What a wonderful time we all had in celebration of either a boy or girl, niece or nephew, granddaughter or grandson, cousin. This shower was planned a bit different, as men were included for the party. One guy said, "I've never been to a shower before. I don't know what to do." Another one said, " I hear these parties get a bit intense." In the end, I believe all had a good time.

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Here's some very random shots, without editing of any kind. Again, when using smilebox, your pictures automatically get cut off when fitting them into the space they provide. Enjoy!

Congrats to Brad & Melissa.

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Random photo shots...

A little bit of family fun... It's so hard to do anything as a family anymore due to schedules, so unfortunately Ange was unable to be with us. I truly missed having her along.

The landscaping was gorgous with so many options for fun poses, but some people feel that taking pictures while playing, wastes/slows the process of the game. Yes, that might be true.. but I still love pictures. Holding a camera, the case and then also managing to swing was becoming an issue pretty quick too. Last but not least, I can't forget to mention that we had 2 seperate couples behind us, that seemed to be speedy in their plays so we were actually feeling a bit of pressure to keep moving. Here's a few to represent the evening.

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My work week.... and a whole holiday weekend to go!

Glad today is friday...

Hoping to take in some sun and get some things done!

Days off just can't come frequent enough.

A Road Trip to Buffalo... where Jon, Leah and myself met up with "The soon to be Graduate" and headed to Niagra Falls for several hours. What a breathtaking view to capture. Last time I went to Niagra Falls, somehow I forgot my camera.. and decided this time, that wasn't going to happen... so decided to post some of the pictures taken a couple days ago!! =) If you go to JON & LEAH'S, you will see a few more.

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Afterwards, we headed back to Buffalo for a very delicious dinner...

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Now, mind you.. I have a slew of pictures, but when using this program... sometimes one is limited in how many you can use/and also, it will cut off part of the picture, which Im not overly fond of. All in all though...it helps put some extra flavor to the event. On the first page, I was unable to get a cap & gown photo...and then was also focused on the wrong individual waiting to cross the stage, leaving me to miss that whole part.=/ My cousin Jon has some good pictures of what I missed, so all in all... I'll at least get copies.

Make a Smilebox photobook

Randomness & Tires

We rely on vehicles so much to get us around, but when something goes wrong...we're in a pickle. Recently, tires have been the issue with the vehicles we have. The beginning of last week, I believe, we come out to use my car and find my front driver tire litterly down to the rim. I couldn't believe it, seeing for three years that Ive had the car, I hadn't any trouble. 3 years is a decent amount of time, but that is besides the point. We get the compresser out from my trunk and as mom connects it to the lighter, the fuse to the radio, cd player and clock blows. Perfect, I thought - sarcastically. If it's not one thing, its another... I know mom felt horrible, but a little peace and quiet does anyone good sometimes. =) Tire gets pumped with another vehicle's help, and off to walmart it goes to have the valve stem replaced.

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Thursday, Ange and I come out at 2330 from work (suprisingly on time, refering to me- that is) to find Ange's front driver tire now flat to the rim. I thought, you got to be kidding me- not again, this time with her vehicle. I just happened to have my AAA card with me, but the silly thing about it was.. I felt horrible calling at midnight to have someone come to help. I tried to convince Ange just to wait until morning before calling, when it'd be much brighter, people around versus an empty parking lot, and have mom just come pick us up... but she wouldnt go for that, so I actually made her call and pretend it was me. I know, Im horrible. =-/

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Then, last Saturday, there was a get together up at Bowmans for the afternoon, and because it just happened to land on my weekend off, I decided to venture back on those windy roads with my GPS. Let me just say that if it werent for the GPS, I wouldnt have gotten there, Im sure. Trish said that it was about 3 roads etc.. and it seemed more like 25 roads the way GPS took me.

So, I pull up to the house, park and as I shut the door and walk back towards the rear driver tire, all I could hear was "SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS", bent down low to see exactly where it was coming from, and sure enough, another tire's valve stem had gone bad. My trip back home was even more adventuresome. I, along with some others, had concluded that my tire should stay up enough to get home, so I set the GPS and headed off... About half way home, somehow my finger happened to touch the GPS and randomly change my destination. When I got to what was said the destination, I pulled off and was like, "um, WHAT???" Trying to reset it, was even more of a battle.. for it kept telling me to get back on the road to recalculate, and when I did, nothing would change. I pulled off probably 4-5 times in random spots, one being a random driveway for about 5 min.. until I heard all this honking/beeping behind me. As I looked, there were people waitng to get in THAT very driveway for who knows how long. Needless, to say.. I was lost with the GPS and without it too. All the while thinking.. this was not a time to have tire issues.

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So, after some handy superglue and a rock keeping the valve stem in place for a time.. I finally went back to walmart and chose to have 4 brand new tires put on. Now, there better not be anymore tire issues for a LONG time.

