tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166347942024-03-12T16:59:41.726-06:00The Random Ramblings of Samm Diepwhat you see is what you getSammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.comBlogger291125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-12991837923494785202011-04-09T15:12:00.001-06:002011-04-09T15:12:28.673-06:00Characters, everywhere...Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-63814992491223754532010-03-11T07:37:00.003-07:002010-03-11T07:39:48.329-07:00We have moved...<div face="lucida grande" style="text-align: center;">After five years, Samm's blog now resides at:<br /><br /><a href="http://greeneggsblog.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">http://greeneggsblog.wordpress.com/</span></span></a><br /><br />Please update your bookmarks and readers (all three of you). ;)<br /><br />Thank you!<br /></div>Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-82493861951621999082010-03-06T22:28:00.002-07:002010-03-06T22:34:31.330-07:00More RandomnessI love my post-gym sushi lunches at home.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S5M6ftrJx_I/AAAAAAAAAvg/RDsHJ6uVbIE/s1600-h/DSC07860_1024x768.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S5M6ftrJx_I/AAAAAAAAAvg/RDsHJ6uVbIE/s320/DSC07860_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445760690932008946" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Check out this mutant avocado seed. Have you ever seen such a thing?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S5M6f7DRxGI/AAAAAAAAAvo/_GkfbBH3LRo/s1600-h/DSC07857_1024x768.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S5M6f7DRxGI/AAAAAAAAAvo/_GkfbBH3LRo/s320/DSC07857_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445760694522856546" border="0" /></a>Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-56595907438215701052010-02-28T13:39:00.003-07:002010-02-28T15:29:21.744-07:00The sun and the snowI don't get it. If it's so much farther North here in MN and the days are so much longer, then how come it's not warmer when the sun is out?<br /><br />According to the local folks, when the sun is out here, it's actually colder because the clouds help trap the warmth in the air. What's up with that crap?!??<br /><br />Anyway, since I've been out here a lot of this month, it seems that it's been snowing in every other part of the country except here. I'm okay with that, even though it's probably still colder here. I guess at least it's not blizzarding...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S4rt55VDyOI/AAAAAAAAAvI/GKpB58QlnLA/s1600-h/snow-dia.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 331px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S4rt55VDyOI/AAAAAAAAAvI/GKpB58QlnLA/s400/snow-dia.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443424678528141538" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S4rt6f2cI4I/AAAAAAAAAvQ/vOgHnEbA_3A/s1600-h/snow-reno.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 330px; height: 284px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S4rt6f2cI4I/AAAAAAAAAvQ/vOgHnEbA_3A/s400/snow-reno.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443424688868696962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S4rt6pgkKFI/AAAAAAAAAvY/ayDe4BuVY10/s1600-h/snow-dallas.png"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 330px; height: 197px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S4rt6pgkKFI/AAAAAAAAAvY/ayDe4BuVY10/s400/snow-dallas.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443424691461302354" border="0" /></a>Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-32429864175902329502010-02-24T10:53:00.004-07:002010-02-24T10:57:26.390-07:00Testing Bullet Proof GlassThis is another Carter Classic. He filters all the crap and only sends me the best stuff.<br /><br />Now, I've heard of taking one for the team, but this is a bit extreme...<br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/M7mr7CK7zEk&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/M7mr7CK7zEk&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />What kind of husband would ask this of his wife? On second thought, what kind of wife would agree to help her husband with this???!????Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-2157491321347375832010-02-21T12:39:00.005-07:002010-02-21T12:53:50.970-07:00Random RandomnessI'm supposed to be catching up on some writing today but my deadlines aren't until the 24th and the 28th so what does that mean? Of course, that means I'll be screwing around and doing everything else I possibly can until I absolutely can not wait any longer, which includes updating my personal blog with randomness.<br /><br />Here are some photos of the giant, mutant shrimp cocktails I made before leaving Denver.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S4GOVU8S02I/AAAAAAAAAu4/pQ20782_BRw/s1600-h/DSC07780_1024x768.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S4GOVU8S02I/AAAAAAAAAu4/pQ20782_BRw/s400/DSC07780_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440786321890268002" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S4GOVkFJ9vI/AAAAAAAAAvA/yAcBJ3ISHz0/s1600-h/DSC07779_1024x768.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S4GOVkFJ9vI/AAAAAAAAAvA/yAcBJ3ISHz0/s400/DSC07779_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440786325953967858" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mike and I actually arrived at the airport with a few minutes to spare so he got his shoes shined. Why didn't I think of that?!?? I have a pair that could use some serious shinin'!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S4GOVGY2YpI/AAAAAAAAAuw/7bTCiIImLHI/s1600-h/DSC07782_1024x768.