tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76726526462404883002024-03-05T14:57:05.821-05:00Ringo's Rat TalesAn adventure with some rambunctious little rodents...Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-18887615044352313762012-10-24T14:10:00.003-04:002012-10-24T14:13:25.357-04:00Goodbye, little buddy<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Edmund, our very special little friend has passed away a couple weeks ago. We miss him, and we can tell that his 2 cage mates are missing him as well. Rats are very friendly, social little critters. Edmund was a WONDERFUL pet! He was always happy to dress up for our photo shoots. </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>I've been promising Ringo's we'd create a memorial about Edmund's life. So, here it is. There's an interview with Ringo at the very end...</u>. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PFKd8F-BuPw/UIgpHpBxrdI/AAAAAAAANiY/MgGSzkoLgiA/s1600/d4cb6d42b5bc11e1bf341231380f8a12_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PFKd8F-BuPw/UIgpHpBxrdI/AAAAAAAANiY/MgGSzkoLgiA/s320/d4cb6d42b5bc11e1bf341231380f8a12_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cNhYGwrYGNE/UIgpN2w-PHI/AAAAAAAANig/ALDp7OvtFYA/s1600/IMG_20120522_175201+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cNhYGwrYGNE/UIgpN2w-PHI/AAAAAAAANig/ALDp7OvtFYA/s320/IMG_20120522_175201+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xx9wTdq-htM/UIgpYYETzHI/AAAAAAAANio/8sSwl1PS8JI/s1600/IMG_20120522_185156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xx9wTdq-htM/UIgpYYETzHI/AAAAAAAANio/8sSwl1PS8JI/s320/IMG_20120522_185156.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSfPnLyKF43LFdN0WYdHXLWxj1li29drKWW8wQf_WOy0O9DcmybdenhCpSeB5uEXXY_R3eCPCX9RLISyb0FsqO2G-tlQU-901l-2gsyX8Kc5O2j1YT6U9yiA5eLQHjk-sqFNjkbYn4-sg/s1600/IMG_20120522_181054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSfPnLyKF43LFdN0WYdHXLWxj1li29drKWW8wQf_WOy0O9DcmybdenhCpSeB5uEXXY_R3eCPCX9RLISyb0FsqO2G-tlQU-901l-2gsyX8Kc5O2j1YT6U9yiA5eLQHjk-sqFNjkbYn4-sg/s320/IMG_20120522_181054.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f6AcZ0IH6I0/UIgqLxyDHmI/AAAAAAAANi4/lnPDQGJzUhA/s1600/IMG_20120622_125341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f6AcZ0IH6I0/UIgqLxyDHmI/AAAAAAAANi4/lnPDQGJzUhA/s320/IMG_20120622_125341.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-He0NCVI8l_4/UIgqeyv1-0I/AAAAAAAANjA/NlgjuUimG-4/s1600/IMG_20120522_202829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-He0NCVI8l_4/UIgqeyv1-0I/AAAAAAAANjA/NlgjuUimG-4/s320/IMG_20120522_202829.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TwbLNL1lTT4/UIgqjUwXPCI/AAAAAAAANjI/2m08bcMfHF8/s1600/IMG_20120524_123513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TwbLNL1lTT4/UIgqjUwXPCI/AAAAAAAANjI/2m08bcMfHF8/s320/IMG_20120524_123513.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">I interviewed Ringo about his favorite things about Edmund, and his time with us:</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>1) What was your favorite thing about Edmund?</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>How he would let us dress him up in clothes and silly outfits. He was so cute and he was the best rat. I liked him because he was a very, very good rat. </b></span><br />
<br />
<b>2) Lots of people don't like rats. If you had to convince someone to change their minds, what would you tell them about pet rats?</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Rats are very clean. They clean themselves all day long. You can lift them upside down and their tail will turn round and round, it looks like a helicopter. They never ever bite. They are just like a dog because they like to play and chase you, and they know their names. They are super smart! Sometimes they chase their tales. They like to snuggle, but you have to be careful not to squish them. They like to ride in your pockets. </b></span><br />
<br />
<b>3) What do you miss the most about Edmund? </b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>I miss dressing him up and taking silly pictures and feeding him yogurt snacks. I loved to watch him pretend like he was fighting with the other rats. I loved to watch him snuggle and clean the other rats. He was always friendly. He liked to play peekaboo with the blankets. I loved Christmas day when we let him run around in all the boxes and wrapping paper. He was so tired at the end of the day and fell asleep in daddy's shoe. I will miss all that stuff. I can't wait to see him in heaven. </b></span><br />
<br />
<b>4) What was your favorite dress up/photo shoot experience with Edmund? Click below if you'd like to see what he's referring to:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">When GI Joe wrestled with Edmund:</span> </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://ringosrattales.blogspot.com/2011/10/wrestler.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">http://ringosrattales.blogspot.com/2011/10/wrestler.html</span></a><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;">And the Star Wars one:</span> </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://ringosrattales.blogspot.com/2011/10/29-star-wars.html"><span style="color: #cc0000;">http://ringosrattales.blogspot.com/2011/10/29-star-wars.html</span></a>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-47760132251187553242012-07-26T23:25:00.000-04:002014-12-03T09:51:09.287-05:00A tribute to my little brother<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #134f5c; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #134f5c; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>In Loving Memory of Travis Allen Whitaker </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #134f5c; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_fw3_qzheM/T9YBf_aaFHI/AAAAAAAANfk/Bi1uG4kWlu4/s1600/Scan-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_fw3_qzheM/T9YBf_aaFHI/AAAAAAAANfk/Bi1uG4kWlu4/s320/Scan-5.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My brother, Travis, died unexpectedly on February 14th. He leaves behind a wife and 3 beautiful children. The grief is overwhelming, but I wanted to do something of a "memorial" to him on this blog, especially since we had many pet rats and mice during our childhood. </span></div>
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just a quick ramble about Travis: </span></b></div>
<div style="color: #134f5c; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div>
