tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38911219797004084382024-02-20T04:18:09.933-06:00Fraase FamilyMel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.comBlogger485125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-36074255313321499582013-04-05T12:52:00.002-05:002013-04-05T12:52:36.170-05:00Piper's Hair CutThis girl's princes hair days are over, at least for a while. She decided to cut her hair. I mean REALLY cut it...short. She had learned about<a href="http://locksoflove.org/"> Locks of Love</a> last fall and wanted to donate, but her hair was just a little shy of the required 10". Recently, she remembered the conversation and we checked. 11" pony tail. I did the cut in the kitchen, and it's adorable if I do say so myself!! I'm really proud of her for this decision. You can find out about donating YOUR hair (or your kids' hair. for that matter) at <a href="http://locksoflove.org/">LocksofLove.org</a>.<br />
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<br />Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-57333509402492083342012-12-11T18:22:00.001-06:002012-12-11T18:22:01.883-06:00Tree Time<p>Today we finally put up the tree.  I feel bad when I’m not really into it. Mostly its because we just don’t have a great spot for the tree to be, so it ends up in the way.  The kids were excited, so I had them help me rearrange the couch sections so the tree could fit.  We have “couch island” while the tree is up.  Basically the sections are all pushed together and we have to crawl over the double sections to sit down.  Very cozy.  A little too cozy sometimes.  I put together the tree-in-a-box and let the kids do whatever they wanted with the box of decorations.  I had to hold back on my urge to move things and spread them out.  JC put almost an entire box of gold ornaments in one square foot of tree.  They enjoyed themselves, anyway.  I got to take pictures.  Harrison slept. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h0NozfqsJzI/UMfN7YeOGVI/AAAAAAAAEUQ/8JQ3EGtWLdE/s1600-h/christmas23.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas2" border="0" alt="christmas2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zefSJVjMAhc/UMfN7_8f4CI/AAAAAAAAEUY/ZMyLa7YAlg8/christmas2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ma1okS-s-Ac/UMfN8-2_zpI/AAAAAAAAEUg/IBMfbp4OQAQ/s1600-h/christmas43.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas4" border="0" alt="christmas4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRerp3Lf6BU0a-rf6DTRIcwHa2c3ghusig-l8HIJRwC6sjySdC3puSJqnZY75dFBrUCMZPO90wvXq-4zItd_kjty1MOfl825RtbCxNAHkT8DIBG7b7kamACgDegCiUqFBJyuNcTn3mEkU/?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5tB4u278xh8/UMfN-bhKwGI/AAAAAAAAEUw/tsBuRmgr0fw/s1600-h/christmas53.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas5" border="0" alt="christmas5" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDKlHdW3QP8XdrQqLxutY76ngZfnA2bhcP1oaIimYW_eiKlOS5cxL4HpQg9TbIPSzhO5NTJ4vDWHMrMBkSNwHZdd-xD0LF9qLnDMjHRmv8ziDVP7OTbR4x0TBclMD1w5ThWGi79h6HYc/?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OcigUJVEz7A/UMfN_11xO_I/AAAAAAAAEVA/eyLpQ-6koeQ/s1600-h/christmas33.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas3" border="0" alt="christmas3" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MUvPYAQoNNY/UMfOAQmX_eI/AAAAAAAAEVI/714CJoRB6VA/christmas3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dWniKUGxfk0/UMfOBYiWFtI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/rS56n4M4K28/s1600-h/christmas13.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas1" border="0" alt="christmas1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dvyCHUyO7jA/UMfOCAXPZGI/AAAAAAAAEVY/KvbIrIaFapU/christmas1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></a><font size="1">(JC’s gold ornament section)</font></p> <p>Harrison wasn’t feeling great yesterday, so he missed out on his first trip to see Santa.  I was dying to put him in his little purple shirt and tie (matched JC’s) but it was not to be.  Poor baby.  I’ll have to put him in it for Christmas day.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Lqd1-0mJVEg/UMfODNWHFDI/AAAAAAAAEVg/F5pYjH4q3mk/s1600-h/christmas103.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas10" border="0" alt="christmas10" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iLJHY9fEWuE/UMfODhxF9VI/AAAAAAAAEVo/oCU1KFMx-N8/christmas10_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></a></p> <p>The gentleman who is Santa is from town, but he does this as seasonal employment all over the state.  He’s very sweet and gentle with the children.  He talked to each one, even Aria (who was obviously feeling a bit sheepish, but played along), and asked them what they wanted for Christmas before ushering them off stage for the next group of waiting kids.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P-iIt06N3GQ/UMfOEg8d_HI/AAAAAAAAEVw/zPrWQU-9feA/s1600-h/christmas63.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas6" border="0" alt="christmas6" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0ZlzcD9vRHA/UMfOFcSX1TI/AAAAAAAAEV4/mzc6BDu8v_I/christmas6_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SJGr0cbYQyg/UMfOGEmQ17I/AAAAAAAAEWA/i6s_dLMmrwo/s1600-h/christmas73.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas7" border="0" alt="christmas7" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uXSdhA-8tyU/UMfOGh_dbSI/AAAAAAAAEWI/pNDGko5DV90/christmas7_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jdVl2wa00Lw/UMfOHhrH6NI/AAAAAAAAEWQ/Oo_EXYKWhvY/s1600-h/christmas83.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas8" border="0" alt="christmas8" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hdbS7VKs0iI/UMfOIOK3fXI/AAAAAAAAEWY/GVwzQOyZtZw/christmas8_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1K3bj1b29VQ/UMfOJIGC9QI/AAAAAAAAEWg/17zc0Fucs3M/s1600-h/christmas93.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas9" border="0" alt="christmas9" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-emmPuapdXOQ/UMfOJsjqBvI/AAAAAAAAEWo/qo4F8cgOYK8/christmas9_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></a><font size="1">I wonder if he owns his suit or if the venue provides it??</font></p> <p align="left">Merry Christmas!  See you soon!</p> Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-21916524474592605172012-10-11T02:35:00.001-05:002012-10-11T02:35:02.345-05:00Some stuff<p>So this is what we’ve been up to lately.  I know I’ve been hiding out at home a lot lately, I just can’t seem to figure out where all my “free” time went among 5 kids, a full time job, some photography (my niece is a SENIOR this year!!) and trying to maintain the house just above the level “Hoarders” would intervene….</p> <p>I begged the kids for a few shots I could use for possible Christmas cards:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TboP5EHiKEY/UHZ2Rkwco-I/AAAAAAAAESE/byfVmza84EI/s1600-h/IMG_7816a%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7816a" border="0" alt="IMG_7816a" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ijB2E2gFsB0/UHZ2VWsXD8I/AAAAAAAAESM/Jfj4tYeXR1Q/IMG_7816a_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="787" height="530" /></a></p> <p>but mostly I got this:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_Us5KwlRwwI/UHZ2Z8fJfRI/AAAAAAAAESU/hI5EQx-0O3w/s1600-h/IMG_7845a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7845a" border="0" alt="IMG_7845a" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rFypQ_QVtWs/UHZ2cHIKdtI/AAAAAAAAESc/6IdXL0K-GaE/IMG_7845a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></a></p> <p>I had Aria’s friend D. help…..then cropped her out for a cool baby-floating-and-unsafe look:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o1xFyuWyF6U/UHZ2eZP12KI/AAAAAAAAESk/vN2XyR9U7Tc/s1600-h/IMG_7846%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7846" border="0" alt="IMG_7846" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aWvZ6yNqxI8/UHZ2fqrKp3I/AAAAAAAAESs/JznUmyQYOLA/IMG_7846_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="263" height="394" /></a>      <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MSgvLLAUetQ/UHZ2hpdlBGI/AAAAAAAAES0/k5O92E0tZYQ/s1600-h/IMG_7846acrop%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7846acrop" border="0" alt="IMG_7846acrop" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YskuTe-WOz4/UHZ2jKnnnuI/AAAAAAAAES8/sypKi0IgQwM/IMG_7846acrop_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="263" height="394" /></a>     </p> <p>I also got a shot with their awesome skeleton hoodies:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Uko6BIDerS8/UHZ2mT6HwrI/AAAAAAAAETE/V_A55re0Pk0/s1600-h/IMG_7794acrop%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7794acrop" border="0" alt="IMG_7794acrop" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dJUX8oh2m2I/UHZ2oozMaeI/AAAAAAAAETM/RpEfLGX6zO8/IMG_7794acrop_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="735" height="495" /></a></p> <p>Baby Harrison is now 6 months old, Naughty is 4, Piper is 6, Max is almost 9 and Aria will be 11 next week.  Time flies.  I already miss my little newborn.  I love when he falls asleep in my arms, I’m always so reluctant to put him down.  Isn’t he sweet?  He has the easiest personality of all my babies.</p> <p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="" alt="© fraase family" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/622700_4285997021113_1866388104_o.jpg" width="716" height="480" /></p> <p>My job keeps me busy, my family keeps me busy.  Daddy has been doing the stay at home thing and I think he’s getting the hang of it.  He also makes me the best omelets most mornings.  I can’t complain! I married a good man.  One who can cook.  He’s also going to do the <a href="http://fraasefamily.blogspot.com/2011/06/march-to-mandaree-day-1.html" target="_blank">March to Mandaree</a> again this year with new stops to honor different KIA vets.  If you didn’t get to read about M2M, click the link and find out.  It was a great experience for us.</p> <p>That’s all for now, I’d better go to bed.  You never know when the baby will decided NOT to sleep all night.</p> Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-91765686132181543362012-07-27T00:32:00.001-05:002012-07-27T00:32:20.323-05:00Friday Fragments<p>Well, as it turns out, 5 kids and a full time job take up a lot of time.  Who would’ve thought?  I miss you all out there!  I decided I need to play catch-up here and post all the lovely things that have gone on around these parts with <a href="http://www.halfpastkissintime.com/"><font color="#9b00d3">Mrs. 4444’s Friday Fragments</font></a>!</p> <a href="http://www.halfpastkissintime.com/p/friday-fragments.html" target="_blank"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" alt="Mommy's Idea" src="http://i520.photobucket.com/albums/w323/CarbaraB/scan00022.jpg" /></a> <ul> <li>Harrison <a href="http://fraasefamily.blogspot.com/2011/07/march-to-mandareehome.html"><font color="#9b00d3">Nathan Goodiron</font></a> Fraase was born 3/12/12 at 11:05 pm.  He’s already 4 months old and super adorable.  He’s probably the most mellow baby I’ve had.  He comes to work with me every day, but soon I think he’ll need to stay home with dad.