tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15002225911914134142024-03-13T20:22:39.052-06:00Reading, Writing, Raisin' BoysBLOG: noun, the place where I park the extra 500 words I have each day!Montanamarynotmarthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054330409806334604noreply@blogger.comBlogger368125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-56936111644642089682014-12-27T09:58:00.000-07:002014-12-27T09:58:00.091-07:00Missing everything....Note: This post was written in August. As I was at the start of my student teaching, I was even too busy to find a picture and post this. What's missing here (gloss, graphics) says more than even the words I wrote...<br />
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<b>I miss reading....for fun - not for information</b><br />
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<b>I miss writing....babbling away with my keys clicking</b><br />
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<b>I miss my brain. It used to be mine, but I donated it to the education department this year.</b><br />
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<b>I miss sitting out back in the shade watching my boys play.</b><br />
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<b>I miss biking, hiking, and fishing.</b><br />
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<b>So many things I need an entire 'nother summer to catch up on.</b><br />
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<b>Just a few days of summer left and I will be reaching the final hurdle in becoming a teacher - student teaching. I keep wondering how I will manage. Will I be good? Will I flop and have that big "growing" experience? </b><br />
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<b>I just keep thinking that soon my life will be mine again - all mine.</b><br />
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<b>I will read for fun - out back in the shade while the kids jump on the trampoline. I will transition from retail supervisor to substitute and tutor until I get that golden contract.</b><br />
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<b>I think I need to make a paper chain and tear off a link each day until graduation. Maybe place a stack of books under it that I'm going to dive into .....</b><br />
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<br />Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912083158121035192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-43744718867849347432014-12-21T13:53:00.000-07:002014-12-21T13:53:05.745-07:00Where she went.... <b> <span style="color: #4c1130;">If you are a long-time follower, you may remember this post : <a href="http://montanamarynotmartha.blogspot.com/2010/10/just-jump.html">Just Jump</a> . I had decided to take a leap and get a degree. I intended to become a children's librarian. To my surprise, one does not just become a librarian, one must level-up from a teaching degree.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #4c1130;"> Here I am, four and a half years later......</span></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #4c1130;">Finally!!!</span></b></td></tr>
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<b> <span style="color: #4c1130;"> Even though I needed to take the time to read all those textbooks and write all those papers, I miss, miss, miss my fiction!!! I am looking forward to reading and writing <i>for fun!</i> For now, I'm reading some quick, fun YA reads during this busy holiday time:</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #4c1130;">. January will be all about <i>NOT</i> sleeping.... </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #4c1130;"> I've been saving this one. I just read the caption on Goodreads that says it's "The Shining #2". Nope, no sleeping happening during that read!</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #4c1130;">Merry Christmas everyone! And GOOOOO BOBCATS!!!!</span></b></div>
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<br />Montanamarynotmarthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054330409806334604noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-54156193042190685652014-10-04T11:21:00.000-06:002014-10-04T11:21:48.305-06:00Still up for a fun/serious mash-up?? <b> I'm still here!! I am in the midst of student teaching and up to my <i>earballs </i> in grading, lesson planning, and data analysis. It's an incredible time! I love the students. I love the teachers. And I love the job. </b><br />
<b> I'm still reading as many books as I can squeeze in and can't wait to be back on here sharing them and joining in on blog events. For today, I'll leave you with this fantastic selection recommended by one of my most fabulous instructors:</b><br />
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1353033289l/13330305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1353033289l/13330305.jpg" width="224" /></a><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen</span> by Susin Nielsen</b><br />
<b>Winner of the Canadian Governor General's Literary Award</b><br />
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<b> This book is what I consider a <i>sleeper. </i>And I don't mean it will put you to sleep! My copy had no jacketflap intro an just starts out with a journal entry. I started reading this and laughing out loud at the story this pre-teen boy was telling about life in secondary school. Being set in Canada, I'm not sure what grade that is, but he's still pretty young as a character. He's trying to find his place in his new school and town, but there's the universal of youth - clingy nerds and bullies at school.</b><br />
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<b> It starts out with Henry's brutally honest descriptions of people he encounters at school and home, but then he starts talking about "IT". IT is something that happened that changed his entire life. IT is the reason he reluctantly journals his daily life. He has you questioning, "Will Henry turn out ok? Can he keep it together?" I'd say you could run out to B&N and grab a copy, but being a Canadian title, this may be one time you need to hit up EBay or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Reluctant-Journal-Henry-Larsen/dp/1770493727">Amazon</a>.</b><br />
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<b>I give </b><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Reluctant-Journal-Henry-Larsen/dp/1770493727">The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen</a> </b><a href="http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l68/momndaboyz/?action=view&current=tinystar-1.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white;"><strong><em><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l68/momndaboyz/th_tinystar-1.jpg" /></em></strong></span></a><span style="background-color: white;"><strong><em> 5 stars</em></strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Reluctant-Journal-Henry-Larsen/dp/1770493727">source</a></div>