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Travis had such a beautiful and simple sense of humor. He died at 33 years of age, but was still very much a child in his heart. We had an almost idental sense of humor. We loved to see animals dressed in ridiculous outfits and we'd often write silly stories in which we gave them human personalities, jobs, real life problems etc.... We would laugh at the most bizarre things and delight over the fact that the rest of the world didn't "get it". Even as adults, we held onto our private jokes, silly memories and mystery nicknames for one another. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Travis loved to make people laugh. His children were so precious to him; he was a very proud papa. He encouraged his kids' creativity, passed on his love for nature, animals, and his WACKY sense of humor! Travis was also a dare devil and his curiosity knew no limits (see EXTREME photo below). </span></b></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">The photo below was taken just a few weeks before he died. This is the story (as I understand it): The city he worked for had plans to outsource a job re: a small repair to this tower. The other guys didn't feel safe making the climb, or just didn't want to. My brother laughed at them and said, </span><span style="color: #45818e;">"I can do that, it's no big deal at all."</span><span style="color: #990000;"> Even though he'd never done it before, he began climbing immediately. </span></b></span><b style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </b><b style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His coworkers were shocked and took this photo. The "tiny" little person at the top of the tower is my brother, having almost reached his destination....</b></i></div>
<div style="color: #134f5c; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #134f5c; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4H4L8rJfJo/T9-uj7Vze8I/AAAAAAAANgU/dukIEOlj2wk/s1600/1-50761-sharedimage.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4H4L8rJfJo/T9-uj7Vze8I/AAAAAAAANgU/dukIEOlj2wk/s320/1-50761-sharedimage.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>I vividly remember this moment. It was Christmas Eve and we were anxiously awaiting Santa's arrival. We had no clue how he was going to come in our house since we didn't have a chimney. We were discussing all the various possibilities, and hoping like crazy he wouldn't forget to bring our presents!</i></b></span></div>
<div style="color: #134f5c; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #134f5c; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #134f5c; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6jNqWJHI5Mk/T9YB_0g8tCI/AAAAAAAANfs/FOMtgEpjW9E/s1600/.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6jNqWJHI5Mk/T9YB_0g8tCI/AAAAAAAANfs/FOMtgEpjW9E/s320/.jpeg" height="253" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Travis loved music. Each day after work, he'd pile his 3 kids in his lap and listen to a song (The Cello Song) by his favorite musician, Steven Sharp Nelson. We played this piece at his funeral, and it's now my favorite song as well. It moves me to tears, and inspires hope at the same time. This musician is absolutely brilliant, he revised the original and instead of playing one cello, he plays 8 cellos' and uses them very creatively. Please watch the Youtube video and listen to song. Turn off the t.v., sit down, put your phone on silent and <u>really</u> listen to it. </i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #134f5c; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ry4BzonlVlw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> </b></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b> </b></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Here are a few of my favorite photos of Travis:</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>We lined up the chairs on our lawn. Travis was the bus driver, eagerly waiting for his first hop on (maybe some of you will get the Arrested Development reference. Haha!)</i></b></span></div>
<div style="color: #134f5c; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #134f5c; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Oo9TEeiDRY/T9YBRHB_Y6I/AAAAAAAANfM/XO9gC8-Btr0/s1600/Scan-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Oo9TEeiDRY/T9YBRHB_Y6I/AAAAAAAANfM/XO9gC8-Btr0/s200/Scan-4.jpg" height="200" width="195" /></a></div>
<div>
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><i>2nd grade photo, probably my favorite picture of him. </i></span></b></span></div>
<div style="color: #134f5c; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b> </b></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #134f5c; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3T2_aWsQlo/T9X8kDpOINI/AAAAAAAANfA/g4vClkxeZHo/s1600/Scan-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3T2_aWsQlo/T9X8kDpOINI/AAAAAAAANfA/g4vClkxeZHo/s200/Scan-38.jpg" height="200" width="127" /></a></div>
<div>
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Travis doing what he loved best - enjoying nature!</i></b></span></div>
<div style="color: #134f5c; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #134f5c; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eyvQ72j3J7E/T9YC7j7KPhI/AAAAAAAANf8/dk76k9evirw/s1600/Scan-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eyvQ72j3J7E/T9YC7j7KPhI/AAAAAAAANf8/dk76k9evirw/s200/Scan-6.jpg" height="200" width="182" /></a></div>
<div>
<div style="color: #134f5c; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The photo below is from our wacky phases. I was all punked out, looking like a Vulcan with pink hair and nose ring. He was all about the Goth life - black fingernails, black hair, black crosses around his neck, etc....I thought he looked silly, and he thought I looked silly. Looking back, seems we were both right.</i></span></b></div>
<div style="color: #134f5c; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: #134f5c; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dSIyrZFHk2s/T9YCkpiNngI/AAAAAAAANf0/sth3ITk0rDQ/s1600/Pink+hair+days.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dSIyrZFHk2s/T9YCkpiNngI/AAAAAAAANf0/sth3ITk0rDQ/s320/Pink+hair+days.jpg" height="244" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br />
</b><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><i>And, a few more of my favorite pics....</i></span></b><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br />
</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sl7NX-9qBoo/T9-7atxjEmI/AAAAAAAANgg/thOATB9Cpkg/s1600/Scan-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sl7NX-9qBoo/T9-7atxjEmI/AAAAAAAANgg/thOATB9Cpkg/s320/Scan-24.jpg" height="320" width="301" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkj2Au5AukEz8nO1om-2LbVfLTpvEWQHGh9Qha5qtx5Si8dkeqqE5c84Ano0wYdkYEjZsnOv0kdvFEI0gA0wXXdlqcx8RSJkqMIFbOLFeeeGwR1GBMNhyphenhyphenK8MqYgL7qs3ioTJWc6bsPg5Hq/s1600/me+and+trabucky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkj2Au5AukEz8nO1om-2LbVfLTpvEWQHGh9Qha5qtx5Si8dkeqqE5c84Ano0wYdkYEjZsnOv0kdvFEI0gA0wXXdlqcx8RSJkqMIFbOLFeeeGwR1GBMNhyphenhyphenK8MqYgL7qs3ioTJWc6bsPg5Hq/s320/me+and+trabucky.jpg" height="320" width="252" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LLSdGQ82vHY/T9-7knkioZI/AAAAAAAANgw/GCScn2tgHXw/s1600/travis+and+angie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LLSdGQ82vHY/T9-7knkioZI/AAAAAAAANgw/GCScn2tgHXw/s320/travis+and+angie.jpg" height="320" width="233" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<b style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The next image is a collage that I made for Travis' birthday last year. It's silly, but it has deep, personal meaning that represents very good memories and some very bad memories in our relationship. The collage is based on an excerpt from a book called <u>The Reason for God</u>, by Tim Keller. This (in my opinion) is the most profound sentence in the entire book.</i></span></b> <b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">"....everyhorrible thing that ever happened will not only be undone and repaired but will in some way make the eventual glory and joy even greater." </span></b> </div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i> </i></b></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #134f5c; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CU811e1Ehns/T1Y615UbGoI/AAAAAAAANVY/xkp4NJ7J0BU/s1600/pallengensis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CU811e1Ehns/T1Y615UbGoI/AAAAAAAANVY/xkp4NJ7J0BU/s400/pallengensis.jpg" height="302" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
