see Scope and me armed with our cameras in the TV monitor over the kids’ heads as they left the stage.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mIv2E907nSQ/URvNIIZ0M9I/AAAAAAAAKPA/7_0meu6-ntw/s1600-h/9%252520DSC05529crop%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DiEbFY8jOtw/URvNIkoBeAI/AAAAAAAAKPI/AfUMC1rmdVs/9%252520DSC05529crop_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />And then suddenly it was finished and we were released back out into the world, dazed, blinking, and bewildered.<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MjaNxfbQxCc/URvNJHnPrOI/AAAAAAAAKPQ/mr7Qoh_YaK8/s1600-h/9%252520DSC05543exp%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UezowZe73h0/URvNJ54QpsI/AAAAAAAAKPY/dircTqsvFPo/9%252520DSC05543exp_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />If I didn’t have pictures of it in my camera, I swear I would think it had all been just a very strange dream. <br />
<br />
<br />
Really.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BP4JtrEPd5c/URvNKPih3fI/AAAAAAAAKPg/Ob18qHndXfI/s1600-h/Coracabanacopyright20135.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="135" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Psf2lh7A_iE/URvNKuMnUyI/AAAAAAAAKPo/qGNhimug7CI/Coracabanacopyright2013_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="320" /></a><br />
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© CoracabanaCorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-30077599230835176022013-01-24T08:14:00.006-06:002013-01-24T08:15:20.154-06:00And that, I guess, is that.<br />
Well, here we are. This is the conclusion of my <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/search/label/Project%20365">2012 Project 365</a>. A whole year of taking a picture each and every day…. Or at least it was almost a year. As you might have already realized, I picked a year with 366 days in it to do Project 365. D’oh! But whatever. <br />
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<br />
Now that the project is complete, I feel nothing but relief. Blessed, sigh-worthy, hot fudge covered relief!!!! People keep asking me if I will do Project 365 again this year. The answer to that is a big, fat, burly <strong><em>HELL</em></strong> <strong><em>NO</em></strong>. Nah, I already have another photography project that I want—nay, <strong><em>need</em></strong>—to tackle this year, and that is putting my photo albums together…. because I’m four years behind on it! <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><em>FOUR</em></strong>. <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><em>YEARS</em></strong>. <br />
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<br />
The last time I completed a photo album was in 2009, when <a href="http://scope-tech.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Scope</a> and I first met! Yeah. Wrap your mind around that fact for a minute. You know all the stuff that has happened (and been photographed) since 2009, right? Our wedding, our San Francisco honeymoon, our move to Chicago, our cross-country road trip, our week at the lake in Ohio, our trip to Disneyland, and a million other things. <br />
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<br />
Oy. <br />
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<br />
I can’t believe I’m four years behind on the albums. Nope, just can’t. I used to be so religious about it, so structured, so freakin’ awesome. Anytime someone was like, “hey, how did your Halloween costumes turn out last year?” I would be like, “well, here’s the photo album of it, containing 200 pictures of everything from all different angles and all in chronological order and wittily captioned and shit. Enjoy!” <br />
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But now? Now I spend my days living in mortal terror that someone will come over one day and want to see photos from our wedding, and I’ll either have to admit I don’t have my act together or I’ll have to start talking about how knocked up Kim Kardashian looks in a desperate effort to change the subject. And talking about Kim Kardashian gives me hives, so clearly, it will just be better for everyone if I spend more time managing the photos I’ve already amassed, and less time generating more photos to throw onto the pile of neglect. So be it. <br />
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Are you ready for the very last pictures of Project 365? Yeah, me too. Here they are….<br />
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<strong>Day 354 (2012-12-19)</strong> ~ It was almost Christmas, but on the night of the 19th, the sky definitely looked like it was Halloween!<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bCj0S4XqMaQ/UQFAuJ8IDpI/AAAAAAAAKKo/zlN17vwvVRU/s1600-h/2012-12-19-day-354-4422shftCoracaban%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G9l6vhc5ImY/UQFAun5GuSI/AAAAAAAAKKw/P96yJA5EUEc/2012-12-19-day-354-4422shftCoracaban.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
<strong><br /><br />Day 355 (2012-12-20)</strong> ~ It looks kind of like a chalkboard, doesn't it? But, nope. It's snow. This is what the first snowflakes of the season looked like swirling in the wind and trailing across the night sky.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_a-3RMfGt0Y/UQFAvGtxvgI/AAAAAAAAKK4/9JEYqxpPmYU/s1600-h/2012-12-20-day-355-3882xpcrpCoracaba%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tahkTjyU8Vs/UQFAvg9IL0I/AAAAAAAAKLA/1aBKdFXHnks/2012-12-20-day-355-3882xpcrpCoracaba%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong><br />Day 356 (2012-12-21)</strong> ~ This is Wednesday and the stop motion clay puppet she made for her "Alice In High School Land" anti-bullying video for Walgreen's Expressions contest. We found out on the 21st that she won the top prize in her category! We are <strong><em>SO EXCITED</em></strong>! I am so proud of her! <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cvnpnbHS2NU/UQFAwBhOehI/AAAAAAAAKLI/atAKz0rQMfw/s1600-h/2012-12-21-day-356-038vlbwCoracabana%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="616" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EIwalFwg3xU/UQFAwuAUIeI/AAAAAAAAKLQ/APFsxJcIUrs/2012-12-21-day-356-038vlbwCoracabana%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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Here is the full-length un-cut video Wednesday made for the contest with clay on our dining table. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3xRaB6a8Ml8?rel=0" width="460"></iframe>
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<br />Isn’t that <strong><em>AWESOME</em></strong>?????? <br />
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<strong>Day 357 (2012-12-22)</strong> ~ For Scope's birthday, we had dinner at Bob Chinn's Crab House. <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EXmbWrCc5wU/UQFAx_00ssI/AAAAAAAAKLY/BDz6k69rrqQ/s1600-h/2012-12-22-day-357-3903flmCoracabana%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JIMMh6bFjaI/UQFAydbmt-I/AAAAAAAAKLg/_s8_9uWojYU/2012-12-22-day-357-3903flmCoracabana.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 358 (2012-12-23)</strong> ~ Every year since we got married, Scope sneaks a new ornament onto my Christmas tree without telling me. I’m wise to his shenanigans now though and, this year, I could tell that he had done it just by the look on his face. One look at his guilty expression and I blurted out, “did you sneak an ornament onto my tree?!” He could hardly believe it! Ha ha! But anyway…. This year he got me Sully and Boo from Monsters Inc (my favorite Pixar movie). Awww. I love it!<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Dv-R8G3UHvE/UQFAy-MxMlI/AAAAAAAAKLo/VRhCm7l24sE/s1600-h/2012-12-23-day-358-3952tntnlCoracaba%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dJoSOVOELCg/UQFAzfo_CwI/AAAAAAAAKLw/p4q28Bm78YI/2012-12-23-day-358-3952tntnlCoracaba%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 359 (2012-12-24)</strong> ~ Wednesday and I made gingerbread—okay, fine, graham cracker—houses on Christmas Eve. This is my gingerbread dog house. I just couldn't resist when I saw those cute Scottie dog shortbread cookies in the store!<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SJU3U9LC7n0/UQFA0Ee8pkI/AAAAAAAAKL4/E3_2QoypRtg/s1600-h/2012-12-24-day-359-DSC03979crssblucl.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ct-esjpepBA/UQFA0qnPyrI/AAAAAAAAKL8/qif3XIwet14/2012-12-24-day-359-DSC03979crssblucl%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 360 (2012-12-25)</strong> ~ For Christmas "Santa" got me a remote control for my Sony DSLR. Ooooooh, what a fun toy!! This was the first shot I tried with it.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I1aTbxF1swA/UQFA1FCq3pI/AAAAAAAAKME/LAryVKijuMg/s1600-h/2012-12-25-day-360-4072rtyCoracabana.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EB7DSYNpceo/UQFA1QjepoI/AAAAAAAAKMM/zgfyNOtdJko/2012-12-25-day-360-4072rtyCoracabana%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 361 (2012-12-26)</strong> ~ Cool! So, it turns out that Guy Fieri and his show Diners, Drive-In's and Dives did a show at one of our favorite local restaurants, Chicago Brahaus. We haven't seen the episode on Food Network yet, but I can't wait!<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iSi3KNilve8/UQFA2OKXxnI/AAAAAAAAKMU/OWGG4yOvYzw/s1600-h/2012-12-26-day-361-4432xpCoracabana-.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-W1bce6y6xfw/UQFA25Txo5I/AAAAAAAAKMc/56Nxcug9YbY/2012-12-26-day-361-4432xpCoracabana-%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 362 (2012-12-27)</strong> ~ Grrr. Our internet went out the morning of the 26th and AT&T repeatedly dropped the customer service ball and wouldn't come by to fix it. (Long story, but we were without internet for five days.) (Stupid AT&T.) On the 27th, Wednesday and I went to the bakery next door to siphon off their wi-fi and eat yummy cookies. As far as I see it, cookies are a fair price to pay for an internet connection. <br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WEqIsB37VIc/UQFA3fn8xII/AAAAAAAAKMk/XQSrSKoVaCw/s1600-h/2012-12-27-day-362-4434xp2Coracabana%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Z0fiTBbyFLY/UQFA4R4AlZI/AAAAAAAAKMs/YSGdzjbl_os/2012-12-27-day-362-4434xp2Coracabana%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 363 (2012-12-28)</strong> ~ Driving in the snow the night of the 28th, on our way to Indiana for a wedding, the snow was zooming past the car in the dark and it looked just like we were going into warp speed.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5mWlThDrmAc/UQFA5NujtYI/AAAAAAAAKM0/Zdp6do81aKw/s1600-h/2012-12-28-day-363-4391bstCoracabana.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SRY4Aj8qs7o/UQFA5jKLsaI/AAAAAAAAKM8/rvlHs03Aa30/2012-12-28-day-363-4391bstCoracabana%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 364 (2012-12-29)</strong> ~ At a gorgeous Christmas-themed wedding reception on the 29th, the tables were decorated with red glass balls and ribbons. The whole thing was lovely!<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OycELsbGunE/UQFA55_rIDI/AAAAAAAAKNE/ynjRTVlGtIw/s1600-h/2012-12-29-day-364-4492xpCoracabana-%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rWkpm7UqF_8/UQFA6g4lyBI/AAAAAAAAKNM/kPNZh0wHG_U/2012-12-29-day-364-4492xpCoracabana-.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 365 (2012-12-30)</strong> ~ So. I guess this is how Project 365 ended. This was picture number 365. I thought I had one more day at the time, but I forgot there were 366 days this year, not 365, so my project ended a day earlier than I was expecting. I had thought I would end the project in a fitting way—maybe I would take a bow or something, I dunno, but I guess instead it ends with a brick wall and vicious-looking icicles. And that is that. Oh well. <br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7jsg_iIOrJM/UQFA7BoxukI/AAAAAAAAKNU/P3gSBi0634Q/s1600-h/2012-12-30-day-365-4598dxpCoracabana%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xJINtLohcuA/UQFA7jwjHoI/AAAAAAAAKNc/NMD1AnP8xTI/2012-12-30-day-365-4598dxpCoracabana.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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Thanks to everyone who followed along. I hope you enjoyed the journey! Up next for the blog, I think I might finally whip out some of those 1970’s pictures I dug up at my mom’s house over the summer which I promised I’d share with you. Wanna see me as a three year old with a red mini ‘fro?! You know you do. It’s coming soon….<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_NB2BxSO-14/UQFA8FoFzII/AAAAAAAAKNk/yx8_ReHVwog/s1600-h/Coracabanacopyright20135.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="135" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6m6ScTuI-7U/UQFA817bJ0I/AAAAAAAAKNs/6sRr2iSWWaQ/Coracabanacopyright2013_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="320" /></a><br />
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© CoracabanaCorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-76206217961476618522013-01-18T11:53:00.003-06:002013-01-18T11:53:48.172-06:00Wait! What? Is…. Is that…. Is that the finish line?<br />
Okay, so I’m still trying to burn through <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/search/label/Project%20365">2012’s Project 365</a> picture updates so that the dang thing will finally be out of my hair. I think there will just be one post to go after this one. Ready? Me too. Let’s do it….<br />
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<strong>Day 336 (2012-12-01)</strong> ~ <a href="http://scope-tech.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Scope</a>’s mom had a Florida-themed tree set up for Christmas. This is a shot of one of the sand dollars she has hanging on it. I love, love, <strong><em>LOVE</em></strong> how to looks in black and white.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K9fuQOzyhb0/UPmK42_VJrI/AAAAAAAAKFk/k9BHjTdFP-c/s1600-h/2012-12-1-day-336-3375xphddgCoracaba%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NgYAjP9-gzc/UPmK5lWWmFI/AAAAAAAAKFs/gl0cuCJbAKg/2012-12-1-day-336-3375xphddgCoracaba.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 337 (2012-12-02)</strong> ~ Just a partial shot of a beautiful light-up house Scope’s mom had set up in the guest room we stayed in when we visited for the weekend. (Sorry, this pic was really taken on the 1st, not the 2nd.)<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1Yjy8LVp1ws/UPmK6fD_AzI/AAAAAAAAKF0/bL5jKdRvzcY/s1600-h/2012-12-2-really-1-day-377-crp2clnCo%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kCL4VxYe77I/UPmK60fFc5I/AAAAAAAAKF8/LecbJiDtkrc/2012-12-2-really-1-day-377-crp2clnCo%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 338 (2012-12-03)</strong> ~ A shot of Christmas lights on a fence that I snapped while running to the train station in the dark. (Eh. I know, I really felt like I started to lose my motivation on the whole project right about here.) I wasn't happy with the quality of light in the shot, so I tinted the whole shot green, which I definitely prefer.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--CspwxRCdcU/UPmK7kc1bkI/AAAAAAAAKGE/6dJ5sPalhek/s1600-h/2012-12-3%252520day%252520338%2525204404grnCoracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-65bt74Dzk0s/UPmK8YaOyTI/AAAAAAAAKGM/YxKkvwb6aEU/2012-12-3%252520day%252520338%2525204404grnCoracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 339 (2012-12-04)</strong> ~ This is a similar shot to the one the night before—lights on a fence, which I dyed green. However, I was playing around with effects on Picmonkey and kind of liked how this one came out with the red bow immune to the green tint. It's kind of striking in a way, I think. (Pic really taken on the 3rd, not the 4th. Another boo-boo, I know.)<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5ZxRPqUWQK4/UPmK9JlgcKI/AAAAAAAAKGU/ZTQUSZQxOzg/s1600-h/2012-12-4%252520%252528really%2525203%252529%252520day%252520339Coracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Yh6IUIjUC2U/UPmK-J43C3I/AAAAAAAAKGc/-yjsOvyO5kM/2012-12-4%252520%252528really%2525203%252529%252520day%252520339Coracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 340 (2012-12-05)</strong> ~ So, the neighbors started decorating for the holidays and this was the first guy to go all out. *snicker*<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zzLf20lKRpg/UPmK-q3sP1I/AAAAAAAAKGk/R9eI0wjmmxo/s1600-h/2012-12-5%252520day%252520340%2525204407hdxpCoracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wlYvJohykUU/UPmK_dTbsrI/AAAAAAAAKGs/5ItNle9ozkc/2012-12-5%252520day%252520340%2525204407hdxpCoracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 341 (2012-12-06)</strong> ~ Oops. A ball buster. While decorating my tree, I accidentally dropped a ball which smashed into a million tiny red splinters of glass all over the hardwood floor. *sigh* What a pain! But at least it made good picture-of-the-day material.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vlNdrOujHO0/UPmK_2GISKI/AAAAAAAAKG0/x58oudDcQRs/s1600-h/2012-12-6%252520day%252520341%2525203446dtCoracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RgSA5jS4sbE/UPmLA62uSJI/AAAAAAAAKG8/QF7HWMdOr3g/2012-12-6%252520day%252520341%2525203446dtCoracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 342 (2012-12-07)</strong> ~ Ummm…. yeah. So, it was, clearly, a very, <strong><em>VERY</em></strong> hot day at one of the local high schools! *snicker*<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8MYwth49ysM/UPmLBh20HhI/AAAAAAAAKHE/pjLnI89ECA0/s1600-h/2012-12-7%252520day%252520342%2525204409dtCoracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F3Qk7vFR7Og/UPmLCKFEK2I/AAAAAAAAKHM/gepwJ5VGCJ4/2012-12-7%252520day%252520342%2525204409dtCoracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 343 (2012-12-08)</strong> ~ Wednesday had a weekend school assignment which took us to the Art Institute of Chicago. This was the first wall of paintings she studied.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DiagdwNRLuc/UPmLC6XAf-I/AAAAAAAAKHU/HNFnHMTTMOI/s1600-h/2012-12-8%252520day%252520343%2525203476dt2Coracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1SSqNaCjaYY/UPmLDdvZp0I/AAAAAAAAKHc/diMDPd_d39I/2012-12-8%252520day%252520343%2525203476dt2Coracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 344 (2012-12-09)</strong> ~ Another shot from inside the Art Institute of Chicago. (Actually taken on the 8th, not the 9th). I liked the lines and festivity of the staircases there.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BunyEIxDIdg/UPmLGHxeSnI/AAAAAAAAKHk/ROucsmNNu74/s1600-h/2012-12-9%252520%252528really%2525208%252529%252520day%252520344%2525203493dCoracabana%2525202012t%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RL0zMu5UIHk/UPmLGjkYr6I/AAAAAAAAKHs/teMbZcED2dI/2012-12-9%252520%252528really%2525208%252529%252520day%252520344%2525203493dCoracabana%2525202012t_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 345 (2012-12-10)</strong> ~ Okay, so this was a shot Wednesday needed for a computer class she’s taking at school. She needed me to take her picture, then she would use Photoshop in class to transform herself into a superhero. I haven't seen her Photoshop transformation yet, but I really, <strong><em>REALLY</em></strong> love this photo of her. My goodness! When did she grow up????<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s9UJx8VOYbw/UPmLIa6H1qI/AAAAAAAAKH0/zMfE3ujaSOU/s1600-h/2012-12-10%252520day%252520345%2525203554bwsknCoracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3jVdBeOwWj4/UPmLJFk3LWI/AAAAAAAAKH8/Zodi5m4PFAk/2012-12-10%252520day%252520345%2525203554bwsknCoracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 346 (2012-12-11)</strong> ~ Another one of my 80's Strawberry Shortcake dolls. This is Lime Chiffon. <br /><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YioWynFrJTg/UPmLKJSieaI/AAAAAAAAKIE/vwvKTlT19h0/s1600-h/2012-12-11%252520%252528really%25252012%252529%252520day%252520346%2525203570sdCoracabana%2525202012t%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oJdp5PH-wjw/UPmLK1OlXvI/AAAAAAAAKIM/EO7lBHJSEso/2012-12-11%252520%252528really%25252012%252529%252520day%252520346%2525203570sdCoracabana%2525202012t_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 347 (2012-12-12)</strong> ~ When I went for my morning walk around the park on 12/12/12, there were police cars everywhere and the buses were being re-routed off their usual street. Very strange. As I rounded the corner, I found out why.... a motorcyclist had crashed into the back of a parked car so hard that he caved the back of the car in, shattered the car's back window, and actually moved the car off to the side! It was an unbelievable sight. No, the motorcyclist did not survive. And, no, I didn't see the body; I arrived on the scene after he had been taken away. What I saw though was a demolished car, a fallen bike, a broken helmet and gloves on the ground in all different directions near the front of the car (as if the motorcyclist's helmet and clothes had come flying off at impact and kept moving forward without the body), and a street that sparkled with tiny vehicle fragments as if it were covered in glitter. I can't fathom how fast the motorcyclist was travelling to make an impact as catastrophic as that, but it must have been an astonishing speed. Ugh. Slow down out there, people. The hurry just isn’t worth it. <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uAH2NlWaFEo/UPmLLUQDlBI/AAAAAAAAKIU/C2b8nlukFcQ/s1600-h/2012-12-12%252520day%252520347%2525204415dtCoracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dqoshWxLtlw/UPmLL9UC9aI/AAAAAAAAKIc/4B4cOvaEwCo/2012-12-12%252520day%252520347%2525204415dtCoracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 348 (2012-12-13)</strong> ~ Another 80's Strawberry Shortcake doll that sits in the glass cabinet in our den. Crepe Suzette.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ttKKo7OAlXg/UPmLMnnM0YI/AAAAAAAAKIk/sEF3kMLerR0/s1600-h/2012-12-13%252520%252528really%25252012%252529%252520day%252520348%2525203577sdCoracabana%2525202012t%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3nlD60s-qQ8/UPmLNl9h6XI/AAAAAAAAKIs/nMTGIB2Rleg/2012-12-13%252520%252528really%25252012%252529%252520day%252520348%2525203577sdCoracabana%2525202012t_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 349 (2012-12-14)</strong> ~ Cute, isn't he? This is one of this year's new ornaments on my Christmas tree. It's Mickey Mouse dressed up like the cast members in the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland! I love him!!!! (Oh, if only they made a Tower of Terror one like this.... Maybe next year.) (My days were still off a bit, so this pic was actually taken on the 17th, not the 14th.)<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6AQlLr_9ssA/UPmLOF1LtiI/AAAAAAAAKI0/UvgzrDgeJzs/s1600-h/2012-12-14%252520%252528really%25252017%252529%252520day%252520349%2525203830sdCoracabana%2525202012t%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7qMk7bGpRMI/UPmLPKxygPI/AAAAAAAAKI8/KrzyKt94BPU/2012-12-14%252520%252528really%25252017%252529%252520day%252520349%2525203830sdCoracabana%2525202012t_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 350 (2012-12-15)</strong> ~ My kiddo told me (for the millionth time) how much she hates mushrooms and will never, never, <strong><em>NEVER</em></strong> eat one. Then she opened her advent calendar.... and it was a chocolate mushroom. (Ha ha!) And, yes, she ate it. Never say never.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D1cmhMpH6Fg/UPmLPkpLCqI/AAAAAAAAKJE/trJUAwrjL-I/s1600-h/2012-12-15%252520day%252520350%2525203828dtCoracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9laYhiAoTqE/UPmLQC26pQI/AAAAAAAAKJM/5fRNsn4x-mA/2012-12-15%252520day%252520350%2525203828dtCoracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 351 (2012-12-16)</strong> ~ Another filler picture of an ornament on my tree. It's a limited edition Harry Potter Golden Snitch from Hallmark. When they came out, Chicago sold out of them instantly and I couldn't find one anywhere. Scope and I went from store to store, but they were all gone. *sniffle* Luckily, I whined about it enough to my mom that she found one back in Seattle and gave it to me for my birthday that year. Yay! : -) My favorite part of it is on the front where it says "I open at the close" just like in Deathly Hallows.<br /><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aMw6vT6CNRM/UPmLQyjtXVI/AAAAAAAAKJU/AofPauDcHPg/s1600-h/2012-12-16%252520%252528really%25252017%252529%252520day%252520351%252520Coracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L1ZBI-QO4Kw/UPmLRgBrS6I/AAAAAAAAKJc/ZA_4dNptDTQ/2012-12-16%252520%252528really%25252017%252529%252520day%252520351%252520Coracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 352 (2012-12-17)</strong> ~ The flag at the local high school was at half staff due to the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School. At first I was standing there wishing the wind would whip up into a frenzy so I could get a picture of the flag billowing, but then I realized I actually like it better this way some how. The air was still in the Windy City. Completely still. Somehow that just seemed fitting in a way.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a1WPhQwZHcA/UPmLTWZIcMI/AAAAAAAAKJk/9PTivBNtw6M/s1600-h/2012-12-17%252520day%252520352%2525204417dgCoracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FIbhMu65v9w/UPmLTk3MmNI/AAAAAAAAKJs/0mkYkNLWs1c/2012-12-17%252520day%252520352%2525204417dgCoracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 353 (2012-12-18)</strong> ~ Sometimes Christmas feels <strong><em>JUST</em></strong>. <strong><em>LIKE</em></strong>. <strong><em>THIS</em></strong>.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kYqde-R6qkg/UPmLUrW2f3I/AAAAAAAAKJ0/nn18o5YZRxc/s1600-h/2012-12-18%252520%252528really%25252017%252529%252520day%252520353%2525204420_1hdCoracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g9uAo4zSW4c/UPmLVcuFuWI/AAAAAAAAKJ8/cP97JQufQNU/2012-12-18%252520%252528really%25252017%252529%252520day%252520353%2525204420_1hdCoracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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Okidoki, just one more Project 365 post to go and then we’ll be done with them. <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yu5qEhMr0Ik/UPmLWAqY6pI/AAAAAAAAKKE/BefFAWKFXpk/s1600-h/Coracabanacopyright20135.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="135" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7Hn5TCYSs38/UPmLWpTWh0I/AAAAAAAAKKM/HICHbwaTkAY/Coracabanacopyright2013_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="320" /></a><br />
