tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34392914946987230212024-03-05T07:55:33.962-06:00Hometown TouristThe meaning of life in the place that you live.Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.comBlogger409125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-21100336789965053452014-08-21T10:29:00.000-05:002014-08-21T10:29:17.645-05:00Maybe Just One More<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The running joke between Josh and me after the birth of Isaac was "well maybe just one more." Jokes are pretty powerful. That one led to Quinn.</div>
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He really has been practicing smiling in his sleep since he was three days old. He's gangly and elfin and we all think he's just great.</div>
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One Week Old</div>
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Two Weeks Old</div>
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Three Weeks Old</div>
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Four Weeks Old</div>
Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-43558645113427846302013-09-13T22:37:00.000-05:002013-09-13T22:37:40.550-05:00What is a Good School?Last week Gabrielle Blair at Design Mom blogged about <a href="http://www.designmom.com/2013/09/public-high-school-in-oakland/" target="_blank">sending her kids to a public high school</a> in Oakland that has a rating of "2" on the <a href="http://www.greatschools.org/" target="_blank">Great Schools</a> website. It heartened me because this week we sent Charlie off to kindergarten at our neighborhood school that currently has a rating of "1" on that same site. We made this choice intentionally, although, we may never have done so had the district not made sweeping changes to its school choice policies this year. As much as I hate to admit it (because the bureaucratic dysfunction and apparent lack of service ethic at the district often has me wiping my brains off the ceiling after my head explodes with rage), I am grateful that we were given the opportunity to get away from the test scores and white middle-class parent rumor mill method that seems to be the primary way of defining what a good school is these days.<br />
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Last winter, when it was time to apply for schools for Charlie, it became apparent with all the changes afoot that the likelihood of us getting into any of the schools with good test scores and good reputations available to folks living in our area of the city was very low. Once coming to terms with this fact, I decided to explore the option of doing what the district seemed to want us to do, which was go to our neighborhood school. I emailed the principal with a bunch of questions based on what I knew at the time were indicators of a successful school and the seeming ways the school didn't measure up. I told him I was scared. He responded to me with the most intelligent and well-reasoned communication I have ever received from anyone in the district. I got excited. He invited us to come tour the school. We went and the experience completely dismantled everything I thought I knew about what a good school is. The staff were friendly, invested and clearly talented. The students (mostly kids of color) were highly engaged in their work. There was a quiet order to the way the place functioned that still had plenty of warmth.<br />
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Honestly, I was ashamed of myself. I had so easily fallen into the trap of conventional thinking with a very deep white privilege bent to it. While the principal was telling me that the makeup of the school would likely change as it transitioned from magnet status to neighborhood school and many of the current students would lose busing, I felt like a jerk because I had clearly come across as someone that needed to be reassured. I found myself hoping that it wouldn't change too much because the community that I saw had such integrity.<br />
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So, what is a good school? Charlie is a week into kindergarten and we're all feeling pretty happy about it. I have found that the kindergarten team has been high-touch and incredibly responsive with any challenges we've had in the transition. Charlie talks a lot about school and he seems to be getting a level of stimulation that is good for him. I love walking to and from school with him everyday, burning no fossil fuels and feeling no road rage (maybe I'll even love it in January). I'm sure there will be bumps along the way, but I have plenty of school-related trauma from negative experiences with Ellis that happened in schools that have full "good school" endorsement, so it will take a lot for that to dismantle my good feelings after I've let the rational part of my brain examine them.<br />
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I guess what I'm saying is that I wish that we would all stand down from the current hysteria about public schools. Decisions that are based on fear are not the best decisions, and I think those of us that have had the luxury of choice in this country in the past decade have made a lot of decisions through the lens of our collective anxiety. I'm hoping that more of my neighbors will fully embrace the school that is right here and that we don't end up losing it because there's not enough interest from the community to keep attendance up. There are a terrific administrator, great educators, and great kids there. While right now it lacks the full kit of specialists (music, art, etc.) and organized parent involvement found in more affluent schools, these are things that can be built around the strong core that is there. Maybe we're ready to create change in education that looks less like a battle being waged and more like a community being built.Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-42789382055386962862013-07-31T12:09:00.000-05:002013-07-31T12:09:32.245-05:00Helping My Plants Get Busy (Fun with Hand Pollination)<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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I have always felt envious and curious of all those people who talk about having more zucchini than they know what to do with. We've had a problem the last few years with our zucchini where we grow beautiful, healthy plants that produce big yellow flowers but yield no fruit. Knowing that there is a serious problem right now with a <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9213661" target="_blank">decreased number of bees</a> thanks to "human enhancement of the environment,"we thought we'd help things along this year by trying to hand pollinate our plants. </div>