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S4GOVGY2YpI/AAAAAAAAAuw/7bTCiIImLHI/s400/DSC07782_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440786317983507090" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S4GOU6-0Z8I/AAAAAAAAAuo/SQYxW5t4ozQ/s1600-h/DSC07783_1024x768.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S4GOU6-0Z8I/AAAAAAAAAuo/SQYxW5t4ozQ/s400/DSC07783_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440786314921535426" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S4GOUq9XvBI/AAAAAAAAAug/ZNRMxmlw3wo/s1600-h/DSC07784_1024x768.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S4GOUq9XvBI/AAAAAAAAAug/ZNRMxmlw3wo/s400/DSC07784_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440786310620494866" border="0" /></a>Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-14209855838065829212010-02-14T02:04:00.004-07:002010-02-14T02:18:55.092-07:00Happy New Year!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S3e_5w1C27I/AAAAAAAAAtw/Gy9ZZvrQHs8/s1600-h/cny.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 289px; height: 241px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S3e_5w1C27I/AAAAAAAAAtw/Gy9ZZvrQHs8/s400/cny.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438026074153999282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S3e8xRb6PYI/AAAAAAAAAto/1PTD2zFoLqQ/s1600-h/cny.gif"><br /></a>Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-35480873275150407532010-01-14T15:19:00.003-07:002010-01-14T15:52:54.976-07:00Travel & StuffTomorrow begins the three week non-stop whirlwind that is my life. As tournament season kicks in, the next few months will be pretty jam packed with teaching, competing, and writing. I can't wait!<br /><br />Tomorrow: Head to Fargo, ND for tournament<br />Jan 18: Return to Mike's house<br />Jan 19: Fly home to Denver, teach free pool clinic, teach private lesson<br />Jan 20: teach two pool lessons and attend pool open house<br />Jan 21: teach a pool lesson and a pool school in Vail, CO<br />Jan 22: Fly to Louisville, KY for Derby City Classic<br />Jan 31: Drive back to MN with Mike<br />Feb 5-7: Pool tourney in MN<br />Feb 9: Fly back to Denver<br />Feb 16: Next pool clinic<br /><br />I also wanted to announce the return of the Weather Pixie. She is currently set for Mike's neck o' the woods in Minneapolis. No way that jacket is warm enough!<br /><a href="http://weatherpixie.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://weatherpixie.com/displayimg.php?place=KANE&trooper=12&type=F" width=124 height=175 border=0 alt="The WeatherPixie"></a>Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-63232268815535667942010-01-12T22:54:00.003-07:002010-01-12T23:02:18.455-07:00Food<div style="text-align: center;">No matter how hard I try, I will never be a "Eat to Live" person. I "Live to Eat" and I'm proud of it. I love food and all the fun, wonderful ways you can prepare it, serve it, and eat it! Honestly, that's the main reason I work out, so I can eat whatever I want. Why does it matter? I make healthy choices and consume in moderation (usually).<br /><br />I heart food. It makes me happy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S01hjZZ6_uI/AAAAAAAAAtg/Cr2WBp_W49s/s1600-h/food.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/S01hjZZ6_uI/AAAAAAAAAtg/Cr2WBp_W49s/s400/food.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426100386794241762" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-57092426038958910602010-01-08T16:45:00.002-07:002010-01-08T17:22:56.534-07:00What I've learned so far this year<ol><li>Do not try to hug a drunk pool player at midnight on New Years.</li><li>Do not hurry down the stairs when your hands are full and the vacuum hose is in the way.</li><li>Breakfast burritos are better with cheese, DUH!<br /></li><li>Corduroy pants keep your legs warmer in the winter.</li><li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/6950548/Having-sex-twice-a-week-reduces-chance-of-heart-attack-by-half.html">Having sex twice a week 'reduces chance of heart attack by half'</a> - for MEN. Apparently, they "did not examine whether women benefit too." That's crap!<br /></li></ol><span style="font-size:180%;">Happy 2010!</span>Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-43892586683370674202009-12-19T23:53:00.002-07:002009-12-20T00:53:50.271-07:00Seasons Tweetings!Today we took the loafies to get our pictures taken with Santa. They were very well behaved. They sat still the entire time. They even let us put Santa hats on them.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sy3MXtOShAI/AAAAAAAAAs4/QZ1H6mapBKI/s1600-h/DSC07409_1024x768.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sy3MXtOShAI/AAAAAAAAAs4/QZ1H6mapBKI/s400/DSC07409_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417210634445161474" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Vegas and I had two takes because of his little tongue, but I kinda like the tongue pic better anyway.<br /><br />Take One<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sy3MYMJd76I/AAAAAAAAAtI/-XzZvowkOA4/s1600-h/DSC07406_1024x768.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sy3MYMJd76I/AAAAAAAAAtI/-XzZvowkOA4/s400/DSC07406_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417210642746437538" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Take Two<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sy3MX1CElvI/AAAAAAAAAtA/TjPhQVeALcQ/s1600-h/DSC07407_1024x768.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sy3MX1CElvI/AAAAAAAAAtA/TjPhQVeALcQ/s400/DSC07407_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417210636541400818" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I almost forgot to post these pics from work this year. These were the only two structures I built. They don't compare to <a href="http://sammspocket.blogspot.com/2008_12_01_archive.html">last year's fortresses</a>, but it was still fun. Building boxes is so theraputic...