</em></strong></span>Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912083158121035192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-55269664919896829042014-06-03T09:55:00.000-06:002014-06-03T09:55:35.535-06:00I think I got it!<a href="http://donmillereducation.com/journal/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/windows-7-life-preserver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://donmillereducation.com/journal/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/windows-7-life-preserver.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a> <b> I found a blogger help forum that said I could give myself permission to contribute and switch from author to administrator. Still it's so weird! It's like my clone is running my blog now! </b><br />
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<b> I still can't understand why switching emails in the settings wouldn't provide me with a verification prompt. It kept sending me notifications that it changed - but nothing changed! I guess I will just have to let it go and blog on.......</b><br />
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<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=PDbNNZG0ecwYeM&tbnid=bbe6ys2kgjCZ6M:&ved=0CAQQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdonmillereducation.com%2Fjournal%2F2012%2F01%2F14%2Fnote-to-cme-cftc-congress-yes-you-can%2Fwindows-7-life-preserver%2F&ei=g--NU5HOKs7woATWzoLYDw&bvm=bv.68235269,d.cGU&psig=AFQjCNE6KUysGGLkpt9TEGOpEVdAo_Gm2A&ust=1401897155100572">source</a><br />
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<br />Montanamarynotmarthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054330409806334604noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-32270987819405166632014-06-02T08:46:00.001-06:002014-06-03T09:26:09.568-06:00Okay, this is getting scary......I'm just about to be free to blog for the summer and now I'm teetering on the edge of an abyss! Does anyone know why when I change my primary email for my blog I only receive a notification of change in my new email, but no verification of change in my original email? <br />
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Any recommendations for backing up the content of my blog while I figure this out? <br />
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I'm thinking I may have to move to another blog host if I can't get this figured out, but I really don't want to! <br />
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Edit test.....Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912083158121035192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-12247971034026137622014-06-01T11:44:00.003-06:002014-06-01T11:44:25.568-06:00Here goes....<b> Once again, I'm holding my breath that my blog won't lock me out! I'm in the process of switching to a different email carrier and the Google sign-in will not let me switch to my new address. I've already confirmed the address in the old email acct, but.....still saying I can't log in with my new one.</b><br />
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<b>It says not to try fixing anything for 30 minutes....let's hope that will do it. Any tips/suggestions???</b><br />
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<a href="http://diylol.com/">source</a>Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912083158121035192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-53386387400671362122014-03-07T06:30:00.000-07:002014-03-07T06:30:02.447-07:00On creativity in education<b> </b><br />
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<b><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0o9HGOldRU8/UxiL9NscQfI/AAAAAAAACMg/aKZ6G6_Ungw/s1600/ja09_books_creative_writing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0o9HGOldRU8/UxiL9NscQfI/AAAAAAAACMg/aKZ6G6_Ungw/s1600/ja09_books_creative_writing.jpg" height="242" width="320" /></a></b></div>
<b><span style="color: purple;"> A funny thing happened after I posted about not having a chance to write creatively under the guidance of our professors. Sure, I know all about the writing process: brainstorming, drafting, editing and rewriting, but what about character development? And plot? How am I supposed to teach students to love writing if all they do is write facts? Sure, I'm well prepared to teach them to really examine other people's work, but that's like expecting them to love vegetables when all I ever serve is cake. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple;"> So, I found myself face to face with the Dean of Education at an awards ceremony. After she gave us our pins, she kept asking over and over if we have any burning questions for her. Everyone was so quiet and the conversation was spotty, so the fourth time she brought it up I finally asked her, "Where's the creative writing in our program?" I told her I need something more than just my own experience (which is nil) in writing to teach kids to write well. If they learn to love writing, they will love reading even more.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple;"> As expected, she brought up the new guidelines for education which are heavy on the facts. Then she surprised me by saying she really didn't know why creative writing instruction was skipped over and that she would bring it up to the faculty. So there you have it. I'm not just full of hot air, I actually did something about it. I didn't solve my own problem, but maybe, just maybe, some future students in Bozeman will be taught by experts how it's done.</span></b><br />
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<b><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=2DhsZmlYdHKodM&tbnid=oyy4wATrk-qN7M:&ved=0CAQQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.princetontutoring.com%2Ftag%2Fcreative-writing%2F&ei=xosYU4uEJMWdyQGayICAAw&bvm=bv.62577051,d.aWc&psig=AFQjCNFsAoGIZU2zon1kVuogHLS-fSaQAg&ust=1394203888519344">source</a></b>Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912083158121035192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-70194152057264837072014-03-06T07:44:00.000-07:002014-03-07T10:10:01.028-07:00Hello Spring!<br />
This week we woke up to this<br />
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...and yesterday the prairie dogs were sitting on top of the snow saying things like, "What's all this white stuff?" "I think it's the apocalypse."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bald eagles<br /></td></tr>