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Thanks to the amazing Internet where you can type in "hand pollination of zucchini" and then watch several videos of really cool gardener dudes teaching how to do the deed (aka: garden porn), we learned how to identify the male flower (see above) with its single stem and the female flower with its bulgy potential baby zucchini like so:</div>
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Once you can tell that difference, all you have to do is wait for the flowers to open up, which is their way of saying, "Let's get it on." I have found the morning is often the time when the flowers are ready and they look all sultry in their raised beds. From that point on, it's all pistils and stamens.</div>
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Find yourself a male flower, which will have lovely yellow pollen all over its stamen. You can pull the flower off and pollinate by rubbing the stamen on the pistil of the female flower, you can use a q-tip, or, if you're like me, and have an O'Keeffian obsession with flower parts, you can just use your fingers. Mmmm....pollen...</div>
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Find the female flower (or flowers if you're lucky) and use your favorite method to place the pollen into the pistil. <i>Hello, you sexy thing...</i></div>
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Then you can dream of delicious zucchini babies that will born from the union you just fostered. This same method works with other plants that require pollination. We don't seem to be having a problem with our cucumbers and there are certainly bees and wasps around our yard thanks to our pollinator friendly native plant garden, although I've definitely noticed reduced numbers. I've tried to make the best of a bad situation by seeing it as an opportunity to take my relationship with my plant friends to a new level.</div>
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Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-62646364974480239392013-06-20T13:41:00.000-05:002013-06-20T13:41:49.475-05:00High Five!<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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Who's five years old today? This guy.</div>
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I've taken to calling him Chuckles (which is cool because he conveniently has his own candy that I was able to procure as a birthday present), and it's true that he's always good for a laugh even when he makes you want to cry sometimes. Our man, Charles is hard core. Last night as Ellis and I were attempting to stealthily wrap his presents, he stood outside the door telling us exactly what we should write on the wrapping paper. I think the phrase I hear most from him is, "That's not what I want." Sometimes makes me think we should have named him Will.</div>
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But that's not the whole story, because the other phrase that I hear from him most is, "Mom, you're so beautiful," as he slathers me with kisses and tells me he loves me so. Kid's smart enough to know that he needs to have good credit if he's going to make so many darn withdrawals.</div>
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Happy birthday to the dude who never fails to notice the way everything is and always believes that he can change it into what he wants it to be. I admire your spunk, kid, just try to take it easier on your old mom this year.</div>
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Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-60648203668175430352013-06-14T15:04:00.000-05:002013-06-14T15:04:34.143-05:00Growing Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Everything has been a bit later this spring than usual. First it was cold and now it's been rainy so the usual flurry of activity that comes with spring planting (and gathering - hello, morels!) has been drawn out over two months. Is it really mid-June?</div>
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Last year's drought killed off a good portion of our front lawn, which because we fancy ourselves urban farmers, was actually a gift from mother nature. Why not replace the grass with a couple of raised beds in the front yard where we have that glorious southern exposure (when the sun actually shines that is)?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WdxBZ6fJz2KOLNbfweEG2sbd0RZUctbz9p_MNlj2Z2EE3f70X9B7ZoOFPWD-mDi1wjNi9YTAetc7foNsc-slapNcKQsYJ4GmL2Xp0EDOi5A0fiH4ET7tB4MpSMZA2nM5SFHIRRv1/s1600/20130603_110150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WdxBZ6fJz2KOLNbfweEG2sbd0RZUctbz9p_MNlj2Z2EE3f70X9B7ZoOFPWD-mDi1wjNi9YTAetc7foNsc-slapNcKQsYJ4GmL2Xp0EDOi5A0fiH4ET7tB4MpSMZA2nM5SFHIRRv1/s400/20130603_110150.jpg" width="400" /> </a> </div>
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So, in between storms, one got built and filled with a bunch of free compost from the <a href="http://www.co.ramsey.mn.us/ph/rt/yard_waste_collection_sites.htm" target="_blank">Ramsey County Yard Waste Collection Sites</a> (tax dollars put to excellent use). Will we build the second? I think so, although we may actually have to buy the dirt this time (gasp!) if the county's all out of the premium rich black stuff. Maybe I'll even plant some pepper plants in it on the summer solstice and cross my fingers that they'll grow like crazy if it ever warms up this year. Even with this wonky weather (on the bright side, at least the almost daily rain will save us money on watering the crops) we'll surely have some delicious eats by harvest time. If our first frost doesn't come by Labor Day, that is.</div>
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Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-1676468543124780952013-05-23T22:17:00.000-05:002013-05-23T22:17:51.236-05:00Ellis Jokes<div dir="ltr">
