tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79319138309821217002024-02-19T05:58:49.776-05:00Up and AdamsEnjoying my journey through life with a new husband, our cat Lexie, a greyhound named Finnegan and a fresh perspective on my place in the world!Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-59610743382338178492011-04-12T22:32:00.002-04:002011-04-12T22:38:19.658-04:00NEW BLOG!I don't know about any one else out there, but ever since I changed my email address I've had a heck of a time updating my blogger. It links to your google account so since I got a new Google email I constantly have to sign in and back out whenever I want to update. After a while it just gets really frustrating! I've tried to transfer over the blog, but to no avail. This left me with leaving blogger and restarting my own blog on Wordpress.org - please me sure to head on over and check it out!<br />
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<i>I have a brand spankin' new blog that needs some love! From now on, I'll be updating my posts over there, so please add our link as a favorite and be sure to visit back for updates!</i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.GetUpAndAdams.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">www.GetUpAndAdams.com</span></a></span>Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-54236492329774470402011-04-08T23:18:00.001-04:002011-04-08T23:21:44.583-04:00Leave Me<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you have just 5 minutes to spare, this short film is really touching and so original I just HAD to share it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/4220803" width="400"></iframe></div><a href="http://vimeo.com/4220803">Leave Me</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/ryandunlap">Ryan Dunlap</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">It really makes you stop for a moment and appreciate that special someone you have in your life. It is a little sad though, isn't it? Let's use the premise of re-experiencing pictures, without the sad undertone (it was a beautiful film ... but just as heartbreaking as the first few scenes of UP... haven't seen it? It really is a beautiful movie, here's the scene I'm referring to: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2bk_9T482g"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">UP Movie Scene</span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">If I were to jump back through moments that were captured in my photographs here are a few of the ones I'd choose: (These aren't moments that I want to change at all, just ones that I'd be more than happy to enjoy all over again.) Here they are, in no particular order: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>September 25, 2010: 6:30pm</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wedding Day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisx4QTTzGevI-Lxsjm2c8ieCHrt2Sa3DmYX0-V1Yj4aMEJhCDsqJMJ-wZ6D0EdbPH_toBKycEdHrvixnKGToTdJQ0_DFMeVM-l-nljMYW5F3r1hjDZ-h9SLn9Z6VGiagYNg_n0VyB9lK_h/s1600/00889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisx4QTTzGevI-Lxsjm2c8ieCHrt2Sa3DmYX0-V1Yj4aMEJhCDsqJMJ-wZ6D0EdbPH_toBKycEdHrvixnKGToTdJQ0_DFMeVM-l-nljMYW5F3r1hjDZ-h9SLn9Z6VGiagYNg_n0VyB9lK_h/s640/00889.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">This photo isn't anything special. It isn't one that I've framed or that I put in our wedding album, but it's a moment in time when all was right in our little world. The ceremony was over and we had just completed our pictures together, we were on our way back to the wedding party and prepared to kick off the reception. If I could go back, I would remind myself not to rush through it, but to stop for just a minute, close my eyes and take it all in. Even though it seemed to be over in the blink of an eye, I still remember the warmth of the sun, the breeze on the dock during our vows, and the dark ride away from the venue after it was all over with my head resting on Shawn's shoulder. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>October 2, 2010: 1:30pm</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Drive from Ennis to Kilmihil, Ireland. Honeymoon. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1b4yd3i-RXv4wd_fATI-Bbwy81XkgJxKMFccdprZpwbuJkd0R2X17pExRpoBHzccCHIViDMO29lXR00RjtkSU5KomhqyINS4oXkLgo4hF63bxq3doqXpkRBjadci7oU1D5FjA9RIOEBS/s1600/DSC_0999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1b4yd3i-RXv4wd_fATI-Bbwy81XkgJxKMFccdprZpwbuJkd0R2X17pExRpoBHzccCHIViDMO29lXR00RjtkSU5KomhqyINS4oXkLgo4hF63bxq3doqXpkRBjadci7oU1D5FjA9RIOEBS/s400/DSC_0999.