</div>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Today, a good friend sent me a very sweet email. She validated my grief and reminded me that even though Travis' death is agonizingly painful, it will get easier over time. She reminded me that there is still beauty in the world and that I will continue to see the beauty Travis brought into this life. I burst into tears after reading it. I've never thought of it like that....in some ways, he's not really dead. His wife and children will always be reminders of Travis. Because of her email, I wanted to update my "Travis Memorial" with some recent pictures of our beach trip with them. This was only 2 months after his death, and I <u>clearly</u> see Travis' life in this photos. </b></span>
<br />
<div style="color: #134f5c;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Solomon's</span></b><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> 1st interaction with the ocean....he LOVED it! </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b> </b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q54fQp8kb04/T9_E1GhVGfI/AAAAAAAANg8/09r4HVjmSMM/s1600/IMG_8000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q54fQp8kb04/T9_E1GhVGfI/AAAAAAAANg8/09r4HVjmSMM/s320/IMG_8000.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is Isabelle's interaction with the water! </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b> </b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bdytuSA452E/T9_GefTVbOI/AAAAAAAANhE/mHWws9cyJDg/s1600/IMG_7607+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bdytuSA452E/T9_GefTVbOI/AAAAAAAANhE/mHWws9cyJDg/s320/IMG_7607+(2).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The final photo is Malachi (the oldest son) playing with his mom in the water. Malachi was "undunkable", until his mom got a hold of him. She's a strong gal!</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNjt8TY8nzcjKydEpE0qKrPzsXCUaQSs3YCOJBDCYn7LTKKaJGenZJzHNn3OW2QgdhEJ6q-alH522SU8sIlwiqJu4vxUj0OruCLqGcdOsrzeJh2C0Ss_0qSRwJ1jAwWtYjLYlF9xMurS-/s1600/IMG_8019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNjt8TY8nzcjKydEpE0qKrPzsXCUaQSs3YCOJBDCYn7LTKKaJGenZJzHNn3OW2QgdhEJ6q-alH522SU8sIlwiqJu4vxUj0OruCLqGcdOsrzeJh2C0Ss_0qSRwJ1jAwWtYjLYlF9xMurS-/s320/IMG_8019.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i> </i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></b></div>
</div>
Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-45189816061363699472012-05-02T15:59:00.000-04:002012-07-26T09:36:13.546-04:00For Wiley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I'm hoping this post will put a smile on my friend's face during a sad time. I don't know if your brother will be able to read this, but I wrote a note to him as well...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JZQ4dnmTIuA/TqDIito-xbI/AAAAAAAANJY/k36fRy3NYOk/s1600/police+rat2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JZQ4dnmTIuA/TqDIito-xbI/AAAAAAAANJY/k36fRy3NYOk/s400/police+rat2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <br />
<br />
<div style="color: #0b5394;">Dear Wiley, </div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394;">If you feel well enough to read this, I want you to know I read the touching <u><a href="http://www.salisburypost.com/News/020512-Salisbury-Police-Officer-Wiley-Lamm-qcd">article</a></u> about how you've dedicated your career to serving and protecting your community! What an amazing life of service you've led! I don't know you, but I'm grateful to be reminded that there are people like you out there in the world. Your sister is an amazing woman. She's compassionate, honest, and very intuitive. I have a feeling you're both very similar in that regard. If I knew you felt well enough for a visit, and that it wouldn't freak you out...I'd come straight to you, give you a huge hug and some sweet smelling flowers. I may be a stranger to you, but I don't care! All you have to do is say the word and I'm there. I can read funny stories to you guys (David Sedaris?), bring a favorite food, listen to your favorite adventures about life as a cop, or whatever you guys want! </div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394;">With Love,</div><div style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394;">Angela, Ringo, Jeff</div><br />
<b>A note to anyone else who reads this: </b><br />
<br />
The article about Wiley truly touched my heart; he is a fascinating man. Reading about him made me grateful for the people who work hard to protect us. Next time you're out and you a see a cop (<i><b>even</b></i> if he just pulled you over for speeding), take a moment to say thanks for what they do!Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-60281327021515019672012-04-16T15:53:00.000-04:002012-07-26T09:36:13.595-04:00Miss Annie Kate<div style="color: #45818e; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A couple of our friends have waited so long for their first child, and she is FINALLY here. This post is for Annie Kate and her parents! Congratulations!! Enjoy every minute your time with her. As a friend once told me, "The days are long, but the years are short." And that is so true.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CpsCjLbX_RA/T4x4NPGlXOI/AAAAAAAANYo/VJSsFzjn-nI/s1600/Miss+Annie+Kate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CpsCjLbX_RA/T4x4NPGlXOI/AAAAAAAANYo/VJSsFzjn-nI/s400/Miss+Annie+Kate.