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© CoracabanaCorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-54767782623981369612013-01-16T06:00:00.000-06:002013-01-16T06:00:07.295-06:00Don’t stop believing<br />
Yep. Here’s <strong>ANOTHER</strong> update on <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/search/label/Project%20365">2012’s Project 365</a>….<br />
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<strong>Day 323 (2012-11-18)</strong> ~ This particular day (Nov 18th) was the 8th anniversary of my beating death and beginning the process of re-learning how to walk again. (<a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2012/11/pieces-of-eight.html">Y’all remember that whole blood clot in the spinal cord mess</a>.) Somehow this shot seemed fitting for the anniversary of the start of that journey, I think. :-)<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OAd5dfctOT8/UPYgMy5WU2I/AAAAAAAAKB0/087bMFMLSrE/s1600-h/2012-11-18%252520day%252520323%2525200845cnCoracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Whp9CD_hD0g/UPYgN6EmgNI/AAAAAAAAKB8/Ry2Mf02OMe8/2012-11-18%252520day%252520323%2525200845cnCoracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 324 (2012-11-19)</strong> ~ Another picture I took in the local community garden. I liked how these puff-ball plants looked in black and white. (Oppsie. This pic was really taken on the 18th, not the 19th.)<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-whSnTnfZh0M/UPYgOTDVVdI/AAAAAAAAKCE/Vgp6xs3yo18/s1600-h/2012-11-19%252520%252528really%25252018%252529%252520day%252520324%2525200843dtrrxCoracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-82h05bEazO0/UPYgPPgyMkI/AAAAAAAAKCM/pbo52ezxgNA/2012-11-19%252520%252528really%25252018%252529%252520day%252520324%2525200843dtrrxCoracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 325 (2012-11-20)</strong> ~ Ready…. set…. go! <a href="http://scope-tech.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Scope</a>, Wednesday, and I were all packed and ready for our Thanksgiving trip to Disneyland. This was the night of November 20th and our suitcases were all lined up against the kitchen wall because at 2:30 the next morning we had to get up and bolt out the door to get to the airport in time.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BgBDI3ay6dM/UPYgQNn-UuI/AAAAAAAAKCU/9BnTcXLFTXc/s1600-h/2012-11-20%252520day%252520325%2525203814dtCoracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0MTYXVHTAWk/UPYgQj7Y7dI/AAAAAAAAKCc/u8HcEp2oanw/2012-11-20%252520day%252520325%2525203814dtCoracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 326 (2012-11-21)</strong> ~ <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2012/12/i-wish-every-thanksgiving-could-be-just.html">This was taken our first night in Disneyland</a>. We had never seen Sleeping Beauty's Castle all decked out for the holidays before. It was so gorgeous! This shot also seems fitting because by the point this was taken, we had been awake and on the run almost 24 hours! *yawn* Sleeping Beauty, indeed.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6LJ16UP-gbE/UPYgRZlDAzI/AAAAAAAAKCk/se9p3WODF4o/s1600-h/2012-11-21%252520day%252520326%2525201426xpCoracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-93KWPXCd2wc/UPYgR8vsZmI/AAAAAAAAKCs/0dsj98eU8F4/2012-11-21%252520day%252520326%2525201426xpCoracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong><br />Day 327 (2012-11-22)</strong> ~ <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2012/12/woo-christmas-can-sure-mess-up-girls.html">This was taken our second day in Disneyland</a>. While walking down Main Street USA, Mickey (literally!) ran right by us. I was <strong><em>SO</em></strong> loving his Christmas sweater! (Hee hee.)<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9PaGk7FEcfc/UPYgTBn7JOI/AAAAAAAAKC0/O6FKSR-FiFY/s1600-h/2012-11-22%252520day%252520327%2525201740dtCoracabana%2525202012%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="311" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ieCou0sQEMo/UPYgTqCtHKI/AAAAAAAAKC8/MkTY_uBWAdk/2012-11-22%252520day%252520327%2525201740dtCoracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="464" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 328 (2012-11-23)</strong> ~ <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2013/01/i-wish-every-thanksgiving-could-be-just.html">This was taken our third day in Disneyland</a>. It is Jack Skellington laughing down at us from the ceiling inside the Stretching Room in the Haunted Mansion Holiday ride. This was, by far, Wednesday’s favorite ride!<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0CIU4LElfX8/UPYgUQ3EYVI/AAAAAAAAKDE/yK_Dmx11VCU/s1600-h/2012-11-23%252520day%252520328%2525202107dtCoracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-18buh9Z5Cx8/UPYgUrGRSYI/AAAAAAAAKDM/NbWls1QcqGs/2012-11-23%252520day%252520328%2525202107dtCoracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong><br />Day 329 (2012-11-24)</strong> ~ <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2013/01/i-wish-every-thanksgiving-could-be-just_8.html">This was taken our—*sniffle*—last day in Disneyland</a>. It’s the outside of the Haunted Mansion Holiday. <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-03RIrjfoMWw/UPYgVfJ05wI/AAAAAAAAKDU/I3LmPzVakUE/s1600-h/2012-11-24%252520day%252520329%2525202728dtCoracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2mZWYdCtOl4/UPYgWEh0FaI/AAAAAAAAKDc/3WYycXhUONc/2012-11-24%252520day%252520329%2525202728dtCoracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 330 (2012-11-25)</strong> ~ The morning we flew back to Chicago from LAX, it was very, very foggy in LA. But a minute or so after take off, we burst up through the fog below to find sunny blue skies all around us. I kind of like this shot because of the shadow of our plane on the carpet of clouds just below us. That's not something you see every day.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EkFRC01YdRA/UPYgWkcKSlI/AAAAAAAAKDk/gDNUN5dv_lQ/s1600-h/2012-11-25%252520day%252520330%2525204353ntrpdCoracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-I65H3QnGHkQ/UPYgXQximsI/AAAAAAAAKDs/4fmIjb6seA8/2012-11-25%252520day%252520330%2525204353ntrpdCoracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 331 (2012-11-26)</strong> ~ Okay, so I messed up my days a bit after our DL trip. In my defense, I took over 3000 pics in DL (yes, really) and I had a <strong><em>LOT</em></strong> of editing to do in a hurry (because Snapfish had a promo where all 4x6 prints were only a penny each! Ohhhhhh, what simultaneously fortuitous and cruel timing!) I was so busy editing and deciding which pics were print-worthy, I really wasn't motivated to take my 365 Project seriously (nor to add more pictures onto the pile!) for awhile there. So, this was taken on the 30th, not the 26th. It's a Christmas-y park I often walk through near our house.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XR2eybh-p8w/UPYgXwAMAMI/AAAAAAAAKD0/9MVKTSmWcdE/s1600-h/2012-11-26%252520%252528really%25252030%252529%252520day%252520331%2525204393xphdCoracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IsaF5tNs4Ak/UPYgYRYwR6I/AAAAAAAAKD8/wYtSB0hMJ6A/2012-11-26%252520%252528really%25252030%252529%252520day%252520331%2525204393xphdCoracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 332 (2012-11-27)</strong> ~ Uh-uh. I know. I couldn't believe it either. Sitting in a tree outside a local high school the morning of the 27th, there was an owl, just watching all the arriving students walking by. (It must have been looking for Harry Potter.) Only two of the kids (my daughter and her friend) seemed to notice. All the other kids (Muggles!) there were oblivious to the watchful owl. It was hard to get a decent shot of the owl because it was high up in the tree, branches were in the way, and I only had my point and shoot camera with me—plus, I was afraid to get too close and risk scaring the owl away. But, all in all, I don't think the shot ended up too shabby, considering.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NizBUaQOIeU/UPYgZOp4lII/AAAAAAAAKEE/9KjgMlWElfQ/s1600-h/2012-11-27%252520day%252520332%2525204389xphdCoracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1Es6W8Sebi0/UPYgZ6phkKI/AAAAAAAAKEM/QlMGgmxkPSc/2012-11-27%252520day%252520332%2525204389xphdCoracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 333 (2012-11-28)</strong> ~ On an early morning walk through a local park, I was struck by how pretty the blue sky was with all the trees in silhouette. And then I noticed all the squirrel nests perched in the trees. It's quite a bustling squirrel city we've got going on there! (Pic really taken on the 30th, not the 28th. Sorry, I was still recovering from the Disneyland trip!)<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TCM34Nuy52k/UPYga-5PTxI/AAAAAAAAKEU/4V0mIeS4nak/s1600-h/2012-11-28%252520%252528really%25252030%252529%252520day%252520333%2525204396xphdCoracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-36RpLPNZL9A/UPYgbWkYOzI/AAAAAAAAKEc/ZVPlbq3NRI8/2012-11-28%252520%252528really%25252030%252529%252520day%252520333%2525204396xphdCoracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 334 (2012-11-29)</strong> ~ Absolutely no thought nor effort went into this shot. Clearly. I just realized I had messed up several days on my Project 365 and just snapped random shots on the run on my way to the train station one night. Blah. This was really taken on the 30th, not the 29th.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NVwEC9_cRxI/UPYgcPPl-vI/AAAAAAAAKEk/WVb_zFaljMQ/s1600-h/2012-11-29%252520%252528really%25252030%252529%252520day%252520334%2525204400xphdCoracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-apBsvpBXj2E/UPYgchmZIBI/AAAAAAAAKEs/Hn7fMigJlzs/2012-11-29%252520%252528really%25252030%252529%252520day%252520334%2525204400xphdCoracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 335 (2012-11-30)</strong> ~ Yeah. It's a fake spider lurking in the corner, mid-way up the wall. Poor Scope wasn't feeling very well for a few days after we got back from our trip.... But once he pulled this stunt to try to freak out Wednesday and me, well, that's when we knew he was on the mend!<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XQkX1Sj645c/UPYgdOe8knI/AAAAAAAAKE0/qx2pja3T-I4/s1600-h/2012-11-30%252520day%252520335%2525203364dtstCoracabana%2525202012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kvWSRluCseo/UPYgd5WqKPI/AAAAAAAAKE8/GfRXBUTPHHU/2012-11-30%252520day%252520335%2525203364dtstCoracabana%2525202012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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The rest of Project 365 is coming soon!<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LlzR0C8P_A4/UPYgedNXwjI/AAAAAAAAKFE/bhD8Q5npAmo/s1600-h/Coracabanacopyright2013%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="135" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KSq7gRcECKc/UPYgemXvQAI/AAAAAAAAKFM/6fMc2jj64ow/Coracabanacopyright2013_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="320" /></a><br />
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© CoracabanaCorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-61706305204175806562013-01-15T06:00:00.000-06:002013-01-15T06:00:05.633-06:00Yeah, it’s January and I’m still posting pictures from Halloween. Your point is….?<br />
And now for another update on <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/search/label/Project%20365">2012’s Project 365</a>….<br />
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<strong>Day 305 (2012-10-31)</strong> ~ Halloween night, Wednesday dressed up as Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas, <a href="http://scope-tech.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Scope</a> was Jack Skellington, and I was Oogie Boogie. Here's Sally and Jack heading out to go trick-or-treating.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MbJzARww3xY/UPQ6ToaeESI/AAAAAAAAJ84/-HQdOXsbr0w/s1600-h/2012-10-31%252520day%252520305%2525209709crssblunfrrdxpcoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="616" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E5n0u7ojQcI/UPQ6UMHPwWI/AAAAAAAAJ9A/AH3ReZxLXzM/2012-10-31%252520day%252520305%2525209709crssblunfrrdxpcoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 306 (2012-11-01)</strong> ~ Our pumpkins, all baked by tea-light candles, the day after Halloween.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DzycUv_4T80/UPQ6U60fN5I/AAAAAAAAJ9I/iOHgb0MF1yc/s1600-h/2012-11-01%252520day%252520306%2525209774rbnecoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uE3xj_IKKEU/UPQ6VX8ZEzI/AAAAAAAAJ9Q/Uakm0Xtu7I0/2012-11-01%252520day%252520306%2525209774rbnecoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 307 (2012-11-02)</strong> ~ *sigh* I got an emergency call from Wednesday at school. She had broken her glasses in PE class. Somehow I hadn't expected it to be quite <strong><em>THIS</em></strong> bad! (Oops. This was taken on the 1st, not the 2nd. My bad.)<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-P97kvx5m93c/UPQ6VoZKxLI/AAAAAAAAJ9Y/5383BTojxbg/s1600-h/2012-11-02%252520%252528but%252520really%25252001%252529%252520day%252520307%2525209777bwcoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wtomfvUkUYU/UPQ6WGHt5mI/AAAAAAAAJ9g/2u6RHDX2aGM/2012-11-02%252520%252528but%252520really%25252001%252529%252520day%252520307%2525209777bwcoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 308 (2012-11-03)</strong> ~ Wednesday and her friends in a limousine on her 16th birthday party.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iottiT_GWPU/UPQ6Wn_jQkI/AAAAAAAAJ9o/T9zXVnaGcUE/s1600-h/2012-11-03%252520day%252520308%2525209852coracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vDo2bkt-UO0/UPQ6W4UXL7I/AAAAAAAAJ9w/684lMAt4C14/2012-11-03%252520day%252520308%2525209852coracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
<strong><br /><br />Day 309 (2012-11-04)</strong> ~ This was Wednesday’s family party for her Sweet 16. I can't believe I'm the mom of a <strong><em>16 YEAR OLD</em></strong>. Seriously, where does the time go?!<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8en5oW9WQ4o/UPQ6XleyYWI/AAAAAAAAJ94/U-cnU8BjMPY/s1600-h/2012-11-04%252520day%252520309%2525209953coracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="616" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rxTD4qYXO9U/UPQ6YsFyMnI/AAAAAAAAJ-A/5HXVEWnMUmE/2012-11-04%252520day%252520309%2525209953coracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 310 (2012-11-05)</strong> ~ When all else fails, draw a picture of your thick-skulled, non-listening, jackass-y nemesis on a left over birthday balloon…. and then beat the shit out of it!!!! That’s a valuable coping tool Wednesday picked up this particular week in November, which she found to be extremely satisfying! :-)<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-njSb5KUCWx8/UPQ6ZPG5yII/AAAAAAAAJ-I/4AZKxRXxoj8/s1600-h/2012-11-05%252520%252528but%252520really%25252006%252529%252520day%252520310%2525209963dgbrdycoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N5I8Da1Xo1g/UPQ6ZgPA1hI/AAAAAAAAJ-Q/SIPXaI1hqc4/2012-11-05%252520%252528but%252520really%25252006%252529%252520day%252520310%2525209963dgbrdycoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong><br />Day 311 (2012-11-06)</strong> ~ And the winner is….<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GmcmLbzeA70/UPQ6aFTkTNI/AAAAAAAAJ-Y/xBOnkBhx4Qs/s1600-h/2012-11-06%252520day%252520311%2525209976coracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ksI2SZ13_X8/UPQ6aurDZKI/AAAAAAAAJ-g/pSReF0jo7Zk/2012-11-06%252520day%252520311%2525209976coracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 312 (2012-11-07)</strong> ~ We picked up two new Halloween decorations this year. I figured they deserved to star as picture of the day once before being shoved away in storage!<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rCy0O-iNdDY/UPQ6bCGhySI/AAAAAAAAJ-k/UY3m1KnFvew/s1600-h/2012-11-08%252520day%252520313%2525209979dgbrdycoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-21xJNmCn7YA/UPQ6bTDaG6I/AAAAAAAAJ-w/NbNWRjNKrOY/2012-11-08%252520day%252520313%2525209979dgbrdycoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 313 (2012-11-08)</strong> ~ Since changing the clocks, my walk to meet Scope after work is <strong><em>A LOT DIFFERENT</em></strong>. Soooooooo dark and kind of creepy.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lwgCnWZTj1Q/UPQ6cbApNlI/AAAAAAAAJ-4/2FDE_GcPbwU/s1600-h/2012-11-07%252520%252528but%252520really%2525208%252529%252520day%252520312%2525203795drcladskcoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DOeN-bC2bA0/UPQ6dC0QdtI/AAAAAAAAJ_A/0qpcNVbMNCo/2012-11-07%252520%252528but%252520really%2525208%252529%252520day%252520312%2525203795drcladskcoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 314 (2012-11-09)</strong> ~ This is a partial shot of a Harry Potter display item I bought on eBay. I owned one when I lived in Seattle, but I got rid of it (along with a <strong><em>TON</em></strong> of other stuff) when I moved to Chicago, and I always regretted not keeping it. *sniffle* I wanted to replace my long-gone one, but I couldn't find one for sale online anywhere, then suddenly there one was on eBay for <strong><em>MUCH</em></strong> cheaper than my original one! I bought it and when it arrived I was thrilled—it was in even better condition than the one I originally owned. Sweet!<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TMinIvrWoSc/UPQ6dl12t3I/AAAAAAAAJ_I/biIqqCn6DMM/s1600-h/2012-11-09%252520day%252520314%2525209985rtnCoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-syVxknDKQUY/UPQ6eEyjk2I/AAAAAAAAJ_Q/zLyzJoMcV98/2012-11-09%252520day%252520314%2525209985rtnCoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 315 (2012-11-10)</strong> ~ My old skool 1970's Mickey Mouse doll.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DDVb4M5ulpg/UPQ6e6g_MII/AAAAAAAAJ_Y/9f7sTyvPB90/s1600-h/2012-11-10%252520day%252520315%2525209990rbneCoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WLw9Q16Rt38/UPQ6fTBliRI/AAAAAAAAJ_g/WM8eACUru5Q/2012-11-10%252520day%252520315%2525209990rbneCoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 316 (2012-11-11)</strong> ~ This was the night that Wednesday discovered the joy of Jiffy Pop!<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fRR6YYhxveM/UPQ6fyoWJOI/AAAAAAAAJ_o/n2wjUOK5jp0/s1600-h/2012-11-11%252520day%252520316%2525200267dt2Coracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EbWvInsoHM0/UPQ6gUVplRI/AAAAAAAAJ_w/9UX4-c-MyLc/2012-11-11%252520day%252520316%2525200267dt2Coracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 317 (2012-11-12)</strong> ~ So, you leave Wednesday alone for a couple of hours in the house with a camera, paint, and some clay, and look what you'll come home to: A stop-motion/claymation movie in progress! WOW!<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yLB1fv5Gl9U/UPQ6gyjzh0I/AAAAAAAAJ_4/klEjoT4Znps/s1600-h/2012-11-12%252520day%252520317%2525203802crpCoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qxOWey4BO8I/UPQ6hkrBS5I/AAAAAAAAKAA/8UmJcC4ZeQ0/2012-11-12%252520day%252520317%2525203802crpCoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 318 (2012-11-13)</strong> ~ There was one spot of light snow on the ground at the park this morning. <strong><em>ONE</em></strong> spot. There was no snow to be found anywhere else. Weird.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Vu3IWcvMkDw/UPQ6iYLYy0I/AAAAAAAAKAI/E5KbnySDFcU/s1600-h/2012-11-13%252520day%252520318%2525203803dtCoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6QyAGKmBKSw/UPQ6i7ioEfI/AAAAAAAAKAQ/mFQ52vPFivg/2012-11-13%252520day%252520318%2525203803dtCoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 319 (2012-11-14)</strong> ~ Out of time and out of ideas. This was just a super-quick shot of some red leaves and a street light in the dark as I was running to the train station.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kuOlf7DNHdo/UPQ6jpn3gDI/AAAAAAAAKAY/cc4-I6dkhQE/s1600-h/2012-11-15%252520day%252520320%2525203809crpCoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7LSLSKU_QZw/UPQ6j2qx13I/AAAAAAAAKAg/-n6PvPzqals/2012-11-15%252520day%252520320%2525203809crpCoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 320 (2012-11-15)</strong> ~ Blue light special?…. Anyone?…. Anyone?….<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_f_dwkql4jk/UPQ6kZWntpI/AAAAAAAAKAo/bVdBjMazCd0/s1600-h/2012-11-14%252520%252528really%25252015%252529%252520day%252520319%2525200649dtCoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z_ZhKBowNvM/UPQ6k3riuFI/AAAAAAAAKAw/FklxJfyI8S8/2012-11-14%252520%252528really%25252015%252529%252520day%252520319%2525200649dtCoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 321 (2012-11-16)</strong> ~ Yep. We ran to several stores to stock up on Hostess cakes the day we heard they went out of business. This was what we managed to hoard. Mmmmmm.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7h-CKoSMiyM/UPQ6lbzslqI/AAAAAAAAKA4/SzibJp-Gzm8/s1600-h/2012-11-16%252520day%252520321%2525200651crssbluCoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wVgHbAaG_m8/UPQ6mBZxJyI/AAAAAAAAKBA/EhEDvHOfkNU/2012-11-16%252520day%252520321%2525200651crssbluCoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 322 (2012-11-17)</strong> ~ Just a shot of some flags I saw while taking a walk through the local community garden. (Taken on the 18th, not 17th. My mistake.)<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I8F_dCUC5KU/UPQ6mt9WSCI/AAAAAAAAKBI/6AvqblurHho/s1600-h/2012-11-17%252520%252528really%25252018%252529%252520day%252520322%2525200826dtCoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0mXfdXijqWk/UPQ6nNpUvCI/AAAAAAAAKBQ/NCZ67ACWRm8/2012-11-17%252520%252528really%25252018%252529%252520day%252520322%2525200826dtCoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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That’s it for today, but the rest of the project is on the way soon….<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-V7vKqlcdPlA/UPQ6npOXGFI/AAAAAAAAKBY/p7wQqLJcT0I/s1600-h/Coracabanacopyright2013%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="135" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sdal1VoXOSg/UPQ6oHjlTdI/AAAAAAAAKBg/_Y-Po_XvA2w/Coracabanacopyright2013_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="320" /></a><br />
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© CoracabanaCorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-6501629505680509572013-01-14T09:48:00.000-06:002013-01-14T09:48:39.244-06:00Too much of a good thing<br />
Hey there. <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/search/label/Project%20365">Remember that photo cult I got kidnapped by last year?</a> Y’know, the one where they brandished red hot pokers at my nipples and swore to shove Cheetos up my nose if I didn’t take a picture. Every. Single. Day. Of. The. Year. Remember that? <br />
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(Ahhhh, good times.) <br />
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Well, I did it. I survived. I completed the whole project and then frantically made a hasty, scream-filled escape, and hid, sobbing, in my closet with my sweater pulled over my head as soon the cult looked the other way. <br />