"Some say revenge is a dish best served cold. Some say revenge is sweet. So basically, revenge is ice cream"</div>
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"There are three kinds of people in this world. Those who can count and those who can't. "</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31kxp4fqpD7SOvzfODJu_WaL6TwV9FnoHmyNLenTPoCNHPW0GiGUoLDWXm411NqWQekG75llx9GIA3xdIT0Si_oRMcgbrZR5sFFg__uitdyJwN-9IDwg34SXk9VBqA2j6hP6uCafT/s1600/20130523_180458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31kxp4fqpD7SOvzfODJu_WaL6TwV9FnoHmyNLenTPoCNHPW0GiGUoLDWXm411NqWQekG75llx9GIA3xdIT0Si_oRMcgbrZR5sFFg__uitdyJwN-9IDwg34SXk9VBqA2j6hP6uCafT/s640/20130523_180458.jpg" width="360" /> </a> </div>
Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-49067302473496608772013-05-15T21:21:00.000-05:002013-05-15T21:21:20.868-05:00Some Dirt on Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In the seven or so years that I have been gardening, I have learned that the most valuable quality a gardener can have is patience. Therefore, gardening is the perfect hobby for me, not because I have patience, but because I need to cultivate it as a quality in myself. In this way, the plants provide much more care for me than I do for them.Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-6206718305947630912013-04-29T10:14:00.000-05:002013-04-29T10:14:01.143-05:00The Queen of the Work-Around<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7QhlgwuHiQC6DXo9f2zcgTOst0VjFWvySzU8-H3xpUC5DR0L8orVkx1yD4Q740AmQdQI7kakUsv5wHLqXomPS1_LnRr7eFLyRqszJcJX4bquOmFq2BzFK_pPHR6-fXH7eOlbd_Rm/s1600/DSC_0137.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7QhlgwuHiQC6DXo9f2zcgTOst0VjFWvySzU8-H3xpUC5DR0L8orVkx1yD4Q740AmQdQI7kakUsv5wHLqXomPS1_LnRr7eFLyRqszJcJX4bquOmFq2BzFK_pPHR6-fXH7eOlbd_Rm/s400/DSC_0137.JPG" /></a><br />
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I baked Isaac's birthday cake on Friday morning and left it to cool in the pans while I went to run errands. When I got home, the cake was completely stuck and as I tried to jimmy it out, it fell apart. It broke so badly that I couldn't do my normal fix of a healthy dose of frosting spackle. Luckily, I enjoy making something good out of a bad situation - the trickier the better. I made some vanilla pudding and layered the cake with it and the berries and fruit I had on hand. Instant trifle! The best part is that it was more decadently delicious than plain old birthday cake would have been. Score one for the Queen of the Work-Around.</div>
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Of course, things may have gone even better in the first place if I had followed Charlie's cake recipe and used "blour" and baked it for 18 hours.</div>
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Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-29308089015875670512013-04-27T09:00:00.000-05:002013-04-27T09:00:03.405-05:00This Week (365 Photos)<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I resolved to take pictures every day this year. My plan is to share them weekly on this blog.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrcQGzzvJnhyphenhyphenayQUpaWXdh9L-C2Eyw9X0ZPAvneXoCTkyaF35p23h33Yk2cwd-X3gS6lBHiUUYsKaZlI577-a9c-_HR1sszPVIItKuCPHeMpX979uAcWaMcsziTd84Nri1YVwNkDz/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrcQGzzvJnhyphenhyphenayQUpaWXdh9L-C2Eyw9X0ZPAvneXoCTkyaF35p23h33Yk2cwd-X3gS6lBHiUUYsKaZlI577-a9c-_HR1sszPVIItKuCPHeMpX979uAcWaMcsziTd84Nri1YVwNkDz/s400/DSC_0001.JPG" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaFM4UQBbe_GD-PoEJE6zsy6NSI7tK1Nn-xw_kVYZZw_k_ajLOppJb7v0FckTwVKkI4YDQCn49KpApQtVe-A6IAxHJgDQTTW1FO-9yLvbE2xpzVvR0GPhy4RsFnKWjplt3XAmmbdS/s1600/DSC_0054.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaFM4UQBbe_GD-PoEJE6zsy6NSI7tK1Nn-xw_kVYZZw_k_ajLOppJb7v0FckTwVKkI4YDQCn49KpApQtVe-A6IAxHJgDQTTW1FO-9yLvbE2xpzVvR0GPhy4RsFnKWjplt3XAmmbdS/s400/DSC_0054.JPG" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3AsXyvWy4T-x2vaLSIqDoakuZxTOKU-TfW0ATzbYBrqJFD7SbVXxuD-zWegWHUAgFMe3EEoKRObu-HfSnnB80aWUme2deV4GydDZKydpKGkaLyf021DIRNGl6hycWvsmQ9LC42sV/s1600/DSC_0069.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3AsXyvWy4T-x2vaLSIqDoakuZxTOKU-TfW0ATzbYBrqJFD7SbVXxuD-zWegWHUAgFMe3EEoKRObu-HfSnnB80aWUme2deV4GydDZKydpKGkaLyf021DIRNGl6hycWvsmQ9LC42sV/s400/DSC_0069.JPG" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcf0Ibu-ZuBV9tPn-diudpGx36O9-t875xlbMtjJVY9XkNTxsuBbSdofhYBjsux78oh2AYbXs9Tmpl6vRRLx8ff1glU9OcOj_9Xl5lz8x3wnhG3ESXRdSLO_TXd00pjsS1nYeuROvP/s1600/DSC_0092.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcf0Ibu-ZuBV9tPn-diudpGx36O9-t875xlbMtjJVY9XkNTxsuBbSdofhYBjsux78oh2AYbXs9Tmpl6vRRLx8ff1glU9OcOj_9Xl5lz8x3wnhG3ESXRdSLO_TXd00pjsS1nYeuROvP/s400/DSC_0092.JPG" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3f43kmp6BKEmrlYlodZNXYUQV_mSjTU4IoSfoeXkhpxtoLzIDRqqlih9-FRzIWrswonQlfB1ttcXKveb_VJ0_bySqBiuHJXYmwaFyjXnJqCQHhovqhvdZO71ikA9CA49NNjRnk4l/s1600/DSC_0108.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3f43kmp6BKEmrlYlodZNXYUQV_mSjTU4IoSfoeXkhpxtoLzIDRqqlih9-FRzIWrswonQlfB1ttcXKveb_VJ0_bySqBiuHJXYmwaFyjXnJqCQHhovqhvdZO71ikA9CA49NNjRnk4l/s400/DSC_0108.JPG" /></a> </div>
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Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-679345395942988332013-04-26T18:50:00.000-05:002013-04-26T18:51:03.998-05:00He's Number One<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYM5zutRcG1KM5Xp1hu8PuFzzagonkgus78aadSu3KdvZyoc2bbNv7cMNeWjnTy5gZaA08Af_YMukj6D5vE9QtyOSerPzLAPLIaI-ha0-P2e3oD3gaWtLKH4VuLz3OHfTQ168U_W_/s1600/DSC_0104.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYM5zutRcG1KM5Xp1hu8PuFzzagonkgus78aadSu3KdvZyoc2bbNv7cMNeWjnTy5gZaA08Af_YMukj6D5vE9QtyOSerPzLAPLIaI-ha0-P2e3oD3gaWtLKH4VuLz3OHfTQ168U_W_/s400/DSC_0104.JPG" /></a><br />
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Happy first birthday, Isaac! The nickname I've settled on for him these days is "little love." And it's true that he is the repository of all of our deepest affections.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZ_S0Ot-00gsPMX_2qoYMPpspJaoSGQQH65DL6ZzNB9qv2-K1ROO7LurLHeFyfUaL6vPOG3SafeDh2Q0pgc9BiQgPvKCAN_scAASsvQS8HVacSRQEn5ALHIkVJ4NH6SXfT5yX54XA/s1600/DSC_0115.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZ_S0Ot-00gsPMX_2qoYMPpspJaoSGQQH65DL6ZzNB9qv2-K1ROO7LurLHeFyfUaL6vPOG3SafeDh2Q0pgc9BiQgPvKCAN_scAASsvQS8HVacSRQEn5ALHIkVJ4NH6SXfT5yX54XA/s400/DSC_0115.JPG" /></a><br />
