tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11192134609417174222024-03-14T01:42:38.412-05:00Big City PrettyKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.comBlogger224125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-61096482238512251592010-03-25T20:23:00.000-05:002010-03-25T20:23:57.101-05:00Douglas Friedman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.douglasfriedman.net/images/interiors/04/lg/90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="http://www.douglasfriedman.net/images/interiors/04/lg/90.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
Today's post is an homage to <a href="http://www.douglasfriedman.net/">Douglas Friedman</a>, a photographer I've discovered whose work is incredible.<br />
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What gorgeous high-gloss black doors. When looking at this photographer's website, I actually recognized one series of interior images. I saw this man's apartment for the first time in Domino, I believe- such a masculine, yet stylish, space. And, with just the right dose of English spiced in.<br />
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Looks like a good day to me.Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-88776601961967288402010-03-03T19:14:00.000-06:002010-03-03T19:14:57.365-06:00Hello Long Lost Friends!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/S4Q0vPuHSwI/AAAAAAAAI-c/zGp5oervets/s1600/Real%2BLiving%2BMag-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/S4Q0vPuHSwI/AAAAAAAAI-c/zGp5oervets/s400/Real%2BLiving%2BMag-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Gorgeous tile!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/S4Zeis9_W3I/AAAAAAAAJCo/1UXZ-j6u_K0/s1600/Donna%2BGriffith%2BPhotography%2B8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/S4Zeis9_W3I/AAAAAAAAJCo/1UXZ-j6u_K0/s400/Donna%2BGriffith%2BPhotography%2B8.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
Sophisticated desk. Love those Barbies. Love that column. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/S4l1v3V1C_I/AAAAAAAAJKA/M3RlzFZxjwk/s1600/Carlos%2BMota%2BStylist%2B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/S4l1v3V1C_I/AAAAAAAAJKA/M3RlzFZxjwk/s400/Carlos%2BMota%2BStylist%2B10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This one features such interesting asymmetrical frames, and of course that gorgeous tufted chair.<br />
<br />
So where have I been?<br />
<br />
Well, the short answer is:<br />
<br />
Haiti:)<br />
<br />
Read more at <a href="http://www.benandkatieinhaiti.com/">www.benandkatieinhaiti.com</a> . It has been, as you can imagine, quite the last two months. However, we're beginning to settle, and I'm beginning to peek at beautiful things again, and to explore, and to dream. So you'll be seeing more of me. I've missed you!Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-10460367317153989812010-01-07T08:44:00.000-06:002010-01-07T08:44:49.681-06:00When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is
gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back
with their flock, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, to
heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to
rebuild the nations, to bring peace … to make music in the heart.<br />
<strong>- Howard Thurman</strong><br />
<em><em>American author, civil rights leader, and theologian (1899-1981)</em></em><br />
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<a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4246448871_a091acce5c_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4246448871_a091acce5c_o.jpg" width="301" /></a><br /></div>
<em><em> </em></em><br />
Bodies matter to God. Matter matters. Until we can proclaim that
wondrous truth, ecology will be a sideline in our pastoring and
preaching, our theologies and liturgies … Wetlands and rivers, wheat
fields and dough rising, people dancing in the aisles and people
sleeping in the streets of our cities. Matter matters to God.<br />
<strong>- Barbara Lundblad</strong><br />
<em><i>from her sermon "Matter Matters"</i></em><br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-1281026230925429322010-01-05T08:49:00.000-06:002010-01-05T08:49:03.134-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/S0JO5f4cLCI/AAAAAAAAHzU/qfJLXAMKPHk/s1600/Kathryn%2BIreland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/S0JO5f4cLCI/AAAAAAAAHzU/qfJLXAMKPHk/s400/Kathryn%2BIreland.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
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Warm, cozy, tea-drinking living room - divine:)<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/S0JO3kP3uHI/AAAAAAAAHzM/-hMksB1ATtI/s1600/Home%2BBeautiful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/S0JO3kP3uHI/AAAAAAAAHzM/-hMksB1ATtI/s400/Home%2BBeautiful.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
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Cool, crisp, clean, lounge-y bathroom - ahhhhh :)<br /></div>
<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-89241709299343033882010-01-04T12:43:00.000-06:002010-01-04T12:43:22.215-06:00Incidentally<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/Sy53_Qr1gTI/AAAAAAAAHq8/jbU3avg3ty0/s1600/House+Beautiful+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/Sy53_Qr1gTI/AAAAAAAAHq8/jbU3avg3ty0/s400/House+Beautiful+3.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V84OVpkmzT0/SzOTCn4BTVI/AAAAAAAAFyc/oachywd8Br8/s1600/ed_kluz_norwich_prospect.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V84OVpkmzT0/SzOTCn4BTVI/AAAAAAAAFyc/oachywd8Br8/s400/ed_kluz_norwich_prospect.jpg" /></a><a href="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/10_14_08_Thibault_Sofia17539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd246/jkomenda/10_14_08_Thibault_Sofia17539.jpg" width="460" /></a><br /></div>
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An incredible alternative to New Years Resolutions:<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1262628608128">Living a good story</a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://donmilleris.com/2010/01/01/living-a-good-story-an-alternative-to-new-years-resolutions/">by Donald Miller</a>.<br /></div>
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Speaking of Don-<br /></div>
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We're reading <u>A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.</u><br /></div>
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B reads it to me every night out loud.<br /></div>
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I love it! Much deeper than <u>Blue Like Jazz.</u><br /></div>
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Last night we read the part where Don is discussing the idea of our convenience-driven life, and how no good book is about a character with an easy, boring life. No, the character has to go through hell, to strive for something, to fail, to conquer, to struggle to kiss the girl....<br /></div>
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Are our easy lives robbing us of our story?<br /></div>
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One of the ideas in the article above is "Create an incident".<br /></div>
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Hmm:)<br /></div>
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I smile to myself<br /></div>