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(Okay, not really. But it kind of feels like that.)<br />
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Now that I’ve been plopped out the back end of the project, I realize what a <strong><em>freaking ridiculous</em></strong> undertaking it was. Sure, maybe it sounds simple enough to take a measly little picture once a day for a whole year—pffft!—how painless, right? But it isn’t. No. You see, the cult headquarters (aka the official site where you upload your daily 365 pictures) is…. well…. a wee bit more complicated than that. <br />
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Let me explain….<br />
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When I first joined their cult, things were all hunky-dory, kumbaya, hakuna matata, and shit like that. I was learning a lot—I mean, <strong><em>A LOT</em></strong>—about my cameras, Photoshop, Picmonkey, and digital photography in general, and I was enjoying the journey. I was having fun. But it didn’t take me long to notice the nasty undercurrent lurking beneath it all. <br />
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Man, people are competitive there. It’s like Thunderdome! I mean, if someone posts a picture of…. ohh…. I dunno…. say, a bowl of Skittles, for example, the others on the site would all ohh and ahh at first, but then run off like thieves and post their own pictures of bowls of Skittles too with captions saying ‘Look! Look at <strong><em>ME!</em></strong> Look how much awesomer <strong><em>MY</em></strong> Skittles picture is!’ and soon there would be hundreds of near-identical pictures of Skittles floating around, each topped with a heaping helping of attitude. <br />
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And then the bickering and bitch-slapping would erupt. Over pictures. Of Skittles. Oy.<br />
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I never realized how much fighting a handful of non-Paparazzi produced pictures could whip up. It really started to get to me. I stopped interacting with the other cult members months ago and just kind of kept on posting my pictures there late at night once every few weeks, hoping not to be noticed. In all honesty, I’m glad it’s finished. <br />
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Frankly, there are days you just don’t feel like taking a picture, okay? There are days you are just too busy to take a picture of anything more than a half-assed snapshot of whatever crap you bump into. And there are days you just want to take pictures without being judged. That’s what it all boiled down to for me. I realized about half-way through it that producing a photograph worthy of judging every (!) single (!) day (!) for (!) a (!) whole (!) year (!) is just unnecessarily stressful. I mean, don’t get me wrong, there were times I loved the project and enjoyed the heck out of it…. but, all in all, I think I bit off a bit more than I could chew. <br />
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But anyway….<br />
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The project is now complete—yes, I finished it; I didn’t quit—but I’m <strong><em>waaaayyyyyyyyyyy</em></strong> behind on posting the pictures here. <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2012/10/walking-in-autumn-wonderland.html">In fact, it appears the last time I updated you on the project was October</a>. <br />
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(October?)<br />
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(Really?)<br />
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Well, crap. I suppose I should really get on that. Like, now. Here we go….<br />
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<strong>Day 288 (2012-10-14)</strong> ~ I got this spooky Halloween banner in the mail from my awesome friend, Callista. I hung it up on the wide window above our backdoor for Halloween and I loved it.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HIuK9he5wl4/UPQnd2q-KjI/AAAAAAAAJ2I/yoqUJ75YEgA/s1600-h/2012-10-14%252520day%252520%252520%2525209537xp2coracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XsKarZsomIU/UPQnetV6PII/AAAAAAAAJ2Q/qi7B3G4M78w/2012-10-14%252520day%252520%252520%2525209537xp2coracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 289 (2012-10-15)</strong> ~ This was one of the local high schools back on October 15th. The walkway was <strong><em>soooooooo</em></strong> gorgeous with the trees all covered in orange and yellow Autumn leaves.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-x_Afr0LRv3Y/UPQnfHk6j_I/AAAAAAAAJ2Y/m6NT_iyFFCE/s1600-h/2012-10-15%252520day%252520289%252520%2525209548xptempcoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AeTmAt-1vtM/UPQnf-9rrPI/AAAAAAAAJ2g/UC9Je4cK7aI/2012-10-15%252520day%252520289%252520%2525209548xptempcoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 290 (2012-10-16)</strong> ~ I saw some Halloween skulls on sticks in the ground while I was out walking on some errands and I thought they might look exceptionally creepy with Picmonkey's Ghostly filter. Oh, yeah. Definitely creepy.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ittTMIC9HB0/UPQngR_o3_I/AAAAAAAAJ2o/iFIsV1ER5Us/s1600-h/2012-10-16%252520day%252520290%2525203716ghstfycoracabana%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TkG_FgoLEe0/UPQngvEksCI/AAAAAAAAJ2w/psRbnak6a70/2012-10-16%252520day%252520290%2525203716ghstfycoracabana_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 291 (2012-10-17)</strong> ~ Yeah. It rained this night. <strong><em>IN. THE. HOUSE.</em></strong> It even warped the wood trim above our backdoor. It’s times like these when I wish I was still a renter. Grrrr.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Sp6LWxnk8kQ/UPQnhXtZ9ZI/AAAAAAAAJ24/1KtxQrm7tw4/s1600-h/2012-10-17%252520day%252520291%252520%2525209554xpcrpcoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nNL058yNWg4/UPQnjOjw63I/AAAAAAAAJ3A/OWcC_fgQCvg/2012-10-17%252520day%252520291%252520%2525209554xpcrpcoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
<strong><br /><br />Day 292 (2012-10-18)</strong> ~ And this is how the cacti grow in Chicago.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZkBPKaRm-e4/UPQnj9erMDI/AAAAAAAAJ3I/znkRnC8Qci8/s1600-h/2012-10-18%252520day%252520292%2525203725rbnecoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R9jrn7AqQxA/UPQnkXw0VhI/AAAAAAAAJ3Q/PqQveL4Xw4k/2012-10-18%252520day%252520292%2525203725rbnecoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 293 (2012-10-19)</strong> ~ I saw this wee, little dude guarding a car in a dark parking garage and he made me giggle.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1SUzFIMWibY/UPQnk-z813I/AAAAAAAAJ3Y/FYaREVVtKU0/s1600-h/2012-10-19%252520day%252520293%252520%2525203734xpzmcoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VJiLwBnWB2M/UPQnlfJ_5tI/AAAAAAAAJ3g/TV_6_64ueQ0/2012-10-19%252520day%252520293%252520%2525203734xpzmcoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 294 (2012-10-20)</strong> ~ Wednesday was busy, busy, busy making clay puppets for another stop-motion movie she had in the works. This was one of her latest clay buddies. In fact, this puppet right here earned her $2,000 in a film contest—but you’ll have to wait a couple of posts for the rest of that particular story. (Sorry!)<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1393GPZBQ7Y/UPQnl8V77KI/AAAAAAAAJ3o/R6Gm7x1ehi0/s1600-h/2012-10-20%252520day%252520294%252520%252520%2525209564crssblucoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AtFF4pSHZKc/UPQnmXD9Y3I/AAAAAAAAJ3w/oodaXWVV8Zg/2012-10-20%252520day%252520294%252520%252520%2525209564crssblucoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 295 (2012-10-21)</strong> ~ Another retro Strawberry Shortcake doll that I have in our den. This is Apricot. I have no idea why she's just named after a fruit when all the others are named after desserts though. (????) Kind of odd, huh?<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u5_hUZ82oio/UPQnm7tOo5I/AAAAAAAAJ34/gdj8S-kG5no/s1600-h/2012-10-21%252520%252528but%252520really%25252022%252529%252520day%252520295%252520%2525209580expcoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KM1TUlgEof4/UPQnnZ3cdGI/AAAAAAAAJ4A/u2G6yQmTb24/2012-10-21%252520%252528but%252520really%25252022%252529%252520day%252520295%252520%2525209580expcoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 296 (2012-10-22)</strong> ~ And this is what it looks like from the third floor balcony when some construction crews show up at 8am and dig big holes in the sidewalk and block off the only two exits out of the building (besides the back alley). No warning. No notice. Just—BOOM!—you’ve got no front doors until further notice, suckers. Grrr.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9mmCXtYel0M/UPQnn6xwZOI/AAAAAAAAJ4I/UfeRIwooOSQ/s1600-h/2012-10-22%252520day%252520296%252520%2525203737crpvctmscoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-W8KALwN0750/UPQnogEYAhI/AAAAAAAAJ4Q/BrDHneuLCqk/2012-10-22%252520day%252520296%252520%2525203737crpvctmscoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 297 (2012-10-23)</strong> ~ Wednesday saw this Jack Skellington fondant cake sculpture in the front window of a local bakery and she about fainted from joy right there on the sidewalk. Her 16th birthday party was a couple of days after Halloween, so we ordered her a Jack sculpture for her cake.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NRf7pNG57_c/UPQnpFbwVYI/AAAAAAAAJ4Y/EWYqKWl5JY0/s1600-h/2012-10-23%252520day%252520297%2525203746rbncoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GgYvAJ7ZV2k/UPQnpnSpt2I/AAAAAAAAJ4g/o_mxcEgRCKg/2012-10-23%252520day%252520297%2525203746rbncoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 298 (2012-10-24)</strong> ~ Our pumpkins were waiting on the deck, ready to be carved for Halloween night. (ACK!! A slight cheat on this picture. It was taken on the 25th, not the 24th. Whoopsie!)<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5styoxhShK8/UPQnp9o5AhI/AAAAAAAAJ4o/gRuoRIpJH5E/s1600-h/2012-10-24%252520%252528but%252520really%25252025%252529%252520day%252520298%2525203753trnqlcoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E4zWJ-z2t1c/UPQnqejG08I/AAAAAAAAJ4w/GyWl0yjrNSM/2012-10-24%252520%252528but%252520really%25252025%252529%252520day%252520298%2525203753trnqlcoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 299 (2012-10-25)</strong> ~ Ooooooooooooh! I love this one! This is what it looked like on my walk to meet <a href="http://scope-tech.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Scope</a> after work on October 25th. Halloween was definitely in the air!<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KX-4LoRFO_w/UPQnq-VRICI/AAAAAAAAJ44/LekoOjarkj8/s1600-h/2012-10-25%252520day%252520299%2525203757rtnbrncoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-41mh9v_6888/UPQnrmFxxdI/AAAAAAAAJ5A/5U1uNZYZZb0/2012-10-25%252520day%252520299%2525203757rtnbrncoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 300 (2012-10-26)</strong> ~ Okay, there was a lot of stuff going on this particular week, so I missed a couple of days by accident. Fortunately, Scope, Wednesday, and I went to an incredible blown glass gallery, so I have lots of pics to make up for it. Like this one. (Taken on the 27th, not the 26th.)<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EVfYI85sfWM/UPQnsY9RIQI/AAAAAAAAJ5I/bkMscf35x1E/s1600-h/2012-10-26%252520%252528but%252520really%25252027%252529%252520day%252520300%2525209613crssblucoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GiyTWrToCro/UPQns4vSpKI/AAAAAAAAJ5Q/rHw7c8UKnVs/2012-10-26%252520%252528but%252520really%25252027%252529%252520day%252520300%2525209613crssblucoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 301 (2012-10-27)</strong> ~ Another shot from the blown glass gallery. This one is called "Scene of Japan #59" by Hiroshi Yamano. The fish was soooooooooo realistic! Just amazing.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F-hFDbFHlB8/UPQnteLzMNI/AAAAAAAAJ5Y/Q-MIWj_hzns/s1600-h/2012-10-27%252520day%252520301%2525209636tmpnfrrd%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-G9owzlqsmyE/UPQnvFrMrMI/AAAAAAAAJ5k/qiiE3HGDUWE/2012-10-27%252520day%252520301%2525209636tmpnfrrd_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 302 (2012-10-28)</strong> ~ Another shot from the blown glass gallery. There was no artist's name on this one, as it was an unlabeled bowl on a desk in the back office. I love the colors all back-lit in the sunshine like that, all bright and rainbow-y! (Taken on the 27th, not the 28th. Sorry!)<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Yz6hfvBi91c/UPQnvZ4bJBI/AAAAAAAAJ5s/OLYay2NlUWE/s1600-h/2012-10-28%252520%252528but%252520really%25252027%252529%252520day%252520302%2525209643xp%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BqVJS3sAu-k/UPQnwEtWdqI/AAAAAAAAJ50/TOT_B702-nw/2012-10-28%252520%252528but%252520really%25252027%252529%252520day%252520302%2525209643xp_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 303 (2012-10-29)</strong> ~ Another shot from the back office at the blown glass gallery I visited on the 27th. This one wasn't labeled either, so I have no idea who the artist is. I loved the three white apples propped in front of the book like that. If you look closely, you can see the images of white apple blossoms on the apples. Wow. (Taken the 27th, not the 29th. Whoopsie!)<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xIikMFtlnaE/UPQnwSYIC_I/AAAAAAAAJ58/1jWD543722k/s1600-h/2012-10-29%252520%252528but%252520really%25252027%252529%252520day%252520303%2525209652dgplmm%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QnZJcXjV7-M/UPQnxBUfPgI/AAAAAAAAJ6E/J8mUXe0UmgU/2012-10-29%252520%252528but%252520really%25252027%252529%252520day%252520303%2525209652dgplmm_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 304 (2012-10-30)</strong> ~ We carved our pumpkins on the night of the 29th, but this one of Oogie Boogie from The Nightmare Before Christmas really dried out and shriveled up overnight, so we had to light it a day early before it caved in on itself.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o1-AsdrTybI/UPQnxWwoblI/AAAAAAAAJ6M/bPCv7fMk08c/s1600-h/2012-10-30%252520day%252520304%2525209696coracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bw2ze6kFbl0/UPQnxzbg4AI/AAAAAAAAJ6U/X-1WyT0UrHI/2012-10-30%252520day%252520304%2525209696coracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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(If you want to see all the previous Project 365 posts, click <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/search/label/Project%20365">HERE</a>.) The rest of the project is coming soon!<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FKtzrA0zrr0/UPQnyT6a63I/AAAAAAAAJ6c/scSieuuaP24/s1600-h/Coracabanacopyright2013%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="135" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ehLgJiGgpZs/UPQnynlPIhI/AAAAAAAAJ6k/4sTNvGaLeoI/Coracabanacopyright2013_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="320" /></a><br />
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© CoracabanaCorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-47612686974100938722013-01-08T11:41:00.000-06:002013-01-08T11:51:17.025-06:00I wish every Thanksgiving could be just like this one! (Part 4…. aka The End)<br />
The Saturday after Thanksgiving was our—*sniff*—last day in Disneyland. Unlike all our other mornings there, getting to the park ahead of the crowd was not our top priority. In fact, <a href="http://scope-tech.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Scope</a>, Wednesday, and I skipped right past Disneyland as we headed up Harbor Blvd toward the hotel where my mom, my sister and her herd were all staying. That was the day they were all flying back home (one day ahead of us), so they wouldn’t be visiting Disneyland with us and we wanted to say goodbye to them before they left. <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ih0zCvoFtck/UOxX42s5HmI/AAAAAAAAJr4/2kXRCXBe8k8/s1600-h/DSC025875.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m6HX7e_0tP0/UOxX5U9hhtI/AAAAAAAAJsA/rKBLO2XSYBA/DSC02587_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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After our fond farewells—(bye-bye, Thing 3, we sure had fun with you!)—we ventured over to Disneyland where we were greeted by Tinkerbell who agreed to pose with us for a few Christmas card photos in front of Sleeping Beauty’s castle.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aVjQFpao2bc/UOxX6XdnK1I/AAAAAAAAJsI/M6uEeRUPyO0/s1600-h/dl-4-54.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0rdB7YM16mU/UOxX7EoydGI/AAAAAAAAJsQ/4nm18QYSpzM/dl-4-5_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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(She was totally digging our Santa hats. Just FYI.)<br />
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After romping with Tink, we wandered into Frontierland where we decided to take a trip on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Scope and Wednesday had never been on that particular ride before, <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2012/06/and-that-is-how-a-team-marty-mcfly.html">and I hadn’t been on it since 1986</a>. <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w6XwE5UTbb0/UOxX7z1MWxI/AAAAAAAAJsY/3T9bL0qNVZM/s1600-h/DSC02603smallcam-195.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VoM0d0vxqtc/UOxX8ZlROWI/AAAAAAAAJsg/0CZN4G0uOgg/DSC02603smallcam-19_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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This was a very excited Wednesday as the ride started up. <br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TrpF5ay5X80/UOxX8-17_PI/AAAAAAAAJso/8HgUKXpAc1M/s1600-h/dl-4-85.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mawptynh90s/UOxX9XT4rTI/AAAAAAAAJss/ArVz3mEgu5U/dl-4-8_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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Notice she removed her glasses. Smart girl. It was one wild and squeal-y ride! Woo! (If you want to see a video Scope shot of us on the ride, click <a href="http://scope-tech.blogspot.com/2013/01/mickey-mousing-around-for-thanksgiving_7.html">HERE</a>.)<br />
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Next, of course, we found ourselves at the Haunted Mansion Holiday. (Yeah.) (I know.) (<strong><em>AGAIN</em></strong>.) It was our sixth time in the mansion during the trip…. well, <strong><em>so far</em></strong> anyway!<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hdszUvNziLE/UOxX-F995AI/AAAAAAAAJs0/O3bICRgnXvA/s1600-h/dl-4-125.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BGEeJhcs8sw/UOxX-wTyppI/AAAAAAAAJs8/LS8RgeqQJ8g/dl-4-12_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SSO_YO--gQc/UOxX_m2Y-5I/AAAAAAAAJtI/Md5QYjSIIVU/s1600-h/dl-4-135.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uautZBklU94/UOxYAPPOQpI/AAAAAAAAJtQ/GUCPpQJpRYg/dl-4-13_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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After the mansion, we went on (….wait for it….) the mansion again. Uh-huh.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CXlFyJL4Erk/UOxYAhZ0vLI/AAAAAAAAJtY/j3mkpoJhxRU/s1600-h/dl-4-145.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="616" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WKnkCdCU6nI/UOxYBCV-wwI/AAAAAAAAJtg/ctffBaaAfVw/dl-4-14_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tTT59uB3jv0/UOxYB4yTwRI/AAAAAAAAJto/p_fh2KqQMNk/s1600-h/DSC027165.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sFi5Dg2_pdo/UOxYCjG0V6I/AAAAAAAAJtw/8xaSuSpP2GE/DSC02716_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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(And that makes seven!)<br />
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Make no mistake, Wednesday would have totally gone on the Haunted Mansion Holiday all day long if she’d had her way. (No, really.) But instead, we led her off toward Critter Country where she and Scope took the plunge on Splash Mountain, while I kept all our stuff safe and dry on the pathway. <br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2G3JfULizJw/UOxYCx3TwgI/AAAAAAAAJt4/bfrE0IJAIao/s1600-h/dl-4-195.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-baZT7NQ3_44/UOxYDeP88EI/AAAAAAAAJuA/0AsjjfWSpq8/dl-4-19_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XwMsFZdk85E/UOxYEI7X6AI/AAAAAAAAJuI/rj54SKpWvtc/s1600-h/dl-4-205.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N5CS7O7K1Uc/UOxYEpBK3WI/AAAAAAAAJuQ/u-oVIZO58DU/dl-4-20_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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After being dropped 53 feet straight down into a river of cold water, Wednesday wanted to take me into the Pooh Corner store to show me the Jack Skellington caramel apples they had in there. (‘Cuz that’s how she rolls, folks.)<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-woYbA05qPjo/UOxYFlMbZZI/AAAAAAAAJuY/txp43N-2Kks/s1600-h/dl-4-225.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Gw0jpaNQvh4/UOxYGAqH89I/AAAAAAAAJug/GQbrEQORCJo/dl-4-22_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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(Seriously, how cute are those?!)<br />
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As we left Pooh Corner, we were discussing how odd it is that Disneyland hasn’t given Splash Mountain a make-over like they did with the old Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. I mean, why oh why does Disneyland keep a Song of the South-themed ride when they’ve, basically, banned the whole movie and want to pretend like it never even existed in the first place?! Do kids these days even know who the characters are or what the heck is going on as they travel through Splash Mountain? Doubtful. Splash Mountain would make an <strong><em>AWESOME</em></strong> Pocahontas ride, by the way. Or even a Princess and the Frog ride—or anything else with a river and a song in it! I mean, think about it…. I can’t believe Disney hasn’t already done it, can you?<br />
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But, anyway….<br />
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As we were smack dab in the middle of discussing the weirdness of the Brer Rabbit-infested Splash Mountain, we suddenly came to a screeching halt. We were dumbfounded. Looky who we saw strutting through Critter Country!<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lYBpXYH9hF4/UOxYG5rDeiI/AAAAAAAAJuo/8VwVwdrCV_U/s1600-h/dl-4-255.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XJptXgLIAIs/UOxYHc2XGOI/AAAAAAAAJuw/3L_g_G3uLyw/dl-4-25_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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Yeah. You’re seeing that correctly. It’s Brer Bear and Brer Fox from Song of the South. Well, color me confused…. kind of like that kid posing with them, who you know had no flipping idea who they were. Hmm. Go figure. I guess the Song of the South characters live on despite the movie’s demise. Really, who knew?<br />
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*shrugging*<br />
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While we were in Critter Country, we decided to wait in line to meet the Pooh Bear characters. <br />
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(Or I ruthlessly forced Scope and Wednesday into it.)<br />
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(One or the other.)<br />
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(Whatev.)<br />