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-67397547287491300322012-02-28T13:21:00.006-05:002012-07-26T09:36:13.601-04:00Rare Disease Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5T6cgSDg3FdRZcx7wUilxXcpRIIn1WqLb7L8CHPoQ6xH6T9r2GH41FxomvvKiyQdcToOtyvPLRlsIUEy6cYGd0nbWdHtA-WAZpxFXSc1ffJ6l1DIn_tPorsPKW1f74QkY-XTPV0rj9Z9/s1600/rare+disease+day+rat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5T6cgSDg3FdRZcx7wUilxXcpRIIn1WqLb7L8CHPoQ6xH6T9r2GH41FxomvvKiyQdcToOtyvPLRlsIUEy6cYGd0nbWdHtA-WAZpxFXSc1ffJ6l1DIn_tPorsPKW1f74QkY-XTPV0rj9Z9/s400/rare+disease+day+rat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">My husband (Jeff) has had a rare disease since childhood. It's becoming more aggressive and he's required several surgeries in the past 6 months. Most doctors know so little about it that they aren't even aware of its potential to spread into the lungs. His disease is generally considered to be benign, unless the lungs become involved. Then, it becomes high risk for cancer. By the time this was discovered in his lung, cancer was already in place. Pneumonia and a collapsed lung turned out to be a blessing in disguise, leading to his cancer being discovered at an early stage. The tumor was removed via lobectomy in January. While the cancer is hopefully gone, he'll require frequent and invasive procedures since the primary the disease is incurable and keeps him at high risk for future cancer. </span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Because our lives have been overwhelmingly impacted by such a rare disease, I've decided to try and raise awareness and ask people to be advocates for patients with rare diseases. There are several ways to do this:</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1) Support research and vote accordingly. Stem cell research and similar issues are a hot topic, I know...but until you've had a loved with life threatening illness, you can't begin to imagine the lengths you'd go to to save their lives.</span></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2) Donate to support research for specific diseases. Pick one at random, or donate to a cause you've been impacted by. Go to <b style="background-color: yellow;"><a href="http://www.rarediseases.org/">this site</a></b> to learn about various diseases that need research funding.</span></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3) If you're a parent, a concerned spouse, or friend, and you feel deep in your gut that something isn't right about your loved one's health...keep pushing for answers until you're satisfied. Doctors are very limited by time and it's been proven that patients who have advocates gets better care. Don't be intimidated by doctors! Every patient has a right to understand their symptoms and/or illness and to be sure that appropriate measures are being taken to secure their well-being.</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Three rare diseases have had a personal impact on my life. They're all worthy causes for donations and research. I've included links to their information.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Click <a href="http://www.rrpf.org/index.shtml" style="background-color: yellow;">here</a> for info re: my husband's disease (Recurring Respiratory Papillomatosis)</b></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gqXG16JGRv8/T1ZMW2_IApI/AAAAAAAANV4/Cg2Oq37IRaw/s1600/IMG_3609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gqXG16JGRv8/T1ZMW2_IApI/AAAAAAAANV4/Cg2Oq37IRaw/s200/IMG_3609.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Click </span><a href="http://www.smafoundation.org/" style="background-color: yellow; color: #0b5394;">here</a><span style="color: #0b5394;"> for info re: my god-daughter's disease (Spinal Muscular Atrophy)</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>* Also, check their <a href="http://avacamille.org/" style="background-color: yellow;">personal blog</a> for more information. <u>They're going to be raising money for a much needed handicap equipped vehicle...also a worthy opportunity for donations! </u></i></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5LdplKr5pQg/T1ZOC10ralI/AAAAAAAANWA/sc2EMtitMDg/s1600/ava.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5LdplKr5pQg/T1ZOC10ralI/AAAAAAAANWA/sc2EMtitMDg/s200/ava.jpg" width="149" /></a></div><br />
<div style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Click <a href="http://www.cdlsusa.org/" style="background-color: yellow;">here</a> for info about a friend's disease (CdLS)</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>* Check their <a href="http://www.2petrats.com/index.htm" style="background-color: yellow;">personal website</a> and <a href="http://www.2petrats.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: yellow;">blog</a> to learn about their awareness campaigns.</i></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mXL415ywLR8/T1ZPvd2WIeI/AAAAAAAANWI/GjPbwCzihGY/s1600/cdls-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mXL415ywLR8/T1ZPvd2WIeI/AAAAAAAANWI/GjPbwCzihGY/s200/cdls-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-40936759257047174902011-12-02T18:41:00.008-05:002012-07-26T09:36:13.604-04:00For Christina<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Rat Whisperer</span></div>
<br />
Once upon a time, there was a lovely young girl named Christina. She had a unique talent - she could talk to rats!!! One day, Christina heard a very sad tale about 2 rats, Peter and Edmund, who lived in the forest. As you may already know, rats are very misunderstood and unappreciated animals. Peter and Edmund were very lonely. The other forest creatures often said mean things and refused to play with them.<br />
<br />
Christina had a HUGE heart. After hearing about Peter and Edmund, she immediately decided to search for them. She wanted to help all the creatures of the forest understand just how special rats really were!<br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<b><br />
</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>DAY #1:</u> Because Peter and Edmund assumed everyone disliked them, it took awhile before they let Christina get close, but she eventually made contact:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BlKrdSxDDSw/TtlNVwnl7pI/AAAAAAAANSU/zeQryc22lSM/s1600/5553747234_911e72f19d_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BlKrdSxDDSw/TtlNVwnl7pI/AAAAAAAANSU/zeQryc22lSM/s320/5553747234_911e72f19d_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>DAY #2:</u> Peter and Edmund began to feel safe in Christina's presence. They even took a nap with her:</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fbosod2Dnp8/TtlMq1c8owI/AAAAAAAANSM/sWBDFdQgOJ4/s1600/nap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fbosod2Dnp8/TtlMq1c8owI/AAAAAAAANSM/sWBDFdQgOJ4/s320/nap.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<b><br />
</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>DAY #3:</u> She read them her favorite book: <i><u>The Great Ratsby</u></i>. The other animals became very curious about Christina. They wondered why she'd spend so much time with those yucky rats! Soon, they'd all realize just how wonderful Peter and Edmund really were!</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IjxCOOmW1J8/TtlJyxkf3HI/AAAAAAAANRc/WXsymyC-I0E/s1600/5553228381_2eaa0ef792_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IjxCOOmW1J8/TtlJyxkf3HI/AAAAAAAANRc/WXsymyC-I0E/s320/5553228381_2eaa0ef792_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>DAY #4:</u> Christina finally helped the forest animals see how amazing Peter and Edmund were. Edmund was so happy that he sang a song about how much he loved Christina and how she had made him the happiest rat in the whole world!</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzKSQzgZXJeaRizZ0pP_Fq0qpD8kOin3TlUnlCNmJUCV5lb1OWQTBgIGnehmnLesUodaMPdr6a-cW5-AZyik9ysTd16Y3dv0zPLsTGxROBZVskR0CXexDCI37bGMcDy-2Q11G1-ELAM1V/s1600/5552997931_e60fccbd86_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzKSQzgZXJeaRizZ0pP_Fq0qpD8kOin3TlUnlCNmJUCV5lb1OWQTBgIGnehmnLesUodaMPdr6a-cW5-AZyik9ysTd16Y3dv0zPLsTGxROBZVskR0CXexDCI37bGMcDy-2Q11G1-ELAM1V/s320/5552997931_e60fccbd86_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>DAY #5:</u> Christina couldn't wait to introduce Peter and Edmund to her big sister, Maggie. Maggie loved rats, too! A lifelong friendship was born, and now Maggie and Christina visit Peter and Edmund every single week!</b><br />