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because B and I <a href="http://www.benandkatieinhaiti.com/">moved to Haiti</a> 5 days ago.<br /></div>
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An <i><b>incident</b></i>, indeed.<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_V84OVpkmzT0/S0DkGzhGeRI/AAAAAAAAFz0/L6uSQL5XalE/s1600/il_430xN.108551330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_V84OVpkmzT0/S0DkGzhGeRI/AAAAAAAAFz0/L6uSQL5XalE/s400/il_430xN.108551330.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-49366985538400262702009-12-22T17:41:00.001-06:002009-12-22T17:42:37.750-06:00Get it ArchbishopDear Design Sponge:<br />
You apparently know about my thing for <a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/12/past-present-english-country-house-diy-project.html">English Country Houses</a>.<br />
So thanks for the article on them.<br />
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Love, Katie<br />
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<a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/juliaillustration2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ps="true" src="http://www.designspongeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/juliaillustration2.jpg" width="301" /></a><a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Chatsworth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ps="true" src="http://www.designspongeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Chatsworth.jpg" width="397" /></a><br /></div>
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Also, check out the London Times' list of <a href="http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/interiors/article6953167.ece">50 Best Design Blogs</a>.<br /></div>
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Several of my favorites got a shout out - Design Sponge, Lobster & Swan, Desire to Inspire. <br /></div>
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The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams was at the Copenhagen climate talks over the last few weeks, leading a charge of Creation-loving Jesus-followers who prayed for the leaders and demanded justice. He <a href="http://blog.sojo.net/2009/12/16/climate-justice-clips-archbishop-rowan-williams-sermon-at-copenhagen/">delivered a sermon</a> with an amazing quote:<br /></div>
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"Love casts out fear. If we begin from the belief that God wants us to rejoice and delight in the created world, our basic attitude to the environment will not be anxiety or the desperate search for ways of controlling it; it will be the excited and hopeful search for understanding it and honouring its goodness and its complex, interdependent beauty.<br /></div>
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In this season of Advent, we renew our confident hope that such a future is possible. We give thanks for the Christmas gift of Jesus Christ that has broken through our selfishness and begun the work of our liberation. We reaffirm our conviction and commitment in the name of love; and we say ‘don’t be afraid’ to all who stand uncertainly on the edge of decision. Don’t be afraid; act for the sake of love.<br />
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Love casts out fear. The truth is that what is most likely to get us to take the right decisions for our global future is love."<br />
</div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-47430135960598672332009-12-22T17:27:00.000-06:002009-12-22T17:27:03.441-06:00make love not warI read an interesting article called "Six Floors of Sunday School Classrooms: To What End?" that talks about the Lutheran <a href="http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/six-floors-of-sunday-school-to-what-end">Doctrine of Vocation</a> on IMonk. The most interesting (and comforting) part of this doctrine to me is the assertion that <strong>all vocations are equally pleasing to God</strong>. This is a big departure from those who believe that God is <em>super happy</em> with nuns and pastors and missionaries, but only <em>kind of happy</em> with firemen and nurses and bankers. The article also asserts that each person has more than one vocation, and by fulfilling each with integrity you honor God - I honor God through my vocation of US citizen by paying taxes and voting, and I honor God through my wife vocation by speaking lovingly to Ben.<br />
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<a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/TABLEHALLWAY-LIVINGETC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ps="true" src="http://www.designspongeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/TABLEHALLWAY-LIVINGETC.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/SyaiERX9HlI/AAAAAAAAHis/m7YCRBgGwzc/s1600/Unknown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/SyaiERX9HlI/AAAAAAAAHis/m7YCRBgGwzc/s400/Unknown.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/ceilingstorage-housetohome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" ps="true" src="http://www.designspongeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/ceilingstorage-housetohome.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></div>
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Can you put adorable little-girl bedrooms in the same square inch as nuclear war? Well, here goes:<br /></div>
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I read some <strong>shocking news</strong> today. <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6955351.ece">Secret Iranian documents</a> have been discovered detailing the nation's plan to build and test the neutron initiator, the part of a nuclear bomb that triggers an explosion. Western officials and United Nations officials are now<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/13/AR2009121303293.html"> investigating and evaluating those documents</a>. This blows the lid off any Iranian claims that they are only using nuclear technology for peaceful purposes - to build nuclear power plants. They are not telling the truth. The whole world knows their true intentions. <br /></div>
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Now, Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyah will very soon make the crucial decision of whether to make a pre-emptive military strike against Iran's nuclear facilities. The consequences of this decision are of utmost importance to every person on the planet. If Israel were to strike Iran's nuclear facilities (which they feel they must do, because they cannot allow Iran to create a nuclear bomb since Iran's president has declared he plans to "wipe Israel off the map"), other Middle Eastern nations will come to Iran's defense and lash out against Israel, which will involve the US, which will then involve the whole West........<br /></div>
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If you are a praying person, this is a matter that deserves priority status in our conversations with God.<br /></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-11484162369051618632009-12-09T12:15:00.000-06:002009-12-09T12:15:23.356-06:00Bienvenidos a Indiana!What a joyous day this is! Why are we celebrating? Could it be because of the snow at my beloved Baylor?<br />