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We saw Eeyore first, who seemed to be quite smitten with Wednesday and immediately took her hands and started dancing with her as soon as their eyes met. <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_YAIdCH67g4/UOxYIRxQZ4I/AAAAAAAAJu4/WWR0x-OkfqQ/s1600-h/DSC028885.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2RFXPk6rVOI/UOxYI7-6XII/AAAAAAAAJvA/slyWIuB-Xzk/DSC02888_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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(What a flirt!)<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QTmwVifgQ3g/UOxYJqrY4WI/AAAAAAAAJvI/sBRpbmBlvUM/s1600-h/DSC02891_edited-15.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZBMbRZjtrEU/UOxYLI6rWTI/AAAAAAAAJvQ/r1aNZuxxESY/DSC02891_edited-1_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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Next, we met Tigger.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HRGPML-zFVo/UOxYLvUEdAI/AAAAAAAAJvY/87NGJG1Lkcc/s1600-h/dl-4-265.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IbkHtczpz20/UOxYMb0PdNI/AAAAAAAAJvg/Ov1Ee1s7bLA/dl-4-26_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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And, finally, we met the big guy himself, Pooh Bear.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CpZSDhVA6FE/UOxYNcTUuoI/AAAAAAAAJvo/31i3m-5PIOY/s1600-h/dl-4-285.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="616" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--bLImM33jKI/UOxYOBDOSZI/AAAAAAAAJvw/STgcLUQNP8A/dl-4-28_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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Pooh wasn’t the only one who was rumbly in his tumbly. We were all feeling a bit starved, so we stopped in the River Belle Terrace restaurant for lunch. Wednesday had the uber-cute Mickey pancake. Mmmmm…. yummy!<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pf8CbIUCFNA/UOxYPcbar3I/AAAAAAAAJv4/AzewpgkXSaA/s1600-h/dl-4-305.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iDsktTvf_mY/UOxYP-ZtqgI/AAAAAAAAJwA/yaaT9VtAMEI/dl-4-30_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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As we left the restaurant, <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2013/01/i-wish-every-thanksgiving-could-be-just.html">we saw Santa again</a>! (LOL.)<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s_h33xk0njA/UOxYQX9YZ1I/AAAAAAAAJwI/ucleQOxY-eA/s1600-h/DSC029225.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1aIxFfxT9yo/UOxYRDzALRI/AAAAAAAAJwQ/1kLWf1ldScI/DSC02922_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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We had been given some coupons to use in the Disneyland stores, but the coupons were all due to expire at 1pm, so we decided we’d better hurry up and hit the stores so Wednesday could spend all the Disneyland gift cards she received for her birthday <strong><em>AND</em></strong> stretch her money out with the coupons. I bought some Disneyland photo albums for all the many, many, <strong><em>MANY</em></strong> pictures I took on the trip, and Wednesday, inevitably, found some Nightmare Before Christmas things to add to her collection.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9FJmcbGVQpw/UOxYRzP0mAI/AAAAAAAAJwY/CJ3IzD8RyAw/s1600-h/DSC029645.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="616" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_3exSIe_4d4/UOxYSSsgmiI/AAAAAAAAJwg/TN3Svb_quIE/DSC02964_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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Oh! And we bought Mickey ears. :-)<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iAY04eu2vTk/UOxYTEnmJZI/AAAAAAAAJwo/0jI5-3Q6rf4/s1600-h/dl-4-325.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-02Bm1okKzus/UOxYTzu0JVI/AAAAAAAAJww/Wsh2B-Xh9DI/dl-4-32_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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We ran our shopping bags back to our hotel across the street, then we invaded California Adventure where we went on Soarin’ Over California (can you say boring? *yawn*) and we attempted to see Muppet Vision 3D, but it was closed down for the holidays. Grrr. Not wanting to let California Adventure get our goat like that, we decided to hop on the Monsters Inc. ride, which was cute, but I have the feeling I’m definitely the one who liked it the most out of our group. (Then again, Monsters Inc. is my favorite Pixar movie, so there you go.)<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nscYODQViwg/UOxYUpddRfI/AAAAAAAAJw4/qcyWZYHAaeM/s1600-h/dl-4-385.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ytZemc0qWHc/UOxYVGWGCYI/AAAAAAAAJxA/30vOxVRZ4g8/dl-4-38_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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As we exited Monsters Inc. we were all a bit shocked to realize that that the sun was rapidly setting on our final Disney day. Time was ticking away, so we ran ourselves over to the Tower of Terror for one last scream fest.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zXbYbEO8xLE/UOxYVr5PswI/AAAAAAAAJxI/UWIs9WlkKLs/s1600-h/dl-4-45.15.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="346" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jnB9P4Rksf0/UOxYWolZBhI/AAAAAAAAJxQ/RhBUK97OpbY/dl-4-45.1_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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(Ha! I’m totally holding on for dear life in that picture. Damn straight.)<br />
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Now it was definitely nightfall when we exited the Tower of Terror—*sniffle*—so, we dashed back across to Disneyland because, well, Disneyland just trumps California Adventure in every possible way. Once inside the Disneyland gates, we took a trip around the park in the dark on the Disneyland Railroad, which took us through It’s a Small World, Splash Mountain, and—my favorite—the Grand Canyon/Primeval World diorama. <br />
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Unfortunately, my pictures from the wobbly train in the dark just didn’t turn out all that well, so here’s a shot of an old Primeval World postcard for you instead. <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_1sx2RKrN2I/UOxYXj49CsI/AAAAAAAAJxY/QkKrtqHzM3I/s1600-h/06302011DisneylandPrimevalWorld35.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8SlnIxCa0Ms/UOxYYNABSMI/AAAAAAAAJxg/G64eEI5ZEG0/06302011DisneylandPrimevalWorld3_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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(Awww. Baby dinos. I swear I had that picture on a View Master reel back in the 70’s!)<br />
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After the train ride around the park, the three of us grabbed a speedy dinner at the Mary Poppins-themed Jolly Holiday Bakery—(I definitely recommend the caprese sandwich. Oh! My! God! It! Was! Good!)—and then Scope went back to the hotel for awhile to watch the last half of the big Notre Dame game on TV while Wednesday and I hunted up and down Main Street trying to find postcards to buy.<br />
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Eventually, she and I ended up in New Orleans Square (<strong>OF COURSE</strong><strong>!</strong>) where we went on the Haunted Mansion Holiday (for the eighth time, if you’re counting!) and Pirates of the Caribbean.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yy_cABCTZ14/UOxYYs3EyrI/AAAAAAAAJxo/GcYjOl47aq8/s1600-h/DSC031425.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-69fNxBcclzc/UOxYZPOvE5I/AAAAAAAAJxw/r_NV03D_Nvg/DSC03142_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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Before we knew it—*POOF!*—there was Scope back from the game (ND won!) and the three of us decided to take one more trip down Splash Mountain…. while sitting in the front of the boat…. with all our stuff. <br />
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Oy.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2dFUh5EMipM/UOxYZ-TAxHI/AAAAAAAAJx4/2WTAFaBboHw/s1600-h/DSC03163eric%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JxMOH1JMbEc/UOxYaSozeUI/AAAAAAAAJyA/mN5S8Y-VuOk/DSC03163eric_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<strong><em>SPLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br /></em></strong><br />
We’ve made much better decisions. I’m just going to leave it at that. And all the electronics survived, so—YAY!!!!—that was a very welcome surprise gift from the Disney Gods, as we squelched our sorry, drenched selves back out of Critter Country towards the safer (and drier) New Orleans Square.<br />
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One more ride on Pirates of the Caribbean, followed by two more rides through the Haunted Mansion Holiday (nine and ten!) and then we had to say au revoir to New Orleans Square. We wanted to hit Fantasyland and Tomorrowland one more time before our evening ended, so we headed that way. Along the way, we caught the last few minutes of the Fantasmic show along the pathway, where the river water goes up in flames and Maleficent turns into a dragon and gets her booty kicked by Mickey Mouse. Unfortunately, with the big crowd in front of us in the dark, our pictures didn’t turn out very well. But I kind of like this one.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WwAAJXlezTk/UOxYbK38oKI/AAAAAAAAJyI/xtqIZ3YRfKA/s1600-h/dl%2525204%252520%25252854%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2x2QwEtSbg0/UOxYcM3rnsI/AAAAAAAAJyQ/K7Igx-8rq9o/dl%2525204%252520%25252854%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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In Fantasyland, Wednesday stopped to listen at Snow White’s fountain….<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FFCga9t6v7I/UOxYc2UYIYI/AAAAAAAAJyY/G7ENf4P3Zrg/s1600-h/DSC03344%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ei0CYHd_sYY/UOxYdqP6hAI/AAAAAAAAJyg/3fJrhjExO_k/DSC03344_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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….while I snapped a shot or two of Sleeping Beauty’s Christmas-ified Castle.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0NGdWA04_rk/UOxYeayWLbI/AAAAAAAAJyo/OWYO1HJN1NI/s1600-h/DSC03346%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aUR0EdsfRe8/UOxYemVl28I/AAAAAAAAJyw/yNDgK93fxq8/DSC03346_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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Then we dashed into Tomorrowland, where we took one last ride on Star Tours and the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2012/12/woo-christmas-can-sure-mess-up-girls.html">Unlike the last time, this time through Astro Blasters, I was ready, dammit</a>. I had my camera put away, my blaster ready to go, and I shot like my life depended on it, people! <br />
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And I still got slaughtered. <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eXF1C7fk1qc/UOxYfB9LflI/AAAAAAAAJy4/IHwyoujQ3c0/s1600-h/dl%2525204%252520%25252861%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vCMcsluj1Ig/UOxYfpER-3I/AAAAAAAAJzA/idv9vUFu4GI/dl%2525204%252520%25252861%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UOaPoxXoaWg/UOxYgZ6wSeI/AAAAAAAAJzI/JCISAQ0N0ws/s1600-h/dl%2525204%252520%25252860%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Vw0o40fVuXo/UOxYhF_VK0I/AAAAAAAAJzQ/oCCrCSQlMMY/dl%2525204%252520%25252860%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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Gah! (Maybe I should stick to shooting pictures. I seem to be much more successful at that!)<br />
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And with that, our Thanksgiving in Disneyland came to a close. We sadly, walked down Main Street and back to reality. Just before exiting the park for good, we ran into Minnie Mouse who posed with us for a picture or two….<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZW9eEjYc6Uk/UOxYhRLwrII/AAAAAAAAJzY/ZJ6VDq89-fo/s1600-h/dl%2525204%252520%25252864%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wJG-PpBRYF4/UOxYiC4OzpI/AAAAAAAAJzg/toq-utoHI8A/dl%2525204%252520%25252864%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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….then we went back to our hotel to pack our bags and grab about three hours of sleep before hauling our exhausted selves out to the curb in the (VERY!) early morning fog to await our shuttle back to LAX. <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d_68kcIGD5E/UOxYi-ppmqI/AAAAAAAAJzo/uSobJbInEdE/s1600-h/dl%2525205%252520%2525282%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vpVz2qrmwlU/UOxYjnQf40I/AAAAAAAAJzw/xK4wEwhGzPo/dl%2525205%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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(Wednesday is <b><i>NOT</i></b> a morning person. Have I ever mentioned that? Hee hee hee.)<br />
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Soon, we were sleeping away on a plane and waking up in Chicago, wondering how our vacation had gone by so dang fast…. <br />
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Umm…. No, really…. Just how did that happen?<br />
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*sigh*<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-meBlIPKxdvs/UOxYkEMdW0I/AAAAAAAAJz4/aJl2Karl4l0/s1600-h/CoracabanacopyrightFINISHEDcropskinn%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="135" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I-dvtoMTpzI/UOxYkv0-UaI/AAAAAAAAJ0A/kcEO3315BPg/CoracabanacopyrightFINISHEDcropskinn%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="320" /></a><br />
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© CoracabanaCorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-16662796218789526412013-01-02T06:30:00.000-06:002013-01-02T06:30:02.949-06:00I wish every Thanksgiving could be just like this one! (Part 3)<br />
Happy New Year, you guys! I am a little spazzed out that it is 2013 already and I’m only half way through telling you about our Thanksgiving vacation in Disneyland. Let’s just go ahead and blame AT&T for holding our internet service hostage over the past week and Santa for that whole Christmas-y time-suckage thing which just really shoved blogging right in front of the not-gonna-freaking-happen bus. <br />
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*shaking my fist in a rage*<br />
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But anyway….<br />
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My third day in Disneyland with <a href="http://scope-tech.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Scope</a> and Wednesday was Black Friday. It started out extremely foggy and gray. In fact, every surface in Disneyland was dripping with water and the whole place was pretty much deserted when we got there.<br /><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hrr1nbawzlg/UOOidpBQ3oI/AAAAAAAAJjw/XchkFY4H5rU/s1600-h/DSC02090%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-A552YiaNgWo/UOOieC7MoRI/AAAAAAAAJj4/IHybCD3nY8Q/DSC02090_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />Like, so deserted that we actually had the whole Haunted Mansion Holiday ride all to ourselves! (Yes, really! We were the only people in there.)<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d_1P3i1S3Eg/UOOieqZrpfI/AAAAAAAAJkA/QNXnvQ-fTnw/s1600-h/DSC02093%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EcMRNp1XhUs/UOOifEKxPAI/AAAAAAAAJkI/vY1f9HfbmyU/DSC02093_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K3FptGuwLgI/UOOifqzOKJI/AAAAAAAAJkQ/qgKGW5vHKQs/s1600-h/DSC02107edit%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KDSe0t19OCw/UOOigJUwMtI/AAAAAAAAJkY/7GxyxuEjPwg/DSC02107edit_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a-yze3UDjV4/UOOighbVInI/AAAAAAAAJkg/npx1CkLHna8/s1600-h/DSC02129%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Hx6-zLEUULk/UOOihF2DeII/AAAAAAAAJko/ZDWE0JYIOLA/DSC02129_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IH-uEExfkSA/UOOihqpoe5I/AAAAAAAAJkw/TmkjjJymL44/s1600-h/DSC02186%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lsUND82Np7k/UOOihyWtNqI/AAAAAAAAJk4/Y0xmmq-pVRM/DSC02186_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />And, hey looky, Pirates of the Caribbean was empty as well. Sweet!<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0cJ6oOEpRLg/UOOiiUryYcI/AAAAAAAAJlA/tYEqX_xAkHA/s1600-h/DSC02195%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GMTdFllyN1Q/UOOii3dypTI/AAAAAAAAJlI/L9gBsPdAc0E/DSC02195_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FyXYs_9aK8k/UOOijB5o6XI/AAAAAAAAJlQ/T41d8wWmyR8/s1600-h/DSC02251%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SxTXc4Pw3wM/UOOijr53_cI/AAAAAAAAJlY/omZDC3m5djM/DSC02251_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />We met the Mad Hatter.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ytf8eCla_uY/UOOikPXXT6I/AAAAAAAAJlg/owb_UVQJZ2s/s1600-h/DSC02069%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o_1MQxiqvqE/UOOikljwvWI/AAAAAAAAJlo/O94UCp0iWzU/DSC02069_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />Then we met up with my mom, my sister, and her three kids (Thing 1, Thing 2 and Thing 3) for brunch at the Mary Poppins-themed Jolly Holiday Café on Main Street.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5WNuIm5Ws_c/UOOilLYLIYI/AAAAAAAAJlw/mYjHrStu57A/s1600-h/DSC02299%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rR85HZ4-ArQ/UOOilpctrCI/AAAAAAAAJl4/d0svKig-8Qg/DSC02299_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />Wednesday got a chocolate-covered Mickey Mouse cookie.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ACdFyFBoNHc/UOOimG2_s6I/AAAAAAAAJmA/YLeI118Gua8/s1600-h/DSC02300%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YuBVNU78CXA/UOOim-397EI/AAAAAAAAJmI/ba5H1V0qyv8/DSC02300_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />And she got in some good quality cousin-time with Thing 1 and Thing 2 too.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KoB_QeRSIPU/UOOinE02HGI/AAAAAAAAJmQ/WemXeDNQfFQ/s1600-h/DSC02306%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-De2fell8e8U/UOOinlIbMgI/AAAAAAAAJmY/ne9shk7RYUU/DSC02306_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />(Thing 3 wasn’t exactly in the mood for socializing with the other kids…. or, well, with anyone, yet. But she sure was rocking that skull binky!)<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vdhuMJDi5-M/UOOioXN4BuI/AAAAAAAAJmg/69JTpr0bcTw/s1600-h/DSC02316%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--ecX_mipmw8/UOOio4QzPaI/AAAAAAAAJmo/mo52poUXCO8/DSC02316_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />After brunch, we all skipped over to the Silhouette Studio on Main Street.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XCctjgJbJPw/UOOipXLUgoI/AAAAAAAAJmw/0ZheaBq2vCk/s1600-h/DSC02324%252520DSC02319%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="616" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D6LfrrvuLFA/UOOip8IoqiI/AAAAAAAAJm4/pqRgQQij77Y/DSC02324%252520DSC02319_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />It’s a Disneyland tradition in my family that we get our silhouettes done every time we vacation there. The silhouette artists are amazing! They cut your profile out of black paper in about, ohhhh, fifteen seconds, and they are dead-on too. Here’s the one of me and my sister in 1976.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uy-ufvPjGrA/UOOiqIYVxgI/AAAAAAAAJnA/8a9Lup9CAlI/s1600-h/1976-06%2525201%252520Disneyland%2525202%252520%2525281%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="581" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IYtf-1vYIto/UOOiqj4d6tI/AAAAAAAAJnI/wY3kCpbB8yI/1976-06%2525201%252520Disneyland%2525202%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />Cute, huh? I took Wednesday into the Silhouette Studio in 2001 and 2008 and we had the same artist cut her silhouette both times. I definitely remember her…. what I didn’t expect though was that <strong><em>she</em></strong> remembered <strong><em>us</em></strong> as well! Unbelievable. When our whole herd walked into the tiny Silhouette Studio that day, the same artist was there and said to me, “oh my gosh, I remember you. You brought your little girl in here several years ago and another time a few year before that, right?”<br />
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*stunned stare*<br />
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Wow. I wonder how many customers that woman sees each year…. probably thousands and thousands! I can’t believe Wednesday and I are <strong><em>that</em></strong> memorable, honestly. Dang. Well, anyway, once again our silhouette artist was fantastic. This is the silhouette she cut of the three of us.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-spyD7JitRCE/UOOirOuwZII/AAAAAAAAJnQ/L98rkEu6pi4/s1600-h/Untitled-9_edited-1%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="578" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mrXgX5Z3PtM/UOOir0DKfAI/AAAAAAAAJnY/5M8hKiKjF6Q/Untitled-9_edited-1_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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Check it out, you can even see Scope’s mustache and beard! Cute, cute, cute! <br />
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As we were wrapping up our visit in the Silhouette Studio, suddenly Mickey Mouse came marching by with his band, playing Christmas carols. <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hsT_qy89e2g/UOOisZYwPiI/AAAAAAAAJng/ZRHhX7AMGpw/s1600-h/dl%2525203%252520%25252830%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5wnbuvPnseQ/UOOiskWHGoI/AAAAAAAAJno/uAgTT68IorA/dl%2525203%252520%25252830%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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Once Mickey’s marching band had moved on, we all headed over to Autopia. Wednesday, my sister, and I took Thing 1, Thing 2, and Thing 3 on the mini cars while Scope and my mom waited on the sidelines, watching us motoring by. Wednesday and Thing 1 drove themselves.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--3hQGtdLXkY/UOOiteZg5QI/AAAAAAAAJnw/CpvmhpJxkGI/s1600-h/dl%2525203%252520%25252836%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NWq4q6bNskc/UOOitwql55I/AAAAAAAAJn4/Rnm0oBVK3yI/dl%2525203%252520%25252836%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-czQSVWRot_g/UOOiuMrkl9I/AAAAAAAAJoA/4zNTmxa714Q/s1600-h/dl%2525203%252520%25252834%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wpSvuAWvVD8/UOOiubcOq9I/AAAAAAAAJoI/oSxEB72tHyM/dl%2525203%252520%25252834%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />Thing 2 drove me around the track…. and she was <strong>SO SERIOUS</strong> about it!<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-opkpsKAiX2I/UOOiu9EH32I/AAAAAAAAJoQ/2SkDHxX1F-Q/s1600-h/dl%2525203%252520%25252835%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XH5fIYS2Ygk/UOOivT-u_RI/AAAAAAAAJoY/wzp4UPkh3Pg/dl%2525203%252520%25252835%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />Next, we ran over to California Adventure where we saw Phineas and Ferb.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CNyXj8ferBM/UOOiv6_7IBI/AAAAAAAAJog/ZRDy6h3Xp2w/s1600-h/dl%2525203%252520%25252840%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dk8wfGS56jo/UOOiwEYFr1I/AAAAAAAAJoo/v4r00I2VyHI/dl%2525203%252520%25252840%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />And Santa was just hanging out, relaxing. *snicker*<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ukRu3U0ok1g/UOOiwcgCfwI/AAAAAAAAJow/EqIoIHPnMHA/s1600-h/dl%2525203%252520%25252845%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m_EX35MMdFw/UOOiw59wmbI/AAAAAAAAJo4/sQnryPjTECk/dl%2525203%252520%25252845%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />Scope and I then left Wednesday with my mom and sister for a few hours because we had something very important to do. You know there’s only one thing—<strong>ONE THING</strong>—that could possibly tear us away from Disneyland…. and that, of course, is our fabulous friend, JJ! <br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IQQZnHCHAsk/UOOixTi2FpI/AAAAAAAAJpA/09KVw74WdkU/s1600-h/dl%2525203%252520%25252846%252529crop%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NG2VXd7CIOM/UOOix40QMxI/AAAAAAAAJpI/k9xtOeyM8Hs/dl%2525203%252520%25252846%252529crop_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />JJ invited us over for dinner at her house. So, we borrowed my brother’s girlfriend’s car for the evening and we made our way over to JJ’s. We met her mom, we pigged out on uber-yummy Chinese food, but most importantly, we spent some good quality time with JJ. I love her. There, I said it. I love her humor, her spirit, her smile, her story, and everything about her. She showed us her awesome scrapbook which was full of pictures of her as a little girl doing fundraising with March of Dimes with all sorts of celebrities. JJ is famous, didn’t you know?! :-)<br />
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After JJ-palooza—(during which there <strong><em>may</em></strong> have been boob-honking. I’m just sayin’)—we went back to Disneyland to catch the fireworks show with the family. <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2012/12/i-wish-every-thanksgiving-could-be-just.html">We watched it from Tomorrowland again</a>, only this time the fog rolled in as the fireworks started up, which made the whole show misty and hazy, but still beautiful nonetheless.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-W62B9q79LuE/UOOiyunr9PI/AAAAAAAAJpQ/tR7FPjccIKY/s1600-h/DSC02447%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-W-Ycb_y8Els/UOOiyxNRVdI/AAAAAAAAJpY/ysYEUl4qaZg/DSC02447_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_Z-gtLsZs5E/UOOizRZ8VdI/AAAAAAAAJpg/nx76cojATes/s1600-h/dl%2525203%252520%25252851%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rMAejiZh9Z4/UOOiz_C6liI/AAAAAAAAJpo/N6rdGY_KJm8/dl%2525203%252520%25252851%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />After the fireworks, we were beat. The fog was heavy, cold, and clingy, so we decided to make it an early night and headed back to our hotel. <br />