</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WrL2ju3gkl8/UBInb9CRAuI/AAAAAAAAEMI/lmuN-UdVTXM/s1600-h/IMG_4072a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4072a" border="0" alt="IMG_4072a" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4Ip1ClJJtek/UBInc7aGP1I/AAAAAAAAEMQ/KnpbmhfojpM/IMG_4072a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GI_J7dZdN3Y/UBInfTlpVPI/AAAAAAAAEMY/vADxpLi5CTE/s1600-h/IMG_4378b%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4378b" border="0" alt="IMG_4378b" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vOw5Ui59iy4/UBInhzu7o3I/AAAAAAAAEMg/M0ykzfb8eaY/IMG_4378b_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F-612VZ5GSQ/UBInjkHI7NI/AAAAAAAAEMo/7Y-UKG3WN2w/s1600-h/IMG_6097a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6097a" border="0" alt="IMG_6097a" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ye0WODxo_8Y/UBInlLmuniI/AAAAAAAAEMw/RH3F2YH5_Jw/IMG_6097a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QzCjczaUJFw/UBInmc3vuXI/AAAAAAAAEM4/jFkf6K7lSmQ/s1600-h/IMG_6151a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6151a" border="0" alt="IMG_6151a" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-25-yFYKm2EU/UBInm6au6NI/AAAAAAAAENA/978L71VVlkI/IMG_6151a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="263" height="394" /></a></p> <p align="center">(a little taste test of rice cereal)</p> <ul> <li> <div align="left">In May Aria and Piper earned their next belts in Tae Kwon Do, Max however, has decided he doesn’t want to be in it anymore.  I’m sort of disappointed, but I’m holding out hope that he’ll change his mind later on.  I tested for my last belt back in December while I was seven months pregnant.  (I look better from the back)<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tD884xK6kr4/UBInpJ1WCNI/AAAAAAAAENI/fPidxueYU4A/s1600-h/tkdDec12%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="tkdDec12" border="0" alt="tkdDec12" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6FbYVEGssTA/UBInqGg8qcI/AAAAAAAAENQ/VK_ZY2BGHgU/tkdDec12_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-54lddz580a0/UBInrqp9NnI/AAAAAAAAENY/H9s8ELX9Gtg/s1600-h/IMG_4854%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4854" border="0" alt="IMG_4854" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Weyod0Dan8E/UBInsdsdbEI/AAAAAAAAENg/e4AKwh-0r7E/IMG_4854_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="263" height="394" /></a></div> </li> <li> <div align="left">This was my Mother’s Day photo.  Who needs happy smiling, grinning kids? This is real life.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9cGrknRb0Wo/UBInv9dyVoI/AAAAAAAAENo/aOy6Epu5G44/s1600-h/IMG_4588a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4588a" border="0" alt="IMG_4588a" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gFTHK2UdZZw/UBInxU3_4pI/AAAAAAAAENw/SSZi7quIKzM/IMG_4588a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></a></div> </li> <li> <div align="left">This was my Mother’s Day gift.  I’m actually pretty pumped about it.  What good is managing an organic food store if I don’t take advantage of all that produce? (Max’s face is just a bonus gift.)<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zQzmHUIS3eY/UBIny6zSmmI/AAAAAAAAEN4/LAbixMPsMmQ/s1600-h/IMG_6123a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6123a" border="0" alt="IMG_6123a" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J8eXNM29iLg/UBInz26y3FI/AAAAAAAAEOA/LHLn_T1moKQ/IMG_6123a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></a></div> </li> <li> <div align="left">I got one more charm for my necklace from <a href="http://www.thevintagepearl.com/" target="_blank"><font color="#9b00d3">The Vintage Pearl</font></a>.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YLQstqoYPNU/UBIn3Qw5ylI/AAAAAAAAEOI/PBLSBOGwjSg/s1600-h/necklace%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="necklace" border="0" alt="necklace" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hKYHOpTtDAs/UBIn4x90TlI/AAAAAAAAEOQ/HQFuWVoiuYU/necklace_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></a></div> </li> <li> <div align="left">I’ve been a slacker as far as photos go.  I was disappointed in myself for not getting more newborn pictures of Harrison in the first two weeks when they work the best.  I had this pounding headache and chalked it up to lack of sleep and caffeine.  It finally got so bad that the day my mom left I realized I couldn’t take it any longer and had my husband bring me to the ER.  My blood pressure was 201/109 (for those of you non-medical peeps, normal BP is 120’s/80’s).  They were surprised I hadn’t had a stroke yet.  It turns out I had developed post-partum preeclampsia.  It’s fairly uncommon, but does happen, even when my blood pressure was perfect through out pregnancy.  I only recently came off of blood pressure medication for this.  I read post-partum preeclampsia is one of the most dangerous conditions for new moms because they can ignore the symptoms (like I did) passing them off as run-of-the-mill post-baby issues.  My feet were swollen long after delivery (weeks), I had upper epigastric pain, pounding headaches…if I had just put it all together.  Anyway, I survived.  I think I really freaked out the PA that was on duty the night I went to our local small town ER, though.</div> </li> <li> <div align="left">I’d better get to bed!!  I’ve been walking 4 miles with a friend every morning, well, almost every morning.   6am sharp!!  </div> </li> </ul> Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-20225704002878354752012-06-18T17:38:00.000-05:002012-06-18T17:45:44.327-05:00One year ago today...One year ago today we were on a journey:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">From Mel:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">We are off! We started in Wahpeton and in two days we have arrived in Enderlin. Our first day started out a bit rocky with some rain, but soon it cleared and the past two days have been great. Steve was joined by Arnold Lenoir from White Earth who plans to walk with us the entire way. The White Earth veteran color guard came to start us off as well as some of the Goodiron family. Two news crews came out to film, and several papers published small blurbs about the march.</span><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PtWMDkK-oEI/Tf1mmY5Y2XI/AAAAAAAADtA/dN3ECEJdhsk/s1600-h/IMG_8432%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><img alt="IMG_8432" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Hw7GBakJPDc/Tf1moGzTvPI/AAAAAAAADtE/s5MnmrVkVSY/IMG_8432_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8432" width="569" /></span></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9oGxaTUeULw/Tf1mp8TZe9I/AAAAAAAADtI/d7iVWmtVgbo/s1600-h/IMG_8438%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><img alt="IMG_8438" border="0" height="555" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5bv5n7HJIY4/Tf1mrJ8mQBI/AAAAAAAADtM/ZetZHqfLayI/IMG_8438_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8438" width="367" /></span></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LaJJfX1zoFw/Tf1mtDrHBZI/AAAAAAAADtQ/rCw8Svf10W0/s1600-h/IMG_8426%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8426" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-n6Z0ZfTlnQw/Tf1muPlOUOI/AAAAAAAADtU/8j1-xqhlQgY/IMG_8426_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8426" width="569" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tWOwtRKsMnc/Tf1mwWeX-II/AAAAAAAADtY/bzB6jlkUlEY/s1600-h/IMG_8436%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><img alt="IMG_8436" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nLQfrbZ-yfs/Tf1mxuLzEVI/AAAAAAAADtc/qdO0Ni38elI/IMG_8436_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8436" width="569" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">Day one ended around 5pm with 38 miles behind us, a majority of those walked between Steve and Arnold (I got to finish off leg #3!). Our oldest two, Aria and Max, walked one mile with me as well.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qn-FdM7LUU0/Tf1m0cM-osI/AAAAAAAADtg/ujOVAKOpqlE/s1600-h/IMG_8457%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><img alt="IMG_8457" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-czXcNfyLrfo/Tf1m1ok3H0I/AAAAAAAADtk/ljiJT_1y6sA/IMG_8457_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8457" width="569" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">Day two was an early start with both Steve and Arnold walking their leg of the journey at about 5:30 am, I finished after lunch and we had the afternoon to nurse tired muscles and tend to any blisters. </span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fpkalgFD_GQ/Tf1m3NGJwaI/AAAAAAAADto/qwbFTNmYzC4/s1600-h/IMG_8446%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><img alt="IMG_8446" border="0" height="580" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-g9mvwPYE-kw/Tf1m4Q_mEII/AAAAAAAADts/jJhdX1WuS1Q/IMG_8446_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8446" width="383" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">We are all in good spirits and are excited to meet those who will be joining us as in the days ahead!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><i>You can learn more about March to Mandaree at </i><a href="http://www.marchtomandaree.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #9b00d3;"><i>www.marchtomandaree.blogspot.com</i></span></a></span>Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-11377670872365488772011-10-07T10:28:00.001-05:002011-10-07T10:28:23.790-05:00Friday Fragments–Guess What?!<p><font size="3">Already Friday? This week really went fast.  Thanks to <a href="http://www.halfpastkissintime.com/2011/10/friday-fragments-episode-166.html"><font color="#9b00d3">Mrs. 4444’s Friday Fragments</font></a><font color="#9b00d3">,</font> I can try to remember everything and get it all down before the weekend!  </font></p> <p><a href="http://www.halfpastkissintime.com/2011/10/friday-fragments-episode-166.html"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-x_36frxFx1o/To8aAPBt75I/AAAAAAAAD8Q/qAhBxljXXCU/image%25255B8%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="134" height="170" /></a></p> <ul> <li><font size="3"> It’s been SOOO warm out that we actually turned on the A/C.  Fortunately I’m a big procrastinator and didn’t take the window unit out of our room yet.  Ahhhh coool, cool air!  North Dakota has a bad rap for being cold.  My dad likes to call this place “the land of extremes”.  This morning I turned on the heater in the car on the way to school.  This afternoon the A/C will be on full blast.  30 degrees in one day is not that unheard of.  But, alas, it will be snowing soon enough.  Sometimes before Halloween. <br /></font></li> <li><font size="3">Speaking of Halloween, Aria has decided she wants to be Rocket from the movie “Sucker Punch”.  I blame her dad.  I’ve started working on age-appropriate pieces for it.  I actually think this might suit her personality really well. <br /> <br /></font><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-otGPlg406uk/To8aEbnJ-0I/AAAAAAAAD8U/wJgojIPR_l0/s1600-h/image%25255B2%25255D.png"><font size="3"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-otGPlg406uk/To8aEbnJ-0I/AAAAAAAAD8Y/6jRFVavsmdc/s1600-h/image%25255B10%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h_MHt3yVUAY/To8aNVx6HxI/AAAAAAAAD8c/KoTrNBDDgrY/image_thumb%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="569" height="320" /></a></font></a></li> <li><font size="3">Jackson likes to be a cowboy.  Daily.  He wears this hat, and a pair of handed down cowboy boots. Oh, and just some underwear.  I guess it’s not so much like Woody the Cowboy, more like NYC’s Naked Cowboy.  I wonder if the Naked Cowboy ever wears Buzz Lightyear Underoos?</font></li> </ul> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E4651FmomFI/To8aOxHh8_I/AAAAAAAAD8g/Nn2GW_ZW00M/s1600-h/IMG_2076a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2076a" border="0" alt="IMG_2076a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIPSua-iO4N2LgmqFXwqPu7UCq05DLOJzeuDD8EGVSe_USm-uTDGNRRyxXmpE4y5Mr78h_4AMWXYUH5k7xTsQl3YEOK1lhe2wrpNNe59-a4RhbVMHthosXylhrIxezlVCFvf_wcCJqdE/?