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<a href="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs086.snc3/15332_196972611925_61388081925_3052211_7191724_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ps="true" src="http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs086.snc3/15332_196972611925_61388081925_3052211_7191724_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs086.snc3/15332_196972621925_61388081925_3052213_5572227_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ps="true" src="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs086.snc3/15332_196972621925_61388081925_3052213_5572227_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs086.snc3/15332_196972616925_61388081925_3052212_7631188_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ps="true" src="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs086.snc3/15332_196972616925_61388081925_3052212_7631188_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></div>
That is joyful, but today we're thinking of a different reason. All around my office we are celebrating because today, after 7 years in a Guatemalan orphanage, <a href="http://wiggsworld.net/juanpablo/">Juan Pablo is coming home</a>. In fact, as I write this, his plane is due to land there in 6 hours, 5 minutes, and 57 seconds. Praise God! <br />
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<a href="http://wiggsworld.net/juanpablo/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/013_TheWigginsFamily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ps="true" src="http://wiggsworld.net/juanpablo/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/013_TheWigginsFamily.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></div>
Praise Him for the <a href="http://wiggsworld.net/juanpablo/">Wigginses</a>, who fought government red tape for 3 years to bring this little boy into a Forever Family. Praise Him for the loving Guatemalan staff who have cared for JP since he was just an abandoned baby with serious burns, arranging all sorts of special medical care for him including trips to the US. Praise Him for the thousands of mission trip travelers who have visited JP in the Baby Home, holding VBS after VBS, craft after craft, game after game to entertain and love and teach him. Praise Him!<br />
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And this is the hardest part - though I rejoice with all my heart for Juan Pablo's new Forever Family, I know the other children in that home, too. Juan Pablo gets to go home, dress up as Spiderman, and spend his first Christmas in Indiana. These are just a few of his friends from the Baby Home. That home is a wonderful, warm place filled with love - but it will never be as good as a family. I know the name of every child in this picture... they are still waiting.<br />
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<a href="http://wiggsworld.net/juanpablo/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/PC021270_thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ps="true" src="http://wiggsworld.net/juanpablo/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/PC021270_thumb.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></div>
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One little girl especially is burned on my heart. Alejandra.<br /></div>
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<a href="http://wiggsworld.net/juanpablo/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/DSCF3296_thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ps="true" src="http://wiggsworld.net/juanpablo/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/DSCF3296_thumb.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></div>
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This is Alejandra and Juan Pablo. They are like siblings, having grown up in the Baby Home together. I met her in May, and we were fast friends. I know its terribly grainy, but here's my favorite one of me and Ale.<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JEsuhKUO33k/Sx_oxmJ0uzI/AAAAAAAAAq8/NKCQpe_eTZc/s1600-h/katie+and+ale.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JEsuhKUO33k/Sx_oxmJ0uzI/AAAAAAAAAq8/NKCQpe_eTZc/s400/katie+and+ale.JPG" /></a><br /></div>
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The love God has for Juan Pablo is no different than His for Alejandra. He had a plan for one, and has plan for her, too.<br /></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-38438016618773242462009-12-08T11:17:00.000-06:002009-12-08T11:17:44.341-06:00Neutrals, Neiman's, Advent Echoes, and Peru<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/Sx1QRXGpgyI/AAAAAAAAHXc/dKZWZ1A1z3U/s1600/House%2Band%2BGarden%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/Sx1QRXGpgyI/AAAAAAAAHXc/dKZWZ1A1z3U/s400/House%2Band%2BGarden%2B2.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/Sx1QO88x9II/AAAAAAAAHXU/PeKvXPnpjN4/s1600/Johanna%2BEkmark%2BPhotography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/Sx1QO88x9II/AAAAAAAAHXU/PeKvXPnpjN4/s400/Johanna%2BEkmark%2BPhotography.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
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Dallas loves our flagship Neiman Marcus. Like our own little 5th Avenue, we wait for the Neiman's holiday windows to be unveiled. <a href="http://www.styleswoon.com/2009/12/07/downtown-delight/">'09 windows do not disappoint</a>!<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.styleswoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/home21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" height="640" src="http://www.styleswoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/home21.jpg" width="456" /></a><a href="http://www.styleswoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" height="285" src="http://www.styleswoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/tree.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://www.styleswoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/tubes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" height="300" src="http://www.styleswoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/tubes.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://www.styleswoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/outdoor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" height="285" src="http://www.styleswoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/outdoor.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></div>
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What fun! It's very interesting to <a href="http://www.styleswoon.com/2009/12/07/downtown-delight/">read the article</a> about how they created and developed this interactive display around the themes of books and energy - the whole idea was inspired by essays from some local school kids.<br /></div>
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On the holiday note, I read a fascinating account today titled <a href="http://blog.sojo.net/2009/12/07/advent-echoes-checkpoints-and-childbirth-on-a-west-bank-winter-night/">Advent Echoes: Checkpoints and Childbirth on a West Bank Winter Night</a>. It's the story of Hani, a West Bank Palestinian Muslim who lives just 23 miles from Bethlehem. The parallels between Jesus' birth and Hani's story of living a persecuted life and the birth of his most recent baby are striking. I was very moved. I believe we need to push Israel harder, as a friend and ally, to address their human rights abuses the same way we must push China harder. <br /></div>