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Up next?…. Wednesday answers the question ‘did you ever dance with Eeyore in the pale moonlight?’<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ek0EAj3w__0/UOOi0XlmbVI/AAAAAAAAJpw/-d9kILzWQ2U/s1600-h/CoracabanacopyrightFINISHEDcropskinnyUNDERLINED%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="135" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U88txkbW458/UOOi0gXWgNI/AAAAAAAAJp4/ARm0DYMh9Ec/CoracabanacopyrightFINISHEDcropskinnyUNDERLINED_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="320" /></a><br />
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<br />© CoracabanaCorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-18912072397423122282012-12-21T11:12:00.001-06:002012-12-21T11:12:46.367-06:00(Woo! Christmas can sure mess up a girl’s blogging schedule. But better late than never….) I wish every Thanksgiving could be just like this one. (Part 2)<br />
3,175. That’s how many pictures <a href="http://scope-tech.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Scope</a> and I took over our Thanksgiving vacation in Disneyland. Uh-huh. 3,175! I know I’m snap-happy and all, but 3,175 seems like a lot, even to me. I dunno, I’m thinking it may be considered a sickness at this point. But anyway….<br />
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Day 2 of our trip started at about 4:30am. It was Thanksgiving Thursday and we had a Magic Morning option with our Park Hopper tickets which granted us access to Disneyland a full hour before the rest of the herd and we wanted to make the most of it. So, off we went!<br />
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Taking advantage of Magic Morning proved to be a stellar way to avoid the crowds. (For a refresher of our Disney Survival / Beat The Crowds Rules, click <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2012/12/i-wish-every-thanksgiving-could-be-just.html">HERE</a>.) We were even able to get photos of the three of us in front of the Mickey flowerbed and train station without any strangers loitering in the background!….<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zJi5hvZ7wQA/UNSOQfpE6BI/AAAAAAAAJVk/4q1PevHNXZc/s1600-h/dl-2-35.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="616" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zuyhBXgAlKk/UNSOSHxhRsI/AAAAAAAAJVs/2Bimzoic6us/dl-2-3_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />Hey, looky! Tinkerbell even joined us for a moment or two!….<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lIZDLTWlPXs/UNSOUjjmpVI/AAAAAAAAJV0/4TVKmbhJV_E/s1600-h/dl-2-44.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FY4SpgQjdZk/UNSOV3vHPiI/AAAAAAAAJV8/M61EEIQttOY/dl-2-4_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xrhVKrxJ5VU/UNSOaASXFBI/AAAAAAAAJWE/A9eWF_Pq6uA/s1600-h/dl-2-54.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WFsaQ-cglGk/UNSObKZa8fI/AAAAAAAAJWM/y7HiYBAUj0U/dl-2-5_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />Wednesday was in full-on Nightmare Before Christmas mania after running into Jack Skellington the day before, so she decided to wear her Sally Halloween costume dress to the park for the day. The employees—whoops, excuse me, “cast members”—seemed to really get a big kick out of seeing her in her costume. Disneyland is swarming with little preschoolers dressed up like Cinderella, Belle, and Merida (the Brave girl), but I guess seeing anyone over the age of seven in character garb is a much rarer sight. Usually, Wednesday is pretty shy, but she seemed to really appreciate the excited cast member attention, which was soooooooo cute! But anyway, back to Magic Morning….<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-szhYYC6VrkY/UNSOd2tdXEI/AAAAAAAAJWU/p5vDoDloRNI/s1600-h/DSC015005.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-t4RkSQkyuZk/UNSOe84gqpI/AAAAAAAAJWc/QBH47UTFSgs/DSC01500_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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The park was pretty empty, so there weren’t really any lines to speak of anywhere. We decided to hit Tomorrowland first and take a trip through the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, which we had never been on before. I totally didn’t know they were going to take our pictures during the ride!….<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pxhC9EJfL64/UNSOgeUU5mI/AAAAAAAAJWk/XiizYSUFzfk/s1600-h/dl-2-94.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="365" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oLT3QMRu360/UNSOiO6wfXI/AAAAAAAAJWs/AbdWFgyGYuw/dl-2-9_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OrTsqE1J08M/UNSOjn7XWKI/AAAAAAAAJW0/dpoowi3aKpk/s1600-h/dl-2-84.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="365" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EW4C_D4boAc/UNSOkzWNDhI/AAAAAAAAJW8/TadCQHCinUM/dl-2-8_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />I—ahem—also didn’t know the ride was a contest until Wednesday said, “Ha! I’m <strong><em>KILLING</em></strong> you!” Up until that point, I had been shooting pictures, not Evil Emperor Zurg! (D’oh!) <br />
<br />
<br />
Well, anyway, after getting my butt kicked on the Buzz Lightyear ride, we had a Disneyland photographer snap our picture by Sleeping Beauty’s Castle….<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vDQl1uMUBNM/UNSOnJaaVTI/AAAAAAAAJXE/RwDXZ3Dnank/s1600-h/dl-2-115.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="325" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lQtFoLvICOg/UNSOoVG-udI/AAAAAAAAJXM/IZBYj7alu5E/dl-2-11_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />Then we made our way into Fantasyland where we attempted to pull the sword from the stone….<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5r7tF_k99tI/UNSOpyK4RkI/AAAAAAAAJXU/3wPsF6nXXqw/s1600-h/dl-2-155.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cMzDQcgy9eo/UNSOrX4LvVI/AAAAAAAAJXc/_AzA0ipwRvQ/dl-2-15_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-B5OmQxjcsRU/UNSOueQMQbI/AAAAAAAAJXk/K_v_hUP2T2c/s1600-h/dl-2-165.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qbt3sv0s5NY/UNSOwGHrVvI/AAAAAAAAJXs/-j0wzOIDkVA/dl-2-16_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />(The stupid sword wouldn’t budge—oh, poo—so, I guess we’ll have to find some other way to take over England.) <br />
<br />
<br />
(*grumble*)<br />
<br />
<br />
Our next stop was Toontown….<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gencUYRRQAQ/UNSO0zydQ7I/AAAAAAAAJX0/IHisj7YIRgI/s1600-h/dl-2-265.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GPhk4GPsU_M/UNSO3C4SgRI/AAAAAAAAJX8/WTdhKv0bKjo/dl-2-26_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />Scope and Wednesday blew up the Toontown Fireworks Factory….<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ngXLPjfYB7M/UNSO40cidbI/AAAAAAAAJYE/Q5RZnQz3d3w/s1600-h/dl-2-215.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xAKZZw41YVQ/UNSO6b-SalI/AAAAAAAAJYM/Lx6vcgqNCWc/dl-2-21_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />And they rode on the Toontown trolley….<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-U_8w9VuwTko/UNSO8zi1T8I/AAAAAAAAJYU/o6wqBNxwSRM/s1600-h/dl-2-245.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sThyyyWZ9Uw/UNSO-Euq8uI/AAAAAAAAJYc/eqR4WYEsfvU/dl-2-24_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Scope visited the Toontown Gym….<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PtSEKXcOGCg/UNSO_VohZHI/AAAAAAAAJYk/rX1q-o5HfWA/s1600-h/dl-2-225.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7v8Xz4s99ZM/UNSPAtnxbPI/AAAAAAAAJYs/1TVTvGxgELc/dl-2-22_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
And Wednesday and I found ourselves in the Toontown Dog Pound….<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GMyYonaoZbU/UNSPCv6zlQI/AAAAAAAAJY0/-CR86g287xY/s1600-h/dl-2-235.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BFXvFQEDOwo/UNSPDruLM9I/AAAAAAAAJY8/rh_yh6bLjf0/dl-2-23_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Once we were done fooling around in Toontown, we met up with my brother at the Haunted Mansion Holiday….<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-32De0J1OIxI/UNSPGoisA_I/AAAAAAAAJZE/_lrKxngmLjU/s1600-h/dl-2-285.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0uCD2F0jE5I/UNSPHw1yp0I/AAAAAAAAJZM/jxXb0oThZRs/dl-2-28_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />….which we excitedly rode through.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GHSZGyR1A8I/UNSPJT9J-GI/AAAAAAAAJZU/rTzrH3pIueo/s1600-h/DSC01637smallcam-265.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ND8-fBy6iQ4/UNSPKXf0WII/AAAAAAAAJZc/rfmv4OV5spQ/DSC01637smallcam-26_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />After the Haunted Mansion Holiday, Wednesday met Jack Skellington. Again. Jack asked Wednesday if she was stalking him—*snicker*—but also admired her Sally costume quite a bit. Wednesday just beamed with pride! :-)<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GRFY5qW21pE/UNSPMLZwNZI/AAAAAAAAJZk/SZ4lZDL4WxM/s1600-h/dl-2-315.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LmDMJx74YbQ/UNSPN2_dd7I/AAAAAAAAJZs/g4pTmPF0Jbk/dl-2-31_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />Up next, we ran into my mom. Wednesday (full to the brim with Jack Skellington euphoria!) wasted no time in talking her into going back through the Haunted Mansion with us again.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QdwjGoVlTJg/UNSPPfpGTPI/AAAAAAAAJZ0/G_XsyNyWGa4/s1600-h/dl-2-335.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5egOVKwas_M/UNSPQJWfeeI/AAAAAAAAJZ8/fkNFMkar4xM/dl-2-33_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />The ride broke down for a few minutes while we were in there, leaving Scope’s and my “Doom Buggy” stranded right in front of the life-size talking Jack Skellington figure at the start of the graveyard, which was <strong><em>SO COOL!</em></strong> It’s pretty dang dark in that graveyard, so it’s really hard to get decent pictures in there when flash photography is a big no-no and the Doom Buggies travel too freaking fast for good quality, non-blurry, low-light pictures, so we there thrilled to be stuck stationary in front of Jack for awhile, just for the chance to get a non-crappy shot of him for once.<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vj5MN60Dui0/UNSPRnt7sgI/AAAAAAAAJaE/ctJV6uakDMg/s1600-h/dl-2-345.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cx6J1RSW3As/UNSPSj5XS4I/AAAAAAAAJaM/NmQPWP6nulA/dl-2-34_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />After that, we crossed paths with my sister and her kids, Thing 1, Thing 2, and Thing 3. Wednesday and her most favorite person in the whole wide world, Thing 1, got to talking and she found out from him that he really, <strong><em>REALLY</em></strong> wanted to go see the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln show on Main Street USA. (He’s a fact-lovin’ sort of fella!) Thing 1 was feeling like no-one else was interested in learning about Abraham Lincoln like he was, so that sweet Wednesday asked him out on a cousin-date to go see the show, just the two of them, plus Scope and me. (Awww.) <br />
<br />
<br />
So, we did.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ndaDWa9AddY/UNSPU9n6IEI/AAAAAAAAJaU/1XHdS1m9Flw/s1600-h/dl-2-355.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-drWGg2JlqP8/UNSPVrzWFRI/AAAAAAAAJac/w5FKhJuxewM/dl-2-35_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />While we were on Main Street, we saw Pluto….<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JFVnG4PFJmY/UNSPXTASm0I/AAAAAAAAJak/8OqfugLXjuY/s1600-h/dl-2-365.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xsBEf--3Kfg/UNSPYEoek0I/AAAAAAAAJas/kxQThW5C9Ts/dl-2-36_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />….and Mickey (literally!) ran right by us. <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aUAzsCpUWsw/UNSPaGUbZNI/AAAAAAAAJa0/CrRRXl2ynug/s1600-h/dl-2-385.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nuCC8lhZ63U/UNSPa_UD_mI/AAAAAAAAJa8/eNP7chcg_cs/dl-2-38_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />(Every time we saw Mickey on this trip, he was in a mad dash somewhere. Definitely a busy boy!)<br />
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<br />
The kiddos wanted to ride a horse drawn carriage down Main Street, so we did that too. Our horse’s name was Sully. (Yeah. Just like in Monsters Inc.) Sully liked posing dramatically for pictures. Clearly. <br />
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<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oXzzWDsisnU/UNSV8jSL2wI/AAAAAAAAJcw/MgwcAMMT6pA/s1600-h/dl-2-415.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hE-1fJpM4Tw/UNSV9_L1g-I/AAAAAAAAJc4/Nzlv-M1Uv6Y/dl-2-41_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />
As Sully carried us toward the castle, Scope practiced his best princess wave at the crowd. (Heh heh heh.)<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Kcvqg-IhKb0/UNSWAC0cXDI/AAAAAAAAJdA/NC2bQXwMsu4/s1600-h/dl-2-425.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5DqCMUXjGUM/UNSWA4siP2I/AAAAAAAAJdI/nBu2OcTFf-I/dl-2-42_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />
Thank you, Sully!<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mtmmLIvyom0/UNSWDW6PNpI/AAAAAAAAJdQ/YUMJKMc_bD8/s1600-h/DSC017685.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AaHTfCxP3Os/UNSWEAPZDEI/AAAAAAAAJdY/66y2eQZl9MA/DSC01768_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />As Sully clip-clopped his way back down Main Street, we skipped on into Fantasyland where Wednesday and Thing 1 went on the Alice in Wonderland Mad Tea Party ride.<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7Gh0zh105WU/UNSWGmK2ZWI/AAAAAAAAJdg/qgiuaaYOMSk/s1600-h/dl-2-465.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KYyCrrP2T48/UNSWHkfZwSI/AAAAAAAAJdo/pcNiS8nKPbs/dl-2-46_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />When their ride was done, they decided to take a second spin (see what I did there?) on the teacups with my sister and Thing 3, with whom we had just bumped into.<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RGq_Hogmj9o/UNSWJaWToZI/AAAAAAAAJdw/gs4d4pMy6gE/s1600-h/dl-2-485.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JA2ns1x_Afc/UNSWKA_ElFI/AAAAAAAAJd4/PhdyrTLWQtg/dl-2-48_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />Now, Thing 2 (my sister’s middle child) is a fiercely independent little thing, and she had decided she wanted no part of the teacup ride and wanted to wait on the sidelines with my mom, Scope, and me…. until the ride started up and she saw her cousin and her sibs go laughing and spinning by, then she changed her mind, of course. But it was too late. <br />
<br />
<br />
She was <strong><em>QUITE</em></strong> displeased.<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6v4QmYOHup0/UNSWLnvqZaI/AAAAAAAAJeA/IAhb7eYiYGQ/s1600-h/DSC01853_edited-15.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tHxkbDL_xjM/UNSWNX2xBhI/AAAAAAAAJeI/Dn0--m8jW4I/DSC01853_edited-1_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />
Oh well. At least the other three kids were happy.<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-98qCWEH1VPc/UNSWO8gfktI/AAAAAAAAJeQ/Ek78-iXKIpo/s1600-h/dl-2-495.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FUh7hPqaEhY/UNSWPliGDVI/AAAAAAAAJeY/_VcGic5UJJM/dl-2-49_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />Well, anyway….<br />
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<br />
It was Thanksgiving Day, which is notoriously busy at Disneyland, and we had decided to beat the dinner crowd by having our Thanksgiving meal at a restaurant across the street from the park in the early afternoon. On our way out of Disneyland, we ran into Donald Duck.<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZUeQydYnaG8/UNSWRIaXqxI/AAAAAAAAJeg/dRuro22PNPk/s1600-h/dl%2525202%252520%25252852%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QS6mA1HLaaU/UNSWStfxfZI/AAAAAAAAJeo/qy0B4rnB2HE/dl%2525202%252520%25252852%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />(He was such a flirt!)<br />
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<br />
Our avoid-the-mammoth-crowd-at-dinner scheme worked brilliantly. There was hardly anyone else there. The restaurant was serving traditional Thanksgiving meals to those who wanted them, but also all the regular menu items too for those wise souls, like me, who recognize that Asian salads are far superior to lame, old, boring turkey dinners no matter which day of the year it freaking is! <br />
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<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hAoj7UrHnH8/UNSWVbzrUJI/AAAAAAAAJew/PGIOMexGUBQ/s1600-h/z11-22%252520%25252829%252529crop%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wyZWxRk1RW4/UNSWWberMmI/AAAAAAAAJe4/JtHxIJ3WKnY/z11-22%252520%25252829%252529crop_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />
The restaurant also had little peg games on all of the tables to keep everyone entertained while waiting for the food. The pegs played leap frog with each other, and if you could end the game with only one peg left, well, smarty pants, then <strong>YOU</strong> have above ‘average intelligence’, according to the game rules. However, if you could end your game with eight pegs left and no more moves to make, then <strong>YOU</strong> are a ‘genius’. Uh-huh. It took Wednesday about two minutes to end up with eight pegs left!!!!<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RQz-cvSxrFo/UNSWYDX1lWI/AAAAAAAAJfA/vAiX90Ck4bY/s1600-h/DSC01869smallcam%252520%2525284%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OR1-ZkozHFU/UNSWZM4z6DI/AAAAAAAAJfI/yd2UqfLCPx0/DSC01869smallcam%252520%2525284%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />(Imagine that. My baby, a genius.) <br />
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(And, yet, she can’t figure out how to put her clothes in the laundry hamper!)<br />
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(Grrr.)<br />
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(But anyway….)<br />
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After dinner, Wednesday, Scope, and I headed back to our hotel to partake in the time-honored Thanksgiving tradition of a nice, long nap. *le sigh* When we finally hauled ourselves back out of bed, we were a little shocked to find out that the sun had already set while we were unconscious. The sudden nightfall reminded us that our Disneyland vacation was almost half over now, so we threw our hoodies back on in a hurry and ran back across the street to enjoy some more Disney-liciousness. <br />
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We found my mom, Thing 1, and Thing 2 over near It’s a Small World, which was amazingly gorgeous, all lit up in colorful Christmas lights in the dark.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MZuAIk_dwmk/UNSWbCM1YjI/AAAAAAAAJfQ/x0iQMYP9-Ac/s1600-h/dl%2525202%252520%25252863%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="325" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-l0Qlf9sl39M/UNSWb3KfzgI/AAAAAAAAJfY/-J-_fPJdeck/dl%2525202%252520%25252863%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />While we were taking pictures of It’s a Small World, suddenly the lights all went blue and it started snowing! Yeah, snowing! Not real snow, of course, it was this fake-y pseudo snow with a soapy texture which smelled a bit like cinnamon toast or gingerbread, but it was still magical all the same.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RUDaSzlANRQ/UNSWd7P564I/AAAAAAAAJfg/D-n8weurSxA/s1600-h/dl%2525202%252520%25252861%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MiNIk8pT7rM/UNSWfKMIGjI/AAAAAAAAJfo/D5cV7xRfaYs/dl%2525202%252520%25252861%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />After oohing and ahhing over the snow, we decided to hit California Adventure. <br />
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I was surprised as we approached California Adventure, because the front gate is completely different than it used to be. Gone is the cartoon-y Golden Gate Bridge with the mammoth letters that little kids were perpetually climbing all over. The front gate now looks like something from Cars, all shiny, streamlined, and retro.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UVS-mN2WAyc/UNSWg7Zyc3I/AAAAAAAAJfw/QpECB4BDBXo/s1600-h/dl%2525202%252520%25252865%252529%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FqRc43XDbiA/UNSWhvEaY3I/AAAAAAAAJf4/ftJ8tC_lRHQ/dl%2525202%252520%25252865%252529_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />After standing around like disoriented dummies for awhile, noticing that <strong>A LOT</strong> of California Adventure has recently been given a major overhaul, we pulled ourselves back together and headed over to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, which—surprisingly—had virtually no line. My sister met up with us and wanted to go on too. We had planned to leave Thing 2 (who is only five) in my mom’s care while we tackled the Tower, but still stinging over missing out on the teacup ride earlier, Thing 2 was insistent that she didn’t want to miss out on anything more and that she could handle anything the Tower of Terror could dish out. She and my sister argued about it, during which spunky little Thing 2 asked one of the spooky Tower of Terror bellhops if she was big enough to go on the ride. <br />
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“I’m sorry, but you <strong>ARE</strong> big enough,” he replied, creepily. And Thing 2 gave her mom the I-told-you look and fearlessly strutted off into the Tower’s lobby. That fearlessness didn’t last long though. Once the lights went out and Rod Serling started talking about “stepping into a nightmare”, Thing 2 changed her mind and wanted off the ride.<br />
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But—again—it was too late. <br />
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We plummeted and screamed! And plunged and shrieked! <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Vxu9bX148K0/UNSWjhKdwMI/AAAAAAAAJgA/DBT9iQAHeQ8/s1600-h/dl%2525202%252520%25252868.9%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="384" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k0Egz8L18AQ/UNSWkYOaUZI/AAAAAAAAJgI/Nh2U1TKp95E/dl%2525202%252520%25252868.9%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />(You can see the un-amused Thing 2 with Scope and my sister in the front row. I’m in the back row with Thing 1 and Wednesday.)<br />
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When the ride was over, Thing 2 was pretty disgusted. She didn’t cry, but she demanded to know what kind of jerk would have the audacity to even make a ride like that which “turns people into nightmares”! (Hey, girly—you were warned!) Needless to say, Thing 2 did <strong>NOT</strong> accompany us on our second trip into the Tower of Terror.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9xMk-jO5G8A/UNSWmFo3CNI/AAAAAAAAJgQ/wu8q8OXo01M/s1600-h/dl%2525202%252520%25252869%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0GHIVrpEAlk/UNSWnFdgY4I/AAAAAAAAJgY/t6Dem5Z2_KU/dl%2525202%252520%25252869%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />After that, we briefly checked out the Tim Burton Mad T Party, which is pretty much just a strange, neon Alice in Wonderland rave party. It was pretty cool walking down the misty Rabbit Hole to get to it though.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-92YuxW172r8/UNSWpElVnqI/AAAAAAAAJgg/3rEEwjjvY-Q/s1600-h/dl%2525202%252520%25252876%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xaMEdEUiurE/UNSWqNYJglI/AAAAAAAAJgo/3UolazjCchw/dl%2525202%252520%25252876%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nbR8BVAiv30/UNSWsHFIQEI/AAAAAAAAJgw/5WerV0kRR4c/s1600-h/dl%2525202%252520%25252873%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MDgAT0ha00g/UNSWtIkS15I/AAAAAAAAJg4/fhuZ5fje_PA/dl%2525202%252520%25252873%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3HiwZXXbmsg/UNSWvah3qUI/AAAAAAAAJhA/3HpNYjEqSIU/s1600-h/dl%2525202%252520%25252871%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-i8xIrFsu0HA/UNSWwWMkt_I/AAAAAAAAJhI/dkyuWd78j3k/dl%2525202%252520%25252871%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4QDKCsdhRqU/UNSWx2iCkQI/AAAAAAAAJhQ/ohI4PaP2sks/s1600-h/dl%2525202%252520%25252870%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-myzvR03seHs/UNSWzJEMinI/AAAAAAAAJhY/XrSdL0CG2Oo/dl%2525202%252520%25252870%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />Then we went into the Beast’s Library where the magic books told us which Disney characters we are most like. I am most like Alice (from Alice in Wonderland), Wednesday is most like Sally (the one from Cars though, not Jack Skellington’s girlfriend), and I forget which <strong>GOOD</strong> character Scope was most like, but I do remember he was told that the <strong>VILLAIN</strong> he most resembles is Gaston…. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK3x2DOoJIc">and he was THRILLED because Gaston has the best theme song EVER</a><strong></strong>! (LOL.)<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JUvb1L7eSUM/UNSW0zedI4I/AAAAAAAAJhg/KNxPko0ZL6U/s1600-h/dl%2525202%252520%25252880%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3OEvllayy5c/UNSW2WSwNnI/AAAAAAAAJho/LIzHtS6HdC4/dl%2525202%252520%25252880%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />After that, we headed back to our hotels for the night. Up next?…. You’ll just have to wait and see, won’t you? ;-) If I don’t get around to part 3 of this story before Tuesday, I hope you all have a fabulous Christmas! <br /><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5-a64sOVBmA/UNSW4DM3bJI/AAAAAAAAJhw/1Gwj-LwyqVI/s1600-h/CoracabanacopyrightFINISHEDcropskinn%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="135" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--WNaKbw0zw4/UNSW4o6lEZI/AAAAAAAAJh4/zne0dTx_qEg/CoracabanacopyrightFINISHEDcropskinn.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="320" /></a><br />