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></font></a> <ul> <li><font size="3">I convinced Daddy that he only needed to mow the outside lawn.  I asked him to leave the part inside our fence alone.  He uses the bagger to suck up all the leaves, and it looks so pretty beforehand that I hate to see them go just yet.  He was happy to quit early and leave me my pretty yard a little longer.  Anyway, its been so windy he’ll have to do the whole thing over again soon.</font></li> </ul> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jOBfVM5yNJU/To8aTliwJ-I/AAAAAAAAD8o/L1Gj9VX6c7g/s1600-h/IMG_2342a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2342a" border="0" alt="IMG_2342a" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f71U0FZdwR0/To8aVDY2-uI/AAAAAAAAD8s/UvetD7wgGsk/IMG_2342a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></font></a> <ul> <li><font size="3">I loved all the color so much I convinced my family, and a few clients to get their family photos done this past week.  You can see ours <a href="http://fraasefamily.blogspot.com/2011/10/family-pictures.html"><font color="#9b00d3">HERE</font></a> and my other work <font color="#9b00d3">HERE</font>! <br /></font></li> <li><font size="3">It was our anniversary last month and the in-laws gave us a nice gift card to Famous Dave’s.  Never heard of it? If you’re not from the upper midwest, probably not.  It’s a FANTASTIC barbeque restaurant with delicious ribs and the yummiest sauces.  This is definitely NOT for a first date.  We used up all the wet wipes before the meal was over.  Instead of napkins, each table has a roll of paper towel.  They have this “Meal for 2-3” that is actually served on a garbage can lid (yes, it’s clean!).  There was so much food, we ate the rest for dinner.  Woody and JC joined us since the other kiddos were in school.  YUM!! <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-j-PCty8a318/To8acAPWlkI/AAAAAAAAD8w/N_9Aco9RZCU/s1600-h/image%25255B13%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l3EAWDg3wsA/To8afUNNwqI/AAAAAAAAD80/cL-_V3dXP94/image_thumb%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="256" height="394" /></a></font></li> <li><font size="3">Oh, yeah! Guess what?!  I’ve always joked that I like to spend at least half of our anniversaries pregnant.  This year was no exception.  We are expecting Fraase version 5.0 to be available this coming March.  I wonder who this one will look like…… <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--39epNa6CeQ/To8ahAKkJtI/AAAAAAAAD84/THGP612-It8/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /> Probably not me.</font></li> </ul> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vf0RpCq_A3vpzbwCxODGd-GaMClnkP-QZCgAiUjf8WCFuZJyGZthKykR4BIAj-zZxYLQpCfHUWK0sBGaHulTSOaKLDI2fb3tMwSz00dhihIs1N2W5YlKTNdeQlEtGHvH2ACRmoqKEuQ/s1600-h/kidheadsnames%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="kidheadsnames" border="0" alt="kidheadsnames" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-k9ti0JYGes8/To8alj98LsI/AAAAAAAAD9A/L_RSsNU4Ssk/kidheadsnames_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="394" /></a></p> <p align="center">Join Mrs. 4444 at <a href="http://www.halfpastkissintime.com/2011/10/friday-fragments-episode-166.html"><font color="#9b00d3">Half Past Kissing Time</font></a> to link YOUR Friday Fragments!!</p> Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-18675848165563662482011-10-04T23:35:00.001-05:002011-10-04T23:35:33.454-05:00Family Pictures<p><font size="3">I know I’ve been kinda MIA around here, I intend to fix that.  Now that things have settled down (as much it will, anyway) and school has started for the kiddos, I may have a bit more time.  Fall has arrived in these parts, and just a few weeks ago I had a yard sale.  I sat in a camping chair with a blanket and jacket and hot coffee because I was so chilly.  Tonight I sat on my steps in shorts and a T-shirt while the kids sold lemonade to the guys (and gals) hauling in the harvest.  The big trucks roll right past our house on the way to an elevator where they unload their beans/grain/corn.  If the line is long, we end up with customers hopping out of their parked semi-trucks to get lemonade or popcorn.  The kids make out pretty well during harvest!!  Since the weather has been in the 70’s and 80’s (practically unheard of for the beginning of October!) I convinced everyone we needed new family photos.  We went out to a nearby state park and I took my tripod and a remote.  I got some nice family shots, although it took me several clicks to get one good one.  It never fails, though, that my favorite ends up being a candid.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NwuCGWyLR10/ToveO6lFwsI/AAAAAAAAD6o/gr6oeiP7yrE/s1600-h/kidsFall2011%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="kidsFall2011" border="0" alt="kidsFall2011" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KvSMQq5H4hZ7B6w8s0X6m4pEXIAx4SL2P4Nha3_jXQXVgbFvzVUUzLzKODnz2KeWdfVNlAfs1hpc79FtPRyZq7G6TGOHWASNWAMqj9UPA31gFhQx9mT0FhgxFo8LhJ19v4XDp6ctnvs/?imgmax=800" width="789" height="531" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3">How can you not love this shot??  Hello, Christmas cards…..</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nQ5rN_y-gj4/ToveUU30gEI/AAAAAAAAD6w/CT2EjpMtkCk/s1600-h/IMG_2151a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2151a" border="0" alt="IMG_2151a" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YXzRaIWT9Xc/ToveVm-4YRI/AAAAAAAAD60/RxteDQ6vX_E/IMG_2151a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3">Aria requested one of us together.  The goggles? Aria is into </font><a href="http://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1600&bih=768&q=steampunk&gbv=2&oq=stea&aq=0&aqi=g10&aql=&gs_sm=c&gs_upl=977l1407l0l3435l4l4l0l0l0l0l201l507l2.1.1l4l0"><font color="#9b00d3" size="3">steampunk</font></a><font size="3"> lately.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--kBIRNk6teY/ToveY0vNqaI/AAAAAAAAD64/pWxe0qEj6hg/s1600-h/IMG_2103a8x10%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2103a8x10" border="0" alt="IMG_2103a8x10" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-D_rAfbuNpY8/ToveavbIyjI/AAAAAAAAD68/u-lAIpcNcpM/IMG_2103a8x10_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="492" height="394" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">Here’s all of us.  It’s been a while since Daddy and I appeared in a family shot.  Now back to the kids…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XvgbU7MZGIs/ToveehdYEtI/AAAAAAAAD7A/xDsU3sYtPhU/s1600-h/IMG_2096a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2096a" border="0" alt="IMG_2096a" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y3jKgKl815Q/TovehHjHLdI/AAAAAAAAD7E/t3BfEA4kLXI/IMG_2096a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-b7_5qyDgWYQ/Tovej1Hom0I/AAAAAAAAD7I/29wGrdv4F8Y/s1600-h/IMG_2122a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2122a" border="0" alt="IMG_2122a" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-umjZxBnUMIg/Tovek4mNlRI/AAAAAAAAD7M/ssrZi24sNE0/IMG_2122a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="263" height="394" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3">Happy Fall, everyone!  Now, go out and take some amazing and colorful pictures!!!</font></p> Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-26004461801848731962011-08-29T14:34:00.001-05:002011-08-29T14:34:03.205-05:00Amazing<p>There are so many things that I can classify in my life as amazing, and I think this is one of them.  Saturday night a stranger knocked on our door.  After a few minutes we learned that he was my mother-in-law’s long lost brother.  He found us through extensive on-line and physical searches through records and archives.  Our address just happens to be the same one my husband’s mother had once resided at. (Our home was a boarding house for a long time, she had rented here while finishing high school!)</p> <p>Sadly, this isn’t my story to tell, but I can tell you some of it.  My mother-in-law was the second of five children.  They were removed from their parents when their father was imprisoned and their mother was unable to care for them.  There were horrible stories that went along with the life they lead prior to being removed.  Some of the children were adopted, a few spent the rest of their minor years as wards of the state in a local orphanage.  At the age of 17, MIL was on her own, finishing high school, and working.  She was able to remain in some contact with her siblings, but not her younger brother.  Both had tried in the past to find each other, but met with many roadblocks.  </p> <p>We invited her brother to join us the next day for lunch.  He brought his wife and stacks of paperwork they had found from agencies that had handled their cases, as well as prison records that finally had all lead them to us.  We invited my husband’s brother and sister and talked about our plans.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xpN0c1lPJws/Tlvpo6N98cI/AAAAAAAAD6g/QwGCwKxmFzU/s1600-h/IMG_1618%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1618" border="0" alt="IMG_1618" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-daX8cYUV0d4/Tlvpqjlx2FI/AAAAAAAAD6k/GKbfnJUZoVM/IMG_1618_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></a></p> <p>Today my mother-in-law will see her brother for the first time in over 50 years.</p> <p>Amazing.</p> Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-59439228275199813372011-08-25T22:58:00.001-05:002011-08-25T22:58:02.940-05:00Friday Fragments–Comeback<p><font size="3">I’ve been MIA for a while and I have so much to tell you.  I’m excited to use <a href="http://www.halfpastkissintime.com/2011/08/friday-fragments-episode-160.html"><font color="#9b00d3">Mrs. 4444’s Friday Fragments</font></a> as a nice little way to make myself a list of ALL the stuff I need to come back and blog about!</font></p> <ul> <li><font size="3">After the <a href="http://fraasefamily.blogspot.com/2011/06/march-to-mandaree-day-1.html"><font color="#9b00d3">March to Mandaree</font></a><font color="#9b00d3">,</font> I took some time to relax with my family and unpack.  We’ve mostly cleared out our camper of stuff, but we were hoping to use it one more time before school started.  Hmmm… maybe a weekend during the fall will work out better.</font></li> <li><font size="3">I got a new French press coffee maker and I think I’ll never go back to an electric one again.</font></li> <li><font size="3">We are planning on switching our current living room with our current master bedroom.  I know it sounds strange, but our house used to be apartments, so they’re really both living rooms anyway.</font></li> <li><font size="3">I had a tumor removed from my neck.  I’ll tell you more about that later.  I’m fine now, a little sore, and rocking a cool scar.</font></li> </ul> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nXVH5U4CnQY/TlcZY3v85bI/AAAAAAAAD6A/FnkEM43nAew/s1600-h/image%25255B2%25255D.png"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RW5n2qkYzx4/TlcZd8IJrGI/AAAAAAAAD6E/prB_1FkfXYg/image_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></font></a></p> <ul> <li><font size="3">We visited my relatives in Wisconsin and wished we could have stayed longer.  Even my mom came from Washington, so it was awesome!  This is a picture of mostly great-grands and a few grandchildren for my mom’s mom’s side, and not all of them either.  My mom is the oldest of seven, and we like kids.  <em>A lot</em>.