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In the last month, he decided that crawling is a pretty efficient mode of transportation after all, especially because it helps him cover the gaps between furniture that he can hold onto for his creeping around the house. He's also discovered a love for books. His favorite is <i>Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? </i>by Dr. Seuss. He thinks it's funny when I make the animal noises (especially the owl - Hoo Hoo).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyYcDVFhgC_dfQJmytXwjPGR5q2gAOyEWp5OQmWSNyXlJL7gdFDNVlNQJzZhJHRUKqM1WfZaqHrnm4mE-kawyMAQSPKvb8t3V-Erc83UiDuZ92RlS4wxMBxHFXORuaI-AZBerIJOk/s1600/DSC_0134.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyYcDVFhgC_dfQJmytXwjPGR5q2gAOyEWp5OQmWSNyXlJL7gdFDNVlNQJzZhJHRUKqM1WfZaqHrnm4mE-kawyMAQSPKvb8t3V-Erc83UiDuZ92RlS4wxMBxHFXORuaI-AZBerIJOk/s400/DSC_0134.JPG" /></a> </div>
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First birthdays are a celebration of the immense amount of work each baby does to get from the point of no neck control and round-the-clock feedings to mobility, exploration, and engagement with the world. For parents, there's a bit of a sigh of relief that you kept them alive through the year of their greatest dependence on you. We did great on this first leg of our journey, little love. I look forward to what comes next.</div>
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Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-25507750862005855242013-04-19T09:31:00.002-05:002013-04-19T09:31:39.410-05:00This Week (365 Photos)<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I resolved to take pictures every day this year. My plan is to share them weekly on this blog.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROq0FkLQZsT0ZCocNUCCyObHwKIhOAUYWA41snXIHG4z_nYpq4OCIZet6V-8jX4pzmvxOPjLxY1ig8LS41QhXgnvR4aqlQZ0ShTHZnYquN8_4qphqNX186lcJwuI6lD1k12pbao76/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROq0FkLQZsT0ZCocNUCCyObHwKIhOAUYWA41snXIHG4z_nYpq4OCIZet6V-8jX4pzmvxOPjLxY1ig8LS41QhXgnvR4aqlQZ0ShTHZnYquN8_4qphqNX186lcJwuI6lD1k12pbao76/s400/DSC_0033.JPG" /></a> </div>
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Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-82051873992993087132013-04-12T10:58:00.001-05:002013-04-12T10:58:33.116-05:00This Week (365 Photos)<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I resolved to take pictures every day this year. My plan is to share them weekly on this blog.</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsPY7itIOy89jTO5wIc7trZCWilaT5dhesISeiG4c76BB3LuE_fTQiaSwj15TKCAb5VlCHgTJX_9K0SpYyTr9-6LceO8ktssc3WAUAz2VTQbDXYGDdiP0j6gpDdnusSvepd3VdOU6/s1600/DSC_0153.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsPY7itIOy89jTO5wIc7trZCWilaT5dhesISeiG4c76BB3LuE_fTQiaSwj15TKCAb5VlCHgTJX_9K0SpYyTr9-6LceO8ktssc3WAUAz2VTQbDXYGDdiP0j6gpDdnusSvepd3VdOU6/s400/DSC_0153.JPG" /></a> </div>
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Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-75407746794663900652013-04-05T13:02:00.001-05:002013-04-05T13:02:13.962-05:00This Week (365 Photos)<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I resolved to take pictures every day this year. My plan is to share them weekly on this blog.</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl8cq42MScDvn9vuFpH9A2dVeOQPHns1fgWbJKBPI3eXBKsdONqlw7ui466nUmU7nxycn75Pfdf08DaCiMypwh68NeteyrsjHI3OTsQLYORUce6ewpDDyMZrbaA8gQO4M2sNtug-U/s1600/DSC_0035.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpl8cq42MScDvn9vuFpH9A2dVeOQPHns1fgWbJKBPI3eXBKsdONqlw7ui466nUmU7nxycn75Pfdf08DaCiMypwh68NeteyrsjHI3OTsQLYORUce6ewpDDyMZrbaA8gQO4M2sNtug-U/s400/DSC_0035.JPG" /></a> </div>
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Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-37617069077887457392013-03-27T23:38:00.000-05:002013-03-27T23:38:07.662-05:00I Have a Bad AttitudeI usually try to keep things pretty positive on the blog, but in honor of spring break, giant puddles of melted snow, Jesus and the Easter Bunny, I'm going to indulge in one of my favorite activities: complaining about stuff that irritates me. It's Bad Attitude Week here at The Hometown Tourist, and I'm going to engage in what I like to call rage training, which is like emotional cardio in that it raises your heart rate for a bit so your resting state can be more zen.<br />
<br />
Today's topic is: <i>Five Things I Hate About the Way We're "Supposed" to Do Parenting.</i> This is my little list of bourgeois parenting norms that seemed to be designed to take the wind out of my sails just in case I was enjoying my children too much. Didn't you know that parenting was supposed to be the hardest and most rewarding job you'll ever have? I'm sorry, I thought I was just having a relationship with these neat little humans that I made from scratch in my uterus. If it's supposed to be a job, I want to renegotiate my compensation package. Anyway without further ado:<br />
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1. Screen Time: Look, if you want to limit the amount of time your kids spend with computers, video games, and TV, do what you think is best, but do we have to make up a stupid name for it, and then use it like we all agree to treat technology like some sort of controlled substance. (Only, of course, when it comes to our kids, though. How many hours of "screen time" did you have today?) It is true that we don't know what the long-term effects of so much interaction with technology will be, but why do we have to assume all of them will be bad? People had the same reaction to television when I was growing up, and yet we all seem to be decent and terrible in equal measures the same as any other generation. Humans adapt. Relax.<br />
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2. Play Dates: One of the reason I had so many children is so they'll always have someone to play with around the house. I also think that children should be able to play in their neighborhoods and you shouldn't have to drive your kids somewhere to play or call up and make appointments with people you wouldn't talk to for any other reason. Why do we have to micromanage all the little details of our children's lives? I am their mother, not their social secretary. The only time I make special arrangements for my kids to play with other kids is if it's their birthday or if I also want to hang out with those other kids' parents.<br />