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<br />© CoracabanaCorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-50330857759849519302012-12-06T09:01:00.000-06:002012-12-06T09:01:40.800-06:00I wish every Thanksgiving could be just like this one! (Part 1)<br />
It all started at 2:30am. That’s what time <a href="http://scope-tech.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Scope</a>, Wednesday, and I flung ourselves out of bed the day before Thanksgiving. (And <strong><em>on purpose</em></strong> too.) We rushed around our house, throwing things into suitcases, cramming Pop-Tarts in our mouths, and calling out guilty goodbyes to our frog, Trevor, who was not at all amused by our early morning hubbub and was pouting profusely in the corner of his tank. <br />
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(Frogs. They like their beauty sleep.)<br />
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(Apparently.)<br />
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By 4:00am, we were running down our building’s breezeway in the dark, lugging luggage to our waiting taxi, which whisked us away to O’hare airport in record time through the foggy and eerily deserted streets of Chicago. <br />
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We had been a wee bit nervous of what manner of hellish mob O’hare would have awaiting us that morning (being one of the heaviest travel days of the year), especially after seeing an ominous news report a day or two beforehand which said O’hare was expected to be the Nation’s busiest (aka most murderously unbearable) airport that day. But I guess the hellish mob didn’t get the memo or something (or perhaps just favored beauty sleep, like the frog) because the airport was almost as empty as the streets outside. <br />
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This is what it looked like as we sailed through Security….<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2JFz4dLdsMM/UMCuNQjtDhI/AAAAAAAAJL0/fbRU5H0m8-k/s1600-h/dl-1-25.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gw3bawxOdV8/UMCuOnqSYnI/AAAAAAAAJL8/U4xsfjRDUIc/dl-1-2_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />We don’t typically look that chipper at 4:30am. But we had a really good reason for our freakishly-good predawn mood: We were on our way to…. (….wait for it….) ….<strong><em>DISNEYLAND!!!!<br /><br /></em></strong><br />
Uh-huh! I know! My family members back in Seattle and Arizona had been planning a Thanksgiving reunion in Disneyland for about a year and a half. Due to certain Court-y thorns in our sides during that time, Scope, Wednesday, and I, sadly, didn’t see how we would possibly be able to afford to go along too. This particularly bummed out Wednesday, who really, <strong><em>REALLY</em></strong> wanted to see her beloved little cousins getting their Disney groove on. But then at almost the last minute, just like magic, the planets aligned just so, and the Disneyland reunion became a realistic possibility for us. <br />
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And we pounced on it. <br />
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So, there we were, lounging around O’hare in the wee hours of the morning. Soon we were boarding our plane and shooting through the sky towards The Happiest Place On Earth. On the way, we flew right over the Grand Canyon….<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O0ZKUZhlirs/UMCuQGc6teI/AAAAAAAAJME/YcscHN-7mO0/s1600-h/dl-1-45.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IDQkENDpHRw/UMCuRDQQvMI/AAAAAAAAJMM/NUFWMtPOGKA/dl-1-4_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />Pretty cool, huh? <br />
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Once we landed at LAX, we found the Super Shuttle we had reserved to take us to our hotel, and—bibbidy-bobbidy-boo—there we were at the Best Western Plus on Harbor Boulevard, which had our room ready for us <strong><em>six hours earlier</em></strong> than promised! (Yay! You go, BWP!) We dropped off our bags and then (literally) ran right across the street to Disneyland. <br />
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Here is what the Christmas-ified Disneyland entrance gate looked like….<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qb2G2SJ-MSQ/UMCuTLfOkWI/AAAAAAAAJMU/8vMM4oPg-vo/s1600-h/dl-1-65.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xOAiM_n5BLM/UMCuTy9pqPI/AAAAAAAAJMc/5avpDKr4PEM/dl-1-6_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />(Oooooh. Sparkly.)<br />
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We took our obligatory picture by the Mickey flowerbed and Disneyland train just inside the entrance gate…. <br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NCCbf8yg42g/UMCuWuQ0StI/AAAAAAAAJMk/KEu5hckkcMU/s1600-h/DSC010325.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AB-Lrbf8QV4/UMCuXh6hNII/AAAAAAAAJMs/Rlrj_jG9xIk/DSC01032_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />And then, because Scope was a Disneyland virgin and this was his first time setting foot inside this particular Disney Park, Wednesday and I took him to City Hall on Main Street to get him his <a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/celebration-buttons.htm">free First Visit button</a>….<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fqqsqANWjM8/UMCuZcTRSAI/AAAAAAAAJM0/2c5TenfmrZU/s1600-h/dl-1-95.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="616" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Hwdqk6b2nrg/UMCua5AwbiI/AAAAAAAAJM8/UCTvaRrkXTA/dl-1-9_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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We were having a little trouble getting in contact with anyone in my family (people, turn your cellphones <strong><em>ON</em></strong>), so we decided to just take a walk down Main Street USA to checkout the holiday decorations. We had never seen Disneyland all decked out for Christmas before. It was really quite pretty….<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DeuAax-bD9A/UMCucbW8dWI/AAAAAAAAJNE/27RGKD8PjsQ/s1600-h/dl-1-105.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7wK-BOOfVyo/UMCudfl3QxI/AAAAAAAAJNM/CmZBnGZN8eA/dl-1-10_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NexNZmes0wc/UMCufUfR8xI/AAAAAAAAJNU/s1lAhCq_FRU/s1600-h/DSC010415.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cSk2jnF5ass/UMCuggv3XAI/AAAAAAAAJNc/0k2sRq5VNdk/DSC01041_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />Next we headed over to New Orleans Square to show Scope the Jack Skellington-y Haunted Mansion Holiday ride….<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cG_1VZpKsIA/UMCui-_wAEI/AAAAAAAAJNk/kvqsIOb_HdY/s1600-h/dl-1-175.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UmlOEQpzYyw/UMCuj50TMvI/AAAAAAAAJNs/BZ6cRxcVTuM/dl-1-17_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />We knew that Disneyland was bound to be crazy-busy over the Thanksgiving holiday, so we had done a little Disney Survival research and arrived at the park armed with a bulletproof game plan to avoid the worst of the crowd traps, including the following rules: <br />
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1. Get our rears to the park as early as humanly possible each morning. (When it comes to Disney, sleeping in is for idiots who like standing in lines all day!)<br />
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2. Go back to the hotel and nap during the hottest, busiest, and most long line-iest part of the day. (Well, duh!)<br />
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3. Stay in the park as late as possible each night. (The idiots who like standing in lines all day will have already hit the road by then!)<br />
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4. Covet and hoard <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney's_Fastpass">Fastpasses</a> for the busy rides. (Did you know you can still use Fastpasses after they have expired? It’s true. They let you on anyway without even raising an eyebrow. So, collect as many Fastpasses as you can throughout the day and then use them all at night!)<br />
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5. Don’t—I repeat, <strong><em>DO NOT</em></strong>—join any ride line that is more than 30 minutes long. (Seriously. Why would you do that to yourself?!?!)<br />
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Naturally, we had assumed that at this time of the day (about 11:30am) the line for the Haunted Mansion Holiday would be disgustingly long and icky. We were all prepared to just take a quick peek, ooh and ahh, grab Fastpasses, and then try to track down my family again, but lo and behold, the line was actually runty, so we gleefully skipped our happy selves into the Mansion to enjoy its Tim Burton-y deliciousness!<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NbizRn5bsDk/UMCulQF8qfI/AAAAAAAAJN0/Wkt6YWckRos/s1600-h/dl-1-235.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HIMsrN8dqAw/UMCumKxsKmI/AAAAAAAAJN8/W6UeYFpdcAE/dl-1-23_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />This is what the gingerbread house in the ballroom inside the Mansion looks like this year. (They design a new one every year. And, yes, that’s <strong><em>REAL</em></strong> gingerbread!) It’s Jack’s House!….<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-09cJEMFt_eg/UMCun6u4meI/AAAAAAAAJOE/SfvuwTq4zYw/s1600-h/dl-1-225.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JWE-h1odMak/UMCuoxpM-NI/AAAAAAAAJOM/u7gliafzJAc/dl-1-22_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />After our romp through the Mansion, we tracked down my brother and his girlfriend—YAY!—and we took a cruise through Pirates of the Caribbean with them….<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YW8W4FGhP5Y/UMCuqsYWSPI/AAAAAAAAJOU/lCcL3QPdtQQ/s1600-h/dl-1-265.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NAS4FK76Mjk/UMCurSwctFI/AAAAAAAAJOc/MOxd0Xth4oY/dl-1-26_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />Then the five of us had lunch at Café Orleans. Wednesday and I shared a cheese Monte Cristo sandwich and it was incredible!….<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3MuQOyvuNCU/UMCutevR2SI/AAAAAAAAJOk/2CdBckPbbAw/s1600-h/dl-1-305.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6wOBvKbahF8/UMCuuXjphvI/AAAAAAAAJOs/ZeNBcJb0oUk/dl-1-30_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />As we left the café, we ran into my mom, my sister and her kiddos. Here’s Wednesday with my mom and the two oldest kiddos. (Let’s call them Thing 1 (the boy) and Thing 2 (the girl).)….<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bbmiawRWeH0/UMCuwvn_tlI/AAAAAAAAJO0/Bf8vLuROBhI/s1600-h/dl-1-325.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I4OZ8dgcPY4/UMCuxqmyimI/AAAAAAAAJO8/pXniYJooFS4/dl-1-32_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />We were all gabbing away in New Orleans Square when a Halloween-ish chill suddenly filled the air. We looked yonder and Wednesday’s jaw hit the floor. Jack Skellington was there, live (well... okay… dead) in person!!!! So, of course, we ran over to meet him….<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fXlg1E-J2NE/UMCu0rY1H6I/AAAAAAAAJPE/4EL_71IKKPA/s1600-h/dl-1-395.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OoWdkWQBsAA/UMCu12urPsI/AAAAAAAAJPM/4auObvC3PxY/dl-1-39_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />Jack Skellington was hilarious! The kids all thought he was fabulous! (And, even more importantly, <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2012/05/disneyland-version-20-part-3.html">I didn’t make a drugged-up moron of myself in front of him this year</a>—so, yay!) If you want to see Scope’s video of the kids’ meet and greet with Jack, click <a href="http://scope-tech.blogspot.com/2012/11/mickey-mousing-around-for-thanksgiving.html">HERE</a>.<br />
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Next, we went with the group to Fantasyland. On the way, we got a gorgeous view of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle all frosted and jeweled for the holidays….<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aSLtf2TjfS8/UMCu3uMgC1I/AAAAAAAAJPU/7VkYmQ3Xn-g/s1600-h/dl-1-425.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="616" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-47AJwPqavcU/UMCu4_--juI/AAAAAAAAJPc/JDWIumoAzpM/dl-1-42_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />In Fantasyland, we hit It’s a Small World, which had also been given a festive makeover….<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-APceuYMw0jk/UMCu7Lu_HqI/AAAAAAAAJPk/3NfYDq3Ju5Y/s1600-h/DSC011765.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h4gEv2pdvGc/UMCu8AVFGBI/AAAAAAAAJPs/qT-NHBl65Mk/DSC01176_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Tm5BtCXOfHw/UMCu92GdK-I/AAAAAAAAJP0/JIipGx_4xjc/s1600-h/dl-1-515.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-78O5qhBHIj0/UMCu-3vnmNI/AAAAAAAAJP8/HEXJcylYmmg/dl-1-51_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />My sister’s youngest kiddo, Thing 3, really, <strong><em>REALLY</em></strong> enjoyed this ride!….<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O1DnWG5L_DE/UMCvA3-A8OI/AAAAAAAAJQE/kVeIlbSG-Bk/s1600-h/DSC01170%252520suz%252520262013_4421350010460_1858330487_n%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hmYXwttkxR8/UMCvCdwLC9I/AAAAAAAAJQM/ApCVrcBzndA/DSC01170%252520suz%252520262013_4421350010460_1858330487_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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We got in some good quality time with the Cheshire Cat in Fantasyland….<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Bs3NhB4fSU8/UMCvEA1BNMI/AAAAAAAAJQU/N8EeK6Aa9yM/s1600-h/dl-1-595.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IZUwcvFQAl8/UMCvFmSbD7I/AAAAAAAAJQc/Pq-nrGwbJeI/dl-1-59_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />(Awwww. I have a picture just like that one from 2001, only Wednesday was a wee little one in a stroller.)<br />
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We had an ice cream break….<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OPEpGwNhsLI/UMCvHk8KWVI/AAAAAAAAJQk/ymrG_4kUKZA/s1600-h/dl-1-605.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y0s_uJo5b20/UMCvIbvhtEI/AAAAAAAAJQs/Gl42uCCRslI/dl-1-60_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />And then before we knew it—BOOM!—it was dark out. Scope and I took Wednesday, Thing 1, and Thing 2 up into Tarzan’s Treehouse….<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2-5iTmipVcw/UMCvKU3EqMI/AAAAAAAAJQ0/5D9cVI3LOmM/s1600-h/dl-1-625.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wfvS3LIMwT4/UMCvLlNh5vI/AAAAAAAAJQ8/yGjOknOj75o/dl-1-62_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />My sister joined us on Splash Mountain….<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GnAOUkl12dI/UMCvNbEEooI/AAAAAAAAJRE/U7sSe5pi9I8/s1600-h/dl-1-64edit5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="585" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6WueRPML-0g/UMCvOsT9GFI/AAAAAAAAJRM/l1tr74WIYdM/dl-1-64edit_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />Twice!….<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ePz1g3THuWk/UMCvQcjaarI/AAAAAAAAJRU/bNKZtU3-ekk/s1600-h/dl-1-65edit5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="585" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jmdttUi7AHg/UMCvRkq4hyI/AAAAAAAAJRc/e-OKWeMt1rg/dl-1-65edit_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />Wednesday and Thing 1 took a trip through Space Mountain….<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m8gXPq5GqyU/UMCvSvde5nI/AAAAAAAAJRk/veToGFiq3Sg/s1600-h/dl-1-695.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-10Di5_h41SQ/UMCvToKLr6I/AAAAAAAAJRs/qIrFjpV2vAE/dl-1-69_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<br />Wait—let’s get a closer look at that picture. Check out Thing 1’s face!….<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XqkHnyt8qlY/UMCvVWJNP4I/AAAAAAAAJR0/wgWwSImyJe8/s1600-h/DSC01238cropo%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fGaMUKIa4gY/UMCvW6va6SI/AAAAAAAAJR8/XIerQLSTSLo/DSC01238cropo_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />*snicker*<br />
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We enjoyed the fireworks show from an almost-deserted Tomorrowland while we ate a late dinner at Pizza Port, and it was a spectacular way to catch the fireworks show without being swallowed whole by the mammoth crowd on Main Street….<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IrxwIrQ9EyU/UMCvYmkwVPI/AAAAAAAAJSE/7gtmhgGeDfA/s1600-h/dl%2525201%252520%25252870%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8MgMrt22O6Q/UMCvZfRZbFI/AAAAAAAAJSM/72IlvafT3RY/dl%2525201%252520%25252870%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />We went on a few more rides, including The Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion Holiday (again), Pirates of the Caribbean (again), and Star Tours. After Star Tours, we got our Yoda and Wampa fix in the Star Trader Store….<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M68qAKPCOZM/UMCvbBq6SeI/AAAAAAAAJSU/LJtDtBXacKE/s1600-h/dl%2525201%252520%25252885%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RHqQkvCIX2k/UMCvb2bBEKI/AAAAAAAAJSc/bqTUlOTqehI/dl%2525201%252520%25252885%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0UUkYWF9PRs/UMCvdl-Ej6I/AAAAAAAAJSk/z6s8udrG5xc/s1600-h/dl%2525201%252520%25252886%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GKS-lyYGgKg/UMCvfOZsydI/AAAAAAAAJSs/T6tFA8CAX5k/dl%2525201%252520%25252886%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />I kind of wish I’d bought that Wampa hat now. I can rock that thing!<br />
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By this point, Scope, Wednesday, and I had been awake for almost 24 hours and we were starting to feel the pain. We decided to call it a night and crash in our hotel. On the way out of the park, we saw Sleeping Beauty’s Castle all aglow and looking gorgeous….<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qHXyvgPYlps/UMCvgooV3wI/AAAAAAAAJS0/GTwhVWeLeKQ/s1600-h/dl%2525201%252520%25252888%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--a6uGs9rUDc/UMCvhUCpYgI/AAAAAAAAJS8/KZiWD-y7G_0/dl%2525201%252520%25252888%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />And this is what Main Street USA looked like, all lit up with Christmas lights….<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jEqaV_FMbYw/UMCvjf265PI/AAAAAAAAJTE/xMZTZTDiCZY/s1600-h/dl%2525201%252520%25252893%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IHH4UAMAwIE/UMCvkKvxWLI/AAAAAAAAJTM/9HVVyzkhCDs/dl%2525201%252520%25252893%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />We even saw Mickey as he ran (literally!) right by us as we left the park….<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-82u9i6ufZOw/UMCvl3gbeJI/AAAAAAAAJTU/p1tnNqLOWj4/s1600-h/DSC01478%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9D395KyEWWo/UMCvmiHdFtI/AAAAAAAAJTc/EGVKFWW23dc/DSC01478_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />(Pfffft! Just don’t stare at that pic for too long. It will give you nightmares, I swear.)<br />
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Then soon we were at our hotel across the street and falling into bed for a few hours of blissful sleep before doing the whole thing over again the next day. <br /><br /><br />*le sigh* <br />
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I’ll be telling you about Day 2 next week…. once I figure out which pictures to post, which is kind of a daunting job because we took over 3100 pictures while we were there! (No, I’m not kidding!!!!) Oy.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1lfDEnbeONE/UMCvoMLCZTI/AAAAAAAAJTk/Lezxg4leOp0/s1600-h/CoracabanacopyrightFINISHEDcropskinn.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="135" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uAUJs4NND3M/UMCvokyGSUI/AAAAAAAAJTs/33UFlc-41wI/CoracabanacopyrightFINISHEDcropskinn%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="320" /></a><br />
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© CoracabanaCorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-35900405810280069352012-11-19T06:00:00.000-06:002012-11-19T06:00:17.522-06:00Pieces of Eight<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nat4T9kiFpo/UKmhutzHLoI/AAAAAAAAJIg/FDEErP5K9h0/s1600-h/8balldag%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mmwQcMLtL58/UKmhvdglyMI/AAAAAAAAJIo/lwciCSlI_a4/8balldag_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="320" /></a><br />
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<br />Eight. <br />
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It was eight years ago yesterday that I beat the odds and kicked Death in the tender man bits. It’s a long story involving my spinal cord, a blood clot, and a team of perplexed doctors in the ER who now call me ‘miracle’ because it wasn’t supposed to be possible to survive it without major paralysis (think Christopher Reeve) and yet I somehow magically did and walked out of the hospital. (If you want those kind of gory details, click <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2009/11/kiss-my-ass-death.html">HERE</a>.) <br />
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Needless to say, November 18th is always one of my favorite days of the year.<br />
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Now, <em><a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2012/03/explanation.html">some people</a></em> don’t want me to talk about that day here anymore or say “yay, I’m happy to be alive” and things like that. <em><a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2012/03/explanation.html">Some people</a></em> think I should pretend it never even happened in case I “frighten” my 16 year old by “reminding” her of it…. although how on earth I am expected to erase it from existence <strong><em>when I still have nerve damage and numbness on almost 50% of my body and we live with it every damn day of our lives</em></strong> is beyond me! (<em><a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2012/03/explanation.html">Some people</a></em> have no lives and need to butt out of other people’s personal health issues. Clearly.) However, I’m not going to bow like that to <em><a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/2012/03/explanation.html">some people</a></em> anymore. <br />
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No.<br />
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I celebrated my eighth “re-birth day” yesterday by going back through all the hundreds of posts I deleted back in March because of <em>some people</em> and re-published all my November 18th posts from the past because, well, it’s <strong><em>MY</em></strong> reality, it’s <strong><em>MY</em></strong> story to tell, it’s <strong><em>MY</em></strong> right to tell it, it’s <strong><em>MY</em></strong> blog, and—fuck it—I’m <strong><em>NOT</em></strong> taking dictation here. <br />
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(Oh, and the other hundreds of deleted posts? They’ll be coming back too…. just not quite yet because it will take some time to go through them all, and I’ve got something more important to do this week: <em><strong>LIKE GOING ON VACATION!!!!</strong></em>)<br />
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(Woo-hoo!)<br />
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So, anyway…. the moral of the story is: Surviving a health crisis is good. And people who try to hijack your blog and use your health against you in a court case are assholes. There. But anyway….<br />
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I’m not sure if I’ll be skipping through Blogaritaville much this week before we take off on our vacay, so, if not, have a Happy Thanksgiving, you guys! I hope it’s tryptophan-tastic! <br />