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There is a <a href="http://blog.itsyourmission.com/2009/12/peru-christmas-shoes-first-two-days-in.html">Buckner mission team in Peru</a> right now celebrating Christmas with the least of these - abandoned babies, teen mothers, special needs kids, and the like. They posted an amazing blog entry today called <a href="http://blog.itsyourmission.com/2009/12/dear-suzy.html">"Dear Suzy"</a> about a young mom who, when receiving her Christmas package prepared by a church in Dallas, went straight for the card. The card's author wrote about her cat, little details, nothing out of the ordinary - except when she wrote that this young mom was loved by God, precious, special. The little girl cherishes the letter. She begged a team member to take her photo with the letter. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IXJwi2VFJDQ/Sx3aC36zL5I/AAAAAAAABsI/1wvHHL1dla0/s1600/09+Peru+Dilday+Monday+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IXJwi2VFJDQ/Sx3aC36zL5I/AAAAAAAABsI/1wvHHL1dla0/s400/09+Peru+Dilday+Monday+007.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IXJwi2VFJDQ/Sx3ULX0qA6I/AAAAAAAABrw/pFEGhID5kuQ/s1600/09%2BPeiru%2BDilday%2B396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IXJwi2VFJDQ/Sx3ULX0qA6I/AAAAAAAABrw/pFEGhID5kuQ/s400/09%2BPeiru%2BDilday%2B396.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IXJwi2VFJDQ/Sx3UK3wrZCI/AAAAAAAABrg/xSSUqsnRlCA/s1600/09%2BPeiru%2BDilday%2B210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_IXJwi2VFJDQ/Sx3UK3wrZCI/AAAAAAAABrg/xSSUqsnRlCA/s320/09%2BPeiru%2BDilday%2B210.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IXJwi2VFJDQ/Sx3S8C4wXJI/AAAAAAAABrI/clA9y0j4jcQ/s1600/09%2BPeiru%2BDilday%2B143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IXJwi2VFJDQ/Sx3S8C4wXJI/AAAAAAAABrI/clA9y0j4jcQ/s400/09%2BPeiru%2BDilday%2B143.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
One of the main things they do on these trips is give each child a new pair of shoes. You, too, can <a href="http://www.itsyourmission.com/tripcalendar.shtml">join a trip</a> or <a href="http://www.shoesfororphansouls.com/">host a shoe drive</a> for these precious little ones.<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-85761667864992195202009-12-04T23:31:00.000-06:002009-12-04T23:31:38.895-06:00DJ PopeI bet you sat down and asked yourself today, "What is on the Pope's iPod?"<br />
Well, now we know.<br />
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/12/04/tupac.vatican.playlist/index.html?eref=rss_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+Top+Stories%29&utm_content=Google+Reader">Tupac</a>, apparently. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/SxlcdyLrhSI/AAAAAAAAHSs/AnGBWQilzPE/s1600/FLickr%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/SxlcdyLrhSI/AAAAAAAAHSs/AnGBWQilzPE/s400/FLickr%2B3.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
Love these festive Christmas doggies. I do so love my dachshund, Libby.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/SxlcYLtijPI/AAAAAAAAHSc/catyyjhDm98/s1600/Flickr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/SxlcYLtijPI/AAAAAAAAHSc/catyyjhDm98/s400/Flickr.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
Also, on a more serious note- we all need join together to cover in prayer a great pastor and servant, Matt Chandler of the Village Church in Dallas. This healthy thirtysomething, whose wife Lauren just had their third baby a few months ago, had a serious seizure on Thanksgiving. That led to the discovery of a brain tumor, and today he had surgery to remove part of his frontal lobe.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://hv.thevillagechurch.net/blog/hvpastor/?p=357">His blog</a> about his surgery today rocked my world. <br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-43087042483991399242009-12-03T16:33:00.001-06:002009-12-03T16:33:19.299-06:0012/4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/annepicks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" height="353" src="http://www.designspongeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/annepicks.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></div>
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Have you heard about the <a href="http://www.savedarfur.org/pages/the-farchana-manifesto">Farchana Manifesto</a>? A great many women living in the Farchana Refugee Camp in Chad (they are refugees from Darfur and other places in Sudan) have gotten together and handwritten a manifesto denouncing their ill-treatment and the gender-based violence they face daily. They hand-wrote this document and delivered it to the Physicians for Human Rights team working in their camp. <br /></div>
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Courageous, bold women. Heroic women.<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/SxQkeGz2NhI/AAAAAAAAHL8/nR25O934-jk/s1600/James+Carriere+Photography+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/SxQkeGz2NhI/AAAAAAAAHL8/nR25O934-jk/s400/James+Carriere+Photography+2.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/catskills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" height="393" src="http://www.designspongeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/catskills.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/kristinapicks2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" height="396" src="http://www.designspongeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/kristinapicks2.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V84OVpkmzT0/Sxbjks46ACI/AAAAAAAAFus/Z1GO5464tO8/s1600/DSC05550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V84OVpkmzT0/Sxbjks46ACI/AAAAAAAAFus/Z1GO5464tO8/s400/DSC05550.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
Check out Michelle Obama's preview of <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/12/03/white.house.christmas/index.html?eref=rss_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+Top+Stories%29&utm_content=Google+Reader">Christmas at the White House</a>. Magical:)<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-13830450795468017502009-12-01T17:19:00.000-06:002009-12-01T17:19:49.760-06:00AAmazingI'm skimming through promotional emails, deleting right and left, when this little gem popped out at me....<br />
<br />
<a href="http://view.aa.com/v/3SC89W/94IB6/72BDNJ0/FYT0H4/MAILACTION=1&FORMAT=H">Last-minute deals from American Airlines</a><br />
Dallas to Jackson, Mississippi $78<br />
Dallas to McAllen, Texas $78<br />
Dallas to Indianapolis $117<br />
snooze snooze snore, about to delete<br />
Dallas to Des Moines, Iowa $120<br />
Obviously these are on sale because<br />
no one wants to go to these boring cities <br />
(no offense, Des Moinesians)<br />
Dallas to Ft. Walton, Florida $120<br />
reaching for the delete button<br />
Dallas to Paris, France $343<br />
HOLD THE PHONE!<br />
<br />
Excuse me, did I just see Dallas to Paris last-minute tickets for $343?<br />
Yes, yes in fact I did.<br />
<br />
Just this moment, I added another item to my <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-01-14-bucket-list_N.htm">Bucket List</a>:<br />
Go on last-minute fabulous getaway using week-of flight specials.<br />