</font></li> </ul> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Rr1697lJFO0/TlcZhPhtODI/AAAAAAAAD6I/qmb0jAO0SAw/s1600-h/IMG_1579%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1579" border="0" alt="IMG_1579" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fNYJEcLN79E/TlcZiTwkrJI/AAAAAAAAD6M/3y7-_Gy_zPk/IMG_1579_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <ul> <li><font size="3">While we were in Wisconsin, Daddy and I escaped for a day and took the commuter train to Chicago.  We googled a restaurant he’d seen on Travel Channel AND Food Network.  We found it and gave it a try.  It wasn’t bad, not OMGosh-I-Have-to-come-here-again great, but good anyway.  The journey was just as fun.</font></li> </ul> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Vy3w7o2K-nc/TlcZr3bZb0I/AAAAAAAAD6Q/JFCRe_vCr34/s1600-h/image%25255B5%25255D.png"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WfQSK_UyzpA/TlcZuijZIyI/AAAAAAAAD6U/XkQ3HJmQ6kI/image_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="263" height="394" /></font></a></p> <ul> <li><font size="3">Our kids go to school almost a week before any other school in the area, so their first day was this past Monday.  Piper started Kindergarten, Max is in Second, and Aria in Fourth.  Wow.  Now JC is super bored without anyone to entertain him at home.</font></li> </ul> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uZSiradLbKw/TlcZw3qTAlI/AAAAAAAAD6Y/aIYdpNGF4GA/s1600-h/IMG_1614%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1614" border="0" alt="IMG_1614" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WooskiibkcU/TlcZySrSMyI/AAAAAAAAD6c/ISQrxpCPgS0/IMG_1614_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="359" height="543" /></font></a></p> <ul> <li><font size="3">We did a lot in the last month, and I’ll get around to blogging more now that we’ll have a routine again.  I’m hoping to pick up more hours at work to keep up with our finances right now.  I look forward to THAT being better, too.</font></li> </ul> <p align="center"><font size="3">Have a good weekend!! And don’t forget to stop by <a href="http://www.halfpastkissintime.com/2011/08/friday-fragments-episode-160.html"><font color="#9b00d3">Half Past Kissing Time</font></a> and join in!!</font></p> Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-92081525565014174412011-07-21T22:45:00.001-05:002011-07-21T22:45:41.477-05:00Fix it Friday–Sun flares<p>I haven’t done I Heart Faces’ Fix It Friday in a while and this lovely shot caught my eye.  Even without work, you can see the potential.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-huZooxKSdGw/TijyN-nMAqI/AAAAAAAAD4Y/hU5yCss7jUY/s1600-h/FIF108%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="FIF108" border="0" alt="FIF108" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n_wkhdll8mU/TijyO6crkhI/AAAAAAAAD4c/EP2kAMH46tY/FIF108_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="335" /></a></p> <p>Opening this in Photoshop, I tried doing an all-over level adjustment, but I wasn’t happy with what I was getting.  I went in with my dodge tool and lightened midtones in his face and some of the foreground as well as a few streaks of sunlight on his shoulder.  Then I used the burn tool to darken some of the shadows on his clothing and his long lashes!  The sponge tool let me saturate just the tall weeds and the blue areas in the sky.  I also used the clone tool to get rid of most of the lens flare on the bottom right.  A little contrast made all the difference at the end.  It’s more of a tweak than an all-out change, but I like it!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SJFqN09awhs/TijyQxe3udI/AAAAAAAAD4g/-lekchYR6as/s1600-h/FIF108edit%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="FIF108edit" border="0" alt="FIF108edit" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iLjL6ut1BxE/TijyT8OI7YI/AAAAAAAAD4k/S6HYD6Czp9c/FIF108edit_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="353" height="535" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IDBWHEIUudvIlFQJ7GvdCcKIO-eQrLkVYDVbgXbYcWg3IXcvbyDo1mjhnWQAidQ3vpWEatlHKRUEmuUg2L2mzPrGnk5swQch7pn9ceTSNxuNtheA8Q1Qgyy4uKTPnMX3oBu6hVPN694/s1600-h/image%25255B5%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sb7bQvMZQkY/TijyZDOzyOI/AAAAAAAAD4s/UpmveRZMh3c/image_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="125" height="100" /></a></p> <p align="center">Want to play along? Visit <a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com"><font color="#9b00d3">www.iheartfaces.com</font></a> .</p> Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-12764954501016148612011-07-12T09:13:00.001-05:002011-07-12T09:13:03.421-05:00On the shore of Lake Sakakawea<p>Saturday before the 4th of July, we spent most of the day at the 4 Bears Powwow in New Town, ND.  While I was enamored with all the dress and music, my kiddos were getting pretty tired of sitting around while I endlessly snapped pictures.  I decided to grab some drinks and take them down to the camping area where they could play in the water and be free for a while.  Arnold (our new friend and walker who was along for <a href="www.marchtomandaree.blogspot.com"><font color="#9b00d3">M2M</font></a>) told me the lake was really high and usually there is a swimming area, but its currently under water.  That didn’t stop the kids from getting their feet (and everything else) wet.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--trVDZNYmIw/ThxV9EuJgAI/AAAAAAAAD3M/WwQ2937sxUY/s1600-h/IMG_9336%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9336" border="0" alt="IMG_9336" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8IbHsC_u7fs/ThxV-xaI-ZI/AAAAAAAAD3Q/ExTliRwBqrM/IMG_9336_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="473" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9Y2iuns8HL8/ThxWBnuy2rI/AAAAAAAAD3U/3XskQX9NGbQ/s1600-h/IMG_9320%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9320" border="0" alt="IMG_9320" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KzVH5gElTzk/ThxWCpG42mI/AAAAAAAAD3Y/g_gFoMsS3IU/IMG_9320_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="335" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9_f-HRGTBc0/ThxWJUfBOkI/AAAAAAAAD3c/mi5KUwsSLqY/s1600-h/IMG_9327%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9327" border="0" alt="IMG_9327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jm4Nk4hF_5E/ThxWKcy6DbI/AAAAAAAAD3g/d3AmICtZCVM/IMG_9327_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="335" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LsCDw2d9hsU/ThxWNyEdjSI/AAAAAAAAD3k/u5k4UaeCwBc/s1600-h/IMG_9286%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9286" border="0" alt="IMG_9286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYE8lAZY7kjjPInyghazLkvbiB57NMM6nEwoRi8s43BxEQs51igIv-tR0LSb9wCcg_SS8YdxOJ9jz1nNzdPfCeHvAFrIXpuPZ3xYK9j2rFzLnmAHwWdFCfoftZejuHZIPYWctj3PhCHY/?imgmax=800" width="502" height="335" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-z318GuDpSQ0/ThxWRzO5AWI/AAAAAAAAD3s/UGivyEYb3NE/s1600-h/IMG_9278%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9278" border="0" alt="IMG_9278" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hup29VH5eps/ThxWS2JY6xI/AAAAAAAAD3w/8nmU7fpkm_Y/IMG_9278_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="335" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-habZ96hgNz4/ThxWUTKY01I/AAAAAAAAD30/T4cL-WcoY9w/s1600-h/IMG_9298%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9298" border="0" alt="IMG_9298" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UcWGIYe6vfA/ThxWVCzzHmI/AAAAAAAAD34/66c43E1-P4k/IMG_9298_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="335" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqETaI_S4RmLqewj-D0iwLi86p36pDe3xkT8mwuaMkfiNSpDG-G9WlKTVRjMnnW89OvqSHuzT83GYCSuz8qkkkmEuW-s3A14uKsB2sFOawVaAIZJYhtlsBpwJxIZ0tG4lyjh185HT0QUY/s1600-h/IMG_9301%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9301" border="0" alt="IMG_9301" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0skkdy3sL1E/ThxWXDfSvcI/AAAAAAAAD4A/7snBYml5Zv0/IMG_9301_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="221" height="335" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-trvr_EWJYTY/ThxWYWf66xI/AAAAAAAAD4E/BFTH1Dwg9xE/s1600-h/IMG_9310%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9310" border="0" alt="IMG_9310" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mzKYD0xtEuU/ThxWY1tituI/AAAAAAAAD4I/56smTJUHwDo/IMG_9310_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="335" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B3c-woIcl88/ThxWa3Vr3vI/AAAAAAAAD4M/ybOOzLZ1Rkg/s1600-h/IMG_9295%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9295" border="0" alt="IMG_9295" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JA9dsJo8UDU/ThxWbvjc7uI/AAAAAAAAD4Q/gTCAriJ2u60/IMG_9295_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="335" /></a></p> Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-90992742430955822752011-07-08T14:24:00.001-05:002011-07-09T00:02:11.896-05:00Homemade Chicken Shepherd’s Pie<p>First, let me start with a history on how the Shepherd’s pie came to be the masterpiece we’ve created at our home.  When my husband was deployed to Afghanistan, there were times when his platoon was in an area where the good old “mess hall” wasn’t really an option.  Putting together what they had, my husband made his men a version of Shepherd’s pie that they still talk about 5 years later.  The meat they got was hamburger cooked over an open fire, salt from a local vendor, instant potatoes, and whatever vegetables they could get ahold of.  Since coming home, we have made it many times (with a greater selection of ingredients!) and we’ve come up with this recipe, which we love to serve when we have guests.</p> <p>Ingredients:</p> <p>4 cups of seasonal vegetables, diced (we used onions, carrots, green beans and corn) <br />1-2 tbs extra virgin olive oil <br />2 cloves aged garlic (ours were unintentionally aged!) <br />3 strips of thick cut bacon (we prefer to trim the fat off) <br />1 1/2 cup chopped chicken (leftovers are perfect for this!) <br />3 cups mashed potatoes (instant or real, prepared with Knorr Concentrated Homestyle Chicken Stock) <br />2/3 cup sour cream <br />1 1/2 cups white wine <br />2 packets Knorr Concentrated Homestyle Chicken Stock <br />1 tsp smoked (or regular) paprika <br />1/2 tsp white ground pepper <br />1 TBS flour <br />1 egg <br />One small jar pimentos <br />Extra virgin olive oil</p> <p>Prep Time: 45 minutes <br />Bake Time: 45 minutes (and SO worth it!)</p> <p><strong><u>Shepherd’s Pie Filling</u></strong></p> <p>Dice the vegetables, slice the bacon, and crumble the chicken into separate bowls. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X_71v8l2V0M/ThdZO8zKFqI/AAAAAAAAD2c/MQCLCPD4T_0/s1600-h/IMG_9963a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9963a" border="0" alt="IMG_9963a" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5g2XjpIaIs0/ThdZQXTltuI/AAAAAAAAD2g/-Ot6o7X5AC0/IMG_9963a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="335" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X_71v8l2V0M/ThdZO8zKFqI/AAAAAAAAD2c/MQCLCPD4T_0/s1600-h/IMG_9963a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><u><font color="#660000"></font></u></a></p> In a skillet, heat 2 TBS olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté bacon until crispy.  Next add ‘hard’ vegetables (carrots in this recipe, however, turnips, parsnips, broccoli, celery if those are the seasonal vegetables you prefer), and continue sautéing until the carrots are heated through, but still have most their raw crispness (three to five minutes).  Next add to the mixture the ‘soft’ vegetables (in this recipe, we used green beans, corn, and onion).  Heat through and remove from heat.  