<b style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H6khQPJh98I/Ttl13SgjxhI/AAAAAAAANSg/cyHeFNpFqCA/s1600/maggie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H6khQPJh98I/Ttl13SgjxhI/AAAAAAAANSg/cyHeFNpFqCA/s320/maggie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #45818e;"> Here are a couple cute pictures of the REAL Maggie and Christina! Man, they are some cute kids!</span></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jp7mx8xvSw8/Tto46Jsi0nI/AAAAAAAANSs/vsdYLAupbNQ/s1600/christmas+rat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jp7mx8xvSw8/Tto46Jsi0nI/AAAAAAAANSs/vsdYLAupbNQ/s320/christmas+rat.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVFwJbU8E1fWelDdx_EAwHFoc7LlV1hMwrrop_PNYZmq2g9ddFne6WbS84yCliNMLftEwIIaN9kEJo0sv9dI6cnH_F8_48kVBda_HoP0jk8p2o1O57BqLaa5CQkvoNRiCry5ztdXaOdrk/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVFwJbU8E1fWelDdx_EAwHFoc7LlV1hMwrrop_PNYZmq2g9ddFne6WbS84yCliNMLftEwIIaN9kEJo0sv9dI6cnH_F8_48kVBda_HoP0jk8p2o1O57BqLaa5CQkvoNRiCry5ztdXaOdrk/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>P.S: Christina, you have one of the best doctors in the world, and he will take great care of you! You've probably noticed that he's a pretty funny guy. But did you know that he used to be a wrestler? It's true!! Click <span style="background-color: #9fc5e8; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://ringosrattales.blogspot.com/2011/10/wrestler.html">HERE</a></span> for a few giggles... </b></span></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-39441218076969804492011-10-31T12:47:00.001-04:002012-07-26T09:36:13.617-04:00#31 - Bunny Rabbit<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>And, now for the end of our Halloween countdown....</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>31st Day of Halloween: Bunny Rabbit</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hpOgksL7AJw/TbbSDK4FAlI/AAAAAAAANAk/pujn0S0UOng/s1600/IMG_5086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hpOgksL7AJw/TbbSDK4FAlI/AAAAAAAANAk/pujn0S0UOng/s400/IMG_5086.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-91299467036121693382011-10-31T12:46:00.000-04:002012-07-26T09:36:13.563-04:00#30 - Firefighter<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>30th Day of Halloween: Firefighter</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yzFYrwEc3cw/TeQwXLKCWpI/AAAAAAAANAk/T7qoGxx9V-Q/s1600/Fire+safety+tips.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yzFYrwEc3cw/TeQwXLKCWpI/AAAAAAAANAk/T7qoGxx9V-Q/s400/Fire+safety+tips.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-33688432949730507482011-10-31T12:44:00.000-04:002012-07-26T09:36:13.558-04:00#29 - Star Wars<div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>29th Day of Halloween: Star Wars</b></span><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yoda:</span><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9t8qDqL2d8/Tf10C7tkkWI/AAAAAAAANAk/aRtA7SGJVSU/s1600/IMG_6221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9t8qDqL2d8/Tf10C7tkkWI/AAAAAAAANAk/aRtA7SGJVSU/s320/IMG_6221.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chewbacca: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--s7wC-ARrI8/Tf14kqSgqzI/AAAAAAAANAk/El3Kq9X80u8/s1600/IMG_6184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--s7wC-ARrI8/Tf14kqSgqzI/AAAAAAAANAk/El3Kq9X80u8/s320/IMG_6184.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>R2D2:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DixHu1LsqBo/Tf1nZsXDdCI/AAAAAAAANAk/qT4a_g7jVkI/s1600/IMG_6282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DixHu1LsqBo/Tf1nZsXDdCI/AAAAAAAANAk/qT4a_g7jVkI/s320/IMG_6282.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Storm Trooper:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5r3tg4cNS84/Tf1sP5slKsI/AAAAAAAANAk/36T8Ez6lfKQ/s1600/IMG_6284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5r3tg4cNS84/Tf1sP5slKsI/AAAAAAAANAk/36T8Ez6lfKQ/s320/IMG_6284.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Darth Vader:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tzvGHKd9bBM/Tf2UWg3tc8I/AAAAAAAANAk/xQCFvAFKIlI/s1600/IMG_6263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tzvGHKd9bBM/Tf2UWg3tc8I/AAAAAAAANAk/xQCFvAFKIlI/s320/IMG_6263.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Princess Leia (and Luke Skywalker):</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zziPo6bGoH4/Tf1vGZfHxwI/AAAAAAAANAk/tQnsfVobIrI/s1600/IMG_6240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zziPo6bGoH4/Tf1vGZfHxwI/AAAAAAAANAk/tQnsfVobIrI/s320/IMG_6240.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Han Solo</span>:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">* This photo was just before he was frozen in Carbonite. There are serious consequences for rebelling against the Galactic Empire!!</span></span></b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ta_fCklzJTk/Tf1w2lUDZ5I/AAAAAAAANAk/Q4VsAHCYsfk/s1600/IMG_6305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ta_fCklzJTk/Tf1w2lUDZ5I/AAAAAAAANAk/Q4VsAHCYsfk/s320/IMG_6305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
</b></span></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-35152782297625579552011-10-31T12:33:00.000-04:002012-07-26T09:36:13.598-04:00#28 - Reindeer<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>28th Day of Halloween:Reindeer</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wiNP4tijDk4/TgKxNZsVxyI/AAAAAAAANAk/6J2Ouws3ok4/s1600/IMG_5113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wiNP4tijDk4/TgKxNZsVxyI/AAAAAAAANAk/6J2Ouws3ok4/s400/IMG_5113.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fRuJ5ZvN84s/TgKxZco__FI/AAAAAAAANAk/BATJybk4TpE/s1600/IMG_5060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fRuJ5ZvN84s/TgKxZco__FI/AAAAAAAANAk/BATJybk4TpE/s400/IMG_5060.