<br />
And finally....<br />
<br />
Oh Yes! The <a href="http://theyesmen.org/blog/bofa">Yes Men strike again</a>. Sorry, Bank of America. You know I love your customer service and my favorite teller Xochil, but you earned it. <br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-84586149461793857102009-11-30T16:40:00.000-06:002009-11-30T16:40:35.277-06:00Cool to the MaxI just heard about <a href="http://www.dayswithmyfather.com/">Days with My Father</a>. (I was initially confused about how to use it, too- just scroll down). <br />
Wow.<br />
It is an incredibly moving photo essay with captions. Worth your time.<br />
<br />
I also just heard about <a href="http://trendwatching.com/">trendwatching.com</a> - a free online digest of trends that's tracked by a giant global team of trendspotters. <br />
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<a href="http://www.thecoolhunter.net/images/jc1%20copy(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="391" src="http://www.thecoolhunter.net/images/jc1%20copy(1).jpg" width="400" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>
Also, my new favorite blog is <a href="http://thecoolhunter.net/">thecoolhunter.net</a>. Basically, this guy's job is to hear about cool stuff and blog about it. Like this Christmas installation in Paris, above. Or this:<br />
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<a href="http://www.thesnowtunnel.com/images/snowtunnel_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.thesnowtunnel.com/images/snowtunnel_7.jpg" width="400" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>
The <a href="http://www.thesnowtunnel.com/">Snowtunnel</a>. So hot right now. Or what about this:<br />
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<a href="http://inapcache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/ngipc_11_23/n13_00000013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://inapcache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/ngipc_11_23/n13_00000013.jpg" width="400" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://inapcache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/ngipc_11_23/n01_00000001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://inapcache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/ngipc_11_23/n01_00000001.jpg" width="400" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://inapcache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/ngipc_11_23/n06_00000006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://inapcache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/ngipc_11_23/n06_00000006.jpg" width="400" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://inapcache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/ngipc_11_23/n12_00000012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://inapcache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/ngipc_11_23/n12_00000012.jpg" width="400" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>
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The National Geographic International Photo Contest 2009. Thanks, Cool Hunter, for the tip! PS You can still vote in the NatGeo <a href="http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/photo-contest/voting-machine">Viewers' Choice Award</a> category. Or this:<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.thecoolhunter.com.au/images/1tl(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.thecoolhunter.com.au/images/1tl(1).jpg" width="345" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.thecoolhunter.com.au/images/thouses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://www.thecoolhunter.com.au/images/thouses.jpg" width="400" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.thecoolhunter.com.au/images/stories/2007pics/storiesnew2007pics/marchpics/treehouse4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://www.thecoolhunter.com.au/images/stories/2007pics/storiesnew2007pics/marchpics/treehouse4.jpg" width="400" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>
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Somewhere in Nairobi, my <a href="http://www.satpack.blogspot.com/">Satty</a> is having a heart attack.<br /></div>
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I know. Brace yourselves, people. This stuff is seriously cool.<br /></div>
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Also hot:<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.thecoolhunter.com.au/images/mneon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.thecoolhunter.com.au/images/mneon.jpg" width="271" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>
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The <a href="http://thecoolhunter.net/article/detail/1629/mini-goes-neon">Mini Goes Neon</a>. My head is about to explode with Coolness!<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.thecoolhunter.net/images/legokitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://www.thecoolhunter.net/images/legokitchen.jpg" width="400" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>
A <a href="http://thecoolhunter.net/article/detail/1628/lego-kitchen">kitchen made of Legos</a>!!! Too much!!! Too much coolness!!! I can't take it!<br />
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<a href="http://www.thecoolhunter.com.au/images/yvan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://www.thecoolhunter.com.au/images/yvan.jpg" width="400" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-52752446989903297172009-11-30T12:00:00.001-06:002009-11-30T12:02:06.530-06:00Team Harry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e8/Hp6teaserposter.jpg/200px-Hp6teaserposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e8/Hp6teaserposter.jpg/200px-Hp6teaserposter.jpg" width="206" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>
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Texts from Last Night is a very naughty, but very funny, website where people send in ridiculous messages they've received. My husband occasionally sends me ones he thinks are particularly hilarious. Today:<br /></div>
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(720): You can't like Harry Potter and Twilight. You have to pick. Vampires and Wizards are mutually exclusive.<br /></div>
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We all know which side I'm on. <br /></div>
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Only a few more days until <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Harry-Potter-Half-Blood-Prince-Full-Screen/dp/B002PMV9K6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1259603952&sr=1-4">December 7</a>......<br /></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-91545019869757698142009-11-25T14:01:00.000-06:002009-11-25T14:01:10.059-06:00Today's mashupI love this backsplash of rough brick<br />
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<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2526/4127739317_be62903468_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2526/4127739317_be62903468_o.jpg" width="320" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/SwroLI7ToSI/AAAAAAAAG_0/HJhVBXWFFCw/s1600/Parish+Stapleton+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/SwroLI7ToSI/AAAAAAAAG_0/HJhVBXWFFCw/s400/Parish+Stapleton+Photography.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/Swrrkjixy4I/AAAAAAAAHAc/IPuy0QuLnBA/s1600/House+Beautiful+209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/Swrrkjixy4I/AAAAAAAAHAc/IPuy0QuLnBA/s400/House+Beautiful+209.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>