Place into a mixing bowl, drain and add the jar of pimentos, and set aside. <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P3HTGGwLCjg/ThdZSahxHkI/AAAAAAAAD2k/gvLC-CpaZAc/s1600-h/IMG_9969%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9969" border="0" alt="IMG_9969" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jZ9-XKD-ZZk/ThdZTRp5V_I/AAAAAAAAD2o/wxgATSmS8c0/IMG_9969_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="335" /></a></p> <p><strong><u>Shepherd’s Pie Sauce</u></strong></p> <p>Deglaze the frying pan with 1 1/2 cups of white wine (add it to the pan while the pan is still hot).  Bring wine to a simmer.  White cooking sherry will do nicely as a nonalcoholic substitute, if you prefer.  Add one 4.66 oz. Knorr Concentrated Homestyle Chicken Stock.  Whisk until evenly distributed.  Next, whisk 3/4 cup sour cream until evenly mixed.  Reduce heat and simmer.  Add 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground white pepper, and 1 TBS flour.  Mix well, and allow to reduce the sauce until thickened.  Pour over the Shepherd’s Pie Filling and fold both together.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UhHv1_iZFYg/ThdZU8QBwjI/AAAAAAAAD2s/_jhShC2GQ4U/s1600-h/IMG_9984a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9984a" border="0" alt="IMG_9984a" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NzdQYjOlZqM/ThdZV41a-2I/AAAAAAAAD2w/ZA-fPyGXN4s/IMG_9984a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="335" /></a></p> <p><strong><u>Mashed Potatoes</u></strong></p> <p>If you are making instant potatoes, use Knorr Homestyle Chicken Stock instead of plain water.  If you are making traditional mashed potatoes, boil them in Knorr Homestyle Chicken Stock.’</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8heiiE8faL0/ThdZXvdEpUI/AAAAAAAAD20/rdaiHJKR0cY/s1600-h/IMG_9974a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9974a" border="0" alt="IMG_9974a" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-z4PU5j5HapE/ThdZYgT61gI/AAAAAAAAD24/-umlugp6S-E/IMG_9974a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="247" /></a></p> <p>Thoroughly beat one egg.  To temper the egg mixture (raise the temperature of the eggs without scrambling them), take about 1 tsp of still-hot mashed potatoes and whisk into the beaten egg.  When mixed, add 2 tsp more of still-hot mashed potatoes, and mix until the beaten egg becomes thicker and more velvety.  Pour the tempered egg over the rest of the mashed potatoes and fold them together.  Having the tempered egg in the potatoes, or even brushed over the mashed potatoes will allow them to crisp to a golden brown.</p> <p><strong><u>The Big Finish</u></strong></p> <p>Place the filling in your cooking vessel (ours was about 8’ x 10’ x 4’).  Spread the filling to an even depth and cover with the mashed potato mixture.  Smooth the potatoes and score with a fork.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ASyKqb0RENE/ThdZZebNw4I/AAAAAAAAD28/2P1EdbUNpxE/s1600-h/IMG_9989a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9989a" border="0" alt="IMG_9989a" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OI43pes3Ma0/ThdZaMa-5wI/AAAAAAAAD3A/wOzEXrHLpZg/IMG_9989a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="335" /></a></p> <p>Bake at 350 degrees for thirty to forty five minutes (until the potatoes turn golden brown).  Let cool before serving, serves 4-6</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wV7Ipi9vCvQ/ThdZbrKNVpI/AAAAAAAAD3E/hp9-owz9rzA/s1600-h/IMG_9992a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9992a" border="0" alt="IMG_9992a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEqaVogE6LLhyNGJDzY2dvMX3p-_sgS2kKjk5FgJz6Yt5l5KS8v_2zXANPFtQhEJTiQ3InjaixCbW3JXHrNIS-WgWWTDsNuKble6OVHmSJ7EFVVQiMixmidIg4n58xnM6SW1l1kHQ_bg/?imgmax=800" width="502" height="335" /></a></p> Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-35187881583053206442011-07-06T08:32:00.000-05:002011-07-06T08:32:00.726-05:00Four Bears Powwow<p>We were welcomed with open arms to the Goodiron family and I can’t even describe how good that felt.  They were so wonderful to us while we were in Mandaree.  “Our home is your home.” They allowed us to be part of the family.  One of the events going on that same weekend was the Four Bears Powwow.  I have never been to a powwow in my life, so seeing it was not only a first for my kids, but for my husband and me, too.  It was amazing.  I loved every minute of being there.  If JC would have been more cooperative, I think I would have stayed until dark.  I also think if I had stayed, I would have run out of space on my camera’s memory card.  The experiences our family had during this trip were very special, I’m so glad we were able to make it happen.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oO_C5uQWWYU/ThMwECPnrNI/AAAAAAAAD08/JSA4zM13VWk/s1600-h/IMG_9388a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9388a" border="0" alt="IMG_9388a" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-a-Xp-vVqpp8/ThMwE7kfouI/AAAAAAAAD1A/bt9YoKTVajs/IMG_9388a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="335" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Mm_F7SDEcR8/ThMwG9XL6FI/AAAAAAAAD1E/_vffGHiygU8/s1600-h/IMG_9566a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9566a" border="0" alt="IMG_9566a" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tLVD9eD9tMI/ThMwHybJnZI/AAAAAAAAD1I/MCwgXWUjbE4/IMG_9566a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="335" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UG2c1zBx1w8/ThMwKZ92eQI/AAAAAAAAD1M/houZ9nAZ7fU/s1600-h/IMG_9554a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; 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border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9580a" border="0" alt="IMG_9580a" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hJpcEta5FoM/ThMwSBkOuzI/AAAAAAAAD1g/rjfBq1WYBpc/IMG_9580a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="335" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--gjkX0FqPOA/ThMwTkd9mLI/AAAAAAAAD1k/UoQf138XlrY/s1600-h/IMG_9204a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9204a" border="0" alt="IMG_9204a" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wuzQseXLl2s/ThMwUa_16FI/AAAAAAAAD1o/MVxiwVt-hLg/IMG_9204a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="335" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3vK8yqlQ6tQ/ThMwWqKjNnI/AAAAAAAAD1s/KjTmraEuE30/s1600-h/IMG_9594a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9594a" border="0" alt="IMG_9594a" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ad6AwMhTIto/ThMwYU6eR_I/AAAAAAAAD1w/JiIencMPonU/IMG_9594a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="335" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Hs5Uw2udvkM/ThMwbuaxo8I/AAAAAAAAD10/m-kpv871Hsk/s1600-h/powwow3%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="powwow3" border="0" alt="powwow3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EO3Yvk0SQhk/ThMwc51PmXI/AAAAAAAAD14/M9Ba81QP3T0/powwow3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="335" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0EKk0Qd-hPw/ThMwgjPDhyI/AAAAAAAAD18/n2FWhYJs83w/s1600-h/powwow6%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="powwow6" border="0" alt="powwow6" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NX0Ti9Xa6bY/ThMwiM5QjrI/AAAAAAAAD2A/MCf1BqS96nY/powwow6_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="335" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-enWRU4c7Hkc/ThMwkX3fbgI/AAAAAAAAD2E/_L8EPyOUHtc/s1600-h/powwow9%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="powwow9" border="0" alt="powwow9" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-98YhCLQ1Ukg/ThMwlMxwupI/AAAAAAAAD2I/-mntldqueHs/powwow9_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="335" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-g156J24fs6Y/ThMwmS2ZcxI/AAAAAAAAD2M/reBI9qmLQUw/s1600-h/powwow4%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="powwow4" border="0" alt="powwow4" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KozxP8uz9NQ/ThMwnHK4IdI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/Spwfg8Rlogo/powwow4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="335" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h3AWzyi6-3w/ThMwpb_ED0I/AAAAAAAAD2U/m2uYtyjxdVs/s1600-h/powwow1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="powwow1" border="0" alt="powwow1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XbMkTduL-p0/ThMwqCmC61I/AAAAAAAAD2Y/6UwiA6p_0bM/powwow1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="335" /></a></p> Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-21819553910459955772011-07-05T09:31:00.001-05:002011-07-05T09:31:27.509-05:00March to Mandaree–Home<p><font size="3">Sunday was the final day of the March to Mandaree.  We walked together for the last miles down to Nathan Goodiron’s grave site for a service and breakfast.  Words were spoken from the heart and taps played.  It was a beautiful service on a beautiful morning.  It was also a bittersweet ending to this 415 mile journey.  The roads were long but the sacrifice was worth the remembrance of these fallen heroes.  Chris Kleinwachter.  Travis Van Zoest.  Curtis Mehrer.  Nathan Goodiron.  Remember those who have given everything.  </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FTLi68WOuL0/ThMfQbkVxxI/AAAAAAAADx4/6Tp3Nyd_NDg/s1600-h/IMG_9626%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9626" border="0" alt="IMG_9626" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zlOF0FzOV6k/ThMfRJH7ABI/AAAAAAAADx8/nMHZfZwO0Pk/IMG_9626_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="335" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h1R2G2whcDs/ThMfTBB654I/AAAAAAAADyA/x6THciXeH_s/s1600-h/IMG_9631%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9631" border="0" alt="IMG_9631" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-e-kj9lcHHMk/ThMfT5482DI/AAAAAAAADyE/MCsyiC16x-0/IMG_9631_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="335" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Srr6gX4dI-Y/ThMfWIxZwbI/AAAAAAAADyI/5Kwtq4i_LRY/s1600-h/IMG_9642a%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9642a" border="0" alt="IMG_9642a" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-99gA93UrhKg/ThMfYZ0cCUI/AAAAAAAADyM/g8xu-ZiCeQI/IMG_9642a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="335" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w-Lhm0d-as4/ThMfeNlbsII/AAAAAAAADyQ/UdJtu1zpp-g/s1600-h/IMG_9645%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9645" border="0" alt="IMG_9645" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z7Jqy3i8VVc/ThMfgLxF9XI/AAAAAAAADyU/eQGip-p8MKk/IMG_9645_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="335" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CFK9vA3-PrQ/ThMfoeZQwcI/AAAAAAAADyY/FVRzKrgYsPM/s1600-h/IMG_9676%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9676" border="0" alt="IMG_9676" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qVI7gHKjC7c/ThMfqMIEl1I/AAAAAAAADyc/IxNEvNXQ4zE/IMG_9676_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="335" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yWQRSuGmZg0/ThMftW2mrFI/AAAAAAAADyg/NuVuo85lwp0/s1600-h/IMG_9679%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9679" border="0" alt="IMG_9679" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_qCkj32Pgng/ThMfwUmqXxI/AAAAAAAADyk/14vn7FHuYSI/IMG_9679_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="335" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rGg0ANKJVIY/ThMf1sicAtI/AAAAAAAADyo/CJ5_63P48no/s1600-h/IMG_9686%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9686" border="0" alt="IMG_9686" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZMrr5wE7Jd4/ThMf3BW5t0I/AAAAAAAADys/mr4EwdWZZyQ/IMG_9686_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