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3. School Projects: I do not think that children should be assigned homework that they cannot complete on their own. I think that my role with homework should be as back-up helper when they get stuck, but it is their homework, not my homework. Here's why I hate school projects that clearly require parental support: 1) It puts kids whose parents aren't able to help them at a disadvantage 2) I passed fourth grade thirty years ago, I don't need to do it again 3) I don't remember giving my kids' teachers permission to schedule my time in addition to my children's. 4) I actually like to do things with my kids, but I like us to decide what those activities will be without deadlines, grades or other methods of outside accountability that TOTALLY RUIN EVERYTHING.<br />
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4. Reading Logs: I have been an avid reader all my life. I was a freakin' English major. We have shelves full of books and boxes in closets of books that don't fit on our shelves. Ellis and Charlie started reading before their fourth birthdays. We read, okay, we read. But nothing spoils reading more than having to read twenty minutes a night and write it down on a little sheet and turn it into your kid's teacher. Some nights, when the book is good, you want to read for hours. Other nights, you want to make milkshakes or completely destroy your children by letting them look at screens for hours and hours while you write a blog post on your own little screen. Just stop it with the reading logs. Making reading a chore never made anyone love books.<br />
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5. Picture Day: I hate the crappy ugly pictures that these "professional" photographers take of my kids and I don't appreciate having to spend money on them. I take beautiful portraits of my kids on a weekly basis that reflect them in a way that only someone who knows them as well as I do can. And yet, my kids will feel sad if they don't get to participate in picture day like everyone else, so alas, I write that damn check. And why is picture day twice a year now? You win, Lifetouch, you win.<br />
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<br />Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-8592417501607574702013-03-26T21:11:00.000-05:002013-03-26T21:11:07.690-05:00Eleven Months Old<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This was a month of crazy growth. He finally gave up and decided to get some teeth. They're pretty cute especially since he seems to have gotten the message that biting me is a one-way ticket to wean town. I also could be imagining things, but it seems like he only says "na na na" at breakfast in the morning when I give him his favorite bananas to eat. Best of all, he pulls himself up to standing on any low piece of furniture and then creeps along through the house until he runs out of surface to hold onto. It looks like he is going to walk without even trying to crawl. I'm going to blink and he will be one.</div>
<br />Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-85860516313071637532013-03-22T10:12:00.000-05:002013-03-22T10:12:17.863-05:00This Week (365 Photos)<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I resolved to take pictures every day this year. My plan is to share them weekly on this blog.</i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">This week, while the temperature hovered below freezing, I went desperately searching for signs of spring...</span></div>
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Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-47860207612504593852013-03-15T13:08:00.001-05:002013-03-15T13:08:54.093-05:00This Week (365 Photos)<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I resolved to take pictures every day this year. My plan is to share them weekly on this blog.</i><br />
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Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-77434376967375062592013-03-14T09:31:00.003-05:002013-03-14T09:35:53.011-05:00A Decade of Ellis<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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<i>The Beginning</i><br />
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What a great ten years it has been. In the past few months, I look at you, and you are barely a kid anymore. I look forward to the ways our relationship will mature along with you. What will the next decade bring? </div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><i>1</i></span>
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Likely, in the next decade, someone else besides me will become your favorite person in the world. I hope so, because you have a big heart that needs to be stretched as far as it will grow. Even as the time is coming where you won't automatically grab my hand when we're walking together, I look forward to bringing you little by little into the grown-up world of feelings. I know I cannot spare you the heartache you will have as you learn to love, but I hope you will allow me to help you by sharing the things that I learned the hard way in my own heart's journey.</div>
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Perhaps, in the next ten years, you will start the video game company you want to, or at least build the skills you need to do that. I promise to continue to talk to you about the things that you want to do, and show you how to make a plan to get there. Dream big, kiddo, don't ever let anyone tell you what you can't do.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUFXvkUPk5gkpUvX0Gka0xOSbxRfW03dUZ4YQH225SM2nmqV49eHhG7Kmk9gmbA1towfwwlIPuXReyb5r5NwsnHxMuUmzZ6scpL00Yfrr_YuYfray2PgT_5KYfsPOfCL8LIj9C7fK/s1600/img001.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUFXvkUPk5gkpUvX0Gka0xOSbxRfW03dUZ4YQH225SM2nmqV49eHhG7Kmk9gmbA1towfwwlIPuXReyb5r5NwsnHxMuUmzZ6scpL00Yfrr_YuYfray2PgT_5KYfsPOfCL8LIj9C7fK/s400/img001.jpg" /></a><br />