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sy3MYygLKGI/AAAAAAAAAtY/FXVV52Wlr14/s1600-h/DSC07404_1024x768.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sy3MYygLKGI/AAAAAAAAAtY/FXVV52Wlr14/s400/DSC07404_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417210653042223202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sy3MYrw4F9I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/Pq2_3BYe3Kg/s1600-h/DSC07405_1024x768.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sy3MYrw4F9I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/Pq2_3BYe3Kg/s400/DSC07405_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417210651233228754" border="0" /></a>Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-6078858862302318212009-12-18T13:57:00.006-07:002009-12-18T16:48:59.525-07:00Ghost of Christmases Past...Last week, I accompanied <a href="http://sammspocket.blogspot.com/2005/09/good-grief-this-is-long-posting.html">Hikle</a>, my current roommate (bff and former co-worker) to his company xmas party. We've been such good friends for so long that we're often each other's stand-in date for the evening when necessary.<br /><br />Here's us from this year's xmas party (December 13, 2009):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SywQtc7vYjI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/zR0ejLMSeUQ/s1600-h/DSC07366_1024x768.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SywQtc7vYjI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/zR0ejLMSeUQ/s400/DSC07366_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416722824866783794" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And here is us from the 2001 xmas party (December 18, 2001):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SywQto9yeSI/AAAAAAAAAsY/pGwlit8s6r0/s1600-h/DSCN0282.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SywQto9yeSI/AAAAAAAAAsY/pGwlit8s6r0/s400/DSCN0282.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416722828096600354" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />While looking for these photos, I stumbled upon some more pics I thought would be fun to share here.<br /><br />Winter, 2002 in Vegas<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SywS5BI9PfI/AAAAAAAAAsg/Qsx8Gej6PhI/s1600-h/DSCN2420.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SywS5BI9PfI/AAAAAAAAAsg/Qsx8Gej6PhI/s400/DSCN2420.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416725222587710962" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Winter 2003<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SywS5ZjX0xI/AAAAAAAAAso/PL9emk6KhZE/s1600-h/DSCN2436.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SywS5ZjX0xI/AAAAAAAAAso/PL9emk6KhZE/s400/DSCN2436.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416725229140955922" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Winter, 2006<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SywS5xJhohI/AAAAAAAAAsw/VQju90u1N7w/s1600-h/DSC00230.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SywS5xJhohI/AAAAAAAAAsw/VQju90u1N7w/s400/DSC00230.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416725235474997778" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I feel thankful and fortunate to have such faithful friends in my life...Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-21421817401992458142009-11-28T18:39:00.002-07:002009-11-28T19:42:01.835-07:00Doin' my partIt's that time of year again...<br /><br />For me, that means I hang up my pool cues for a month and <a href="http://sammspocket.blogspot.com/2008/12/twelve-days-of-sweaters-day-12.html">work a "real job"</a> during December. I'm really looking forward to it now that I know what I'm doing this year. <a href="http://www.pooldawgbilliards.com/2009/11/16/cherry-bomb-in-the-house/">I filled in for a day last week</a> and it all came back to me.<br /><br />My mom and I did our part in replenishing our economy by supporting <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_%28shopping%29">black friday</a> this week. I spent some more money today at Target for Project: Organize the Craft Room so-we-can-get-this-mattress-out-of-the-hallway. I also picked up some snacks for work next week. I'm very excited about it the purchase of four different kinds of snack mixes that I have tossed together: Sweet & Spicy, Fruit & Berry, Tropical Fruit & Berry, and the Zen Party.<br /><br />Since last I wrote, my BeFriStEnd, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/michael.underwood1">Michael</a>, moved in for a few months with his pooch (and Vegas's long-time friend), Mr. Tripp. I'm looking forward to be spending more time with him.<br /><br />I couldn't wait to get home to start <a href="http://www.lesmills.com/global/en/members/bodypump/bodypump-group-fitness-program.aspx">Body Pump</a> 71. When I left town a month ago they were just wrapping up with BP 70. I was going 4-5 days a week and hated to leave. I even downloaded all the tracks and tried doing the exercises at Mike's house. It just wasn't the same. I was glad to see my favorite instructor and work out buddy, Estella, again. I don't really like BP 71 as much or the music really but there's a lot more cardio and my legs have been burning the last couple times I've done it.<br /><br />The other exciting purchase I made on Friday was the <a href="http://amzn.com/0811853985">Simple Soups Deck</a> of 50 easy soup recipes. I'm planning to keep a large vat of fresh, homemade soup readily available at all times this month. I think the first one I'm going to try is #12 - Cream of Portabella Mushroom Soup. YUM! I'll share the recipe here if it turns out okay.Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-22542304708807781492009-11-14T20:11:00.009-07:002009-11-14T21:09:29.245-07:00Florida "Play"cation<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv96btvzgII/AAAAAAAAAqY/55lKpy1oHl0/s1600-h/DSC07199_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv96btvzgII/AAAAAAAAAqY/55lKpy1oHl0/s400/DSC07199_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404172694423044226" border="0" /></a><br />Ahhhhhh.... I did NOT want to leave......<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv9wItaF3EI/AAAAAAAAApQ/Fl02EiYaCng/s1600-h/DSC07196_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv9wItaF3EI/AAAAAAAAApQ/Fl02EiYaCng/s400/DSC07196_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404161372798180418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv9wIdgnqjI/AAAAAAAAApI/sGuCzW__rsE/s1600-h/DSC07201_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv9wIdgnqjI/AAAAAAAAApI/sGuCzW__rsE/s400/DSC07201_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404161368530594354" border="0" /></a>Mike and I spent a wonderful, relaxing five days in Tampa last weekend.<br />It was exactly what we both needed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv9wIDJ9mxI/AAAAAAAAApA/b9IqDJ_S4iQ/s1600-h/DSC07197_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv9wIDJ9mxI/AAAAAAAAApA/b9IqDJ_S4iQ/s400/DSC07197_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404161361456241426" border="0" /></a>The weather was perfect!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv9wI8Um60I/AAAAAAAAApY/Wipg_uEq_nE/s1600-h/DSC07172_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv9wI8Um60I/AAAAAAAAApY/Wipg_uEq_nE/s400/DSC07172_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404161376801712962" border="0" /></a>And I found us a super cheap beachside room for only $55/night! The place was amazing!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv9ziPlCblI/AAAAAAAAApg/EO8G7iC4qIY/s1600-h/DSC07213_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv9ziPlCblI/AAAAAAAAApg/EO8G7iC4qIY/s400/DSC07213_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404165110002511442" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv9zie7GhpI/AAAAAAAAApo/NND9eYK3SIY/s1600-h/DSC07171_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv9zie7GhpI/AAAAAAAAApo/NND9eYK3SIY/s400/DSC07171_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404165114121586322" border="0" /></a>It was like a little one bedroom apartment. We had a full kitchen and a little half office.<br />It was very cute!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv9zirK0fAI/AAAAAAAAApw/NDXuc_h0B8U/s1600-h/DSC07183_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv9zirK0fAI/AAAAAAAAApw/NDXuc_h0B8U/s400/DSC07183_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404165117408738306" border="0" /></a>The view from the balcony was not too shabby.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv9zip_joqI/AAAAAAAAAp4/ZYbOQONbtEg/s1600-h/DSC07182_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv9zip_joqI/AAAAAAAAAp4/ZYbOQONbtEg/s400/DSC07182_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404165117093061282" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv9zi1QcQ1I/AAAAAAAAAqA/hg0Yhyx0qpU/s1600-h/DSC07181_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv9zi1QcQ1I/AAAAAAAAAqA/hg0Yhyx0qpU/s400/DSC07181_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404165120116671314" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv90-M78SLI/AAAAAAAAAqI/Wg0OUlpVRck/s1600-h/DSC07180_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv90-M78SLI/AAAAAAAAAqI/Wg0OUlpVRck/s400/DSC07180_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404166689841236146" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv90-M51GkI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/6gGRBcaw0Yc/s1600-h/DSC07178_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv90-M51GkI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/6gGRBcaw0Yc/s400/DSC07178_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404166689832376898" border="0" /></a>Notice the horseshoe court or field or pits or whatever they're called.<br />\Mike and I made some time to play a couple games.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv97-KYUgoI/AAAAAAAAArA/8illdNDBpU8/s1600-h/DSC07185_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv97-KYUgoI/AAAAAAAAArA/8illdNDBpU8/s400/DSC07185_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404174385736352386" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv96bwQIELI/AAAAAAAAAqg/0SKCXUk9128/s1600-h/DSC07184_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv96bwQIELI/AAAAAAAAAqg/0SKCXUk9128/s400/DSC07184_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404172695095480498" border="0" /></a>Man! That game is way harder that I thought! I was even a little sore the next day. I should've known he'd be naturally good at this game too. He even got a ringer!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv96cWaxkpI/AAAAAAAAAq4/jKFPjm6x7p4/s1600-h/DSC07195_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv96cWaxkpI/AAAAAAAAAq4/jKFPjm6x7p4/s400/DSC07195_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404172705340691090" border="0" /></a><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AbfUfSsag9Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AbfUfSsag9Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv96cIJpG3I/AAAAAAAAAqw/DAUkawzY5u0/s1600-h/DSC07189_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv96cIJpG3I/AAAAAAAAAqw/DAUkawzY5u0/s400/DSC07189_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404172701510736754" border="0" /></a><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bPKeqBYlAUQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bPKeqBYlAUQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />Mike, pointing out his ringer from the balcony.