="335" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LdMb1Zsmdnk/ThMf7g8MduI/AAAAAAAADyw/h2gIGjEMU1Q/s1600-h/IMG_9688%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9688" border="0" alt="IMG_9688" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tSptx75uriA/ThMf9KCjcDI/AAAAAAAADy0/cs7hGHaVO7g/IMG_9688_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="335" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jiyZ-ikyWzs/ThMgAT6PPCI/AAAAAAAADy4/LIidV9EFAwk/s1600-h/IMG_9656%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9656" border="0" alt="IMG_9656" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MFl6yNqdVOY/ThMgCA_Yb0I/AAAAAAAADy8/7D34QG-trhs/IMG_9656_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="335" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QMOGx0xx7rk/ThMgFHuxzEI/AAAAAAAADzA/oftJahvp7Fc/s1600-h/IMG_9653%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9653" border="0" alt="IMG_9653" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vXK8D9xIGpU/ThMgGe4EzRI/AAAAAAAADzE/0mL_dU5yvbM/IMG_9653_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="342" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LivPzgLiERcACrk_v9_uKIVw3iNK0kFykoX_DIYdi42FLcyZ2hp-N4SwhaAsPeTAS6HiwGaFQXypfa_FTsYU_yVYkaz6ECJinU3U-739S22y7dwNr8DmXWqzeh4W2OelQwwWEPidBEg/s1600-h/IMG_9724%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9724" border="0" alt="IMG_9724" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fE7dtMzR0l0/ThMgMbq3FXI/AAAAAAAADzM/KiihkwWVdPI/IMG_9724_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="335" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-srFpT5FlAP4/ThMgOa3kMCI/AAAAAAAADzQ/lfQywP5xGFY/s1600-h/IMG_9658%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9658" border="0" alt="IMG_9658" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zu7BChrmvt8/ThMgPFcNj5I/AAAAAAAADzU/6WjXnNTtn1E/IMG_9658_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="454" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>Learn more about March to Mandaree at </em><a href="http://www.marchtomandaree.blogspot.com"><font color="#9b00d3"><em>www.marchtomandaree.blogspot.com</em></font></a></p> Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-43169945099094590092011-07-03T01:18:00.001-05:002011-07-03T01:18:41.628-05:00March to Mandaree day 15<p><font size="3">Today we marched to the home of Nathan Goodiron.  Today was our homecoming.  Along with family and friends we walked the 4 miles to Paul & Harriet’s and were welcomed with amazing food and stories.  Sunday at 8:30 am will mark the official end of this journey as we together march the very last  miles to Nathan’s grave where a service will be held.  Everyone is invited to attend, even if you are unable to walk along.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NgRIak3391w/ThAJq5ZlAvI/AAAAAAAADxg/zOqCfyS9gsQ/s1600-h/IMG_9143%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9143" border="0" alt="IMG_9143" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d46bJbc2FHE/ThAJr-llrFI/AAAAAAAADxk/LOFeThT-hKQ/IMG_9143_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="516" height="346" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Mr0fvR-TTzA/ThAJthPjuEI/AAAAAAAADxo/LHKqJrt_UWY/s1600-h/IMG_9147%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9147" border="0" alt="IMG_9147" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zcaE4QYFQK4/ThAJuQqICgI/AAAAAAAADxs/YuybNLYCrzU/IMG_9147_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="516" height="346" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m5PAJn55M4M/ThAJvEX6qbI/AAAAAAAADxw/EzzGQS19n2w/s1600-h/IMG_9167%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9167" border="0" alt="IMG_9167" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oTOYudr-_EI/ThAJwLBsP8I/AAAAAAAADx0/9NjUEnh6S0Q/IMG_9167_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="516" height="346" /></a></p> <p>To learn more about March to Mandaree and how you can support our efforts, please visit <a href="http://www.marchtomandaree.blogspot.com"><font color="#9b00d3">www.marchtomandaree.blogspot.com</font></a> .</p> Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-29970635733094756372011-07-01T00:24:00.001-05:002011-07-01T00:24:37.672-05:00Almost there<p><a href='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SR9RFWKkCyY/Tg1aDRpRYpI/AAAAAAAADxY/iFUg5R9WLlY/5884600264_9264cbca98_d.jpg'><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SR9RFWKkCyY/Tg1aDRpRYpI/AAAAAAAADxY/iFUg5R9WLlY/s400/5884600264_9264cbca98_d.jpg' /></a></p><p><a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-X5OCXH-wcH4/Tg1aEksHQoI/AAAAAAAADxc/JZDa3nW_W-o/5884114713_75970de7b6_d.jpg'><img src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-X5OCXH-wcH4/Tg1aEksHQoI/AAAAAAAADxc/JZDa3nW_W-o/s400/5884114713_75970de7b6_d.jpg' /></a></p>Not many more steps now until we arrive in Mandaree. Until we have access to internet once again I can share just a few things. <br/> <br/> Over the weekend we were hosted by several families and would like to thank the Simmers, Mehrers, and Baumann families for all of their hospitality. The National Guard in Bismarck also hosted a picnic for us which was wonderful. We appreciate everything our hosts have done for us. <br/> <br/> Day 12 we arrived in Hazen and were met by Patriot Guard from Bismarck. We were hosted 2 nights by the Johnson family (thank you!) <br/> <br/> Day 13 we were escorted out by a Hazen fire truck and friends. That evening we were welcomed into Beulah with a picnic by the extended Goodiron family. We were also treated to rooms at the hotel (kids+pool=happy!) by the generosity of the O'Berry family. The Beulah Beacon had a great front page story about the march. <br/> <br/> Day 14 puts us in Kildeer and ready to march into Mandaree tomorrow. We will be joined in the last 4 miles by any man, woman, and child that wants to participate. We have been in such good hands and we can't wait to be there! <br/> <br/> To learn more and how you can donate to help us March to Mandaree, please visit www.marchtomandaree.blogspot.com <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.2</div>Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-21916442684136061052011-06-28T16:48:00.001-05:002011-06-28T16:48:50.277-05:00March to Mandaree day 9 & 10<p align="center"><font size="3">Day 9 March to the Capitol</font></p> <p align="center"><a title="March to Mandaree day 9 by Affectionately Yours, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36076980@N05/5880474976/"><img alt="March to Mandaree day 9" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6030/5880474976_60ebf5d789.jpg" width="500" height="333" /></a><a title="March to Mandaree day 9 by Affectionately Yours, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36076980@N05/5880516758/"><img alt="March to Mandaree day 9" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/5880516758_4a56fb0219.jpg" width="333" height="500" /></a><a title="March to Mandaree day 9 by Affectionately Yours, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36076980@N05/5880122961/"><img alt="March to Mandaree day 9" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5195/5880122961_94f42c39ec.jpg" width="500" height="333" /></a><a title="March to Mandaree day 9 by Affectionately Yours, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36076980@N05/5880215225/"><img alt="March to Mandaree day 9" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5073/5880215225_8fb7b20093.jpg" width="500" height="334" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Day 10 Graveside Service for Mehrer and Van Zoest</font></p> <p align="center"><a title="March to Mandaree day 10 by Affectionately Yours, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36076980@N05/5881289910/"><img alt="March to Mandaree day 10" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5119/5881289910_51c175ba80.jpg" width="500" height="333" /></a><a title="March to Mandaree day 10 by Affectionately Yours, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36076980@N05/5881315418/"><img alt="March to Mandaree day 10" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5273/5881315418_afec3e5f2d.jpg" width="500" height="333" /></a><a title="March to Mandaree day 10 by Affectionately Yours, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36076980@N05/5880790161/"><img alt="March to Mandaree day 10" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/5880790161_104b41058d.jpg" width="500" height="333" /></a><a title="March to Mandaree day 10 by Affectionately Yours, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36076980@N05/5880814341/"><img alt="March to Mandaree day 10" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6030/5880814341_be936f7c2a.jpg" width="500" height="333" /></a><a title="March to Mandaree day 10 by Affectionately Yours, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36076980@N05/5881388770/"><img alt="March to Mandaree day 10" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5267/5881388770_b83c733f2e.jpg" width="500" height="333" /></a></p> <p><em>More photos of these and all the days are available by </em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36076980@N05/sets/72157626993716944/with/5881388770/"><em><font color="#9b00d3">clicking HERE</font></em></a><em>.</em></p> <p>To learn more about March to Mandaree and how you can support our efforts, please visit <a href="http://www.marchtomandaree.blogspot.com"><font color="#9b00d3">www.marchtomandaree.blogspot.com</font></a><font color="#9b00d3"> </font></p> Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-91545878871796163572011-06-25T08:02:00.001-05:002011-06-25T08:02:28.327-05:00Getting to Happy – a BlogHer Book Club review and giveaway!<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h__npjs8w7M/TgXcXYofArI/AAAAAAAADxI/z0PgJl1T_fw/s1600-h/image%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Terry McMillan" border="0" alt="Terry McMillan" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--R31QJ6PAtk/TgXcYzKL9nI/AAAAAAAADxM/zn9gWxD0QsM/image_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="214" height="328" /></a> </p> <p><font size="3">I finished reading <a href="http://www.blogher.com/now-reading-getting-happy"><font color="#800080">“Getting to Happy” by Terry McMillan for BlogHer Book Club</font></a>.  This is the sequel to her book, “Waiting to Exhale”.  If you were a fan of the movie or have read her book, you’ll enjoy finding out what happens next….. want to find out what I thought?  Head over to </font><a href="http://www.blogher.com/still-getting-happy?from=bookclub"><font color="#800080" size="3">BlogHer Book Club and read my review HERE</font></a><font size="3">.  <em>Comment on your thoughts back here and I’ll choose one commenter to receive a copy of this book!!!</em></font></p> Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-26970233842433599982011-06-25T02:53:00.001-05:002011-06-25T02:53:30.749-05:00March to Mandaree days 5 thru 8<p><font size="3">Days 5 and 6 were cold and rainy.  That kept us from taking too many pictures, but the guys went out each morning and endured.  I stayed at the campsite and tried to maintain my sanity  while entertaining kids who couldn’t play outside.  Tuesday (day 5) Nathan Kemp, a war buddy, joined Steve and Arnold for the march despite the rain.  We decided to stay at Jamestown RV park rather than move the whole camp ahead and chose to do the same Wednesday.  This was the first time our kids have spent any time in Jamestown other than passing through, so we made sure they got to see the world’s largest buffalo.