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and these bad boys were just chillin'.</div>
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<br />Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912083158121035192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-38532293403993159712014-02-26T13:05:00.000-07:002014-03-06T07:50:11.193-07:00Why February is an awesome month......(Updated)<br />
I love taking the back roads to campus because they follow the river. These ladies were crossing in front of me....<br />
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*For some reason, this picture didn't load on my iPad. Here it is....</div>
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<img src="webkit-fake-url://1AA6DF07-5927-4495-8983-5D2BBC45B207/imagejpeg" />Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912083158121035192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-13810911473401474642014-02-25T06:30:00.000-07:002014-02-25T06:30:01.222-07:00Pat, I would like to buy a....prompt!<b><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: purple;"> The big question is: How does a writer cross over to the creative side?</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;"> I've been "writing" for nearly five years. But writing what? Academic papers.(<i>exciting, no?</i>) I can pound out a persuasive essay or 12 page expository piece on a topic I went into knowing nothing about and get a perfect score. Honestly, I have some papers that have so much collegiate jargon that I think my brain was in another realm when I wrote it and it came back down to reality and <i>I</i> can't even <i>understand</i> it anymore! The professors eat it up, but really those are just assignments to make me learn <i>about</i> topics, so I guess it's worth it.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;"> As I'm wrapping up my degree, I noticed a big hole in my education. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Where's the creativity? </span></b><br />
<a href="http://wallpaperswa.com/thumbnails/detail/20120325/cartoons%20snow%20tigers%20calvin%20hobbes%20calvin%20and%20hobbes%20snowmen%20sharks%20swimming%20drawings%201440x900%20wa_www.wallpaperhi.com_67.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://wallpaperswa.com/thumbnails/detail/20120325/cartoons%20snow%20tigers%20calvin%20hobbes%20calvin%20and%20hobbes%20snowmen%20sharks%20swimming%20drawings%201440x900%20wa_www.wallpaperhi.com_67.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple;">I had ONE art/music class - ONE. Not once was I asked to write creatively. NEVER? What's going on here? They tell us that creative thinkers are the ones getting the jobs, but they never foster our creativity.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;"> So now what? How do I cross that bridge to creative writing? Where do I start?</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Workshops? Should I spend the money and take a post-grad class just to flex my wings? Truthfully, I've been thinking about diving into a Master's program for creative writing, but how can I know if I have any talent if I haven't even started writing?</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"> Prompts anyone??</span></b>Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912083158121035192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-42554730357398698142014-02-21T10:46:00.000-07:002014-02-21T10:46:11.782-07:00Plot Twist.....tragic or brilliant?<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSYebglEbaRnn4jnNQiVEAZKr3Eju5QM232VO9HeqSHzJKAXGcM" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSYebglEbaRnn4jnNQiVEAZKr3Eju5QM232VO9HeqSHzJKAXGcM" width="171" /></a> <span style="color: purple;"><b> So, I noticed a trend lately in authors really hitting you right in the gut with their plot-twists. Wait, is it a plot-twist if it's at the end? Is there another name for it at that point in the story? Is it just the <i>end? The grande finale?</i></b></span><br />
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<i><span style="color: purple;"><b>(Possible spoilers here....)</b></span></i><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b> Over the winter break, I read a couple of books that just blew me away at the end. I mean major book-SHOCK! I had to just sit there and think and re-read the final chapter to take in all the detail and fit it in my head. I wasn't sure if I was mad at the author or if she is a genius!</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b> I noticed a trend lately of authors either killing the main character, or secondary character or even more interesting <i>(spoiler here) </i>messing with their brains. Not in just one book, but a few. At first, I felt cheated. After all that time with the character, she <i>dies</i>.or she's <i>lobotomized</i>. his<i> personality is reprogrammed</i>. And I wondered - is that really fair to the reader?</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b> And then I thought about it a little more and realized that I think YA authors are reaching a new level of being true to their characters. They are going one step further to make the reader <i>feel</i>. And isn't that why we read?</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b> I don't think I can take anymore tragic endings right now. As a reader, a little goes a long way. But call me a little bit twisted, I think I'm ruined for happy endings.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>Do you read a book without knowing if it's a tragedy? Do you just jump in blindly? Would you read a series knowing a main character is killed?</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?start=224&sa=X&espv=210&es_sm=122&biw=1440&bih=785&tbm=isch&tbnid=B4hSIbGehJ9hqM%3A&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk%2Fp%2F-plot-twist-%2F&docid=BmdLRKr5VjGw6M&imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fsd.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk%2Fi%2F-plot-twist-.png&w=600&h=700&ei=R4MHU4zqGsn1oASjhoKYAw&zoom=1&ved=0CFEQhBwwGDjIAQ&iact=rc&dur=1692&page=9&ndsp=28">source</a></div>