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv97-R-Z3aI/AAAAAAAAArI/wN0rqu5CsIA/s1600-h/DSC07207_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv97-R-Z3aI/AAAAAAAAArI/wN0rqu5CsIA/s400/DSC07207_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404174387775135138" border="0" /></a>We returned to MN on Monday and I drove back to my house in Colorado on Friday, the 13th.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv97-qKOOII/AAAAAAAAArQ/TbCPjMdE3Uw/s1600-h/DSC07239_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv97-qKOOII/AAAAAAAAArQ/TbCPjMdE3Uw/s400/DSC07239_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404174394267154562" border="0" /></a>Not before stopping by my <a href="http://www.jacksbakerycoffeeshop.com/">favorite bakery in Minneapolis</a> first fr my favorite midwestern goodies!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv97--MybLI/AAAAAAAAArY/06xhoKLSYAc/s1600-h/DSC07240_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv97--MybLI/AAAAAAAAArY/06xhoKLSYAc/s400/DSC07240_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404174399646624946" border="0" /></a>Mmmmmmm.... Holiday round bread....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv97-6fXNtI/AAAAAAAAArg/sYcljTFcLuU/s1600-h/DSC07241_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sv97-6fXNtI/AAAAAAAAArg/sYcljTFcLuU/s400/DSC07241_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404174398650791634" border="0" /></a>I could've eaten ALL of it on the drive back!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=507061941&k=56B36656TT6G6BD1TB45VWSSQ6BAZU4ATT1S&oid=1279818112684">VIEW COMPLETE PHOTO GALLERY</a></div>Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-89148908825298567982009-10-31T15:17:00.011-06:002009-10-31T16:23:11.142-06:00Happy PF-ween!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Suy2YWLQPQI/AAAAAAAAAo4/q_rDV79ehnM/s1600-h/pf-halloween.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 357px; height: 360px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Suy2YWLQPQI/AAAAAAAAAo4/q_rDV79ehnM/s400/pf-halloween.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398890582696279298" border="0" /></a><br />I don't know what's spookier. How commercial Paul Frank has become now that "the man" is no longer in the picture, or Halloween itself???<br /><br />This picture was taken at an actual Target, folks. No, I was not at a PF store. I never thought I'd see poor Julius commingling with Sponge Bob and Builder Bob.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Suy0ps62wHI/AAAAAAAAAn4/dqY4yM9zcLQ/s1600-h/DSC07150_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Suy0ps62wHI/AAAAAAAAAn4/dqY4yM9zcLQ/s400/DSC07150_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398888681836036210" border="0" /></a><br />(Of course I bought some!)<br /><br />This one was also taken at Target. I guess as long as they don't hit the W-M we're still safe, right?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Suy0pcKGtFI/AAAAAAAAAnw/iYVRuhEOXso/s1600-h/DSC06929_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Suy0pcKGtFI/AAAAAAAAAnw/iYVRuhEOXso/s400/DSC06929_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398888677336593490" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I don't care! I still wish I had this shirt:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Suy1hD1IKPI/AAAAAAAAAoo/A6phQP2CqGA/s1600-h/pf-halloween1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 366px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Suy1hD1IKPI/AAAAAAAAAoo/A6phQP2CqGA/s400/pf-halloween1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398889632878831858" border="0" /></a>And I would still make my pumpkin look like this if I were carving one:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Suy1hRO0g-I/AAAAAAAAAow/drRh0Suw6ws/s1600-h/pf-halloween2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Suy1hRO0g-I/AAAAAAAAAow/drRh0Suw6ws/s400/pf-halloween2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398889636476257250" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The neighbors across the street had a late jump on their haunted house this year. I hope they get it finished in time for the trick-or-treaters.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Suy1N5grVFI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/K38cqqCbnFM/s1600-h/DSC07155_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Suy1N5grVFI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/K38cqqCbnFM/s200/DSC07155_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398889303691187282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Suy1NpXGmLI/AAAAAAAAAoI/OD-fcTYon7s/s1600-h/DSC07153_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Suy1NpXGmLI/AAAAAAAAAoI/OD-fcTYon7s/s200/DSC07153_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398889299356063922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Suy1NYPUpbI/AAAAAAAAAoA/7Gu6yZHL5Nw/s1600-h/DSC07152_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Suy1NYPUpbI/AAAAAAAAAoA/7Gu6yZHL5Nw/s200/DSC07152_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398889294760027570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Suy1hD1IKPI/AAAAAAAAAoo/A6phQP2CqGA/s1600-h/pf-halloween1.