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SBhWnsB9j1I/TgWTeyd0TGI/AAAAAAAADv0/k4s8nkwq5_A/s1600-h/IMG_8599%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"> <img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_8599" border="0" alt="IMG_8599" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Vq8arxd5Y4A/TgWTf-S9QPI/AAAAAAAADv4/pUJ-m0GIj44/IMG_8599_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="309" height="455" /><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_8685" border="0" alt="IMG_8685" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0UWsVzCnuU4/TgWTtq2tD9I/AAAAAAAADv8/sEhSAWWnGYE/IMG_8685%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="233" height="346" /><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_8674" border="0" alt="IMG_8674" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-klsuH1cZmn0/TgWTuknMtiI/AAAAAAAADwA/C0GQBhhvp6U/IMG_8674%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="233" height="346" /> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_8671" border="0" alt="IMG_8671" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v5oiJmSChQ0/TgWTwqUb6iI/AAAAAAAADwE/7tZeHhjTXfg/IMG_8671%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="233" height="346" /> </font></a><font size="3"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">We saw “White Cloud” the white buffalo.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0167" border="0" alt="DSC_0167" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OprONrddcPw/TgWTxfMcJWI/AAAAAAAADwI/6so4npaf74A/DSC_0167_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="514" height="346" /></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">I visited the old family homestead (hahahaha!!) </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_8649" border="0" alt="IMG_8649" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LM9Y2BiKo64/TgWTzo7HEZI/AAAAAAAADwM/472jdaD8zRI/IMG_8649_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="516" height="346" /> </font></p> <p><font size="3">The weather was pretty cold and windy, but by Thursday (day 7), the clouds parted and we saw some sun!  </font><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3SQ9oovq264/TgWT0HVh9NI/AAAAAAAADwQ/riqD7BGx56M/s1600-h/DSC_0217%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0217" border="0" alt="DSC_0217" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qNEsg9kWhLs/TgWT0iooz-I/AAAAAAAADwU/MWEziQ8jc_E/DSC_0217_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="514" height="346" /></font></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w-agqAtOWvA/TgWT1cV6CwI/AAAAAAAADwY/9DxggjkHys4/s1600-h/DSC_0196%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0196" border="0" alt="DSC_0196" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-db0y6R0kkO8/TgWT11QWOHI/AAAAAAAADwc/Dh3Ij5kJChA/DSC_0196_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="234" height="346" /></font></a><font size="3"> </font><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2WUzwKPZ8LM/TgWT2-KbgpI/AAAAAAAADwg/-D4JujVp2N4/s1600-h/DSC_0220%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0220" border="0" alt="DSC_0220" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--2redEide7o/TgWT3rBE_sI/AAAAAAAADwk/7Kf2WlM2p3Y/DSC_0220_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="514" height="346" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3">The photos I’ve pulled from the cameras this week are amazing.  I am </font><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36076980@N05/sets/72157626993716944/with/5861137209/"><font color="#800080" size="3">keeping a gallery HERE</font></a><font size="3"> that I will update as time (and internet service) allows.  </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyosJqdy4kKdDECzldIBbhaCpnctNSY8rFw5UTkBDkhj5G5wDFsLyPb7n1TestgWq20eQHYyN_mYHug0YyY6gqLc7hr4laAC_7YxhqigQkoILdZA5KLXLKGOSvPB32T7gI9o2t-W6SVxA/s1600-h/DSC_0230%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0230" border="0" alt="DSC_0230" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-M-WT2k6mILc/TgWT4u3WlqI/AAAAAAAADws/ZUBPROSeFrg/DSC_0230_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="514" height="346" /></font></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zFJpUH5Jfp0/TgWT6LAh-pI/AAAAAAAADww/-fSu-i2g6KM/s1600-h/DSC_0239%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0239" border="0" alt="DSC_0239" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RXt03hKyIGo/TgWT7LES3HI/AAAAAAAADw0/tKgW6cQ6-S4/DSC_0239_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="514" height="346" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3">We’ve kept on schedule, getting started each day around 4:30 or 5 am and usually finishing by lunch time.  Thursday night we camped in Hazelton and we reached Bismarck by Friday (day 8) afternoon.  The Goodiron Family met us to escort us in, and members of the Mehrer family marched in the last 5 miles.  </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bftusvs3b4g/TgWT8NvepiI/AAAAAAAADw4/1JPyioUC-EU/s1600-h/DSC_0265%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_0265" border="0" alt="DSC_0265" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vVyDXt7dUoA/TgWT82BbgLI/AAAAAAAADw8/UGJnVIbg7sY/DSC_0265_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="514" height="346" /></font></a><font size="3"> </font><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IzlfQmQCoX4/TgWT9lvsIjI/AAAAAAAADxA/YicEvKqiHsQ/s1600-h/IMG_8702%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_8702" border="0" alt="IMG_8702" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q1ZWOVoAnXs/TgWT-cosrJI/AAAAAAAADxE/GclMHR-gmXE/IMG_8702_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="516" height="346" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3">Due to flooding we are NOT camping in General Sibley park, but at the Bismarck KOA, where we will spend the next 3 nights.  We plan to march from the armory to the capitol at 9 am Saturday morning.  There is also scheduled to be a graveside service for Mehrer and Van Zoest in the Veteran’s Cemetery at 12:30 pm Sunday.  </font></p> <p><font size="3">We are so grateful for the welcome into Bismarck and look forward to meeting up with everyone before we move on Monday morning.  Thank you to all the families who have offered meals while we are here, we appreciate it so much!!</font></p> <p><font size="3"><em>To learn more about March to Mandaree visit </em><a href="http://www.marchtomandaree.blogspot.com"><font color="#800080"><em>www.marchtomandaree.blogspot.com</em></font></a><em> .</em></font></p> Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-33188129341001867642011-06-24T09:54:00.001-05:002011-06-24T09:54:06.142-05:00March to Mandaree week one mini update<p><a href='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YboUvsRXyQ4/TgSlCwv2LwI/AAAAAAAADvw/EOldqB7w7uM/5861089848_559e8391ae_d.jpg'><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YboUvsRXyQ4/TgSlCwv2LwI/AAAAAAAADvw/EOldqB7w7uM/s400/5861089848_559e8391ae_d.jpg' /></a></p>We are coming up on the end of week one on this march. Until we are back in the land of internet, my phone will have to do. The guys are starting out around 4:30-5:00 am each morning to escape marching in the heat of the day, although the last few ended up rainy. We are usually done marching in the early afternoon but we have decided it is in everyone's best health interests to stick to the itinerary as it is (http://marchtomandaree.blogspot.com/2011/05/march-to-mandaree-itinerary.html) and not try to add in extra miles. <br/> This afternoon we arrive in Bismarck! I will post a better update later tonight. <br/> To learn more about March to Mandaree visit www.marchtomandaree.blogspot.com .<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.2</div>Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-53861419918153102752011-06-20T22:47:00.001-05:002011-06-20T22:47:39.076-05:00Day 3 and 4<p><font size="3">As I mentioned before, the Patriot Guard came to Enderlin early on the morning of the 19th to escort us out of town.  Among four marchers, the burden was a lighter one and they finished in good time.  We spent the remainder of the day saddling up for our stay in Little Yellowstone park.  </font></p> <p><a title="March to Mandaree Day 3 by Affectionately Yours, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36076980@N05/5849065452/"><font color="#565656" size="3"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" alt="March to Mandaree Day 3" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5104/5849065452_7e7e50bd48.jpg" width="500" height="333" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3">Piper got to have a little birthday celebration at our campsite! </font></p> <p><font size="3"></font><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JIlYcuzd9kw/TgAUN3zVHZI/AAAAAAAADuw/aoRQfIhHKwk/s1600-h/IMG_8517%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font color="#565656" size="3"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JIlYcuzd9kw/TgAUN3zVHZI/AAAAAAAADu0/DzV1RCFQ4n4/s1600-h/IMG_8517%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Piper turns 5" border="0" alt="Piper turns 5" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7kKFotK2VYg/TgAUPn5b9CI/AAAAAAAADu4/-ALoDnu7oiE/IMG_8517_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="514" height="344" /></a></font></a><font size="3"> </font></p> <p><font size="3">Steve and Arnold were up at 4am and ready to tackle day 4 with enthusiasm.  They split the miles between them and at the end of today we are still on schedule.  When we have enough walkers, we are considering trying to get ahead of schedule if the day allows.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fDON9Tg1madSxL8BneVJ9tLXkdI3HHSQ5366LTzpSQIb5wmAJ19C06ON651RvDBc-p60qiWli_2DZvZ6wLqjLhs2jrK5d7HZogLHbJgcP4EJlxXvuFCMYL0_qPZTuQD2W4PADrNT7xQ/s1600-h/IMG_8559%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font color="#565656" size="3"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BZxa2BMk75g/TgAUQZMJYaI/AAAAAAAADvA/dl_oEc-VsNg/s1600-h/IMG_8559%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Little Yellowstone" border="0" alt="Little Yellowstone" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BhyAhEPv194/TgAURtfZWfI/AAAAAAAADvE/pQlJYCifHRU/IMG_8559_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="514" height="344" /></a></font></a><font size="3"> </font></p> <p><font size="3">Because the guys didn’t need me today (I’m actually a little disappointed, I like the quiet time walking provides!) I spent the day entertaining the kiddos in the park.  We threw rocks in the stream, collected and then freed caterpillars, and played on the nice playground equipment.</font></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TCFls9E0ZDA/TgAUSdzhvJI/AAAAAAAADvI/709NsTomCQQ/s1600-h/IMG_8532%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_8532" border="0" alt="IMG_8532" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_4N2CkbnMaA/TgAUTcbIIMI/AAAAAAAADvM/bHynuWnektg/IMG_8532_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="516" height="346" /></a> </font><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WKJALKDlLUI/TgAUTzFuPMI/AAAAAAAADvQ/v_dhjcMlo_A/s1600-h/IMG_8534%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_8534" border="0" alt="IMG_8534" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vKlWo7CNYhY/TgAUUXYAX-I/AAAAAAAADvU/MLmfzwxNx_I/IMG_8534_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="516" height="346" /></a></p> <p><font size="3"><em><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-U4N6uKiMrXY/TgAUU2TBlrI/AAAAAAAADvY/uG95oWu_6b0/s1600-h/IMG_8556%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_8556" border="0" alt="IMG_8556" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L5Qlsbe7Qk8/TgAUVeO-A-I/AAAAAAAADvc/KMM2J7HZ3m0/IMG_8556_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="305" height="449" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cnV8bx7A3sE/TgAUVza9HmI/AAAAAAAADvg/2ac-31NSooQ/s1600-h/IMG_8554%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_8554" border="0" alt="IMG_8554" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Jt5nIhXDu_A/TgAUWuIlTsI/AAAAAAAADvk/6qwXCdURjiw/IMG_8554_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="516" height="346" /></a> </em></font></p> <p><font size="3"><em>For more information about <a href="http://marchtomandaree.blogspot.com/"><font color="#800080">March to Mandaree, click HERE</font></a>.  