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<br />Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912083158121035192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-76203209988630788512014-02-15T14:55:00.002-07:002014-02-15T14:55:53.777-07:00A very UN-Valentine's Day....pledge for change<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mdjShhIWgAI/Uv_fS7i6bVI/AAAAAAAACLg/3tnO33kMTvY/s1600/hearts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mdjShhIWgAI/Uv_fS7i6bVI/AAAAAAAACLg/3tnO33kMTvY/s1600/hearts.jpg" /></a><b><span style="color: purple;">...I bet you are thinking, "Here come's the whining...." </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: purple;"> The funny thing is, I have very mixed-feelings about Valentine's day. I LOVE everything with hearts. I love pink and red - especially when they are hearts with swirls. I'm a sucker for everything in the holiday aisle at work - glasses with hearts and red stems, pillows with sweet messages on them, and even those chalky-message heart candies. I tell you, when I'm a teacher, we are going to <i>Par-Tay</i> on Feb 14th every year.</span></b><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b> But, when it comes to the "holiday", I don't see it like many of the people around me. I work in retail, so yesterday was like the Superbowl nacho/wings fest. </b><b>I heard men and women were lined up when we opened at 5am. </b><b>It was a madhouse and the shelves were picked clean. Men were everywhere wishing they'd come in earlier before all the bouquets in their budgets were gone. It's all good. It's really touching to see all these people trying to find something to express how they feel on a special day, knowing in the back of their minds others will be waiting to hear how it went.</b></span><br />
<b><span style="color: purple;"> Of course, with my work schedule I will only be seeing my Valentine for one cup of coffee and some very sweet cards and treats in the morning, and briefly for a take-out lunch break. Out of my two evenings that I don't work, one is on a Monday and the other I have a night class. So, how does this epic day of expressing your love play out in busy people's lives? It becomes a part of life</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"> as <i>it should be</i>.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple;"> It is not just one day of flowers and candy, but a nice lunch delivered, a breakfast cooked the next day without being asked, a steak and seafood dinner planned and waiting to be cooked at our convenience the day after and the best of all - those times set aside to just be together for 5 minutes or so. No pressure - and it feels great! It affirms what I really believe about Valentine's day - I should be EVERY day. I'm not talking breaking-the-bank every day, but just thinking of Valentine's day as a reminder for taking those moments every day and planning the next ones.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;">What do you think? Do you prefer to just get it over with? Or is it too much pressure for one day? Do you appreciate that stores help you step up your game with their creative floral arrangements and balloons? Would you rather we had a section in the front of the store every day to help you express how you feel?</span></b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/love/images/13864798/title/hearts-wallpaper">source</a></b><br />
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<b><br /></b>Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912083158121035192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-75983517919231703532014-02-10T15:05:00.001-07:002014-02-10T15:05:26.745-07:00Olympic musings from the public library.....<span style="color: purple;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: purple;"><b> Why, oh why, did I forget my phone today! I only wish I could attach a video clip of the view from the library window. If you've ever heard of Heather McPhee (google Sochi Olympics), you would know that Olympians come from Bozeman, MT sometimes. And quite possibly, I am watching an Olympic hopeful right now. There's a guy within view of the library window skiing <i>UPHILL</i> at a break-neck speed and doing jumps off of a hill in the park. How is he going so fast uphill? I wonder if there's a downhill slope where he's starting out? Anyhow - awesome!</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b> And speaking of the Olympics - If anyone cares for the opinion of an average person in this valley - No, Bozeman does <i>NOT</i> want to host the Winter Olympics in 12 years so hopefully they will forgive the citizens of our little city at the base of Big Sky Resort for not being good hosts.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b> And I really miss laughing-guy. I wish he was here today, because this warmer weather has brought in a whole slough of 420's and I couldn't even take the elevator for fear of suffocating from toxic air. I hauled my heavy ol' backpack, stack of books in my arm and extra bag with laptop up two flights of stairs tripping on my skirt all the way. Once I got situated up there, I was surrounded. It's all for the better though, now that I moved back downstairs I can see the uphill skier out the window. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>Is there an Olympic category for freestyle uphill skiing?</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b><br /></b></span>Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912083158121035192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-87791067685945904552014-02-08T11:17:00.000-07:002014-02-08T11:27:25.458-07:00The Big Payoff - fresh powder<br />
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<a href="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/377503_10150464456250639_219783875638_10825819_717008205_n1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/377503_10150464456250639_219783875638_10825819_717008205_n1.jpg" height="225" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple;">It's warming up! And I have some happy sons up on the mountain today.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Have fun boys!!!!!</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/2012/03/05/chairlift-derails-at-bridger/">source</a></div>
Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912083158121035192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-43490986810155322862014-02-06T07:58:00.000-07:002014-02-07T08:32:21.445-07:00Okay, Jack you brought it, but guess what.....<span style="color: purple;">.....many of us wore SKIRTS with leggings yesterday. Take that Jack Frost!</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">And so we woke up to this.....</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zs5ikYSAVSE/UvOidjvEJRI/AAAAAAAACKo/QmviJvogRjc/s1600/bznweather2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: purple;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zs5ikYSAVSE/UvOidjvEJRI/AAAAAAAACKo/QmviJvogRjc/s1600/bznweather2.JPG" height="191" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>Actually, my phone said -30 when I woke up. Let this day begin!!</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>As this phenomena of a pseudo-ice age is affecting us, funny things happen and are said:</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>As I was wrapping my son's face in a new, black fleece scarf, he tells me,</b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b> "I'm a ninja!"