<i>3</i><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Before long, you will grow taller than me. I can see it already in your broad shoulders, that the day is coming that I will look up to you. I don't worry that you will be anything less than a gentle giant, because I remember the way you would reach over as a toddler and softly pat my hand. For you, I wish you confidence in your growing strength and the knowledge that you don't have to choose between the life of the mind and the life of the body.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9dIL0QX77SxuI6fDUwJiJ9cM6Iui_DjTyMAruwzhBUAG9TceYhyVyzu8Kcrki_E4miyWlXlT2wlcEcleoxrednvkSJPgfJqMBIvN2lv7q1eDqVAVuynIPMBZLOtnfsxQJ8a-mIQo/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9dIL0QX77SxuI6fDUwJiJ9cM6Iui_DjTyMAruwzhBUAG9TceYhyVyzu8Kcrki_E4miyWlXlT2wlcEcleoxrednvkSJPgfJqMBIvN2lv7q1eDqVAVuynIPMBZLOtnfsxQJ8a-mIQo/s400/DSC_0047.JPG" /></a><br />
<i>4</i><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
In the next ten years, we will travel together and have many adventures. I look forward to discovering the world together through our journeys. I also look forward to exploring the inner world of ideas with you. I already love the way your mind works and there's so much I want to share with you of the ideas that have lit up my brain over the years. I love it best when you bring me new things that spark my imagination.</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3R_hfriiv7-XUoZNonrBpM9ZIooVvNqLY48DKvH83rpqpzn1GMUBQnXXPMmi1wxulpR9guHdjcO_CzekXK7Hm9K0VssaDKWzYLobBcQtgEuWi7xcqacr76ygD6wFTXhlh5KNTu8C/s1600/DSC_0035.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3R_hfriiv7-XUoZNonrBpM9ZIooVvNqLY48DKvH83rpqpzn1GMUBQnXXPMmi1wxulpR9guHdjcO_CzekXK7Hm9K0VssaDKWzYLobBcQtgEuWi7xcqacr76ygD6wFTXhlh5KNTu8C/s400/DSC_0035.JPG" /></a><br />
<i>5</i><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Whatever happens in the years to come, please know that I am grateful to have you in my life. Thanks for making me a mom ten years ago. It's one of the best things that ever happened to me.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvKtljUVPEeW5n4PymEqQ2PBnLEKQTULSeFSJjBDYTMIIZyUxD92FvGKNhCQcpyshxX9Pa5vPZ3A-PdZqlxxat7g4Hly5UylP2MTSNPyQa62aNvE3zRsAZqQdWxCo_K5aNbWKM4F3/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvKtljUVPEeW5n4PymEqQ2PBnLEKQTULSeFSJjBDYTMIIZyUxD92FvGKNhCQcpyshxX9Pa5vPZ3A-PdZqlxxat7g4Hly5UylP2MTSNPyQa62aNvE3zRsAZqQdWxCo_K5aNbWKM4F3/s400/DSC_0014.JPG" /></a><br />
<i>6</i></div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEcQhyphenhyphenFShAHY1UiqrwaZZud2WfOD2isAZNkitv_qN4e3FbrQ4WVOQ1SK7fh7V5AGzaiqTuGjM2NJ1sQ2MTwVfjjOHGse986N1LD21cC7alO5Q9iXDweQrnrW5tcJdwjeHnX0uyF0O/s1600/DSC_0074.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEcQhyphenhyphenFShAHY1UiqrwaZZud2WfOD2isAZNkitv_qN4e3FbrQ4WVOQ1SK7fh7V5AGzaiqTuGjM2NJ1sQ2MTwVfjjOHGse986N1LD21cC7alO5Q9iXDweQrnrW5tcJdwjeHnX0uyF0O/s400/DSC_0074.JPG" /></a><br />
<i>7</i></div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknNCklHxsGYSAXzE1JcInuarx-N3OvT8HidoLFX-cvbXVFd0iGBZbIINPqxtcpa6l2Jlb2THYzePzfAoKUVvZFlc440SBwjqt_yVhTe7FUE9e4k_pTpSdrUvk5KDH1oT3D8LPvHNL/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknNCklHxsGYSAXzE1JcInuarx-N3OvT8HidoLFX-cvbXVFd0iGBZbIINPqxtcpa6l2Jlb2THYzePzfAoKUVvZFlc440SBwjqt_yVhTe7FUE9e4k_pTpSdrUvk5KDH1oT3D8LPvHNL/s400/DSC_0006.JPG" /></a><br />
<i>8</i></div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyy_Wn0Lpb70RJHycKe7WikaZNxJEvtTM7FfOlPjuncuUe2V7onnsAqfWP09cj7VLIATneVmBJr_YVujlRjV80cg_GUhyphenhyphenaqj0GgathyOk4WjfM0DfJph6EWKur0XovzE8JnX0qXiIw/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyy_Wn0Lpb70RJHycKe7WikaZNxJEvtTM7FfOlPjuncuUe2V7onnsAqfWP09cj7VLIATneVmBJr_YVujlRjV80cg_GUhyphenhyphenaqj0GgathyOk4WjfM0DfJph6EWKur0XovzE8JnX0qXiIw/s400/DSC_0010.JPG" /></a><br />
<i>9</i></div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlx5lQOYIFraqsgD7OS0jGR-hm0DE7Tx4aKw1Zrzc_KIigPAdguvo1-MVpTGS9Wopnogrc9lsv7B6MqCSc2NUcK14zNUkVq6TwNhP8SerD_3Fql283qVrpO4er8g-97dgVsKJpbe2j/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlx5lQOYIFraqsgD7OS0jGR-hm0DE7Tx4aKw1Zrzc_KIigPAdguvo1-MVpTGS9Wopnogrc9lsv7B6MqCSc2NUcK14zNUkVq6TwNhP8SerD_3Fql283qVrpO4er8g-97dgVsKJpbe2j/s400/DSC_0032.JPG" /></a><br />
<i>10</i></div>
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<a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>
Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-1841758863187669472013-03-08T08:39:00.001-06:002013-03-08T08:39:08.949-06:00This Week (365 Photos)<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I resolved to take pictures every day this year. My plan is to share them weekly on this blog.</i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></i>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWvhdIThP0WFEmp19X-6x6l4KFMzmuW5CeBtbdvj6bSq4O0VAFWUWsMtcn2aFjPX1YNokSvfOmYOaqo313IHchZBlsay9HlSk3LP2MSY4yNxj6plY-oY_kpPywOJ-6MDcjx9uEc9M/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWvhdIThP0WFEmp19X-6x6l4KFMzmuW5CeBtbdvj6bSq4O0VAFWUWsMtcn2aFjPX1YNokSvfOmYOaqo313IHchZBlsay9HlSk3LP2MSY4yNxj6plY-oY_kpPywOJ-6MDcjx9uEc9M/s400/DSC_0008.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTwTUpIsA_ZM87Bz9B6pOUaJg8SUBM9lNAS2HdJnMVz-hmtQB1Rut4Kp2AsyPd6mcCB6XPp0K5ufq0STxu4jWM-1lwwZBOuoa8uFdg0LioDkjn6EMRuQP_wCHFRdsDIjch22gpEVI/s1600/DSC_0048.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTwTUpIsA_ZM87Bz9B6pOUaJg8SUBM9lNAS2HdJnMVz-hmtQB1Rut4Kp2AsyPd6mcCB6XPp0K5ufq0STxu4jWM-1lwwZBOuoa8uFdg0LioDkjn6EMRuQP_wCHFRdsDIjch22gpEVI/s400/DSC_0048.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFT3tKtfwInwxRs2YygZf9WrT2AbHOCYaNcZtXGHeogpQlgMosHDh5BPGr5ZeEP6n4KXauoSdPftKxS-K38TbHhD9uW0hji8kA9r8KSlmxBk8fQzWoFkIKvblB2Y6ePK6MfP9kvStO/s1600/DSC_0055.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFT3tKtfwInwxRs2YygZf9WrT2AbHOCYaNcZtXGHeogpQlgMosHDh5BPGr5ZeEP6n4KXauoSdPftKxS-K38TbHhD9uW0hji8kA9r8KSlmxBk8fQzWoFkIKvblB2Y6ePK6MfP9kvStO/s400/DSC_0055.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLG8S93Wx5O7KIOtiFBO-wAvB81FWpaBHEljIx9JRW66Nd77YLTbJ_UJGzfHkJajKnJEvDRnWaqNwZyiYG__hd3CR5z3Brgv2XMqmxXeWefLeyX0cyE9g5suJQlCj8nR-10iZYy-6F/s1600/DSC_0084.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLG8S93Wx5O7KIOtiFBO-wAvB81FWpaBHEljIx9JRW66Nd77YLTbJ_UJGzfHkJajKnJEvDRnWaqNwZyiYG__hd3CR5z3Brgv2XMqmxXeWefLeyX0cyE9g5suJQlCj8nR-10iZYy-6F/s400/DSC_0084.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5XbHzQ0QrGvlilF8QldIztKkT0TjDvV9TkPufhacM-WcPogHP9FVw73i-9gKU4DFdqgW6a4dT1pImtqf31T-cCKNijYmDpm6QKW1QoUfoC8aMnz-biVAQGLXysPH2eZJWRPgNjAN/s1600/DSC_0102.