Our <a href="http://marchtomandaree.blogspot.com/2011/05/march-to-mandaree-itinerary.html"><font color="#800080">full itinerary is HERE</font></a>.</em></font></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>If you can’t participate in person, your support in this march is always appreciated.  Just click the “Donate” button on the March to Mandaree sidebar to help us with our expenses!!</p> Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-91693647666961470142011-06-19T07:58:00.001-05:002011-06-19T07:58:31.694-05:00A quick morning post<p><font size="3">The ND Patriot Guard rode out to escort our marchers out of Enderlin this morning.  We were joined for today by Ron Martel, Jr. and Nicole Beston-Martel who came from Mandaree to walk.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gd65sys3Re0/Tf3ycj7jVNI/AAAAAAAADuo/y8QRJ0-Rn8Q/s1600-h/PatriotGuard1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="PatriotGuard1" border="0" alt="PatriotGuard1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CD-g493Qa6U/Tf3ydrPUn7I/AAAAAAAADus/6u6LdvFQFyY/PatriotGuard1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="525" height="350" /></a></p> <p align="center">Our marchers today (L to R) Nicole, Arnold, Steve, and Ron</p> <p><em>To learn more about March to Mandaree please visit<font color="#9b00d3"> </font></em><a href="http://www.marchtomandaree.blogspot.com"><font color="#9b00d3"><em>www.marchtomandaree.blogspot.com</em></font></a></p> Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-20172180132772330602011-06-18T22:02:00.002-05:002011-06-19T07:23:28.621-05:00Day 1 and 2<p><span style="font-size:100%;">From Mel:</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">We are off! We started in Wahpeton and in two days we have arrived in Enderlin. Our first day started out a bit rocky with some rain, but soon it cleared and the past two days have been great. Steve was joined by Arnold Lenoir from White Earth who plans to walk with us the entire way. The White Earth veteran color guard came to start us off as well as some of the Goodiron family. Two news crews came out to film, and several papers published small blurbs about the march.</span><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PtWMDkK-oEI/Tf1mmY5Y2XI/AAAAAAAADtA/dN3ECEJdhsk/s1600-h/IMG_8432%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-size:100%;"><img style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8432" alt="IMG_8432" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Hw7GBakJPDc/Tf1moGzTvPI/AAAAAAAADtE/s5MnmrVkVSY/IMG_8432_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="379" width="569" /></span></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9oGxaTUeULw/Tf1mp8TZe9I/AAAAAAAADtI/d7iVWmtVgbo/s1600-h/IMG_8438%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-size:100%;"><img style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8438" alt="IMG_8438" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5bv5n7HJIY4/Tf1mrJ8mQBI/AAAAAAAADtM/ZetZHqfLayI/IMG_8438_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="555" width="367" /></span></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LaJJfX1zoFw/Tf1mtDrHBZI/AAAAAAAADtQ/rCw8Svf10W0/s1600-h/IMG_8426%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8426" alt="IMG_8426" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-n6Z0ZfTlnQw/Tf1muPlOUOI/AAAAAAAADtU/8j1-xqhlQgY/IMG_8426_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="379" width="569" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tWOwtRKsMnc/Tf1mwWeX-II/AAAAAAAADtY/bzB6jlkUlEY/s1600-h/IMG_8436%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-size:100%;"><img style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8436" alt="IMG_8436" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nLQfrbZ-yfs/Tf1mxuLzEVI/AAAAAAAADtc/qdO0Ni38elI/IMG_8436_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="379" width="569" /></span></a></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">Day one ended around 5pm with 38 miles behind us, a majority of those walked between Steve and Arnold (I got to finish off leg #3!). Our oldest two, Aria and Max, walked one mile with me as well.</span></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qn-FdM7LUU0/Tf1m0cM-osI/AAAAAAAADtg/ujOVAKOpqlE/s1600-h/IMG_8457%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-size:100%;"><img style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8457" alt="IMG_8457" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-czXcNfyLrfo/Tf1m1ok3H0I/AAAAAAAADtk/ljiJT_1y6sA/IMG_8457_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="379" width="569" /></span></a></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">Day two was an early start with both Steve and Arnold walking their leg of the journey at about 5:30 am, I finished after lunch and we had the afternoon to nurse tired muscles and tend to any blisters. </span></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fpkalgFD_GQ/Tf1m3NGJwaI/AAAAAAAADto/qwbFTNmYzC4/s1600-h/IMG_8446%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-size:100%;"><img style="background-image: none; border: 0px none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8446" alt="IMG_8446" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-g9mvwPYE-kw/Tf1m4Q_mEII/AAAAAAAADts/jJhdX1WuS1Q/IMG_8446_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" border="0" height="580" width="383" /></span></a></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">We are all in good spirits and are excited to meet those who will be joining us as in the days ahead!</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>You can learn more about March to Mandaree at </em><a href="http://www.marchtomandaree.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#9b00d3;"><em>www.marchtomandaree.blogspot.com</em></span></a></span></p>Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-70595835493163093762011-06-17T06:19:00.001-05:002011-06-17T06:19:53.719-05:00March to Mandaree: Day 1<p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mBO5CEhyzC8/Tfs4Vdx1dII/AAAAAAAADs4/NaQqnyCRQlQ/s1600-h/IMG_8414%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8414" border="0" alt="IMG_8414" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xj8TdvW4veM/Tfs4WIyE5NI/AAAAAAAADs8/5T2gfStJ0cQ/IMG_8414_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="496" height="340" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3">There are 1.3 million steps from here to Mandaree and to remembrance and healing.  Today I take the first.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font></p> <p><font size="3">Follow along on this journey at <a href="http://www.marchtomandaree.blogspot.com"><font color="#9b00d3">March to Mandaree’s blog</font></a>.</font></p> Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891121979700408438.post-77034548089111941102011-06-09T02:34:00.001-05:002011-06-11T11:55:34.138-05:00Friday Fragments of March to Mandaree<p><font size="3">These last two weeks have been intensely crazy, so I’ve had little time to think, much less blog.  Let me sum up what’s going on.  I think this is more of a mental list for me, too, so I can get my poop in a group if you will.</font></p> <ul> <li><font size="3">Thursday, May 26, we heard about the major flooding happening in the western part of the state (Bismarck, Mandan areas).  Hubby called his Guard officers to find out if there was a possibility of activation for flood duty.  He was told the chances were slim and to proceed with our Memorial Day plans.  Those mostly included grilling with friends while I slept off night shifts at work. </font></li> <li><font size="3">Friday, May 27, I headed off for my first night of work. </font></li> <li><font size="3">Saturday, May 28, 0730 Hubby gets a call to be at the armory at 0900 ready for 10-14 days of activation.  I scramble to get him there and find sitters for the kids so I can sleep (which didn’t happen) and get to work. </font></li> <li><font size="3">My In-Laws did their best, then my BFF called and came from 2 hours away to take 3 of my 4 kiddos to her place for the weekend!!  I told her I’d find a home for JC for the weekend, five kids at her place should be plenty without the toddler. </font></li> <li><font size="3">I don’t know how I survived the weekend, but I worked all my shifts and headed to BFF’s Tuesday and stayed until the following weekend (and I didn’t bring my computer! gasp!) <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BvVC2oHycW4/TfOd2XwndBI/AAAAAAAADsg/w20ba6aouOE/s1600-h/image%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Throwing rocks in the river" border="0" alt="Throwing rocks in the river" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8sknKYunWzM/TfOd_a-BqwI/AAAAAAAADsk/wqkV-tcWyeI/image_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="569" height="379" /></a></font></li> <li><font size="3">I had an awesome time at BFF’s and she offered to have us longer, but she started teaching summer school this week, so I declined. </font></li> <li><font size="3">I have since been trying to do my best to get everything done for </font><a href="http://marchtomandaree.blogspot.com/"><font color="#9b00d3" size="3">March to Mandaree</font></a><font size="3">, which may now be postponed at least a week if hubby does not return in time. </font></li> <li><font size="3">Hubby informs me that the 10-14 days he was initially told to prepare for, may be more like 4-6 weeks. </font></li> <li><font size="3">I set up a “Donate” button for PayPal and </font><a href="http://marchtomandaree.blogspot.com/"><font color="#9b00d3" size="3">March to Mandaree</font></a><font size="3"> </font></li> <li><font size="3">I have also typed up a letter for soliciting donations from local businesses as well as started taking orders on our T-shirts. Do you want to order one?  The cost is $17 for any size – we’ll even ship them to you for $3.   If you’d like to order online, just use the “donate” button and specify in the comment shirt sizes and shipping address.  You can also email us at marchtomandaree[at]hotmail[dot]com</font></li> </ul> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QaFhoehlAzg/TfOeAZPNWNI/AAAAAAAADso/C0BSQ3st-k0/s1600-h/m2m%252520t%252520shirt%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="m2m t shirt" border="0" alt="m2m t shirt" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VryEsbEkXRc/TfOeBAXOCzI/AAAAAAAADss/mWZkNbctc-Q/m2m%252520t%252520shirt_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="394" /></font></a></p> <ul> <li><font size="3">JUST IN:  Hubby miraculously came home!!!  We are set to March on schedule (as long as they don’t recall him.)  We still have a lot of planning to do.  </font></li> </ul> <p><em>Head over to </em><a href="http://www.halfpastkissintime.com/"><font color="#9b00d3"><em>Mrs. 4444’s Half Past Kissing Time</em></font></a><em> for more Friday Fragments!!</em></p> Mel Fraasehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16995582375180809457noreply@blogger.com1