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This is hysterical. Thank you, Kathleen.<br /></div>
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<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gtIz1u8g1F0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1">
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<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true">
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<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gtIz1u8g1F0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />I love it! Sweet little guy.<br /></div>
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Have you heard Esquire magazine included Shane Claiborne on their list of "Rebels and Radicals who are Changing the World"? The editors of Esquire, not known for their tee-totaling generally, invite Shane to write an open letter to non-believers, used-to-believers, etc, and to say anything he wanted! Really?!<a href="http://blog.sojo.net/wp-content/uploads/091123-esquire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://blog.sojo.net/wp-content/uploads/091123-esquire.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.esquire.com/features/best-and-brightest-2009/shane-claiborne-1209">Here is Shane's letter in Esquire magazine</a>.<br /></div>
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I've got a new favorite blog. It's <a href="http://parksidestories.blogspot.com/">Parkside Stories</a>, which describes itself as "a beautiful multi-ethnic, low-income apartment complex in the suburbs of Chicago. God has put together a team of people living there who are working towards transforming this community. We live intentionally and work on building relationships between people in and outside the community. As one of Church of the Resurrection's locations, we are involved in community development and an apartment church-plant."<br /></div>
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I've had two favorite posts lately - one about how the <a href="http://parksidestories.blogspot.com/2009/11/church-standing-with-immigrants.html">church should stand alongside immigrants</a> (who make up a big part of the Parkside community and who need a great deal of help navigating the) and another about<a href="http://parksidestories.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-double-life.html"> living a double life. </a> The author's "double life" consists of living in a low-income apartment complex among the very poorest poor of Chicago, but then leaving each morning to drive just a few miles to her day job - teaching in a rich high school. I can really relate, especially as B and I prepare to<a href="http://www.benandkatieinhaiti.blogspot.com/"> move to Haiti</a> to teach high school. Will that be what it feels like - a double life, where I live among the poor and look like a local (well, kind of....), but have a cushy bank account, big house, and tons of beautiful things packed in storage at home?<br /></div>
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Did you know there's a <a href="http://blog.sojo.net/2009/11/24/a-modern-underground-railroad-for-north-korean-refugees/">modern-day Underground Railroad</a> going on right now, between North Korea and China? Much like on the Texas-Mexico border, many would-be refugees seek the help of a broker/human smuggler to get across the border, but that puts them at great risk for human trafficking and being sold into slavery. <br /></div>
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Finally, may I say that <a href="http://www.myspace.com/jillianedwardsmusic">Jillian Edwards' music</a> has not left my mind since last week when I saw her delightful self in concert. Check her out! <br />Happy Thanksgiving! <a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/19.-CanvasBag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://www.designspongeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/19.-CanvasBag.jpg" width="320" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-42244865360306158692009-11-24T10:55:00.000-06:002009-11-24T10:55:53.689-06:00HoneyyearOne year ago today I left for my honeymoon with my best friend and newly-minted husband.<br />
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<a href="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v931/91/70/9202789/n9202789_36794364_4826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v931/91/70/9202789/n9202789_36794364_4826.jpg" width="400" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v931/91/70/9202789/n9202789_36794382_736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v931/91/70/9202789/n9202789_36794382_736.jpg" width="300" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v931/91/70/9202789/n9202789_36794391_3819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v931/91/70/9202789/n9202789_36794391_3819.jpg" width="400" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v931/91/70/9202789/n9202789_36794401_7314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v931/91/70/9202789/n9202789_36794401_7314.jpg" width="265" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>
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What an amazing trip, what an amazing year!<br /></div>
<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-88199632491609174262009-11-23T17:22:00.000-06:002009-11-23T17:22:41.570-06:00Thank you, Brabourne Farm, for your <a href="http://brabournefarm.blogspot.com/2009/11/folies-bergere.html">post</a> on my very favorite piece of furniture. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/SvxmbYz5QFI/AAAAAAAAGsk/H-Lny9G0W7E/s1600/Cabbages+and+Roses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/SvxmbYz5QFI/AAAAAAAAGsk/H-Lny9G0W7E/s400/Cabbages+and+Roses.jpg" yr="true" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/Svxmd8vPbBI/AAAAAAAAGss/Ra0-BovfEIM/s1600/Claire+Richardson+Photography.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/Svxmd8vPbBI/AAAAAAAAGss/Ra0-BovfEIM/s400/Claire+Richardson+Photography.jpg" yr="true" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/SvxmjBWaulI/AAAAAAAAGs8/ZA7JrxW5cSE/s1600/Skona+Hem+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/SvxmjBWaulI/AAAAAAAAGs8/ZA7JrxW5cSE/s400/Skona+Hem+23.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />One day, years from now, when I'm back in a furniture-buying stage of life, <br /></div>
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I'll bring one of you home to my house:)<br /></div>
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And maybe, just maybe....<br /></div>
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my house will have a garden like this<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/Sv2wv9lPPCI/AAAAAAAAGtk/fV6HScxfi8k/s1600/Whitley+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/Sv2wv9lPPCI/AAAAAAAAGtk/fV6HScxfi8k/s400/Whitley+2.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>