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JJ, we will be seeing you soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooon! :-)<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-REuTN_fc4_s/UKmhxBhxhmI/AAAAAAAAJIw/HyUoGNX9gOs/s1600-h/CoracabanacopyrightFINISHEDcropskinnyUNDERLINED%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="135" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kfLvnDwsUL8/UKmhxs6rE1I/AAAAAAAAJI4/lrK4alSC2Ak/CoracabanacopyrightFINISHEDcropskinnyUNDERLINED_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="320" /></a><br />
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© CoracabanaCorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-43960488199884829722012-11-16T22:08:00.000-06:002012-11-16T22:08:51.773-06:00I’m going to be just like Elaine with the sponges, I just know it! (Are you Twinkie-worthy?!)<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VDa7JE5l7DU/UKcNNZ53uiI/AAAAAAAAJGk/w7fj33QAdZA/s1600-h/542895_492190624148591_409866645_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Rui7_pKoZIw/UKcNOPNcNJI/AAAAAAAAJGs/5ToTR6xctFY/542895_492190624148591_409866645_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />I hit four stores to stock up on all things Hostess-y (and mourn my childhood) since I heard they went out of business this morning. Did you?!<br />
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*sniffle*<br /><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q8s3V5VGkWo/UKcNPiS2yMI/AAAAAAAAJG0/TKnM8yQPEAU/s1600-h/CoracabanacopyrightFINISHEDcropskinnyUNDERLINED%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="135" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I4w97lfdq0Q/UKcNQNML9bI/AAAAAAAAJG8/iWDIuKb5AGk/CoracabanacopyrightFINISHEDcropskinnyUNDERLINED_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="320" /></a><br />
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© CoracabanaCorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-18282296050569584232012-11-15T11:12:00.000-06:002012-11-16T05:59:34.880-06:00The Mr. Wrong Diaries<br />
I’m getting serious now.<br />
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I have this friend that I’ve known practically forever. She married Mr Wrong when she was too young and, in a nutshell, he was an abusive jackass from day one. There. Even after they split up, he was constantly pounding on her front door and showing up at her workplace, hounding, assaulting, and tormenting her. He was an angry, scowling, belittling, cruel, and violent kind of creep, and she was terrified of him. <br />
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Let’s call her Lily.<br />
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Lily was too afraid to call the police or even tell anyone what was happening because she knew that would just make Mr Wrong even <strong>MORE</strong> angry, so instead she tried whatever she could to keep him calm. For years she tried to handle it all by herself and for years she suffered alone with it. <br />
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Sometimes people would notice things weren’t right. They’d see Mr Wrong storming around. They’d hear Lily crying. They would ask Lily about it when Mr Wrong wasn’t nearby, but Lily would always say things were fine when things were definitely <strong>NOT</strong> fine. She was ashamed of the way things were and felt like maybe there was something wrong with <strong>HER</strong> because of the way Mr Wrong treated her. She didn’t want anyone else to see her the way Mr Wrong did, so she tried to act like everything was normal…. because when she pretended things were okay, everyone else thought things were okay, and then things kind of felt okay, okay? <br />
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<br />
Yeah. It was complicated. <br />
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<br />
But, even more complicated….<br />
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They had a child together before they split up. Let’s call the baby Daisy. Daisy was adorable, chubby, and such a happy little thing! Mr Wrong—who didn’t pay child support or daycare or contribute a single penny towards the child for a long, long time (until the child support officers caught up to him, of course)—used that child as an excuse to stalk and berate Lily. She could never, <strong>NEVER</strong> get away from him. <br />
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Somewhere along the line early on, Lily got some secret legal advise behind Mr Wrong’s back. She was told to write down everything Mr Wrong did to her and the baby, to keep a record of it all to use against him some day. So, she did. She amassed a huge box full of journals detailing all her interactions with Mr Wrong. However, years later, she found out that her journals were useless and couldn’t be helpful in court against Mr Wrong because the only kind of proof that the court wants to see is police or medical reports, and Lily had none. <br />
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Disgusted, Lily boxed up her diaries and gave them all to me. She said she couldn’t stand to ever see the damn things again because she felt like they had kind of betrayed her. She had poured all her misery out in those little books all those years, thinking she was doing the right thing and that those books would swoop in and save her one day…. but they didn’t. Instead, they left her alone in battle with Mr Wrong all over again, just like she had always been, and she hated them for it. <br />
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She said I could read them if I wanted to, she didn’t care anymore. I didn’t want to for a long time, but eventually curiosity got the best of me and I broke into the box of books. And I have never been the same since. My heart physically hurts, you guys. I can hardly stand thinking of my friend and her bubbly baby going through shit like that! Domestic violence and emotional abuse is never pretty, everyone knows that, but here in my hands I have a blow-by-blow account of it, spanning over a decade. I can’t believe no judge would accept this as evidence for Lily against Mr Wrong!!!! <br />
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I’m going to share snippets of a few of the many, many entries here in Lily’s own written words (with names altered to protect the innocent—and the guilty). Tell me what you think about the court system ignoring all of this either in the comments below or in email, as I know a lot of you prefer.<br />
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Domestic violence is not always like Law & Order, chock full of black eyes and restraining orders. Here’s what abuse more often looks like….<br />
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<strong>SNIPPET #1 (written one day in the Summer of 1997 when Mr Wrong flew into one of his many rages in front of Lily and baby Daisy while they were still living in the same house and Daisy was about eight months old)</strong><b>: </b><br />
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<em>“I don’t think I will ever make it out of his grip alive. He is getting more and more enraged over little, little things. I don’t know what to do.”…. <br /><br />“I’m not ‘allowed’ to touch his things anymore in case I somehow break them.”…. <br /><br />“He started yelling at me and getting in my face, saying, ‘you will treat my things with respect!’ and ‘if I come home and find my things ruined, you will be SO SORRY!’”…. <br /><br />“I didn’t break and ruin any of his things. How many times do I have to defend myself on that?”…. <br /><br />“He had his finger pointing in my face. He was yelling on and on about what a terrible person I am. He said I am ‘pathetic’. He said I am ‘hopeless’. He said I am ‘just a bitch’. He said I am a ‘fucking idiot’. He said I am ‘stupid’. He said I am a ‘moron’.”…. <br /><br />“He told me repeatedly to ‘fuck off’ and he told me all our problems are all my fault.”…. <br /><br />“He said that I ‘don’t deserve’ his ‘attention’ and I ‘don’t deserve’ his ‘respect’ and that I will never get it from him.”…. <br /><br />“He said I have nothing ‘important’ or ‘interesting’ to say.”…. <br /><br />“During his rampage I was feeding [Daisy] some cottage cheese, and right there in front of her, he kicked her Donald Duck toy across the apartment and it hit a wall by the front door. She burst into tears, with cottage cheese falling out of her mouth, tears running down her cheeks, and her arms up by her face, shaking in fear! I scrambled to get her out and comfort her. He didn’t feel bad, he didn’t stop to see if she was okay, he continued his yelling and accusations and went past us into the kitchen and kicked Donald Duck around some more until it broke!”….<br /><br />”He told me that he thinks I don’t love [Daisy], that I was only comforting her to make myself look good and to feed my ego!”</em><br />
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<strong>SNIPPET #2 (written in the Spring of 1998, eight months after Lily and Mr Wrong had been separated, and the day baby Daisy had just had surgery in the hospital)</strong><b>:</b><br />
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<em>”He followed us home and while [Daisy] was sleeping off the anesthetic in her crib, [Mr Wrong] was pulling me around and trying to talk me into having sex with him! He offered me money for it! That makes me so sick. He leaves us dead broke, then thinks he can get my pants off by waving money in my face. This is not the first time he has tried this! That is his opinion of me?”….<br /><br />”After all that has been happening and his not paying child support, the only way [Daisy] and I will get money is for me to have sex with him? We don’t need the money if that’s how we have to get it! I am not a prostitute!”….<br /><br />”I kept bluntly saying no and he kept asking for it. He wouldn’t stop!”….<br /><br />”He said he could ‘rape’ me if he wanted to.”….<br /><br />”He even offered me $100 to just drop my pants and let him have a look!”….<br /><br />”Then when I made it clear I didn’t want to be poked, tickled, or otherwise touched by him he started making fun of me. He brought up all the physical things that are ‘wrong’ with me. Then he said that he knows that a lot of the things he said and did to me during our marriage were ‘physical and emotional abuse’, but that I ‘had it coming’. (I could just scream!) He said that he knew when he was doing it that it was ‘wrong’ and that he ‘should stop’, but he didn’t because I ‘deserved it’.”….</em><br />
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<strong>SNIPPET #3 (written one day in the Summer of 1998, a year after Lily and Mr Wrong had separated)</strong><b>:</b><br />
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<em>”[Mr Wrong] came over unannounced again today. He kept grabbing and touching me and trying to talk me into sex. He pinned me to the floor, got on top of me, and was trying to pry my legs apart, all in front of [Daisy]. I fought and kept yelling no, but he wouldn’t listen or stop.”…. <br /><br />“Then he kept trying to kiss me on the lips. When I guess it finally became clear that I wasn’t going to give in, he said something mean about my weight and then kicked my stuff across the room. I could just puke!”….</em><br />
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<strong>SNIPPET #4 (written one day in the Summer of 1998 when Mr Wrong was in Lily’s house to, supposedly, have a visit with Daisy who was one and a half years old)</strong><b>:</b><br />
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<em>”[Mr Wrong] refused to leave me alone. He kept sneaking up behind me and jabbing me in my sides.”….<br /><br />”It didn’t matter how many times I told him to stop it, he just kept doing it. He pulled me to the floor and dug his fingers in my sides—it is very painful, he just digs his fingers in my sides as hard as he can and grinds them in me and ignores my crying, my telling him it hurts, and my telling him to stop it!”….<br /><br />”I hate myself for not punching him in the face.”….<br /><br />”[Daisy] kept shouting ‘Stop it! Stop it!’”….<br /><br />”’It wouldn’t hurt if you didn’t struggle,’ he said. ‘Don’t fight me!’”….<br /></em><br />
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<strong>SNIPPET #5 (written the morning after the previous snippet):</strong><br />
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<em>”I woke up today with bruises all up my sides from what [Mr Wrong] did to me yesterday. I’m still in pain! He has no business touching me!”….<br /><br />”I am SO ANGRY!”….</em><br />
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<strong>SNIPPET #6 (written one day in the Summer of 1999, two years after Lily and Mr Wrong had separated, and the day after Lily had told Mr Wrong to stop talking about her body in a degrading way because it made her uncomfortable):</strong><br />
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<em>”[Mr Wrong] told me he is mad at me for telling him my breasts are none of his business. He said it was ‘shitty’ of me. He told me he is a ‘smart’ person and ‘smart people should never be questioned’.”….<br /><br />”He yelled at me every time I said a word. He said ‘I can’t have a conversation with you if you talk!’”….<br /><br />”He told me to never say it is none of his business again, because when I did that, I was being ‘disrespectful’ and ‘discourteous’ to him.”….</em><br />
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<strong>SNIPPET #7 (written one day in the Summer of 1999, two years after Lily and Mr Wrong had separated, and when Lily was having trouble with Mr Wrong stalking her):</strong><br />
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<em>”Today [Mr Wrong] called my workplace and my chiropractor’s office looking for me. When the receptionist at the chiropractor’s office told me he had called, I figured something terrible had happened, so I called him back. But he had called me there just to tell me he wanted me to go out to dinner.”….<br /><br />”When I got home, my caller ID showed he had called [my home] 5 times this afternoon in addition to calling my workplace and my chiropractor!”….</em><br />
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<strong>SNIPPET #8 (written one night in the Fall of 1999, when Mr Wrong was in Lily’s house, supposedly, to visit Daisy who was two years old):</strong><br />
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<em>”[Mr Wrong] kept telling me and [Daisy] again and again that he is ‘evil’ and a ‘monster.” He actually put his face right into [Daisy’s] face and told her he is a ‘monster’.”….<br /><br />”He was saying he can foresee a day when [Daisy] will understand what he is and will want to kill him for it!”….<br /><br />”And he said ‘in five years, we will be friends or I will be dead’. I can only assume he means suicide.”….<br /><br />”He kept trying to hug me. He kept talking about my body. I was trying to hide my body under couch pillows again so he couldn’t see it.”….</em><br />
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<strong>SNIPPET #9 (written one night in the Fall of 1999, over two years after Lily and Mr Wrong had separated, and when Mr Wrong kept hiding in the dark to startle Lily outside her house and Daisy’s daycare night after night):</strong><br />
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<em>”[Mr Wrong] snuck in the dark and followed me. I didn’t know he was there until I turned around to find him behind me, glaring at me with a really frightening look on his face.”….<br /><br />”A chill ran right through me and I felt like running. He looked furious and I couldn’t think what I might have done to piss him off. I felt trapped in a spider web.”….<br /><br />”But it turned out [Mr Wrong] was just following me to ‘scare’ me. Mission accomplished!”…. </em><br />
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<strong>SNIPPET #10 (written one night in early 2001 when Mr Wrong was at Lily’s house, supposedly, to visit Daisy, who was three years old):</strong><br />
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<em>”[Mr Wrong] said he threatened [an acquaintance] with a baseball bat and hid the phone so [the acquaintance] couldn’t call 911 during ‘the beating’ and now [Mr Wrong’s sister] is ‘afraid’ of him and thinks he is ‘a monster.’ That’s what [Mr Wrong] told me while sounding all proud of himself, acting like being seen as ‘a monster’ appeals to him.”….<br /><br />”He told me not to tell anyone and told me he would come after me too if he ever hears back from anyone that I told them what he said.”….</em><br />
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Wow. Can you believe the legal system just dismissed all of that because it was written in journals instead of police reports?! <br />
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That was just ten diary entries. Ten out of hundreds and hundreds of them! That was just a small sampling of the earlier stuff Lily and Daisy went through. I haven’t even gotten to the more recent diary entries yet, because I could only stomach reading through the first couple of books on the pile, but I do know that in more recent years, things were really no better for Lily and Daisy at the hands of Mr Wrong…. although Daisy’s school did end up calling the police over red flags they picked up on regarding Mr Wrong’s behavior, and that changed the dynamic somewhat. <br />
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Why am I telling you about this? Well, because it dawned on me that just because Lily’s journals couldn’t help protect her from Mr Wrong within the legal system like she had thought they would, that doesn’t mean they can’t still be helpful. What’s that saying?…. <em>If you can’t be a good example, at least be a horrible warning.</em> (Or something like that.) Maybe by talking about it here, someone in a similar situation will be helped by it and then it won’t have been for nothing. <br />
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You guys, if you get the feeling someone you know is in an abusive, controlling, or otherwise twisted relationship, you are probably right. And, if she is, she likely feels that reaching out for help will only make things worse and that it’s best if she just handles it by herself. Don’t just <strong>ASK</strong> her if things are okay, because you probably won’t get an honest answer: <strong>GET HELP.</strong> Just do it. Do whatever you can to help her get out. She needs you, even if she can’t say so.<br />
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If you, yourself, are in an abusive relationship, please, <strong>PLEASE</strong> get help. If he is hurting you, threatening you, degrading you, scaring you, stalking you, or doesn’t understand that no means no, <strong>YOU NEED TO GET AWAY FROM HIM</strong>. Tell someone who can help protect you and whose statement will carry weight in court—a therapist, a doctor, or the police—but also tell your friends or family members as well, because the more people you have in your support system, the better. <br />
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One of the things I read in Lily’s journals that really crushed me was how much her friends and family disliked Mr Wrong, so they would just scatter like cockroaches whenever Mr Wrong showed up because they didn’t want to be in his company. That meant that, over and over again, Lily and Daisy were abandoned and left alone with him, and that’s when the abuse would occur. Mr Wrong knew Lily didn’t have much of a support system to protect her, and that’s why he kept doing those horrible things. Because he could. <br />
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Abusers can’t do what they do best in a crowd, they need their victims isolated. If someone is mistreating you, keep your support system close, tell people what is going on (even if your abuser tells you no-one will believe you—as Mr Wrong kept telling Lily), and always remember that what he does to you does <strong>NOT</strong> define who you are. <br />
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Abusers are just assholes. Plain and simple. It’s not <strong>YOU</strong>, it’s <strong>THEM</strong>. They don’t outgrow it. They don’t change. They don’t magically wake up one morning with newfound respect for you and realize what shitbags they have been. They just keep abusing people and convincing themselves that their victims ‘deserve’ it…. Like Mr Wrong, who just two weeks ago called Lily his “adversary with benefits” (in front of a court-ordered therapist!!!!—can you believe that????) when she attempted to confront him about the times in the past when he sexually assaulted her. <br />
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Wow.<br />
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Assholes never learn. <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EBpIODTIEyQ/UKUgW4Y9S7I/AAAAAAAAJE4/0azIDgzbLtg/s1600-h/CoracabanacopyrightFINISHEDcropskinnyUNDERLINED%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="135" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Kr30VuWEQWA/UKUgXq2h1XI/AAAAAAAAJFA/0z9FBAEF8dY/CoracabanacopyrightFINISHEDcropskinnyUNDERLINED_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="320" /></a><br />
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© CoracabanaCorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-16149950263003437772012-10-30T06:00:00.000-05:002012-10-30T06:00:05.895-05:00Walking in an Autumn Wonderland<br />
Aaaaaaaand now for another update on this year’s <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/search/label/Project%20365">Project 365</a>….<br />
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<strong>Day 276 (2012-10-02)</strong> ~ This is Halloween, this is Halloween…. Our fireplace mantle is covered with spooky Jack Skellington lights.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VmIjFElmMBk/UI1cVqamzCI/AAAAAAAAI-w/OtKOzDV1LlU/s1600-h/2012-10-02-day-276--9403crssblucorac.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="616" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IRAOpdiUL2k/UI1cWgm7P5I/AAAAAAAAI-4/-S_Q5pVWiqU/2012-10-02-day-276--9403crssblucorac%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
