The Hidden Wisdom in SPAM

Have you ever actually read some of the stuff that spammers are putting out these days? It's awesome, deep, sometimes emotional stuff... Seriously. Read for yourself. The following excerpt was included with a recent investor penny stock alert:

When a cosmopolitan grain of sand prays, a chestnut living with an industrial complex hides. A turkey daydreams, or the parking lot hesitantly tries to seduce another tornado living with the ocean. Another completely outer movie theater learns a hard lesson from a polar bear. A rattlesnake defined by a freight train recognizes the cab driver inside the avocado pit.
- Spamonymous

Seriously, Yeats has nothing on this guy. Such wisdom in these writings. Well, enough for now. In parting, I'd like to share one more piece of wisdom by Spamonymous: "Most people believe that a line dancer seeks a temporal hydrogen atom, but they need to remember how ridiculously a smelly cashier daydreams."

Wow. That hits hard. Bye for now.

Books and Socks

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Abby absolutly loves books. Even boring grownup ones with no pictures! I don't even love those. Anyway, this was our evening reading books and playing with socks. Enjoy.

Being Lovey :)

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Abby was at the point just before "tired". This is when she is the most affectionate. Our favorite time. :)

Find a story...

Sunday afternoons were made for naps. Universal, even to lazy Italian cats. Today I napped for a while and read for a while. And in the magic of sleep, wakening, and reading, I found inspiration.

Golden moments have visited me often, nipping at the heels of Abby. "Mommy, Bobby", as we were dubbed today, were awed she said "Cookies, pease" and "Tank you" to strangers. She insists we all kiss her animals and Gracie with a "mwa" like she does. And rocks have even become cars that go "vroom" for her. She is my dream maker today.

But this afternoon I also stole away to book land full of dryads, nymphs, laughing children, babbling brooks, and pine trees. Days of Dreams and Laughter by L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables) opened my dreams to forgotten memories of this slumbering cat, hopes of writing in a remote corner of the world, and other dreams that are fading with the evening. But I went there, thanks to a book and solitude. Solitude links me to God. And God reminds me of who am I meant to be. So go find a spot to dream, to open your heart, and bask in the divine.

Cookies? K

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Abby's new word "cookies" is by far the cutest. :) Enjoy.

Labor Day at the Zoo

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Nature Sanctuary

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This morning we went to the nature sanctuary that is close by here in Liberty. It was fun to get out and enjoy the awesome whether (a little cloudy by still nice). Abby enjoyed all the rocks. Yeah...so much for going to see nature. Don't be surprised if every picture you see she is holding a rock! "Ock. Ock" :)

Shatto Milk Company Field Trip

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Christina and Abby went with the moms and kids from our church play group to a local dairy farm, Shatto Milk Company. Great stuff and a great spot to visit if you have kids and are in KC.

Playground fun

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Nothing particularly exciting here but wanted to share an evening at the playground.

Odds & Ends

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We've been busy and haven't taken enough pictures. These are a few recent shots. Every once and a while I experiement...this time with sepia.

A swig of...

..yummy bubble bath. Goes does smooth, comes out smoother. :) Hee hee. (JK...its just water)

Family Vacation 06

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We just returned from a week long trip out west to the four corners area. We had a blast and I went a little overboard with the camera.

B&W Abby

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Experimenting with black and white. What a cutey!

Trip to GA

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Christina and Abigail took a trip to the north GA mountains this past week to see Gigi and Papa Mark. Apparently it was a great time. New words this trip:

• "quirl" = squirrel


• "nik nik" = picnic


• "bea" = bear


• "may" = plane (?)


• "ish" = fish


• "ig ball" = big ball


• "boo shee boo" = (? no idea)

Dirt!

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Abby has found the childhood joys of dirt! I don't think she was intending to eat the dirt...but her fingers found their way to her mouth. (Sorry it's been so long since we posted some new pictures in the gallery. FYI...look around, there are three new albums posted.)

uPromise Update - Thank you!

I just got my semi-annual uPromise update for Abigail's college saving account and I wanted to send a big thank you to a few folks who are helping a ton! So far this year, friends and family have helped save an additional $100! And they probably didn't even know it. All they did was sign up with uPromise and if they purchase a product from a uPromise sponsor or if the retailer is a uPromise sponsor, a percentage of that sale goes directly to Abby's 529 account. They don't have to do anything. There are some other options like a uPromise credit card which results in even greater savings. Just by putting my everday expenses on the card that I pay off every month, I've added over $150 free dollars to her account.