</b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b>and</b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b> "A guy threw a class of cold water and a glass of hot water in the air and the hot froze first!"</b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b>and</b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b> "When I go outside and my nose-hairs freeze, that's when it's the best!"</b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b>and I respond, "</b></span><b style="color: purple;">I love the way the cold air feels in my lungs while I'm getting over a cold. I feel like I can <i>breathe</i>."</b><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b>and dropping off my other son at school</b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b> "Doesn't your heater work?"</b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b> I reply, "Um, well not until I get to campus - or we replace the water pump....."</b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="color: purple;"><b>Okay, so I get to class and here's what I hear:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: purple;"><b>"The temperature is -30 with a -47 wind chill"</b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="color: purple;"><b> "My hair turned white from my breath freezing on it."</b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="color: purple;"><b> "I live in a place where the air hurts my face!"</b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="color: purple;"><b> "Half of my ear has frostbite - there's a line where my hat wasn't covering it"</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>And as I'm getting into the car for my mid-day break.......</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJr7KFmuc0s/UvPcF_9I4SI/AAAAAAAACK4/m9_qJ8uGgSU/s1600/IMAG1165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJr7KFmuc0s/UvPcF_9I4SI/AAAAAAAACK4/m9_qJ8uGgSU/s1600/IMAG1165.jpg" height="320" width="191" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: purple;"><b>I have to defrost the <i>ice </i>from my lenses. I pretty much have to choose from covering my face with a scarf and fogging up my glasses, or go without one or the other.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>(Oh, and I just have to share that there's a guy sitting across the library from me with earphones plugged into his laptop and he's busting a gut laughing!!!!!! Man, I love this library!)</b></span></blockquote>
<b style="color: purple;">And my son calls me at work to see when I'm coming home. He wants to show me a trick. (I'm thinking - great, he's going to make me stand out here all night while he does donuts on the dirt bike in the snow)</b><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>.....Instead, he comes running out in shorts to throw a cup of hot water in the air for me! It was amazing!! It came down as really heavy snow.</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWqYSdXD7no/UvT8NtenPSI/AAAAAAAACLQ/KLdIcJv8syo/s1600/heart2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWqYSdXD7no/UvT8NtenPSI/AAAAAAAACLQ/KLdIcJv8syo/s1600/heart2.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: purple;"><b>I love this place. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: xx-small;"><b>sources: college students at MSU</b></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><b><a href="http://parenting.leehansen.com/holidays/valentine/card-art.htm"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">source</span></a></b></span>
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<br />Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912083158121035192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-9875663574009328932014-02-04T11:40:00.001-07:002014-02-04T11:40:26.708-07:00Bring it on Jack Frost!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CzX4XTabaAA/UvEv6P4qcoI/AAAAAAAACKA/3Q-1gXWZbH8/s1600/IMAG1160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CzX4XTabaAA/UvEv6P4qcoI/AAAAAAAACKA/3Q-1gXWZbH8/s1600/IMAG1160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CzX4XTabaAA/UvEv6P4qcoI/AAAAAAAACKA/3Q-1gXWZbH8/s1600/IMAG1160.jpg" height="320" width="191" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IVYkGT5_NqI/UvEv409SqXI/AAAAAAAACJ4/PWuyLBC5j60/s1600/IMAG1156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IVYkGT5_NqI/UvEv409SqXI/AAAAAAAACJ4/PWuyLBC5j60/s1600/IMAG1156.jpg" height="320" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;">I love the way the light goes<br />through the panes.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IVYkGT5_NqI/UvEv409SqXI/AAAAAAAACJ4/PWuyLBC5j60/s1600/IMAG1156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IVYkGT5_NqI/UvEv409SqXI/AAAAAAAACJ4/PWuyLBC5j60/s1600/IMAG1156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><b><span style="color: purple;">So, it's a little "nippy" this week. Who would have thought it would make the city even more beautiful?</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Just look at the sculpture walk at the library.......breathtaking!</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8DTBTkT3BPI/UvEwqPzfd6I/AAAAAAAACKY/a73aqnnPI4M/s1600/weather+bzn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><b><span style="color: purple;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8DTBTkT3BPI/UvEwqPzfd6I/AAAAAAAACKY/a73aqnnPI4M/s1600/weather+bzn.JPG" height="300" width="320" /></span></b></a></div>
<b><span style="color: purple;"> Speaking of breathtaking -.................</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: purple;">For some reason, the cool, crisp air makes everyone a little hyper. What do all those Bozemanites do on days like today?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: purple;">I kid you not, they are out walking their dogs, wearing shorts to campus, and taking their kids and senior citizens to the library.</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wXho6Sx51vQ/UvEv88Q8dpI/AAAAAAAACKQ/iOs8dOgtUjo/s1600/IMAG1162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"></span></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;"> <img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--8h8ERhUtQA/UvEv60OxX2I/AAAAAAAACKE/Kn8bEQy86lg/s1600/IMAG1161-1-1.jpg" height="320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="168" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;">Proof!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wXho6Sx51vQ/UvEv88Q8dpI/AAAAAAAACKQ/iOs8dOgtUjo/s1600/IMAG1162.jpg" height="320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="191" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: purple;">Ultimate chill-spot</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: purple;">And now that I have good traction with my new tires, it's a </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple;">great day to <i>chill</i> in Bozeman. </span></b></div>