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And all 25 of my adopted kids will play there, with all my friends' kids too.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/Sv2w4NXDzUI/AAAAAAAAGt0/1c7kG5y1G3w/s1600/Whitley+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/Sv2w4NXDzUI/AAAAAAAAGt0/1c7kG5y1G3w/s320/Whitley+7.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>
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It will be just like this (except add lots more toys and balls and jumpropes).<br /></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/SwG2apeWq8I/AAAAAAAAGyk/pW3Hgkfm0Ow/s1600/Miles+Red+Design+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/SwG2apeWq8I/AAAAAAAAGyk/pW3Hgkfm0Ow/s400/Miles+Red+Design+2.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br /></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-6689792361439325362009-11-17T10:49:00.001-06:002009-11-17T10:51:17.307-06:00Haiti or BustTHE NEWS IS OUT!!<br />
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Friends, we're officially out of the closet - the Haiti closet, that is. <br />
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My husband and I are moving to Port-au-Prince, Haiti for a few years of mission and aid work.<br />
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Get the full story at<br /><a href="http://www.benandkatieinhaiti.blogspot.com/">http://www.benandkatieinhaiti.blogspot.com/</a> .<br />
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Add us to your <a href="http://www.google.com/reader">Reader,</a> or Follow along!<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-85307693289614395952009-11-11T18:46:00.000-06:002009-11-11T18:46:41.680-06:00Veterans Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" height="298" sr="true" src="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs022.snc3/10942_704869493813_9212760_39533087_812820_n.jpg" width="400" /><br /></div>
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Speaking of Veterans. How about this one, my brother, in Spain (with Kelsey at the 2009 Marine Ball)...<br /></div>
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<a href="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs063.snc3/13044_216566006608_25763971608_4464571_8067422_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" sr="true" src="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs063.snc3/13044_216566006608_25763971608_4464571_8067422_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs043.snc3/13044_216566041608_25763971608_4464575_8285904_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" sr="true" src="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs043.snc3/13044_216566041608_25763971608_4464575_8285904_n.jpg" width="266" /></a><br /></div>
Or this one, Pat, husband of my dear friend Savannah, flying helicopters in Alabama.....<br />
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Here's a prayer for our military men and women, and the significant others (and mama, and sisters too) who love them dearly.<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-91163378237204260882009-11-06T11:33:00.000-06:002009-11-06T11:33:25.531-06:00Sometimes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/SudaC3C4TcI/AAAAAAAAGT0/PZpMaloo8Vc/s1600/Eve+Robinson+Design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/SudaC3C4TcI/AAAAAAAAGT0/PZpMaloo8Vc/s400/Eve+Robinson+Design.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e_MQyZR1E6U/Sudp56btL8I/AAAAAAAAnJY/-sAV6KIMckU/s1600/40winks_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e_MQyZR1E6U/Sudp56btL8I/AAAAAAAAnJY/-sAV6KIMckU/s400/40winks_2.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/SvB-LdpvHQI/AAAAAAAAGd8/wOlsgWoKh5U/s1600/Gordon+Parks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mKDuDh-v6rA/SvB-LdpvHQI/AAAAAAAAGd8/wOlsgWoKh5U/s400/Gordon+Parks.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
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Sometimes, when I get off the train downtown and walk up the marble steps to my big, giant skyscraper office building.... I feel just like this. There's a thrill. Wanting to throw my hat in the air.<br /></div>
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<a href="http://21.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kop4dkfzRB1qzyrwvo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" sr="true" src="http://21.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kop4dkfzRB1qzyrwvo1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></div>
Sometimes, I feel just like this- warrior princess. Raised by wolves. <br />
Kind of like my favorite thing I ever learned in four semesters of Swahili class:<br />
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Binti wa Simba ni simba pia. <br />The daughter of the Lion is also a lion.<br />
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Want to know a secret?<br />My mom and I are getting that proverb as a tat.<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-13896237030525734522009-11-06T10:04:00.000-06:002009-11-06T10:04:43.595-06:00Invite your friends!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Let me practice <a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Mind_trick">Jedi mind control</a> for a moment. Ready?<br /></div>
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YOU WANT TO COME TO THIS AWESOME CONCERT! MARK IT ON YOUR CALENDAR! INVITE EVERYBODY YOU KNOW!<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JEsuhKUO33k/SvRGVVZP0xI/AAAAAAAAAqU/AGTUxLcycX0/s1600-h/voice+council+concert+jpeg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JEsuhKUO33k/SvRGVVZP0xI/AAAAAAAAAqU/AGTUxLcycX0/s640/voice+council+concert+jpeg.JPG" /></a><br /></div>
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Click <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=134785482923">here for the Facebook event</a>.<br /></div>
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Let's see:<br /></div>
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1. Free event<br /></div>
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2. Tasty organic coffee at <a href="http://www.mokahcoffeebar.com/">Mokah Coffee Bar</a>, a pretty sweet place to spend a Thursday night<br /></div>
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3. Really <a href="http://www.myspace.com/jillianedwardsmusic">talented</a> <a href="http://jonmeyer.tumblr.com/">artists</a><br /></div>
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4. Learning about and supporting <a href="http://www.buckner.org/">Buckner International's</a> ministry to orphans and vulnerable children around the world. <br /></div>
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5. Door prizes<br /></div>
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What a win-win! See you there.<br /></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-80245421223966116622009-11-05T10:21:00.002-06:002009-11-05T10:25:36.464-06:00Fathers, Brothers, Husbands, SonsPresident Obama was elected one year ago this week. Though I did not vote for him, I am now glad that he won the election. His policies do not always align with mine, but I am particularly proud of his efforts to make America more of a "team player" in this global neighborhood of ours. <br />
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Even as a proud Texan who sported a "Luv Ya, Dubya" sticker on my car in the fall of 2000, I cringed at our damaged relationships with other nations over the following 8 years. Yet, as I read this data today, I remembered what the US have given to advance the cause of freedom in our world:<br />