If you are interested in an easy and free way to help us send Abby to college, please click here. It takes just a few minutes to get signed up.

Sorry that this sounds like a commercial...I'm just REALLY stoked about the free money for college thing! :)

Water hose Twister

Abby is quickly developing her problem solving skills. She could probably put all of us to shame at Twister...well...except she can barely strech from one dot to another. But, well, you'll see what I mean. :)

The messiest dinner ever!

Vacation in Maryland

Abby went to visit Grandma this week in Maryland...














At the pool playing "house"? The wonderful world of make believe! Water is not her favorite thing, but walking around the outside of the pool over and over and over was fun!















Tormenting a very sassy cat at Janet's.

Happy Birthday Abby!

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Abby's birthday party was a blast...we watched a 1yr old bop around for 2 hours and ate a ton of food. I'm sure they get better. ;) Having the family here was wonderful. Thanks to everyone for coming.

Smiley!!

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She just loves smiling! Thought these were particularly cute.

Hot bebe

Today Abigail and I attended a birthday party for Jodi Johnson. Abby was just cruising along, grazing on the food lined on the coffee table, when she put yet another unidentifiable object in her mouth. Someone said it was a jalapeno. I stuck my finger in her mouth and pulled out a half-eaten olive.

About 10 seconds later, she started turning bright red, absolutely bright red. She didn't know what hit her. We all knew it was the jalapeno, and I couldn't stop laughing. Then, oh, yeah, I remembered that I should do something about this being that I am the mom and all! By this time she was not happy, and she guzzled the ginger ale and cookie down which brought sweet relief to our little jalapeno!

She walks!!

She walks!! She has been kinda off and on for the last few days now and tonight she just decided to trek across the family room. :)

New image gallery

I switched to a new image gallery format. The new format includes a slideshow option (in the upper right) and also an "Order" link (also in the upper right). The order link (mainly for grandparents :) uses a larger image than the one shown so you can print up to 5x7. The order processing goes through Shutterfly.com if you are interested. Also, if you click on the image itself, it should link you to that larger image. The original size picture is available if for some reason you need an 11x14. I'll have to send it to you though. :)

Click to see the gallery main page.

Abby's First Easter

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These are pictures taken by Dan Woldengen (a good friend of ours) of Abby on Easter day. They were taken on the campus of William Jewell College in Liberty, MO. I think she likes the camera. :) She's quite photogenic. Enjoy!

Dancing

This is Abby dancing to some cool tunes on her Leapfrog. We also captured her famous nefarious chuckle. Enjoy.

What??!! Mommy did it!

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Caught in the act? Or was she framed? You decide.

(BTW - The "crazed" bird has started attacking other windows...)

Spring Time!

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Enjoying a picture perfect spring day!

Crazy bird!!!

 

This bird has seriously been dive-bombing our windows for a week. As you can see from the blood on the window...its starting to take its toll on him. Anyone out there know how to fend off a crazed Robin? 

Growing Fast

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She is growing fast!

March pics

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This is just a rather random collection of pictures taken within the last two weeks really. The titlle for this entry is probably a little misleading (and premature) but I'm too lazy to change it at this point. ;) Enjoy.

Bathtime because...

She loves bath time now and it turns out to be a great time to further her vocabulary and teach her life lessons like... sharing...and other things. :)
Enjoy.

Good times!

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Sorry its been so long. Abby has been sick lately with a head cold that didn't exactly make her photogenic if you know what I mean ;)

Papa Dan and Grandma

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Mom and Dad came to visit this weekend. Abby was sick but as the pictures attest...we still had a good time.

She stands!

Abby tests the new stair gate.

Granny's Life Celebration

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These are pictures from Granny's service that was held at my aunt and uncle's home in CA. We all hadn't been together as a family in over 15 years! Unfortunate circumstances for a reunion but it was a wonderful time and Granny's service was beautiful. Many thanks to Marietta and Mark for hosting us all and especially to Doc and Dad for providing a beautiful service.

Paul and Angie's Wedding

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These are pictures from my brother's wedding and New Years reception following. Awesome wedding, awesome party. Beware...there are over 100 pics!

Paul and Angie's Wedding Rehersal

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These are pictures from my brother's wedding rehersal.

Christmas 05

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These pictures were taken on Christmas day with Christina's family and on Jan 1, 06 with my folks.