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Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912083158121035192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-34606009300445327872014-01-24T16:44:00.003-07:002014-01-24T16:44:39.779-07:00I must have reached 88 MPH....<b>...and generated enough thrust to pass through the time-space continuum because:</b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Today my 4x4 driving-gas money needing- teenager went to work...at <i>MY</i> work...I mean <i>OUR </i>work....</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">.......and I stayed HOME!!!!!!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://images.thezooom.com/showpost.php?pathImage=2012/06/In-A-Parallel-Universe.jpg">source</a></span></b><br />
<b><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=xS6qJWCTpMqqUM&tbnid=02wuNG8w8aFiyM:&ved=0CAQQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fweknowmemes.com%2F2011%2F11%2Fparenting-youre-doing-it-right%2F&ei=OfriUpWUMcP9oATG_oDAAg&bvm=bv.59930103,d.cGU&psig=AFQjCNHxAROxP7_n4Qf6Ysk32Wi0J_Ho9A&ust=1390693212220946">source</a></b>Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912083158121035192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-23087990073490305712014-01-17T13:52:00.000-07:002014-01-18T01:05:22.227-07:00I'm still here! What have I been up to???<b>Well, so much of this........</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or in my case, cooking and helping with their homework....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This would be a welcome from<br />
Phi Kappa Phi Honor society<br />
for making the top<br />
10% of MSU Seniors!</td></tr>
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<b>That this happened.......</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That would be a congrats from the Pres<br />
for a 4.0 semester</td></tr>
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<b>And this...........</b><br />
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<b> And a nomination for an award for Excellence in the Dept. of Education at the college.</b><br />
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<b> <span style="color: purple;"> Half of my boys are nearly men and I am savoring the two younger boys' elementary years. We are all about snowboarding, Duck Dynasty, 4X4's and Minecraft now.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;">What does all this mean?? My life is FULL, FULL, FULL! But it's all good!</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;"> And the blog? In case you are wondering if I went by the wayside....I have not. Just this morning I was having my coffee and "a Stumble" (Stumble.com) and read this <a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/28gJrh">amazing article </a>written by John Scalzi, a seasoned writer, to teenager/future published writers (I sat that because all people can be writers- just some get paid!). He was giving advice about all the things he did when he was young that helped him even though at the time they seemed lame. It was like a letter to himself as a teen. It made me really miss my blogging time. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;"> So, what do I do with my one class-free/homework-infused day while my kids are away? I work on my blog layout.....ALL....DAY..... It was not funny - I've been through two internet providers and any blogger knows you have to use your PAID internet email to log into Blogger (or so it has been this way and I was mid-change). What happens? I get nuttin'. I mean no blog, just my sign in on Google. I panicked! All those years of blogging and I get BLANK? I kept trying combinations of sign-ins while my heart was pounding thinking all was lost.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;"> And then it happened! My temporary layout popped up and I got in. Do you think I was productive after that? Well, nope! I spent the next few hours trying to find a good, free layout. I'm still looking so feel free to suggest. I even started looking at some that come with a price because I just really need this to fit me like my best pair of flats. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;">So, pop by and drop my a comment - I miss everyone and I need something to get me through my last semester of classes!</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;">Leah</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/28gJrh">source</a><br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=DqyD4x0SilEbDM&tbnid=yBc3ZCKTqO50DM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvolimteotoce.com%2Ftag%2Fucenje%2F&ei=j5DZUtHlO8mBogTrm4G4Aw&bvm=bv.59568121,d.cGU&psig=AFQjCNFci-m_VOHjwYI_dyWCT2G_yApx-g&ust=1390076361424434">source</a>Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912083158121035192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-29952413036325900322013-10-26T07:21:00.000-06:002013-10-26T07:21:00.126-06:00Looking for a new design.....<b>.....any recommendations?</b><br />
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<b>I just received word that I'm losing my free template, but I guess it's been awhile and this blog needs a new outfit. Does anyone know a good blog designer?</b><br />
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<b>Please hang in there with me as I try on some new threads.....</b><br />
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<br />Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912083158121035192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-45356845891831781492013-10-08T06:30:00.000-06:002013-10-08T06:30:06.806-06:00Here it is - The Story of Solutions<b><br /></b>
<b>I'm a week late with this, but here it is - Annie Leonard's 9 minute follow up to <a href="http://storyofstuff.org/blog/movies/story-of-stuff/">The Story of Stuff</a></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Story of Solutions</b></span></div>
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<b>What I really like about Annie Leonard is that instead of pointing a finger at factories or governments, she's helping us take a closer look at our daily choices. It's not really about Walmart bags......</b><br />