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So, after being cut today.. I had hoped to finally get a chance to stain my new closet doors, since I just recently, with the help of mom, moved all the boxes back into my room, where I couldnt in the slightest bit see them fitting. Mothers just have that organizational touch and pieced everthing in my closet nicely. THANK YOU MOM. Due to the cold, windy weather.. this project will once again be put on hold... til tomorrow (as it's my day off) and hoping that it brings nice warm weather.

And then, here's a little peak at something I bought recently. I love these!

If you can imagine shells at the base of the candles.. thats how they are now.
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And as I was going through my SD card, I thought I mine as well post a few of these from one of our recent CDCF meetings.

Yes, Jon.. this is what you get when you dont cooperate with pictures.

Your wife didnt train you right...hahah!

Gottcha !

It was so nice to have Ange with us, as she can't be with us that

often due to work schedules.

Liz, we miss you too.. come back soon & bring the little one along.

My very first...

As much as there are lighthouses all over the country, it wasn't until this week that I had an opportunity to see my VERY first lighthouse in real life=) Looking out across the water, I had wanted to just freeze that moment in life. What a gorgous day to take in such a time.

Truly special.

Friendly visits..

This week has been a bit different, if only I could have actually planned for it this way. As of late, my place of employment has a low census and has for the past 3 weeks been cutting people. In 2 weeks, I have been cut 3 times versus my sister 5 times. Tuesday I was cut, and then they attempted to cut me for wednesday in which I refused the cut, and then they DID cut me for thursday. Today happens to be my day off, so all in all.... I haven't had to work all that much this week. With this being said, I was able to get together with a few friends of mine.

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Tina, Im so glad we got caught up last weekend on the phone, and then were able to meet at Friendly's for lunch on thursday. It was nice having Jeff & Jordan along too for the visit. It's not all that often that we are able to meet up/ chat with our busy schedules it seems, but always know regardless of this, we will always share a friendship that will pick up just where it left off.

I had a very nice time... and looking forward to whenever next time may be.

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Who's this little cutie with his sparkling blue eyes???

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Liz & I

Since FINALLY getting over a wicked cold... I felt there was a need to visit another dear friend and meet little Linora.
I think I look like I have everything under control =)

SOOO happy for you, Liz ( & Mike).

Will be looking forward to holding her again soon hopefully.

One of God's most precious gifts...

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A random... sister picture...

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AND as for room pictures... it's all still in the making=)

Finally

Since the delivery this morning at 9:20am... I have been spending hours weeding things out as I unpack, condensing and setting up my humble abode. It's been soo much fun having the opportunity to place things just the way you want them, just because everything is finally YOURS. My own styles can finally be seen.

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I want my parents to know just how much I've appreciated the use of their furniture over the many years living here. It's been great to say the least, but I guess there always comes a time when you want furniture to call your own =)

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I'll stop with this for now because there is yet so much that needs done....

This whole process has been truly exciting for me.. and moreso now that I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. It seems like a long time coming.....

It's a....

Linora Catherine Stewart Mosier

Birth lb : 8 lbs 6 oz.

Length: 20 inches

Born @ 5:24pm

Congratulations Mike & Liz!

Pray for a SAFE arrival..

Liz (Stewart) Mosier, for those of you who know her...has a due date for tomorrow March 19th. Last night, her water broke and is now in the hospital awaiting the delivery of her first daughter/son. This is a very exciting time for any parents to be, and I just pray that everything goes smooth and quick for her.

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Will you help me pray?

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For those of you in the Bible study, I will be in touch with you as far as the gift we will be getting for her.=)

Update

For those of you who have been curious to know exactly what I've been up to, I thought I'd take a few minutes to share. First off, no... Im not moving at this time, just had moved out "temporarily" so that the carpet I had bought could be layed. This was done last friday after some hard work moving/packing everything up throughout the week. With this new carpet, I personally feel like my room has taken on a new look... and those that have been here, understand where I am coming from. Since friday, I set up my computer on the floor just to have access until I purchase my new desk, while my mattress from my old bed was laying in the center on the floor. Nothing much else was being allowed back in. When I think of a new facelift... everything has to be new, and Ive been determined to do just that.

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So, phase II of my project has been to find a bedroom set to finally call my own. Since last week, I have done some online searching for styles in which I might like, which would hopefully help in making my final choice easier when I actually was searching throughout the stores itself. I had about 5 options of different styles that were of interest, but one of them stood out more. The thing of it was... I saved the photo, but had forgotten even where I had found it (what store) and thought, "Well, at least I can be keeping an eye out for something along these lines... and go from there." So, tonight I convinced Mom and Ash to go along as opinionators (because I need them, since making decisions is very difficult for me, once I narrow it down.) I need to know I have the support of something that I like, or else I seem to second guess my decision. I try to keep in mind though, as much as they may not be sold on something, what matters most is that I like it.