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-50763945918805442852011-10-31T12:21:00.000-04:002012-07-26T09:36:13.657-04:00#27 - Rambo<div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>27th Day of Halloween: Rambo</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We're having some special guests on our blog for the Halloween countdown! There are lots of creative people with some very compliant pets out in the world. I found this fabulously creative and hilarious pet owner over at Flickr. Ringo and I were looking at her </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51100479@N08/" style="color: red; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">photostream</a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">, and absolutely could NOT pull ourselves away from the computer. She gave me permission to share them, via the blog. Click </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51100479@N08/" style="color: red; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">here</a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> to see more of her work. </span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qOwbsnJxmDU/Tq7KqCCiSgI/AAAAAAAANMc/RtwmKSEZCFc/s1600/5744464081_120b4676c3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qOwbsnJxmDU/Tq7KqCCiSgI/AAAAAAAANMc/RtwmKSEZCFc/s400/5744464081_120b4676c3_b.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></b>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-90077974220864492942011-10-31T12:15:00.002-04:002012-07-26T09:36:13.643-04:00#26 - Trick or Treat<div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>26th Day of Halloween: Trick or Treat</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>We're having some special guests on our blog for the Halloween countdown! There are lots of creative people with some very compliant pets out in the world. I found this fabulously creative and hilarious pet owner over at Flickr. Ringo and I were looking at her <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51100479@N08/" style="color: red;">photostream</a>, and absolutely could NOT pull ourselves away from the computer. She gave me permission to share them, via the blog. Click <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51100479@N08/" style="color: red;">here</a> to see more of her work. </b><br />
<b> </b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v2lxTIETy6o/Tq7JVA5ryTI/AAAAAAAANMQ/EINqK00P3Sc/s1600/Trick+or+Treat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v2lxTIETy6o/Tq7JVA5ryTI/AAAAAAAANMQ/EINqK00P3Sc/s400/Trick+or+Treat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-90900784645578310482011-10-31T12:13:00.003-04:002012-07-26T09:36:13.623-04:00#25 - Fonzie<div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>25th Day of Halloween: Fonzie</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>We're having some special guests on our blog for the Halloween countdown! There are lots of creative people with some very compliant pets out in the world. I found this fabulously creative and hilarious pet owner over at Flickr. Ringo and I were looking at her <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51100479@N08/" style="color: red;">photostream</a>, and absolutely could NOT pull ourselves away from the computer. She gave me permission to share them, via the blog. I love people like her...we all need something to make us giggle, especially in a world that has become way tooooo serious! There are plenty of troubles to be had, but we have to find the small things that make us smile! Amen?</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Click <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51100479@N08/" style="color: red;">here</a> to see more of her work: </b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtz3dRxtALfSi16rDQUIFppIJp1UqwLDUwaIan61l8MhHujavNNXjvfwbZeoxcLvmqxqz5a7hnwOMyHPbzXF-q8Uu3E02k0Kg-u-CIGcj2X6KDf6fGlnTSjq_QJJhh3XV0gTPtOArNTwC/s1600/karla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtz3dRxtALfSi16rDQUIFppIJp1UqwLDUwaIan61l8MhHujavNNXjvfwbZeoxcLvmqxqz5a7hnwOMyHPbzXF-q8Uu3E02k0Kg-u-CIGcj2X6KDf6fGlnTSjq_QJJhh3XV0gTPtOArNTwC/s400/karla.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-60174544589296961972011-10-31T10:48:00.002-04:002012-07-26T09:42:03.144-04:00#24 - Mondays for Melanie<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><b>24th Day of Halloween: Mondays for Melanie</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Life has been crazy for our family these past few months, and I haven't done a good job keeping up with my "Mondays for Melanie" segment. I hope to get back to it ASAP. This wonderful family continues to be in my thoughts on an almost daily basis, so I wanted to do a quick post to highlight their desire to create awareness about their daughter's rare disease. </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Every member of this family, and many folks from their community have tenaciously and lovingly advocated for Melanie. Our family originally connected with the Glatzmayers' through our common love for pet rats, and we want to help them raise awareness about a very rare disease called CdLS. </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Melanie's pet rat has been a very important part of their journey. In fact, her brother wrote this precious book called, </b><span style="color: red;"><b><a href="http://www.2petrats.com/about.htm#birthofbook" style="background-color: #ffd966;"><u>Melanie & Tommy have 2 Pet Rats & 1 Syndrome</u></a></b></span><b>. It's always wonderful to meet others who know that these little critters are fascinating, intelligent, affectionate and playful pets. We also know how sad it can be to lose a furry friend. So, for this post, I thought I'd include a couple photos from Melanie's blog. The first photo captures their halloween playfulness. The second captures a very heart-warming farewell ceremony after Melanie's pet rat (Cinderella) passed away. </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="color: #bf9000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Melanie, we're so sorry you lost such a sweet friend! </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>If you don't know about the family we've been following, <a href="http://ringosrattales.blogspot.com/2011/04/girl-named-melaniemore-info-coming-on.html" style="background-color: white; color: red;">please click here</a>. You'll see a HILARIOUS video about their international rat spies. You'll also see links to their blog & website, where you can learn more about this special family!</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RmO1dQ0gIp8/Tq6vYk7FfJI/AAAAAAAANLw/rQ4dENRsb7A/s1600/oct2011+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RmO1dQ0gIp8/Tq6vYk7FfJI/AAAAAAAANLw/rQ4dENRsb7A/s400/oct2011+007.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hKUNuA36YFY/Tq6vdhDJlhI/AAAAAAAANL4/mQXlrFGyRLQ/s1600/cinderella+funeral+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hKUNuA36YFY/Tq6vdhDJlhI/AAAAAAAANL4/mQXlrFGyRLQ/s400/cinderella+funeral+008.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-31113683554875677822011-10-31T10:06:00.002-04:002012-07-26T09:40:01.071-04:00#23 - Floppy Tongue Joy<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b>23rd Day of Halloween: Floppy Tongue Joy</b></span></div><br />