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<b>What changes have you made recently? Do you reuse things that make people think you are weird? I remember being told I needed to buy some Tupperware when I was eating lunch out of a "repurposed" cottage cheese container.... That was ten years ago - does that make me a hipster? Reusing containers before it was cool???????</b>Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912083158121035192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-82530001721271839282013-10-04T13:43:00.000-06:002013-10-04T13:43:00.650-06:00What happens when IBBUGGIN' tries to slay dragons....<b><br /></b>
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<b>Poor lil' IB came home on the back of a wrecker yesterday. Fortunately for me, I did too. </b><br />
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<b> Sadly, as I was leaving campus last night, my car stalled. When I tried to restart it, it just kept cranking, but as I noticed the accelerator was stuck to the floor someone walked up and said, "Hey, your car is smoking - it's on fire!" So sad to stand there and watch my fun little car burn. A couple guys got fire extinguishers and put it out and the firetrucks came and cleaned up all the fuel it had leaked.</b><br />
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<b></b><b> Such a bummer.............</b><b></b></div>
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Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912083158121035192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-42457144598797512992013-09-28T10:32:00.003-06:002013-09-28T10:32:42.230-06:00A sneak peak at the Story of Solutions....Full 8 minute movie coming Oct 1st!!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/d-1FIsmVsDo" width="420"></iframe><br />
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Join Annie's community <a href="http://act.storyofstuff.org/page/s/growing-solutions">HERE</a> or copy/paste this URL: <a href="http://act.storyofstuff.org/page/s/growing-solutions">http://act.storyofstuff.org/page/s/growing-solutions</a>Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912083158121035192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-824586695868304412013-09-20T15:23:00.003-06:002013-09-20T15:23:40.843-06:00What do you know about "stuff"?<b> One thing's for sure in Bozeman, people embrace <i><span style="font-size: large;">sustainability</span></i>. That's a big word for not adding or taking from the earth, just borrowing what's replaceable. Or another way to describe it is nurturing plants because they give us oxygen, or living off the grid, or solar energy panels to heat water. So often lately I see more and more projects being tested out. People drive around in a corn oil powered bus and d eliver vegetables from their garden. Or bike a load of compost somewhere. Even this week, I had to giggle when suddenly a guy dropped out of a tree by the road with an armload of apples. I even see the students at school picking crab apples. </b><br />
<b> So, what motivates them? What would make you climb a tree to get a apple by the road you are biking on rather than drive your car to the store, put one in a plastic bag, and have that bag put into a shopping bag for you to take back to your car?? It's movies like this one. I've been wanting to share it for awhile. In October there will be another one called <i>The Story of Solutions. </i> It's such a relief to know we can think about solutions and not just the problem.</b><br />
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<b>Will you think of this video next time you are shopping?</b></div>
<br />Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912083158121035192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-58179886769421801572013-09-10T06:30:00.000-06:002013-09-10T06:30:02.789-06:00BritLit - Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly <b> </b><br />
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<b> Although not British, this one is still part of our BritLit trip. For me - this one caused a <i><span style="font-size: large;">reading revolution</span>!</i> Revolution is actually written by an American author about the French Revolution - get ready for <span style="font-size: large;">fireworks</span>!</b><br />
<b> Jennifer Donnelly has captured the essence of the struggles of the "citizen" of the French Revolution and intertwined it with a modern angsty-teenage musical prodigy from Brooklyn to the point that two characters become one soul. Andi and Alex (Alexandrine), two strong-willed teenage girls whose hearts ache for a young child whose lives they wish to save meet through Alex's 200 year-old journal. Andi becomes obsessed with Alex's personal account of the revolution and how it affected the innocent. Both Andi and Alex find that they must complete a monumental task to mark the importance of <i><span style="font-size: large;">just one life</span></i>.</b><br />
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<b> The thing about reading <i>Revolution</i> is that Jennifer Donnelly makes you feel like you are there. You don't just read the scenes. You smell the stinking city of Paris - devoid of all sanitation and personal hygiene, you feel the hunger that the citizens endured and the fear, pain and anger they endured trying to bring "Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity" to France. Through Andi, you journey through Alex's journal and relate to her quest to let little Louis-Charles know she still cares, that he is not forgotten. </b><br />
<b><i> Revolution</i> is not just about the past, but about the present revolution going on inside Andi and Alex. Both girls are struggling to know their inner-selves. What do they stand for? What are their lives really about? Andi continually struggles with finding her self-worth and teeters on the brink of suicide. Several times I felt genuine fear for Andi. Would she do it? Would she take that "one step" and give herself the punishment she thinks she deserves? And Alex - she's so mixed up trying to do what everyone demands of her, will she find the strength to do what <i>she</i> needs to? Will she be true to her own heart - even if she's killed for it?</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notre-Dame</td></tr>
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No other book has gripped my heart like this one. Sure, books have made me emotional - why else would I read them? But this one, these characters, have grabbed my heart. I claim Andi and Alex for my own - my literary sisters and BFF's. I want to ride mopeds in Paris with Andi and watch Alex perform at the Palais-Royale at night when she's only performing for herself, without an audience. I want to be there for them when they reach rock-bottom and tell them to hang on just one more day. When we asked Jennifer on Skype which character was her favorite, she said it was like being asked which one of her children she loved more. I agree, they cannot be weighed against each other -without Alex, there wouldn't be an Andi and without Andi, we wouldn't know what Alex wanted us to know!</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revolutionary Paintings-J.David</td></tr>