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Suy1OVmujSI/AAAAAAAAAog/Cf0xgV_zaxM/s1600-h/DSC07157_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Suy1OVmujSI/AAAAAAAAAog/Cf0xgV_zaxM/s200/DSC07157_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398889311232757026" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Suy1OCrF_oI/AAAAAAAAAoY/3E-MvBFtJ3U/s1600-h/DSC07156_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Suy1OCrF_oI/AAAAAAAAAoY/3E-MvBFtJ3U/s200/DSC07156_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398889306150796930" border="0" /></a>Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-34377070895790866012009-10-23T12:42:00.003-06:002009-10-23T12:46:02.573-06:00Let the Flurries Begin!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SuH5rhuur3I/AAAAAAAAAnk/2NB_WTJ2oBc/s1600-h/snowman.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SuH5rhuur3I/AAAAAAAAAnk/2NB_WTJ2oBc/s400/snowman.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395868354750623602" border="0" /></a>Of course, Minnesota couldn't stand the fact that it's been snowing in Colorado and not here. It's been lightly raining this week, but now it's snowing today. There's not enough snow to make one of these guys. It's just flurrying right now but we'll see what happens.Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-78731070415431054502009-10-21T16:29:00.003-06:002009-10-21T16:32:43.685-06:00Happy Halloweeny from TJ's!I was so happy to return to <a href="http://www.traderjoes.com/">my favorite store in the whole world</a> yesterday and was greeted with this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/St-L0Xm19CI/AAAAAAAAAnc/t8Q60JX0Jag/s1600-h/DSC07098_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/St-L0Xm19CI/AAAAAAAAAnc/t8Q60JX0Jag/s320/DSC07098_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395184610419536930" border="0" /></a><br />Man! I love that place!!!<br />Did you know their employees get to sample everything in the store? It makes perfect sense. Then they can talk about it and upsell it. Maybe I should consider a part-time gig there.... Hmmmm...Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-56080469011413363332009-10-16T14:23:00.005-06:002009-10-16T16:18:49.306-06:00I often hear my own words in my head self-narrating the story of my life. I might hear myself say something like...<br /><br />After 32 blissful days at home, I'm on the road again. According to my <a href="http://sammspocket.blogspot.com/2007/11/2007-miles.html">2007</a> and <a href="http://www.pooltipjar.com/2008/07/2008-miles-so-far/">2008</a> travel miles, this has been my longest stint home since December of 2007 when I was home from November 27 to December 30. A close second was the 31 days January 13 to February 13, 2008.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/StjtgOoJJHI/AAAAAAAAAnE/aE4yYbJE0vw/s1600-h/DSC07083_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/StjtgOoJJHI/AAAAAAAAAnE/aE4yYbJE0vw/s400/DSC07083_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393321691714233458" border="0" /></a>The drive itself was pretty uneventful. I didn't make as good of time as I normally would since I slept horribly the previous night and had to pull over at a rest stop somewhere near Kearney, Nebraska for a 40 minute power nap. [That 89.5 mph was an accident.]<br /><br />The sky was pretty clear until I hit Iowa. Then, it pretty much rained the whole way. No pictures there since that would be very dangerous.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Stjtr581T6I/AAAAAAAAAnM/_2EC1Zdx8Ok/s1600-h/DSC07081_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Stjtr581T6I/AAAAAAAAAnM/_2EC1Zdx8Ok/s400/DSC07081_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393321892322299810" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/StjtsuF2viI/AAAAAAAAAnU/HTPGKkOM__U/s1600-h/DSC07082_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/StjtsuF2viI/AAAAAAAAAnU/HTPGKkOM__U/s400/DSC07082_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393321906318786082" border="0" /></a><br />I miss my boy like crazy. At least we really got some good q.t. together before I left.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/StjtfAZIQGI/AAAAAAAAAm0/dUbuyav31rs/s1600-h/DSC06977_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/StjtfAZIQGI/AAAAAAAAAm0/dUbuyav31rs/s400/DSC06977_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393321670713294946" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/StjteiHqnLI/AAAAAAAAAms/YlymVTV1x84/s1600-h/DSC06971_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/StjteiHqnLI/AAAAAAAAAms/YlymVTV1x84/s400/DSC06971_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393321662586985650" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/StjtfpbK3WI/AAAAAAAAAm8/vuoc_y-QVJ8/s1600-h/DSC07065_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/StjtfpbK3WI/AAAAAAAAAm8/vuoc_y-QVJ8/s400/DSC07065_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393321681727708514" border="0" /></a>Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-16743923747158562312009-10-06T10:21:00.002-06:002009-10-06T10:30:59.343-06:00My Work StationI love my home "office"! What else do I need?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SstwWfgUkEI/AAAAAAAAAmk/NHgJR-AFjwE/s1600-h/DSC07025_1024x768.JPG"><img title="That's how we roll" style="cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SstwWfgUkEI/AAAAAAAAAmk/NHgJR-AFjwE/s400/DSC07025_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389524910795427906" border="0" /></a>Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-2036518791148188832009-10-06T00:49:00.017-06:002009-10-06T01:36:46.459-06:00Adventures in VegaslandV and I had ourselves a lovely past couple of weekends.