<b>Ok, I've been DYING to introduce the world to a special dachshund, named Reuben. Reuben is quite a fascinating little (um...I mean BIG and MAJESTIC) dog. I know, I know...what is a dog doing on this rat blog? Well, we love all kinds of animals and are excited to have special visitors from time to time. Plus, Reuben dressed up for Halloween!</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tx-lgTTjQqs/Tq6lr1U5kQI/AAAAAAAANLA/JYBImWOvsWE/s1600/tongue+crop+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Tx-lgTTjQqs/Tq6lr1U5kQI/AAAAAAAANLA/JYBImWOvsWE/s400/tongue+crop+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>I can't begin to describe the joy that Reuben brings to my life, and the lives of many others. My friend, Jamie, chose the perfect name for their blog: <a href="http://floppytonguejoy.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; color: red;">Floppy Tongue Joy</a>. Reuben is a dog with a very long, very floppy tongue. But what makes it even more joyous is that Reuben's tongue is always hanging out of his mouth, and practically dragging the ground. He simply cannot contain his glorious tongue because he has almost no teeth to hold it in. </b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Reuben is a brilliantly witty dog, and he does a fabulous job articulating his thoughts about the world around him. He knows how to use a typewriter and he even set up his very own blog! Now, that's a smart dog! Let me introduce you to Reuben with these teaser pics. Then, go take a look at <a href="http://floppytonguejoy.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; color: red;">his blog</a> and say "hi". </b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Meet my floppy-tongued friend, Reuben:</span></b></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NsHrHAZU5yw/Tq6lt2oYZLI/AAAAAAAANLI/6Vi0At7SIjY/s1600/Reuben%2521+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NsHrHAZU5yw/Tq6lt2oYZLI/AAAAAAAANLI/6Vi0At7SIjY/s400/Reuben%2521+116.JPG" width="366" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Reuben's Halloween Costumes:</span></span></b></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>The Tin Man...</b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XWL32HecG4g/Tq6lwGpu1MI/AAAAAAAANLQ/lnweXe5_adk/s1600/reuben+tin+man+082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XWL32HecG4g/Tq6lwGpu1MI/AAAAAAAANLQ/lnweXe5_adk/s400/reuben+tin+man+082.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>A Gyspy...</b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zxjk2m8w-lE/Tq6m4SBPyeI/AAAAAAAANLc/b1adq7Exheg/s1600/gypsy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zxjk2m8w-lE/Tq6m4SBPyeI/AAAAAAAANLc/b1adq7Exheg/s400/gypsy.jpg" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" width="323" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>A Gangsta, with some serious bling...</b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zpa6NpDj43k/Tq6nWD1iruI/AAAAAAAANLk/abrTC67_ZYA/s1600/gangsta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zpa6NpDj43k/Tq6nWD1iruI/AAAAAAAANLk/abrTC67_ZYA/s400/gangsta.jpg" width="381" /></a></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-15842692178263964612011-10-23T12:19:00.005-04:002012-07-26T09:40:29.574-04:00#22 - Capt. Jack Sparrow<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>22nd Day of Halloween: Captain Jack Sparrow</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-size: small;"><b>(Read below for some fun facts about this little pirate!)</b></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wef_V7clmco/TqRAHyONNWI/AAAAAAAANKg/upQrc-pVcwI/s1600/IMAG0278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wef_V7clmco/TqRAHyONNWI/AAAAAAAANKg/upQrc-pVcwI/s640/IMAG0278.jpg" width="380" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Ringo certainly isn't a rat (he's as sneaky as one, though). Rat or not, he deserves his own special post based on this awesome Halloween costume. I also have to take a moment to brag about my amazing boy.</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1) Ringo's an amazing little artist, just like his daddy. Seriously, he's quite talented. I've started scanning his best work and I plan to start his own little art blog. </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2) Ringo's very smart. He understands mechanical and engineering basics that many older children (even adults) might not grasp. He made an elaborate leprechaun trap with a pulley system on St. Patrick's Day. He was very sad to learn that he didn't catch a little green guy the next morning (although the leprechaun left him a note, with some chocolate gold coins!).</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>3) Ringo's unusually thoughtful. When he's given a candy bar or something very tasty, he never eats the last bite until he asks me if I want some of it. Seriously? Who does that? I don't do that! My yummy treats are mine...ALL MINE!</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>4) Ringo's a trusting little soul. Perhaps too trusting. I probably need to be saving for years of therapy, instead of college. He use to have crippling anxiety and fear surrounding certain things like fires, tornadoes, etc... Despite my best attempts, I couldn't seem to find the right words to help. I assured him everything would be ok in the event of a fire or some other dangerous weather event. We made a home safety plan and even practiced it several times. His fears eventually began to subside, but not until after he met Paul. Who's Paul? Oh, he is just a talking monkey that befriended Ringo. They had internet chats every night before bed. Paul talked to Ringo about his fears, and he assured him that we (his parents) had a good plan in place to take care of him if anything ever happened.</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Ok, ok...Paul isn't real...he's the product of some genious who found fun ways to use text to speech technology. <u><a href="http://host-d.oddcast.com/php/application_UI/doorId=137/clientId=49/" style="color: #cc0000;">Here's</a></u></b><b> a website where you can program a monkey to talk to you. You can also change the background so it looks like the monkey's talking to you from inside a car, while sitting on a bed, or in a field of snow, etc... Paul had many great adventures to share with Ringo. This was all fun and games from my perspective, but Ringo thought Paul was real. When I realized that, my heart sank. I thought, surely, he had to know this was all pretend (after all, I was always typing just before Paul spoke...I assumed Ringo knew I was controlling everything that Paul said). I apologized to Ringo for the whole fiasco. He wasn't mad at me, he was just sad to learn that their friendship wasn't real. Ringo is so sweet and tender, and that "friendship" was very important to him. I cried for about a week after realizing what I'd done. It took us both awhile to get over it. Eventually, we both missed playing with Paul. So, he occasionally makes an appearance in our lives, but this time Ringo knows it's not real. </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Do you want to meet Paul? If so, click <a href="http://host-d.oddcast.com/php/application_UI/doorId=137/clientId=49/" style="color: #cc0000;">here</a>.