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<b> The triple-bonus of <i>Revolution</i> is that you are taken all over Paris - up, under, across in both centuries. If you want to know what it's like there, this one will take you there. I stood in all the same places as Alex and Andi, visited the Eiffel Tower, stood at the door to the catacombs, watched a horse-drawn carriage as I ate at an outdoor cafe, ate baguettes with meat and cheese, rode the Metro with crowds of people and pick-pockets, climbed the steps to Sacre Coeur, and walked behind the chapel to watched the artists paint in Montmatre.</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Catacombes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uBBhHwmkwHc/UfkvF7kZ-GI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/gGxlyveW_Ac/s1600/IMAG0919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uBBhHwmkwHc/UfkvF7kZ-GI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/gGxlyveW_Ac/s200/IMAG0919.jpg" height="119" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walked through the gates of Versailles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jubRAurIG30/UfkwCXMxiiI/AAAAAAAAB4w/wS-GweCXKGg/s1600/Sacre-couer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jubRAurIG30/UfkwCXMxiiI/AAAAAAAAB4w/wS-GweCXKGg/s200/Sacre-couer.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sacre Coer</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">225+ steps</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sunset at the Sacre Coure</td></tr>
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<b> A first for me, I read this book in three formats - started with the digital download, but it expired, so I switched to the audio version which was killer! Alex and Andi were read by two different readers and Alex was read with a strong French accent! Then I re-read it in print. So protective of how I use my limited, precious reading time, until this one, I've never re-read a book in the same season. </b><br />
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<b>Rather than a 5-star rating, I give <i>Revolution </i></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one's for the Green Man!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fireworks!!!</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7558747-revolution"><span style="font-size: x-small;">source</span></a></div>
Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08912083158121035192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1500222591191413414.post-7437299144261550432013-09-06T06:30:00.000-06:002013-09-06T06:30:05.078-06:00Brit-Lit: Out to the coast of France<b></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJp9u1SVdjg/UiilcPDxJPI/AAAAAAAACIM/AwMW4dJU200/s1600/Etretat.jpg" height="240" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He took all eight of his kids here and was so engrossed<br />
in painting before the light faded, he was knocked<br />
over by a wave and lost his art for the day!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJp9u1SVdjg/UiilcPDxJPI/AAAAAAAACIM/AwMW4dJU200/s1600/Etretat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><b></b></a><b> </b><br />
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<b> There's more to France.....</b><br />
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<b> Not to say that Paris is lacking, but there's even more to France than the city. After getting a taste for interacting with the people in remote areas like Vernon and Giverny, we were excited to check out the coast. We visited Etretat where Monet painted The Manneporte </b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monet's manneporte</td></tr>
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<b> We dove into some great children's books Monet Paints a Day and Linnea in Monet's Garden. One thing about children's books is they do a good job of explaining the obvious that, in our typical rush to snap that picture, may to take the time to think about.</b><br />
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Mont. St. Michel<br />
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..... <b>And Mont. St Michel - the monastery on the beach.This place is so huge, you have to look at the tiny dot of black at the bottom to compare it to people. It was cold and windy there. I don't know how the monks live there with no real heat. This landmark dates back so far in France's history that it's on the Bayeaux Tapestry showing William the Duke of Normandy defeating King Harold.</b><b> While we were there, they were building the boardwalks for the Tour de France that was just about to start.</b><br />
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<b> </b><b style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tRNfF-nG9cQ/UiijcqeabkI/AAAAAAAACIA/TAWGAL9qhu4/s1600/Msm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tRNfF-nG9cQ/UiijcqeabkI/AAAAAAAACIA/TAWGAL9qhu4/s1600/Msm.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></b><b>Of course there's always a gift shop and the bottom of the island is a town wrapping around the monastery. Crepes and trinkets everywhere! </b><br />
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<a href="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1320431974l/7932010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1320431974l/7932010.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a><b> In relation to this place, we read <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7932010-a-time-of-miracles?from_search=true">A Time of Miracles </a>by Anne-Laure Bondoux about a refugee suffering from civil war in the Republic of Georgia. His guardian always told him that his real mother lived at Mont. St. Michel. It just added to the mystic feeling of refuge - especially in the garden at the top of the monastery.</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7932010-a-time-of-miracles?from_search=true">source</a><br />
<a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?biw=1440&bih=742&tbm=isch&tbnid=2fTtsGLnOa1uDM:&imgrefurl=http://picasaweb.google.com/113128868354752978187/RTW_USA_NewYorkMoMAMET&docid=Da9wXTzAqw7rPM&imgurl=http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mThksx9mU3k/TBTIZoiR3jI/AAAAAAAAVuU/tXjio0CLY9Q/s128/DSC_0471.jpg&w=128&h=99&ei=SaYoUqbeKLO_2QX8m4CwDA&zoom=1&ved=1t:3588,r:43,s:0,i:217&iact=rc&page=2&tbnh=185&tbnw=242&start=18&ndsp=29&tx=185&ty=49">source</a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14361541-monet-paints-a-day?from_search=true">source</a>
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