So, anyways... I've been to 3 different huge furniture stores to compare furniture, and the last one I went to, I found exactly what I had been looking for. Any of the other sets I had seen was being compared to this mental photo that I had on my computer back home.

It wasn't until I actually got home and pulled up that photo... that I realized how close in style it actually was. I had taken a snap shot while at the store, but everything was soo condensed.. so I decided to share the original photo I found online.

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What makes it even more convincing that "this was meant to be" is... I had gone to the website of the store I had purchased my set from.... and no where could I find this photo from this store, meaning.. it's possible to of come from a completely different place, and I found one very similar somewhere else. This also was the very first bedroom set that the associate showed me, which instantly caught my attention.

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Today, was tax free day, free delivery and setup, and 1 year of free financing.

Now, can you beat that?

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So, here is the photo I had saved online... the arrangement is spread out to

get a better idea as to what it really looks like.

Sooo looking forward to next tuesday so that I can make some true headway with my room.. and get things back in order.

Packing

Just a brief peek as to what Ive been doing recently. I am taking pictures at every phase, and will likely share more as they come...

Definitely will be glad when this process is over.

The lost has been found......

Cameras....... as much as they are wonderful to capture memories, they also burn a little hole in pockets when they come up missing, and decide not to show up for over a year. =-/

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Last year, the begining of January...Ange had a special friend come to visit for about a week, and plans had been made throughout this time. Wednesday January 2nd.. we had decided to venture out into downtown Albany and visit different attractions Albany holds. Cameras come in handy especially during these times. Actually anyone that knows me, knows I thoroughly enjoy taking pictures... random pictures, pictures that no one else would understand or see the need to take!

Sometimes, I sense cooperation for the first few, then frustration and aggrevation the more I take by others around me. Personally, I don't care.... I have a scrapbook eye, and if for nothing else, want to be able to look back on all the memories.

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Over the years, I've had oodles and oodles of folders on my computer loaded with photos.. and some nights it's just relaxing to sit at the computer, sifting through them... each one reminding you of times past. I love it!

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Anyways... as Im getting side tracked.. this SONY camera below, was my very first digital camera I bought in 2003 or 2004. From that point up until last January 2008, I used it frequently.. and has captured many memories. THEN.... the dreadful day came when I could not find it anywheres... I looked high and low, in places Id never expect it to be. Nothing. I couldnt understand what happened...I remember thinking.. I had it on wednesday- at the museum- where did I place it? I thought, surely I hadn't left it behind somewhere for someone else to pick up... I was baffled.

After looking for a couple months, with no success... I decided to buy another digital camera. I knew within a few days I would be heading out to Dayton / Cinci , OH for a week and needing a camera. 3 days prior to heading out to OH in April, my new Olympus Fe-340 came ( Imagine the picture below as a pretty blue- This actually is mom's- same model/different color) Estatic to have recieved it in time, I packed it away in my luggage to take on the trip. Upon arriving at a friend's house 3 nights later, I opened my luggage to find my camera MISSING. The case was there, but the camera was gone. I honestly was pretty upset/ felt sick at the loss of yet another camera. Went to the airline website to report missing items and filled out this form...waitng for a response. Nothing came. The next morning, I called the Customer assistance and was transfered to 3-5 different departments.. and no one seemed interested in helping. My parents were called, and encouraged me to discuss with a family friend airline manager the situation.. to see what could be done. In the end, I was told, because they do not offer insurance for such items... there wasnt a whole lot that could be done. HE was going to check into the matter and would get back to me... by friday. Needless to say, I never heard anything about the situation again..

No, I didn not follow through again... I was too upset to deal with it at that time.. and let it go.
Then a wonderful friend had leant another Sony camera for me to use. Sorry, no pictures of this camera. You know how it is when you use someone else's camera.. you're always afraid something will happen? Well, I decided to buy one more camera and that is this black Olympus Stylus 1010 below. Now, I just need to get that borrowed camera back to it's owner. Thank you so much for allowing me to use it for a time.

3 out of the 4 I've gone through in the past year...

And, because of this... I have collected all sorts of memory/ storage sizes, seeing that all 4 used different memory/batteries. If Im not mistaken, this isn't all that I have either.

So, now to the point of this post... this afternoon, I decided to work on my printer seeing I haven't used it since Ive gotten my new computer. I never installed the software etc so thought today would be the day to do so... as I took things off the top and then slid my printer away from the desk.... I peer over the top and see different items behind, one of them being a black case... with my ORIGINAL camera in it. Somehow, it had found a home behind my printer and made it's presence today. Shocked... after all this time, finding it... and then reminded of all cameras that have come thereafter.

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The memory was taken out... and scanned for whatever pictures were taken a year ago. Once again, Im reminded of memories.

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As much as the camera is definitely outdated... it's charging and will likely be used some more, if needed.

=)