</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-35766560640844573772011-10-20T21:35:00.001-04:002012-07-26T09:42:03.145-04:00#21 - Aliens<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>21st Day of Halloween: Aliens</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fHccfcu6v-k/TqDLQhW31gI/AAAAAAAANJs/8-8zue2kYx8/s1600/alien.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fHccfcu6v-k/TqDLQhW31gI/AAAAAAAANJs/8-8zue2kYx8/s320/alien.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JD4dj9aqt_8/TqDLTshjRMI/AAAAAAAANJ0/LtHp5xmk6g0/s1600/alien2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JD4dj9aqt_8/TqDLTshjRMI/AAAAAAAANJ0/LtHp5xmk6g0/s320/alien2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-51624901779993846532011-10-20T20:26:00.000-04:002012-07-26T09:42:03.149-04:00#20 - Musical Rats<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>20th Day of Halloween: Musical Rats</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QJTK-5gj-kk/TqC8CzyW9hI/AAAAAAAANIU/3VRLn-Ldm_I/s1600/Musical+Rats.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QJTK-5gj-kk/TqC8CzyW9hI/AAAAAAAANIU/3VRLn-Ldm_I/s400/Musical+Rats.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fIE8Cc-6BEQ/TqC8HjQVISI/AAAAAAAANIc/rh1PFhtibOs/s1600/Musical+Rats+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fIE8Cc-6BEQ/TqC8HjQVISI/AAAAAAAANIc/rh1PFhtibOs/s400/Musical+Rats+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-20874581188226640912011-10-20T20:06:00.002-04:002012-07-26T09:42:03.150-04:00#19 - Rock Stars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>19th Day of Halloween: Ratty Rockstars!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B6z_tX6aPtA/TpmVsAGsdtI/AAAAAAAANDc/aDCpC-k0Z18/s400/IMG_4676.JPG" width="400" /></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-smlF8mLARic/TpmVvrS97AI/AAAAAAAANDk/t8IoT_qVqmo/s1600/IMG_4678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-smlF8mLARic/TpmVvrS97AI/AAAAAAAANDk/t8IoT_qVqmo/s400/IMG_4678.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-319370983386104352011-10-20T19:59:00.001-04:002012-07-26T09:42:03.152-04:00#18 - Newlyweds<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>18th Day of Halloween: Newlyweds</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uh4kixrn3Jc/TqC1oNUwr2I/AAAAAAAANHY/PuircISIaPk/s1600/Newlyweds1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uh4kixrn3Jc/TqC1oNUwr2I/AAAAAAAANHY/PuircISIaPk/s400/Newlyweds1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SgbIN2ePLtY/TqC1utzi_XI/AAAAAAAANHg/qBjPppjngT4/s1600/Newlyweds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SgbIN2ePLtY/TqC1utzi_XI/AAAAAAAANHg/qBjPppjngT4/s400/Newlyweds.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-70505390043517107672011-10-20T19:54:00.001-04:002012-07-26T09:42:03.153-04:00#17 - Bob Marley<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>17th Day of Halloween: Bob Marley</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MM-4MgsYImo/TqC0yaB7GZI/AAAAAAAANHI/bp_lwevqkT0/s1600/Bob+Marley.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MM-4MgsYImo/TqC0yaB7GZI/AAAAAAAANHI/bp_lwevqkT0/s400/Bob+Marley.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-88821136695782399192011-10-20T19:53:00.001-04:002012-07-26T09:42:03.155-04:00#16 - Sleepy Parents<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>16th Day of Halloween: Sleepy Parents</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yyv04L4-q2c/TqC0dWYlFaI/AAAAAAAANHA/eDEBhsJ6rsE/s1600/Sleepy+Parents.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yyv04L4-q2c/TqC0dWYlFaI/AAAAAAAANHA/eDEBhsJ6rsE/s400/Sleepy+Parents.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-30615844610643135332011-10-20T19:51:00.001-04:002012-07-26T09:42:03.156-04:00#15 - Witch<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>15th Day of Halloween: Witch</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoKvP5cBtTs/TqC0C4-AuWI/AAAAAAAANG4/rOPaLxfIcSo/s1600/witch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoKvP5cBtTs/TqC0C4-AuWI/AAAAAAAANG4/rOPaLxfIcSo/s400/witch.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-81942257328117909112011-10-20T19:07:00.002-04:002012-07-26T09:42:03.157-04:00#14 - Killer Rats<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>14th Day of Halloween: Killer Rats</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHaFi4x77ioGMRSYJXEkjf47EUwMJM5tL8h08oCNQf_M79THiWmp0Yw9jpYQiipjc5nl5t430Li_wteGeoDCBWN3oNxl_yOtJRj5ZLG3cFV5cpJU4qlTfwvYLJdRq0QLWViVNbqIozo4sO/s1600/killer+rat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHaFi4x77ioGMRSYJXEkjf47EUwMJM5tL8h08oCNQf_M79THiWmp0Yw9jpYQiipjc5nl5t430Li_wteGeoDCBWN3oNxl_yOtJRj5ZLG3cFV5cpJU4qlTfwvYLJdRq0QLWViVNbqIozo4sO/s400/killer+rat.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C95LypLoVjc/TqCppPAB6MI/AAAAAAAANGs/htmyanhefws/s1600/killer+rat+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C95LypLoVjc/TqCppPAB6MI/AAAAAAAANGs/htmyanhefws/s400/killer+rat+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7672652646240488300.post-50766219369324551222011-10-20T19:05:00.004-04:002012-07-26T09:42:03.159-04:00#13 - Wrestler<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>13th Day of Halloween: Wrestling Rats</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lLSj4OlpJlg/TqCpJcr_fWI/AAAAAAAANGQ/IkqWm6h4sVY/s1600/wrestler.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lLSj4OlpJlg/TqCpJcr_fWI/AAAAAAAANGQ/IkqWm6h4sVY/s320/wrestler.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H2iytCM0Ric/TqDEDsZCx2I/AAAAAAAANIo/t4l8EpFPwSI/s320/wrestling+rats.JPG" width="320" /></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1iHd5sHuUghlipTI-7ZsJnCoj8PaPKjhxuhPr2xrsr6wgrlMFOI9dqsPUyJ7GUoqyHp83_zhY9ZRCu-YahNxYJnPusiWubjorahCsm8Gt8ir4-sMfMBM7zua3zXx0LdbAF1hmLu1Ox2X/s1600/wrestling+rats3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1iHd5sHuUghlipTI-7ZsJnCoj8PaPKjhxuhPr2xrsr6wgrlMFOI9dqsPUyJ7GUoqyHp83_zhY9ZRCu-YahNxYJnPusiWubjorahCsm8Gt8ir4-sMfMBM7zua3zXx0LdbAF1hmLu1Ox2X/s320/wrestling+rats3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z6lcqiJgwkY/TqDEXNP00oI/AAAAAAAANI4/G7Ip3HIAzHw/s320/wrestle+the+rat.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lhr7_rt3BCs/TqDElIO0DoI/AAAAAAAANJE/PofdKdZzmsA/s1600/even+more+wrestling+rats.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lhr7_rt3BCs/TqDElIO0DoI/AAAAAAAANJE/PofdKdZzmsA/s320/even+more+wrestling+rats.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3QP6lwUF7vY/TqCpM_13XdI/AAAAAAAANGY/VXNfFyHLFbk/s1600/wrestler+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3QP6lwUF7vY/TqCpM_13XdI/AAAAAAAANGY/VXNfFyHLFbk/s320/wrestler+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9V0EtL1sRGQ/TqDE9O2xvRI/AAAAAAAANJM/0lm1XdArK14/s1600/wrestling+champion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9V0EtL1sRGQ/TqDE9O2xvRI/AAAAAAAANJM/0lm1XdArK14/s320/wrestling+champion.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">** This post is dedicated to my friend: Kevin M. May you have many fond memories of your wrestling years. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
</b></span></div>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669402334531819777noreply@blogger.com3