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5XbHzQ0QrGvlilF8QldIztKkT0TjDvV9TkPufhacM-WcPogHP9FVw73i-9gKU4DFdqgW6a4dT1pImtqf31T-cCKNijYmDpm6QKW1QoUfoC8aMnz-biVAQGLXysPH2eZJWRPgNjAN/s400/DSC_0102.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqmWMOARtra96T4c2y86GayENRpGq889DiFjp0FLA3t9tvTKVyIwnJA8AZegJqBhQ7si-lsIawUPwcvcyAiTOJ48PZxwwZ-c-MyAo6RBj64wWoM63PEitrwv_jcOWejwhXHej3f1I/s1600/DSC_0155.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqmWMOARtra96T4c2y86GayENRpGq889DiFjp0FLA3t9tvTKVyIwnJA8AZegJqBhQ7si-lsIawUPwcvcyAiTOJ48PZxwwZ-c-MyAo6RBj64wWoM63PEitrwv_jcOWejwhXHej3f1I/s400/DSC_0155.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUiZF_olDGhT-gj4jM7bJVglg-_7ur3Jy6EtrbwVsgc1x4hX3_LbdnFff6DBQNOZ4M8yt1rlRwfGOGjUMzaDqTpJuP3SjlfYwYRCsmV-VnJQcKuQ_l2jQrSpE5doI2RK1kZ17H56N/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUiZF_olDGhT-gj4jM7bJVglg-_7ur3Jy6EtrbwVsgc1x4hX3_LbdnFff6DBQNOZ4M8yt1rlRwfGOGjUMzaDqTpJuP3SjlfYwYRCsmV-VnJQcKuQ_l2jQrSpE5doI2RK1kZ17H56N/s400/DSC_0018.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;">
<a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>
Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-45319930404002990842013-03-01T09:04:00.001-06:002013-03-01T09:04:39.123-06:00This Week (365 Photos)<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I resolved to take pictures every day this year. My plan is to share them weekly on this blog.</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgek3w0B3mHqFJezCoB0N5RPOxy4sdcXE_WUlP0AinW0lbDesCLk_j8ADJcu1FlF4EHWhccAesxNRCwg6G-b35gszQ_AU9SAwborEs6lNFI7TG09_1rmlgmbqElGZGvj9KfU3fWVRCY/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgek3w0B3mHqFJezCoB0N5RPOxy4sdcXE_WUlP0AinW0lbDesCLk_j8ADJcu1FlF4EHWhccAesxNRCwg6G-b35gszQ_AU9SAwborEs6lNFI7TG09_1rmlgmbqElGZGvj9KfU3fWVRCY/s400/DSC_0033.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbeFuAGEcRXIm6Z6ykvryYGPevGnBwnVblTiC47DG5RHcq-0ZmuXEG99OfhVva6eVhVb4s-SdA0TCpS1Xl049nEMLnqK8P09Ii9aCQYcst5x4nu6wIA51jHBUBQZ7JOZ2hApELfR5/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbeFuAGEcRXIm6Z6ykvryYGPevGnBwnVblTiC47DG5RHcq-0ZmuXEG99OfhVva6eVhVb4s-SdA0TCpS1Xl049nEMLnqK8P09Ii9aCQYcst5x4nu6wIA51jHBUBQZ7JOZ2hApELfR5/s400/DSC_0045.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrXol1mVKPRqLL7lhStZcwiTKRZjBQEQWfI2zWab4mx8f5mzRubiMlUIPV3bRMqdga1Fo1Rtdgp2WIxe_54r7EB5X6OeaY06-V4SH7Xtki334y0qabpKordgkhrqqagprFni8HKnw/s1600/DSC_0048.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrXol1mVKPRqLL7lhStZcwiTKRZjBQEQWfI2zWab4mx8f5mzRubiMlUIPV3bRMqdga1Fo1Rtdgp2WIxe_54r7EB5X6OeaY06-V4SH7Xtki334y0qabpKordgkhrqqagprFni8HKnw/s400/DSC_0048.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgKgswKrJdqgIvwyF7PL-Nfqv37EhA6G2m8ttpAN-AZBryFWS7DNjou48cny57ZaNOjzkMqLM4sEHAxZnLF4ZmwNzuDGnmZJnA8dnooOwFFl2LAscndYJMfhavmTEkqkf5pwVXcL6/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgKgswKrJdqgIvwyF7PL-Nfqv37EhA6G2m8ttpAN-AZBryFWS7DNjou48cny57ZaNOjzkMqLM4sEHAxZnLF4ZmwNzuDGnmZJnA8dnooOwFFl2LAscndYJMfhavmTEkqkf5pwVXcL6/s400/DSC_0057.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oxlTDkLzMhQ8bSrYLg0255sfDEoivaT_YuMj-SBx-5kGcKnyDEidlv5LdCS-XpuCjRwvj86dHBfUadv7gJtYCblVTef7PZC6zYdHh-9Dkn4g2uD9OXo9Fnh34mDMTdOUO4ibGVdP/s1600/DSC_0081.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oxlTDkLzMhQ8bSrYLg0255sfDEoivaT_YuMj-SBx-5kGcKnyDEidlv5LdCS-XpuCjRwvj86dHBfUadv7gJtYCblVTef7PZC6zYdHh-9Dkn4g2uD9OXo9Fnh34mDMTdOUO4ibGVdP/s400/DSC_0081.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjicTzuY-4-ubCdqx3Po-Hi0uHfZ8utZXT-Zq0cZKaiT0LUB5wQ2YPqSkq9sBQotfKGdwssT9FAJLwVa6Mr7Z7RHvXIs4dMDo4HadU3H1a7XD8vO_DAPGnSxKSmqrpu8FTMvP8tr8/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjicTzuY-4-ubCdqx3Po-Hi0uHfZ8utZXT-Zq0cZKaiT0LUB5wQ2YPqSkq9sBQotfKGdwssT9FAJLwVa6Mr7Z7RHvXIs4dMDo4HadU3H1a7XD8vO_DAPGnSxKSmqrpu8FTMvP8tr8/s400/DSC_0016.JPG" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjXxjJGyDCIrWTjd_p6lPf2Sj31rzAkAGKjZTceD9TJWtBZQTIkm38HCbMjPA_8g2N3ytBGtskfBRyhAjaXIGL8iOFNEWCml9u9olk69UmK5ee-uNmLhOs5Zkldkc8O4mK93T7lLZ/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjXxjJGyDCIrWTjd_p6lPf2Sj31rzAkAGKjZTceD9TJWtBZQTIkm38HCbMjPA_8g2N3ytBGtskfBRyhAjaXIGL8iOFNEWCml9u9olk69UmK5ee-uNmLhOs5Zkldkc8O4mK93T7lLZ/s400/DSC_0023.JPG" /></a> </div>
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Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-89246542289241085392013-02-28T08:55:00.000-06:002013-02-28T08:55:04.113-06:00Creative Control<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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We make a lot of art in our house. Which is not to say
that I spend my days coordinating creative projects for my kids. I am
not that mother. In fact, if you want to ever see a cringeworthy
example of my inner control freak, you should watch me try to make
Christmas cookies with my kids. One of the marks of how well we love
each other is how easily they take my irritation in stride when we
try to make stuff together.</div>
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Acknowledging the “solo artist” aspect of my
personality, I nevertheless desire to nurture my kids' creativity.
When school supplies go on sale in the late summer, I always stock up
on markers, crayons, watercolors, different kinds of paper, glue
sticks and scissors. All this stuff gets thrown in a box and can be
used whenever the mood to make stuff strikes them. I choose things
carefully that can be used with minimal supervision, have low
potential for disaster, and can be easily replaced so that supplies
are always readily available and nothing is ever off limits. Not
everything is a masterpiece, but we certainly win in volume
department.</div>
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Charlie regularly tells people, “I am an artist.”
And I think there's something to the style of free form constantly
available creativity that is cultivated in our house that makes him see art as something that belongs
to him. He will make art out of anything. There are few containers
that are allowed to go directly into the recycling without Charlie
first having his way with decorating them. “Mom, can I have that
box?” is something I hear all the time, and since it is still
recyclable after he's done, the answer is always, “Sure.” Our
walls are also full of Charlie's paintings representing the makeshift
art gallery he created when he was really into using the scotch tape.