<br /><br />It began last weekend with a trip to the doggy park with our friends Robbie, Steph, and Cassius. Apparently, the recent wet year has led to an evolved trail which now requires us to trek through muddy grounds to come full circle. Vegas and Cassius didn't seem to mind.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrrVkwF1bI/AAAAAAAAAlc/3m9i609jvDI/s1600-h/DSC06965_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrrVkwF1bI/AAAAAAAAAlc/3m9i609jvDI/s400/DSC06965_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389378659977385394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrqUm522MI/AAAAAAAAAkk/8CWW2U0fFEk/s1600-h/DSC06960_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrqUm522MI/AAAAAAAAAkk/8CWW2U0fFEk/s320/DSC06960_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389377543863720130" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrqUX4rvJI/AAAAAAAAAkc/Qf0pxlcMfzk/s1600-h/DSC06961_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrqUX4rvJI/AAAAAAAAAkc/Qf0pxlcMfzk/s320/DSC06961_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389377539832265874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrqVORURHI/AAAAAAAAAks/PWawDu12qJg/s1600-h/DSC06962_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrqVORURHI/AAAAAAAAAks/PWawDu12qJg/s320/DSC06962_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389377554431100018" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrqWJnN6AI/AAAAAAAAAk8/sQPMfiiDaxU/s1600-h/DSC06964_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrqWJnN6AI/AAAAAAAAAk8/sQPMfiiDaxU/s320/DSC06964_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389377570360649730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />These little fuzzies were everywhere!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrqVuPT8qI/AAAAAAAAAk0/FWEY5uIr55M/s1600-h/DSC06954_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 118px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrqVuPT8qI/AAAAAAAAAk0/FWEY5uIr55M/s320/DSC06954_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389377563012625058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrrUUaFnII/AAAAAAAAAlE/JMys8zKCnjs/s1600-h/DSC06956_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrrUUaFnII/AAAAAAAAAlE/JMys8zKCnjs/s400/DSC06956_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389378638410259586" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrrU6ieZNI/AAAAAAAAAlM/HvuqtayxHng/s1600-h/DSC06957_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrrU6ieZNI/AAAAAAAAAlM/HvuqtayxHng/s400/DSC06957_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389378648645985490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This past weekend, we made some zucchini bread with our friends Dolly & Ben. Ben didn't know what to think of that 7 pound second place prize ribbon zucchini! It was not suitable for the bread but we picked up some new zucchini and we were good to go.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrrWIkpf1I/AAAAAAAAAlk/Wx2Q5-UXvtw/s1600-h/DSC06947_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrrWIkpf1I/AAAAAAAAAlk/Wx2Q5-UXvtw/s400/DSC06947_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389378669593067346" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrsihXlBjI/AAAAAAAAAls/RZeuOi3gL0o/s1600-h/DSC07004_576x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrsihXlBjI/AAAAAAAAAls/RZeuOi3gL0o/s400/DSC07004_576x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389379981919192626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Ssrsi9oNR2I/AAAAAAAAAl0/N6Zzqskrh2Y/s1600-h/DSC07005_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Ssrsi9oNR2I/AAAAAAAAAl0/N6Zzqskrh2Y/s400/DSC07005_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389379989505132386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrsjaBH5PI/AAAAAAAAAl8/KMNsdXVLS-4/s1600-h/DSC07006_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrsjaBH5PI/AAAAAAAAAl8/KMNsdXVLS-4/s400/DSC07006_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389379997125829874" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Ssrsjw_-oGI/AAAAAAAAAmE/43S_Itrkjgk/s1600-h/DSC07008_576x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Ssrsjw_-oGI/AAAAAAAAAmE/43S_Itrkjgk/s400/DSC07008_576x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389380003295043682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrskHFPCpI/AAAAAAAAAmM/ThLhz-v75hs/s1600-h/DSC07009_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrskHFPCpI/AAAAAAAAAmM/ThLhz-v75hs/s400/DSC07009_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389380009222670994" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Ssrsz7ESGeI/AAAAAAAAAmc/GmTeCBY_fAk/s1600-h/DSC07010_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Ssrsz7ESGeI/AAAAAAAAAmc/GmTeCBY_fAk/s400/DSC07010_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389380280875358690" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrszSJxsTI/AAAAAAAAAmU/yGyR1QIyGl4/s1600-h/DSC07011_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrszSJxsTI/AAAAAAAAAmU/yGyR1QIyGl4/s400/DSC07011_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389380269892546866" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Finally, as a special treat, I went to see the TS & TS2 double feature IN 3-D!!!! with Robert & Summer. Man! I love those movies!!! I can't wait until <a href="http://sammspocket.blogspot.com/2009/06/mark-your-calendars.html">June 18, 2010</a>!