<strong><br /><br />Day 277 (2012-10-03)</strong> ~ Okay, so there is this therapist's office kind of nearby here that has this painting of a grumpy, surly-looking dog, glaring down at everyone in the lobby. This has always made me wonder.... <strong>WHO</strong> picked out <strong>THIS</strong> particular painting for a <strong>THERAPIST'S</strong> office and <strong>WHY????</strong> Wouldn't a painting of nice calming scenery be more appropriate?! I mean, seriously. Strange.<br /><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mla3ERrwVJA/UI1cYY7avPI/AAAAAAAAI_A/NY4jhHubJ9g/s1600-h/2012-10-03-day-277-3682crp2brstcorac%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-G_xeBqtvurY/UI1cZeSkg4I/AAAAAAAAI_I/VLip-ZEbtA8/2012-10-03-day-277-3682crp2brstcorac%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 278 (2012-10-04)</strong> ~ Whooooosh. Just experimenting with the Halloween lights.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-utoLGTyQ-28/UI1ca7IEHxI/AAAAAAAAI_Q/T4_3Ryc9QTE/s1600-h/2012-10-04-day-278---6811xpcoracaban%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uUb8LW7U-sg/UI1cbQaECUI/AAAAAAAAI_Y/fMte0vO7ls0/2012-10-04-day-278---6811xpcoracaban%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 279 (2012-10-05)</strong> ~ Fall leaves.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JmPF_9G8aMY/UI1cdiWbcQI/AAAAAAAAI_g/z97NGBZuQB0/s1600-h/2012-10-05-day-279--3689flmrlacoraca.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UD8XHWqvgaM/UI1cfKEfE8I/AAAAAAAAI_o/AxwSLqOQ3ZU/2012-10-05-day-279--3689flmrlacoraca%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 280 (2012-10-06)</strong> ~ You just have to respect a person that is <strong>THIS</strong> self-aware. <br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vHyE0PMc8x4/UI1cgmtbFKI/AAAAAAAAI_w/JAnTSjOxxvI/s1600-h/2012-10-06-day-280-3693flmtrxcoracab%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oHhwgJIc6_M/UI1chtKXtlI/AAAAAAAAI_4/q28IUoob_cU/2012-10-06-day-280-3693flmtrxcoracab.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 281 (2012-10-07)</strong> ~ We found some<strong> VERY</strong> red leaves at the park. Soooo pretty!<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tt-ZKZqBpg8/UI1cj5VrQmI/AAAAAAAAJAA/YWS_o7IQth8/s1600-h/2012-10-07-day-281--9500xpbrstcoraca%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KxZyB8XK6Zg/UI1ck0AZiaI/AAAAAAAAJAI/pfTs11BHEJk/2012-10-07-day-281--9500xpbrstcoraca.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 282 (2012-10-08)</strong> ~ More fall leaves at the park. (This one was actually taken on the 7th, not the 8th.)<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pyryiLzFTus/UI1cm_1in6I/AAAAAAAAJAQ/KJHSk4TdjIA/s1600-h/2012-10-08-but-really-7-day-282--950%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LvxuBxOjPK4/UI1cn3cKQDI/AAAAAAAAJAY/hrg_Eala10w/2012-10-08-but-really-7-day-282--950.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 283 (2012-10-09)</strong> ~ A very <strong>creeEEeeEEeepy</strong> front yard in our neighborhood.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MuBm6wY_Ops/UI1cqOqx2OI/AAAAAAAAJAg/v7nMlUpN6Ew/s1600-h/2012-10-09-day-283--3694mcbracoracab%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wSHiSzvsN0Y/UI1crEowumI/AAAAAAAAJAk/-LIQSOwTCWA/2012-10-09-day-283--3694mcbracoracab%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 284 (2012-10-10)</strong> ~ This is the view of the city skyline from our window. Half of the year it is completely hidden by that line of trees there, but all of a sudden this week the trees dropped all their leaves, revealing the city again.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SgcghUfumxc/UI1cs3z7-hI/AAAAAAAAJAw/tW9SemGnP4Q/s1600-h/2012-10-12-but-really-11-day-286---9%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SzNoD8VavRE/UI1ct_8kutI/AAAAAAAAJA4/5Pb2warkKrY/2012-10-12-but-really-11-day-286---9.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 285 (2012-10-11)</strong> ~ Just an early autumn morning walk through the park.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aw6db1MvKnw/UI1cwsSmqHI/AAAAAAAAJBA/IWpGhqmZUEo/s1600-h/2012-10-10-but-really-11-day-284---3%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HsfJvq5Lr4c/UI1cxz4bu2I/AAAAAAAAJBI/1dmfLWZufOs/2012-10-10-but-really-11-day-284---3%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 286 (2012-10-12)</strong> ~ One of our neighbors has Frankenstein's Monster lurking in their front yard. Awesome! I love Halloween!<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-x1dHiWqHPmU/UI1czfGBtzI/AAAAAAAAJBQ/IWqgFVjHhtQ/s1600-h/2012-10-11-day-285---3704crssgrncora%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MyMs_p5xXwI/UI1c1WcUuQI/AAAAAAAAJBY/mJ3lAG0IB1o/2012-10-11-day-285---3704crssgrncora%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 287 (2012-10-13)</strong> ~ Sooo.... is it luggage or a bench?! <a href="http://scope-tech.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Scope</a> found this in a local train station and took me there to show me because he knew I'd get a kick out of it.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4jVvZanAKOE/UI1c2zpb0UI/AAAAAAAAJBg/rJr2nTdw3Wo/s1600-h/2012-10-13-day-287----3708rbncoracab%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hMBNaW6j8Zw/UI1c39BIRsI/AAAAAAAAJBk/4THUK8EJYbs/2012-10-13-day-287----3708rbncoracab.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<br />More on the way soon….<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UOKgOsvLz5I/UI1c5WGDYVI/AAAAAAAAJBs/50rk67U5hsY/s1600-h/CoracabanacopyrightFINISHEDcropskinn%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="135" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-P-mXBvg7zXc/UI1c5_jcHKI/AAAAAAAAJB4/4FABygO3Rxc/CoracabanacopyrightFINISHEDcropskinn%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="320" /></a><br />
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<br />© CoracabanaCorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-17758932452809173662012-10-29T06:00:00.000-05:002012-10-29T06:00:01.514-05:00And then JK Rowling punched me in the face<br />
Aaaaaaaand now for another update on this year’s <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/search/label/Project%20365">Project 365</a>….<br />
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<strong>Day 261 (2012-09-17)</strong> ~ So, the teachers in Wednesday's school district went on strike for seven days after the start of the school year. They picketed, marched, handed out pamphlets, and tied red ribbons all over the trees at the local schools. This was one of the ribbons they wrapped around a tree at the local elementary school which I snapped with a partial color setting. Fortunately, everyone is back in school now, but Wednesday will have a shortened Christmas break this December/January because of it.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--DEZQsX2hUU/UIgBIP9sHiI/AAAAAAAAI5Q/PfeHXSDWKpg/s1600-h/2012-09-17%252520day%252520261%2525203664squrxpcoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="420" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dWLHL_FDguo/UIgBJv7_3AI/AAAAAAAAI5Y/ZuyMWuqDe9g/2012-09-17%252520day%252520261%2525203664squrxpcoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<strong><br />Day 262 (2012-09-18)</strong> ~ Yeah. *sigh* It's a straw. In a glass. And it’s purple. Uh-huh. I've got nothing else for the day. Sorry.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v6A3CJAsy8A/UIgBKgu4EkI/AAAAAAAAI5g/e4Kvr684jRo/s1600-h/2012-09-18%252520%252528but%252520really%25252019th%252529%252520day%252520262%252520%2525209294crpxpcoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R3CiY8G5qQ0/UIgBLZpvhdI/AAAAAAAAI5o/KtWtWuHyb1E/2012-09-18%252520%252528but%252520really%25252019th%252529%252520day%252520262%252520%2525209294crpxpcoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
<strong><br /><br />Day 263 (2012-09-19)</strong> ~ I kind of like this one. It's the blinds in our living room. Kind of cool, huh? <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SnHQZOuFX3g/UIgBNjy-NgI/AAAAAAAAI5w/RG_NxF5TDK8/s1600-h/2012-09-19%252520day%252520263%252520%2525209300bwcoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-G7zYUZG8ZdI/UIgBO7zldDI/AAAAAAAAI54/cDZBIAYI_mM/2012-09-19%252520day%252520263%252520%2525209300bwcoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 264 (2012-09-20)</strong> ~ Ooooooooooooooooh! Halloween is on its way! Looky what I found outside the grocery store! Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GWr7NK0Lo1A/UIgBQ2uGgSI/AAAAAAAAI6A/PoTCfqExPH8/s1600-h/2012-09-20%252520day%252520264%2525203666xp2trnqlcoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-V11J_FNEvpw/UIgBSZcK3GI/AAAAAAAAI6I/SNVlFB4F2r0/2012-09-20%252520day%252520264%2525203666xp2trnqlcoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
<strong><br /><br />Day 265 (2012-09-21)</strong> ~ We planted roughly a trillion carrots on our deck this spring, hoping for a big ol' harvest in the fall. Weirdly, they suddenly died all at once over the summer. All except this itty bitty runty little one, our sole survivor. <br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M9zreWDcelg/UIgBVKdCDGI/AAAAAAAAI6Q/QIv29Dfr18k/s1600-h/2012-09-21%252520day%252520265%2525209309ntrpdcoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kYwEH7qMlHY/UIgBW8CwGaI/AAAAAAAAI6Y/h7lmCXYxN7w/2012-09-21%252520day%252520265%2525209309ntrpdcoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 266 (2012-09-22)</strong> ~ A bucket of ghostly pumpkins we saw on the sidewalk.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-B82k1O4BQVY/UIgBY0pptfI/AAAAAAAAI6g/8xh6PRVlZy4/s1600-h/2012-09-22%252520day%252520266%252520%2525209318nfrrdcoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q8KF13uD92o/UIgBaNRHCXI/AAAAAAAAI6o/ztyvRtUT0VQ/2012-09-22%252520day%252520266%252520%2525209318nfrrdcoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 267 (2012-09-23)</strong> ~ A wise old owl that watches over Lincoln Avenue in Chicago. (Whoopsie. This was taken on Sept 22, not the 23rd. Sometimes life gets in the way of all this picture taking and posting.)<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k5EaVcw30WY/UIgBbw-FMuI/AAAAAAAAI6w/LiDGpNN4rhk/s1600-h/2012-09-23%252520%252528but%252520really%25252022%252529%252520day%252520267%252520%2525209329spacoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-H_RvNMrcO1o/UIgBc9fngvI/AAAAAAAAI64/Aruu99_IjDY/2012-09-23%252520%252528but%252520really%25252022%252529%252520day%252520267%252520%2525209329spacoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 268 (2012-09-24)</strong> ~ Yummy!<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7jaZnAAFHOw/UIgBeW8FELI/AAAAAAAAI7A/auFpylLCXY0/s1600-h/2012-09-24%252520day%252520268%2525209336xpstcoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mwx6KVjVVNw/UIgBfDwwyII/AAAAAAAAI7I/VqjgmZp0Inc/2012-09-24%252520day%252520268%2525209336xpstcoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 269 (2012-09-25)</strong> ~ One very colorful sunset as seen from our deck.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XZE8QXneuTk/UIgBgBTt10I/AAAAAAAAI7Q/urvDpV_32qk/s1600-h/2012-09-25%252520day%252520269%252520%2525209339xpcoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VGlswF7RUnM/UIgBiZumw4I/AAAAAAAAI7Y/V5qTQfD6LEs/2012-09-25%252520day%252520269%252520%2525209339xpcoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 270 (2012-09-26)</strong> ~ Out of ideas for the day, I took a quick close-up shot of my favorite Harajuku Lovers backpack.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cNxZ6cIXznc/UIgBmgY1pWI/AAAAAAAAI7g/H4JF7cATshs/s1600-h/2012-09-26%252520day%252520270%252520%2525203673xpcoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GESWyM_gSaw/UIgBoCIq-II/AAAAAAAAI7o/lBQJ1Slk0io/2012-09-26%252520day%252520270%252520%2525203673xpcoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 271 (2012-09-27)</strong> ~ I was <strong><em>sooooooooo</em></strong> excited the morning of Sept. 27th. I woke up with butterflies in my stomach and happy-danced my way out the door at 7am with my mind full of fond, old memories of Harry Potter midnight parties that I spent with Wednesday in our Hogwarts robes at Barnes and Noble several years ago. <br />
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*le sigh* <br />
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I literally ran (<strong><em>RAN!</em></strong>) (and there may also have been some skipping involved too!) down the street to get to Target before it opened so I could be first in line to get my copy of JK Rowling's new book, The Casual Vacancy. Only.... the excitement was very short lived. The Casual Vacancy was <strong><em>NOTHING</em></strong> like Harry Potter. <br />
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Oh.<br />
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<strong>SPOILER ALERT! IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW THE DETAILS OF THE CASUAL VACANCY, SKIP TO THE NEXT PICTURE:</strong> I…. I hardly know what to say, except, holy f*ck, do <strong><em>NOT</em></strong> read this book aloud to your kids!!!! The story follows a slew of very messed up characters through an election in a small town, the result of which will determine what becomes of the ugly slum side of that town and the desperate and hopeless people who linger there. Some want to give the residents a hand in bettering their lives so they can escape the slums; others would prefer to turn their backs and alter the town’s boundaries to make the slum and its residents someone else’s problem. And throughout it all, the various characters (and there are many!) lead the most dark, disturbing, unhappy, and over-the-top soap opera-like lives.<br />
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There’s a toothless heroine addict prostitute who shoots up in front of her kids. There’s an abusive dad who beats the sh*t out of his wife and sons. There’s a rapist who attacks a teenage girl and a three year old boy. There’s <strong><em>ANOTHER</em></strong> rapist who attacks his own daughter. There’s a suicidal girl who cuts herself with a razor blade because of bullies at school. There’s a series of hackers posting the town folk’s secrets online on the town council’s website. There’s a teenage girl who is desperate to get pregnant because she thinks it’s her only way out of the slums. There are teenagers having sex in a graveyard. There’s a thief. There’s an egomaniacal kid who spreads misery wherever he goes. There’s a drowning, a suicide, an attempted murder, a fatal medical malpractice case, <strong><em>AND</em></strong> a fatal brain aneurism. There is more profanity than in a million public bathroom stalls combined. There are two (<strong><em>TWO!</em></strong>) funerals at which Rihanna’s “Umbrella” song is played (????). And, at the end of it all, there’s really no closure or answers to any questions in any way whatsoever and I was just left sitting there, blinking, and thinking what a sad and pointless book that was. I mean, I feel like I was punched in the face by JK Rowling! <br />
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(JK, what the hell did I ever do to <strong><em>YOU?!</em></strong>)<br />
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That morning in Target on the 27th, I had actually purchased two copies of The Casual Vacancy; one for me and one for Wednesday, but I promptly returned Wednesday’s copy before she could even crack it open because there’s <strong><em>NO WAY</em></strong> my kid needs to be reading twisted misery like that before she’s 18. Or 30. Or 102. <br />
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But anyway….<br />
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This is what Target’s shelf looked like first thing in the morning before I grabbed two books and ran for the cashier, squealing in glee, completely unaware of what a non-Harry Potter-y adventure I was embarking on.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jz8ZYybDTCw/UIgBqNQdvVI/AAAAAAAAI7w/zMIKr8E7IO4/s1600-h/2012-09-27%252520day%252520271%2525203675flmrlacoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-flOjpDwcjrI/UIgBrDWXk8I/AAAAAAAAI74/jtTCfWTTMRw/2012-09-27%252520day%252520271%2525203675flmrlacoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 272 (2012-09-28)</strong> ~ The leaves started to fall in Chicago.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CX8JF5cuDYU/UIgBt-66FKI/AAAAAAAAI8A/Yitp8Wn7Fno/s1600-h/2012-09-28%252520day%252520272%2525203678rtncoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qOm7-7gyo8Q/UIgBu3x7KAI/AAAAAAAAI8I/q71EHugYrVA/2012-09-28%252520day%252520272%2525203678rtncoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 273 (2012-09-29)</strong> ~ Scope and I saw this car while we were out driving and we couldn't resist stopping for a quick picture of it. There were post it notes everywhere! <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZSFEz-plxy8/UIgBw-hImrI/AAAAAAAAI8Q/vsuOg0waOx4/s1600-h/2012-09-29%252520day%252520273%252520%2525203680tltstcoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BpSks3CU3BA/UIgBySCL4xI/AAAAAAAAI8Y/YvwIY3fg8yM/2012-09-29%252520day%252520273%252520%2525203680tltstcoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
<strong><br /><br />Day 274 (2012-09-30)</strong> ~ Nom nom nom. Wednesday was feeding some fish at a little pond, and this big fella was so excited about it that he came out of the water to try and get a bite. Hee hee hee.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DZ70HxspJRc/UIgB101K0SI/AAAAAAAAI8g/6X7WI8uFPkg/s1600-h/2012-09-30%252520day%252520274%252520%2525209351crpxpcoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-38GP-_xyKPA/UIgB3ZkE1ZI/AAAAAAAAI8o/3J8f58TLw8w/2012-09-30%252520day%252520274%252520%2525209351crpxpcoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 275 (2012-10-01)</strong> ~ While taking pictures of some bright orange leaves, I noticed a ladybug lurking around. Cute! (Whoopsie. This was taken on Sept 30, not Oct.1. Sometimes life gets busy and you miss a day or two, y'know? Sorry.)<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1gERvvDefao/UIgB5ap958I/AAAAAAAAI8w/wt4tRoEkb20/s1600-h/2012-10-01%252520%252528but%252520really%252520sept%25252030%252529%252520day%252520275%252520%252520%2525209386flmrlacrpcoracabana%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qsOb17SQfyg/UIgB7BmGOrI/AAAAAAAAI84/Rbwcf0G5_6U/2012-10-01%252520%252528but%252520really%252520sept%25252030%252529%252520day%252520275%252520%252520%2525209386flmrlacrpcoracabana_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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Almost all caught up now! I’m so excited! <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cYqbPsyK5og/UIgB98yNgrI/AAAAAAAAI9A/-6URdtLBddk/s1600-h/CoracabanacopyrightFINISHEDcropskinnyUNDERLINED%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="135" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5gQUXqtz1yw/UIgB-s7ZofI/AAAAAAAAI9I/zgQVDfrHHVI/CoracabanacopyrightFINISHEDcropskinnyUNDERLINED_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="320" /></a><br />
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© CoracabanaCorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746931553962539793.post-55430312982608171292012-10-26T06:00:00.000-05:002012-10-26T06:00:08.704-05:00The day I met The Blob. (No, no, I really did!)<br />
Serving up another update on this year’s <a href="http://lovelettersbycora.blogspot.com/search/label/Project%20365">Project 365</a>. Here we go….<br />
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<strong><br />Day 247 (2012-09-03)</strong> ~ I took a walk through Sculpture Park with <a href="http://scope-tech.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Scope</a> and Wednesday and this was one of the sights we stumbled upon. What a wild and wacky place!<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BrYQ9rRZyu0/UIfVjLbwzuI/AAAAAAAAI0M/p6IAijpSBVk/s1600-h/2012-09-03-day-247-8769xpflmvlcoraca%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="616" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-58V_PRC5Hzw/UIfVkVR7f6I/AAAAAAAAI0U/cl--xsYtzVc/2012-09-03-day-247-8769xpflmvlcoraca%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
<strong><br /><br />Day 248 (2012-09-04)</strong> ~ This was Wednesday’s first day of school. Since, I didn't want to have to hand in my Cool Mom card, I didn't take pictures of her outside her high school. However, the bus stop was totally fair game!<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mMmTY3ITK0Y/UIfVllKzt-I/AAAAAAAAI0c/V5wikcmWVuE/s1600-h/2012-09-04-day-248-3573xpcoracabana5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BzUaLIXUgyY/UIfVnN7ssFI/AAAAAAAAI0k/QadmqcMMxBA/2012-09-04-day-248-3573xpcoracabana_.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
<strong><br /><br />Day 249 (2012-09-05)</strong> ~ Just an interesting shadow our bamboo plant made on the wall. <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vMXEh_NE5Zk/UIfVoCoxzwI/AAAAAAAAI0s/0iPAJeVGrWY/s1600-h/2012-09-05-day-249-8809xpbwcoracaban%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zG3fxOJbUwQ/UIfVpK7GCzI/AAAAAAAAI00/rSNg4nElF4Q/2012-09-05-day-249-8809xpbwcoracaban.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 250 (2012-09-06)</strong> ~ Kind of the opposite of yesterday's picture, I guess. This is a shot of interesting splashes of light that were on a window sill in our stairwell.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q8lbVJhn8iU/UIfVqz4CdCI/AAAAAAAAI08/HJ_xjSIyq84/s1600-h/2012-09-06-day-250-3588dgbrdycoracab%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MhZ8ds20iDQ/UIfVsQg4pXI/AAAAAAAAI1E/hbgdSJiClAc/2012-09-06-day-250-3588dgbrdycoracab.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 251 (2012-09-07)</strong> ~ Just a string of bells we have hanging on one of our doors. (Oopsie. A slight cheat on this one. This was taken on the 6th, not the 7th.)<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Qd2jqXionXI/UIfVtcJHSeI/AAAAAAAAI1M/zJmTXFKwoyI/s1600-h/2012-09-07-but-really-06-day-251-359.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ffjNKvwEccA/UIfVucYZDdI/AAAAAAAAI1U/eVaF4ar4rjQ/2012-09-07-but-really-06-day-251-359%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 252 (2012-09-08)</strong> ~ Awww. My niece's outdoor wedding. It was <strong><em>GORGEOUS!!<br /><br /></em></strong><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0J8o9RsY4Ls/UIfVwds0nKI/AAAAAAAAI1c/uvp9WoKBYy4/s1600-h/2012-09-08-day-252-8876coracabana5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--eSh7NO7oOw/UIfVxZP2igI/AAAAAAAAI1k/NXGC6E2Iues/2012-09-08-day-252-8876coracabana_th.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 253 (2012-09-09)</strong> ~ Yeah. It's me and Wednesday in a fun house mirror. Ha!<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6O6s62dPVT0/UIfVyevSmQI/AAAAAAAAI1s/uv506dH35FU/s1600-h/2012-09-09-day-253-3611flmcrpcoracab%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EBjNj8XVGeM/UIfVzezbizI/AAAAAAAAI10/nY5VIXZ4vAU/2012-09-09-day-253-3611flmcrpcoracab.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 254 (2012-09-10)</strong> ~ Hey, look! It's The Blob! I stumbled upon this while out on a walk. Cute.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P_npH5_y0d8/UIfV18CoR7I/AAAAAAAAI18/TYmsYc51Lyw/s1600-h/2012-09-10-day-254-3619xpcoracabana5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JsaOP6b9hKM/UIfV2323e5I/AAAAAAAAI2E/bcEeT5nPZfc/2012-09-10-day-254-3619xpcoracabana_.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 255 (2012-09-11)</strong> ~ An Autumn-themed bench at a local elementary school.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mgeJDLavekU/UIfV5cVEFKI/AAAAAAAAI2M/r876EeMRLh0/s1600-h/2012-09-11-day-255-3625rtncoracabana%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1Adxr8-uBFc/UIfV64ETo6I/AAAAAAAAI2U/A_1nGriRmFk/2012-09-11-day-255-3625rtncoracabana%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 256 (2012-09-12)</strong> ~ Up close and personal in a local garden. I muted the colors a bit on this one. Duh. (A slight cheat on this shot too. It was taken on the 11th, not the 12th.)<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8YVOqDtGBIc/UIfV8UYfO-I/AAAAAAAAI2c/DRZG0Q8NuoI/s1600-h/2012-09-12-but-really-11th-day-256-3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VcNs0kh2Ztg/UIfV9EPQ5gI/AAAAAAAAI2k/u6XFDHIk_zM/2012-09-12-but-really-11th-day-256-3%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 257 (2012-09-13)</strong> ~ Just a quickie of a tree I passed under while out on a walk. <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3Xl2FVGbo9U/UIfV-xZjoXI/AAAAAAAAI2s/685OmntEpMU/s1600-h/2012-09-13-but-really-14-day-257-363%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-i8d15bvz1dg/UIfV_yESxhI/AAAAAAAAI20/E4XJY_TLW5o/2012-09-13-but-really-14-day-257-363%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="420" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 258 (2012-09-14)</strong> ~ The circus came to a local park. We were out of town for the clowns, but it was still kinda cool watching the tent being set up. (Dang it! A cheat on this shot too. It was taken on the 15th, not the 14th. Sorry, I got my days all scrambled for a little while there.)<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--6jlYHds7zI/UIfWCDKZcyI/AAAAAAAAI28/nqm0DMieJAY/s1600-h/2012-09-14-but-really-15th-day-258--%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7KvrrXn8368/UIfWC6BNNWI/AAAAAAAAI3E/hHoyyF8KmbM/2012-09-14-but-really-15th-day-258--%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 259 (2012-09-15)</strong> ~ At a friend's (and former blogger’s!) wedding we were all given sparklers at the party's end. Sooooooooooo much fun!! :-) (If you want to read Scope’s detailed version of the wedding with many, many more pictures that we took during the reception, click <a href="http://scope-tech.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-surf-turf-wedding-reception.html">HERE</a>.)<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ebkpT4jd_48/UIfWE-rsXuI/AAAAAAAAI3M/0XfhKp6imYk/s1600-h/2012-09-15-day-259--9237coracabana5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-awlaYX15rGM/UIfWFX3gSeI/AAAAAAAAI3U/enjBma_OfZk/2012-09-15-day-259--9237coracabana_t.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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<strong>Day 260 (2012-09-16)</strong> ~ Driving back up from southern Illinois, we saw lots of little oil wells working away in the fields alongside the road. We got up close and person with this one.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8dfdHAZ1-3g/UIfWHNlkcII/AAAAAAAAI3c/TyyYxLhaWN0/s1600-h/2012-09-16-day-260-9288coracabana5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_d_ersdCyVw/UIfWIO8KJeI/AAAAAAAAI3k/k53OSE_n1NQ/2012-09-16-day-260-9288coracabana_th.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="480" /></a><br />
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More pictures coming soon! <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-V5t0I3b7CZQ/UIfWJrwAHoI/AAAAAAAAI3s/RXjqKS0F7QA/s1600-h/CoracabanacopyrightFINISHEDcropskinn%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="135" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TasAyV5hlx0/UIfWKdHBAGI/AAAAAAAAI30/xnhijRYxxI0/CoracabanacopyrightFINISHEDcropskinn%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="" width="320" /></a><br />
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© CoracabanaCorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02640568359378959501noreply@blogger.com4