My inner control freak is not that interested in interior design and
I have yet to discover my inner neat freak, so I wholeheartedly
approve of his displays.</div>
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I had a colleague who spent some time as a daycare teacher and she talked about arguments she had with colleagues about the distinction between doing guided craft projects with the kids and art. Art, she insisted was about self-expression. Craft projects could be fun, and teach a bunch of skills, but because the focus was on a predetermined pattern, they were not art. As an artist, myself, and as a parent fostering young artists, I have come to agree with her. We may learn forms or use certain patterns as a launching point, but the heart and soul of art is the freedom of the artist to control the process and the product.</div>
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Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-18622619591407360202013-02-27T09:16:00.000-06:002013-02-27T09:16:07.566-06:00Ten Months Old<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday the baby known as Mr. Butters/Bud McGud/Mookie/Glurk turned ten months old. We are in the home stretch of the first year. All cliches about how fast it goes apply.</div>
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He's become an amazingly independent kid, playing for long stretches on the floor with his basket of toys, working hard to develop the muscles he needs to be mobile, or jumping enthusiastically in his jumper. He stops to fuss if his diaper needs changing, or he's hungry, or got himself stuck, or is tired, but goes right back to it once his basic needs are met. He loves music, coming to sharp attention when someone sings or loving his toy that plays Mozart when he presses the buttons.</div>
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Socially, he likes to stare at someone until they notice and return his gaze. Then he will look away with a wry smile, knowing he won because he "made you look." The wonderful babbling continues ranging from whispers to squeals. He likes to click with his tongue and will click back and forth with someone in his first attempts at conversation. His smiles are a gift, especially when the dimple below his right eye shows. His main position is thoughtful, so we all work extra hard to make him laugh, and when he does, it is an earthy belly laugh.</div>
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Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-37797991629618117512013-02-22T09:44:00.002-06:002013-02-22T09:44:59.004-06:00This Week (365 Photos)<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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<i>I resolved to take pictures every day this year. My plan is to share them weekly on this blog.</i><br />
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Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-46232761131292786752013-02-21T14:29:00.000-06:002013-02-21T14:29:06.473-06:00AccountabilityResolutions are interesting because there's a lot to be learned whether you keep them or break them. This year I made <a href="http://thehometowntourist.blogspot.com/2013/01/resolved-some-stuff-id-like-to-work-on.html" target="_blank">five resolutions</a> as a way to set the general tone for the year. Overall, my wish has been to nurture my creativity and to be satisfied with what I have. I think that for 2013, so far, I have found myself living in the spirit of these themes. It's been enjoyable to think about them, reflect on them, and make choices for action based on them. I have found it comforting to come back to these two themes as a way to remind myself of my priorities when things get a little turbulent and that they have helped me live more intentionally toward things that are important to me.<br />
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In terms of the five actual detailed resolutions, I have been quite successful with three of them and have completely struggled with two of them. As I've said, the ones that I struggle to keep are as interesting to me, if not more so, as the ones that I've been more successful in committing to. As I fail, I am reflective and try to seek out the answers as to why I could not honor my commitment to myself in that area. I attempt to define the nature of the struggle. Was it too far afield from who I really am? Is fear blocking my success? Even with my successful resolutions, there are times when I don't want to follow through on them, and yet I push through those times. Why do I do that with the successful ones and why do I choose not to push through the resistance with the others? Resolutions are as much an exercise in self-knowledge as they are in behavior change. All things we attempt of our own free will are instructive regardless of the results.<br />
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So getting to specifics, here are my three, so far, successful resolutions:<br />
1) <b>Take a photo everyday. </b>Since the beginning of the year, there have been only two days that I have missed, and on both of those days, it slipped my mind during the hustle and bustle. There have certainly been days that I haven't wanted to take pictures, especially in the past few days, when I am just plain bored with winter and the things I see everyday. I have pushed through - seeking help and lowering my standards being the most successful strategies to do this. It also helps that I've created a self-imposed weekly accountability by posting photos to this blog.<br />
2) <b>Cut $8,000 from our annual spending. </b>Despite the fact that a leak from an old toilet just cost us a water bill five times our usual bill, things are going well on the frugality front. The key has been to make cuts in areas that require self-control vs. the areas of budget designated for "crazy shit that happens when you own a hundred year old house." I have been tracking our expenses for years in a spreadsheet, and this year, for the areas we want to decrease, I created a formula that subtracts what we spend from the budgeted amount. When we hit zero, there's no more money to spend in that category. It really helps me mull over every purchase. I'm especially proud of how much we've cut our restaurant spending, especially since focusing on cooking at home both nurtures my creativity and makes me feel satisfied with what I have.<br />
3) <b>Make peace with the house we live in. </b>For a while I was obsessed with real estate listings and/or remodeling plans depending upon which way I was leaning to feed my dissatisfaction with our house. This year, I've been quite successful in putting my grand schemes aside. I'm enjoying the calm that comes with just living in the house rather than obsessing on the many ways it falls short. I've also done some things to connect more with my neighborhood, including revisiting our neighborhood school, and determining it is the best place for Charlie to go to kindergarten next year. That has been my most exciting revelation of the year.<br />
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In terms of the ones I struggle with:<br />
1) <b>Go outside more. </b>I even structured this one to be less specific because I know myself and how much I try to avoid being cold. It has been a struggle this winter, although I did take advantage of the snowfall we had when the temperatures were in the thirties to go out and play with the kids and even build a snow man. Spring is coming, I hope to improve my track record. And hopefully, having Charlie at a school we can walk to come fall will increase our outside time in an easy way. All hail down vests and long underwear!<br />
2) <b>Write two pages five days a week.</b> Dudes, why can't I write five days a week? Why can't I write two pages when I do write? Why do I get so scared? Why do I dread it? Perhaps I can work myself back into this resolution in a meta way, by exploring the answers to these questions <i>in writing</i>. I'm not ready to give this one up yet, and am seeking strategies that will make me dig deeper to do this. Look, I'm so blocked on this that I can't even write very much about why I can't write. Plus the baby is crying so I'm out of time...<br />
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Like I said, it's instructive, and it definitely has kept me moving through my life with intent rather than falling back on habit.Charlotte Flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382897337269430111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3439291494698723021.post-81906137888470801792013-02-15T10:44:00.000-06:002013-02-15T10:44:13.529-06:00This Week (365 Photos)<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">I resolved to take pictures every day this year. My plan is to share them weekly on this blog.</i><br />
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