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SsrrWIkpf1I/AAAAAAAAAlk/Wx2Q5-UXvtw/s1600-h/DSC06947_1024x768.JPG"><br /><object height="296" width="512"><param name="movie" value="http://www.hulu.com/embed/Y9MPvXuE4mstwPx-xAblFQ"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.hulu.com/embed/Y9MPvXuE4mstwPx-xAblFQ" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="296" width="512"></embed></object><br /></a>Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-49765337395736352602009-09-27T01:58:00.004-06:002009-09-27T02:08:52.117-06:00Who knew Scarlett Johansson could sing???<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.npr.org/assets/music/news/2009/09/johanssonyorn.jpg?t=1253822039&s=2"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="http://media.npr.org/assets/music/news/2009/09/johanssonyorn.jpg?t=1253822039&s=2" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I caught an interesting interview on NPR today with Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson discussing their new duet album. Apparently, he enlisted her for the project without even knowing if she could sing. Good gamble.<br /><br />It's cute.<br /><br /><embed src="http://www.npr.org/v2/?i=113180321&m=113184505&t=audio" height="383" wmode="opaque" width="400" base="http://www.npr.org"></embed><br /><embed src="http://www.npr.org/v2/?i=113180321&m=113242698&t=audio" height="383" wmode="opaque" width="400" base="http://www.npr.org"></embed>Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-86242008887180344592009-09-24T18:56:00.002-06:002009-09-24T18:59:35.161-06:00"Let me see the li'l potsticker!"A cute new show that I saw previews for a few weeks ago. It's called Modern Family.<br /><br />I've seen worse...<br /><object width="512" height="296"><param name="movie" value="http://www.hulu.com/embed/aU-B1JRGc5jh9xpeH_wKtw"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.hulu.com/embed/aU-B1JRGc5jh9xpeH_wKtw" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" width="512" height="296"></embed></object>Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-87713499731323336262009-09-15T09:40:00.002-06:002009-09-15T09:44:12.426-06:00Everything in your life...A wonderful quote sent from my dear friend Carter:<br /><br />"Everything in your life gets better when you get better, and nothing is ever going to get better until you get better."<br />~ <a href="http://www.nightingale.com/prod_detail.aspx?productidn=26000&promo=INTQ89v1">Larry Winget</a><br /><strong><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.nightingale.com/prod_detail.aspx?productidn=26000&promo=INTQ89v1" title="http://www.nightingale.com/prod_detail.aspx?productidn=26000&promo=INTQ89v1"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:12;"></span></span></a></span></span></b></strong><br />So, what's so bad about rose colored glasses?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sq-2PTbXt0I/AAAAAAAAAkU/LNDM4kV2sk0/s1600-h/rose+glasses.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/Sq-2PTbXt0I/AAAAAAAAAkU/LNDM4kV2sk0/s320/rose+glasses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381720453760399170" border="0" /></a>Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-33055339411361081722009-08-27T11:52:00.004-06:002009-08-27T12:31:59.781-06:00Google Maps "Street View"Have you ever checked out the <a href="http://maps.google.com/help/maps/streetview/index.html#utm_campaign=en&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-google-svn&utm_medium=ha&utm_term=google%20maps%20street%20view">Street View</a> on Google Maps before? In many ways it's quite cool. You can take a virtual tour of the area and the surroundings.<br /><br />When Mike and I were planning our trip to Jacksonville last summer for a tournament, we decided to make a mini-vaca out of it and stayed at the beautiful <a href="http://figtreeinn.com/">Fig Tree Inn</a>. I must have spent every single day the whole before the trip, taking the virtual tour from our front door, down two blocks to the beach. In this instance, it was quite practical and I was happy it was available.<br /><br />The other day, I was googling directions from my house and decided, "Sure! I'll hit the 'street view' button just out of curiousity." To my surprise I saw a photo of my house with Mike's truck and my car both parked in the driveway.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SpbQLbg1PII/AAAAAAAAAkM/L6c0WTZj0Fw/s1600-h/google-house.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SpbQLbg1PII/AAAAAAAAAkM/L6c0WTZj0Fw/s400/google-house.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374712100095868034" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I couldn't help but to be slightly alarmed and wonder, "When was this photo taken? How come I didn't notice someone in my neighborhood with a big camera?" Then, I started feeling slightly violated.<br /><br />The functionality is quite cool and realistic, but it's just a little creepy to think that someone just goes through the neighborhoods snapping photos of people's houses from all different angles.<br /><br />Have you street viewed your house recently?Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16634794.post-47333991278144910662009-08-16T12:17:00.002-06:002009-08-16T12:45:35.868-06:00Here's something you don't see everyday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SohNY8ssVQI/AAAAAAAAAj0/0O3s4KSOtF0/s1600-h/DSC06611_1024x768.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KyeexZvitGU/SohNY8ssVQI/AAAAAAAAAj0/0O3s4KSOtF0/s400/DSC06611_1024x768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370627646645097730" border="0" /></a>We snapped this photo in Grand Forks, ND while en route between.... I don't remember.... somewhere between Minneapolis and Rugby. It was very loud and a little freaky.Sammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15782030163524007364noreply@blogger.com1