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1. Aisne-Marne, France, a total of 2,289 of our military dead.<br />
<br />2. Ardennes, Belgium, a total of 5,329 of our military dead.<br />
<br />3. Brittany, France, a total of 410 of our military dead.<br />
<br />4. Brookwood, England, a total of 468 of our military dead.<br />
<br />5. Cambridge, England, a total of 3,812 of our military dead.<br />
<br />6. Epinal, France, a total of 5,525 of our military dead.<br />
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7. Flanders Field, Belgium, a total of 368 of our military dead.<br />
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8. Florence, Italy, a total of 4,402 of our military dead.<br />
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9. Henri-Chapelle, Belgium, a total of 7,992 of our military dead.<br />
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10. Lorraine, France, a total of 10,489 of our military dead.<br />
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11. Luxembourg, a total of 5,076 of our military dead.<br />
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12. Meuse-Argonne, a total of 14,246 of our military dead.<br />
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13. The Netherlands, a total of 8,301 of our military dead.<br />
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14. Normandy, France, a total of 9,387 of our military dead.<br />
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15. Oise, Aisne, France, a total of 6,012 of our military dead.<br />
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16. Rhone, France, a total of 861 of our military dead.<br />
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17. Sicily, Italy, a total of 7,861 of our military dead.<br />
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18. Somme, France, a total of 1,844 of our military dead.<br />
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19. St. Mihiel, France, a total of 4,153 of our military dead.<br />
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20. Suresnes, France, a total of 1,541 of our military dead.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JEsuhKUO33k/SvL4TjVIreI/AAAAAAAAAqM/hIjDBTTB9Ao/s1600-h/cemetary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JEsuhKUO33k/SvL4TjVIreI/AAAAAAAAAqM/hIjDBTTB9Ao/s400/cemetary.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br /></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-14133412892885400002009-11-04T16:11:00.000-06:002009-11-04T16:11:42.208-06:00Love those Catholics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/schooldoorjm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.designspongeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/schooldoorjm.jpg" vr="true" width="358" /></a><br /></div>
I read a very interesting blog called <a href="http://www.bustedhalo.com/">Busted Halo</a> that is written by Catholics, mostly, toward a younger, "spiritual seeker" audience. They cover very interesting topics often- for instance, this morning I read an interview with a Vatican-trained exorcist working in the San Jose diocese. Fascinating!<br />
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One of my favorite regular blog features is the Question Box. This morning's topic: <a href="http://www.bustedhalo.com/questionbox/speaking-in-tongues/">What do Catholics think about speaking in tongues?</a> The priest's answer is pretty much exactly what I would say I believe, too. I love it when I find common ground with Catholics, or other believers around the world. I think it brings great joy to our God when we are in unity and brotherhood. Church is supposed to be a singular word, after all:)<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-91386983185471111292009-11-02T21:17:00.000-06:002009-11-02T21:17:33.064-06:00thx, Wade"In a way all of us at Oxford knew, knew as an undercurrent in our minds, that it wouldn't last for ever. Lew and Mary Ann expressed it one night by saying: 'This, you know, is a time of taking in-taking in friendship, conversation, gaiety, wisdom, knowledge, beauty, holiness-and later, well, there'll be a time of giving out.' Later, when we were scattered about the world. Now we must store up the strength, the riches, all that Oxford had given us, to sustain us after. She stood there, Oxford, like a mother to us all with her hands heaped with riches. We could take what we would. We, Davy and I, would, for one thing, take all who came to the Studio. Whoever came, whatever the hour, was always welcome."<br />
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-Sheldon Vanauken, A Severe Mercy<br />
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<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1119213460941717422.post-80138732046017630592009-10-30T17:03:00.000-05:002009-10-30T17:03:54.275-05:00Brudder<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is my brother.<br /></div>
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<a href="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs081.snc3/14831_701617406023_9212760_39394692_5021053_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs081.snc3/14831_701617406023_9212760_39394692_5021053_n.jpg" vr="true" width="400" /></a><a href="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs261.snc1/8824_181920578221_832338221_3841588_2718334_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs261.snc1/8824_181920578221_832338221_3841588_2718334_n.jpg" vr="true" width="400" /></a><br />Ladies, you can't date him. Because he's already in lover with her.<br /></div>
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<a href="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs257.snc1/10434_1138006380563_1539480045_30779318_7638441_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs257.snc1/10434_1138006380563_1539480045_30779318_7638441_n.jpg" vr="true" width="400" /></a><br /></div>
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I love it when he posts on his facebook, because he is very far away. In Spain, with the Marines. Truly, Skype may be one of the greatest inventions ever for familiar and (and best friend-ial) communication and harmony.<br /></div>
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This photo I love very much because I reminds me of getting ready altogether backstage, or in the girls' locker room.<br /></div>
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<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2627/4049947190_54167262d3_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2627/4049947190_54167262d3_o.jpg" vr="true" width="400" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e_MQyZR1E6U/SuYw8vwCFcI/AAAAAAAAnGo/pdT1Do0OtDk/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e_MQyZR1E6U/SuYw8vwCFcI/AAAAAAAAnGo/pdT1Do0OtDk/s400/2.jpg" vr="true" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e_MQyZR1E6U/SuYwiPyokkI/AAAAAAAAnGQ/EVKN9b7dc3I/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e_MQyZR1E6U/SuYwiPyokkI/AAAAAAAAnGQ/EVKN9b7dc3I/s320/17.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br /></div>
Have a delightful weekend:)<br />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09076661622471809368noreply@blogger.com0