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">We were on our Honeymoon in Ireland, the first time we had ever traveled out of the country together and we were soaking up every minute of it. The trip wasn't all rainbows (although we saw our fair share of those) - we had moments when we weren't sure where we were going, when we misunderstood the customs, when we "lost" half of the money we brought with us (don't worry, we found it in our luggage 2 weeks after getting home). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I also remember being absolutely and purely happy standing on an open, grassy hill, hours from the nearest city - we were taking a seldom traveled road on the east coast of Ireland on our way to Kilmihil (where my family can be traced back to). It was one of the most beautiful views we came across and it was that much more special because it was the land where my ancestors had lived for generations. The pictures I have in my living room of the McMahons seemed more real standing on the same hills they had seen centuries before. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEeXbKwKfSUFgDuNmm02XOocQJGATlvxJGGmXM5uQgt3qNVkHQvdixMKXd4liBy0p4wzwfus5HwdwWXKWXEMrtQ3qV2xbHzbK5QjS3w17OmMSToK2F2NlspLP7mKYX6Til0f9lH_YE7JQ/s1600/Picture+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEeXbKwKfSUFgDuNmm02XOocQJGATlvxJGGmXM5uQgt3qNVkHQvdixMKXd4liBy0p4wzwfus5HwdwWXKWXEMrtQ3qV2xbHzbK5QjS3w17OmMSToK2F2NlspLP7mKYX6Til0f9lH_YE7JQ/s400/Picture+3.png" width="310" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It was unequivocally the trip of a lifetime. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Spring 1998: Early Afternoon</u></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Awards Ceremony for Young Authors Contest</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPnme5aZ1taieOL_F7RbMajoaAUIafarnaZakT67pUqytSaJbo7WefSPtKjCtJJ7hpHc5pWf_Ovgl8ZEszTkRZP0rgeHcNQ3LI4ZHU7n9uhtBXUZTFwmOp7X0OUWRvXvemrKYwdLRmoin/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPnme5aZ1taieOL_F7RbMajoaAUIafarnaZakT67pUqytSaJbo7WefSPtKjCtJJ7hpHc5pWf_Ovgl8ZEszTkRZP0rgeHcNQ3LI4ZHU7n9uhtBXUZTFwmOp7X0OUWRvXvemrKYwdLRmoin/s400/Picture+1.png" width="360" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">I was in middle school, and along with all of the other self-conscious 11 year olds in the room, I was so caught up in the few seconds it would take me to walk up to the stage and accept my award for a poem I had written earlier that year, I could think about little else. I was so nervous, I just wanted it to be over. After it was concluded, my dad and I went outside, but before we left we stopped for a picture. I don't remember much, or if we even found someone to take a picture of us together, what I do remember is taking this photo.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">The fact that I managed to use my mom's 35mm camera at all is a miracle in-and-of itself. What is even more rare, is that I snapped a picture of my dad really smiling (he was more of a rough-and-tough "no-I-won't-smile" type of guy). That's why I love this picture, he was REALLY smiling because he was actually happy, proud of his daughter. LOVE THIS. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>1951</u></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Fort Campbell, Kentucky</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBunWKx9QeicV8fPbDnD5Ro_Py0d3sTRTOmYQDKDoBNXvsuQiIzzAeu6uJQGfwZZMig2uTEeRFXwE_JTuCRHVyRZws4Mgk9yk_tMNr1zXwBOfsyVCQtdkFXitEAdL3Wjr_DEMxSk3UVsX/s1600/Picture+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBunWKx9QeicV8fPbDnD5Ro_Py0d3sTRTOmYQDKDoBNXvsuQiIzzAeu6uJQGfwZZMig2uTEeRFXwE_JTuCRHVyRZws4Mgk9yk_tMNr1zXwBOfsyVCQtdkFXitEAdL3Wjr_DEMxSk3UVsX/s400/Picture+2.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">The reverse side of this old picture reads:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Phil & Marcie. Fort Campbell, Kentucky. 1951. Mike & I drove down for a weekend visit - saw you for the first time - also first time we saw Phil as a paratrooper."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This photo was sent to my grandma (Marcie), from my great-aunt Madge. It is VERY small (only 2inx3in), but it shows my adorable grandma in her 20s posing for the camera on the banks of a river <i>[you can click on the picture to make it larger]</i>. It was the first time my grandfather introduced her to the family and she was beautiful. It reminds me of the first time I was really introduced to Shawn's family, standing on the beach on the outer banks of NC. It seems like such a special moment caught in time; I wonder what it would be like to have been on that riverbank with them? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What are some of the photos that you'd jump back to if you could? Are there any that you would want to stay in? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-21320967232991568602011-04-07T10:27:00.000-04:002011-04-07T10:27:13.127-04:00Be still my heart ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was enjoying my weekly viewing of "America's Next Top Model" last night when I glance over to the floor on the other side of the living room and see THIS:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzueAMPaI14zt1qnbctGFCOMNj_X58QWUP8UyXFYsbMwFuYLy4IpXQTtKsMcrxV9JBf74cWSmEdprJItSzYzY8R1_uKQsb8fl4G81wPFn4R94JmrfH9OAEote6twsE-w9RVrKQ9_rVbuee/s1600/DSC03034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzueAMPaI14zt1qnbctGFCOMNj_X58QWUP8UyXFYsbMwFuYLy4IpXQTtKsMcrxV9JBf74cWSmEdprJItSzYzY8R1_uKQsb8fl4G81wPFn4R94JmrfH9OAEote6twsE-w9RVrKQ9_rVbuee/s400/DSC03034.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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My sweet Shawn was lying on the floor with Finnegan and Lexie (does this mean they weren't interested in TYRA?). My little fur family was so adorable I just had to take a picture before Finn started chasing the cat around the house...<br />
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Usually, this is all I get to see ... still cute nonetheless. Can you tell that Shawn really wanted a dog??<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOu7B5Hn7jbcRICKr9G7DPZNUKsDknaT470OI2FUchxceOoMhBJH8dgn5BLTCskuYnHABTt3z5BsIaLtffpYCLa7pk9wYT4rQ7BHCSmXj_jFl-xrp2hRSkoDP4PhyphenhyphenO1ctSUdVRnMFOeur7/s1600/DSC_0244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOu7B5Hn7jbcRICKr9G7DPZNUKsDknaT470OI2FUchxceOoMhBJH8dgn5BLTCskuYnHABTt3z5BsIaLtffpYCLa7pk9wYT4rQ7BHCSmXj_jFl-xrp2hRSkoDP4PhyphenhyphenO1ctSUdVRnMFOeur7/s640/DSC_0244.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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In the future I'm looking forward to looking over and seeing Finn and Lexie sleeping all snuggled up WITHOUT encouragement from Shawn and I.<br />
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In the mean time, I am R.E.A.L.L.Y loving the warmer weather ... and just in time for my birthday! Shawn and I are hoping to head out to the Raleigh Road outdoor theater this weekend.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/entertainment/out_and_about/2009/05/28/5231745/Ourdoor_Theatre-600x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/entertainment/out_and_about/2009/05/28/5231745/Ourdoor_Theatre-600x450.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Shawn really wants to see Limitless (I think he has a small man-crush on Bradley Cooper) since it's playing there this weekend ...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiw0dAalDAEKEuXdbUU8wExcprAkk_7UUcqz_GtC_S9pLxxN2Hih5xw68buezpsUPGY0wBnP2OfBlGizSlcovdDzP8UL-248e44gzNInKGLoQirPSv0GBNXBD8QniLCfLV3wDVLQtKwlo/s1600/Limitless-film-poster1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiw0dAalDAEKEuXdbUU8wExcprAkk_7UUcqz_GtC_S9pLxxN2Hih5xw68buezpsUPGY0wBnP2OfBlGizSlcovdDzP8UL-248e44gzNInKGLoQirPSv0GBNXBD8QniLCfLV3wDVLQtKwlo/s640/Limitless-film-poster1.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><br />
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... but I'm hoping I can convince him to take me again at the end of the month to see a double-feature of Hop and Rio ... too cute!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.downloadmoviezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/hop_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://blog.downloadmoviezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/hop_poster.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.onlinemovieshut.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/rio-movie-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.onlinemovieshut.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/rio-movie-poster.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Seriously ... $6 for TWO movies that you get to enjoy either in your own car or sitting outside on a blanket? That means stretching out your legs, and not having to hear/smell the stranger next to you that also came to see the movie ... summertime here I come! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-10169308670946284692011-04-04T19:20:00.006-04:002011-04-04T22:38:14.081-04:00The Journey from Kennel to a Forever Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last weekend, Shawn and I took hope our sweet bundle of joy - a 64lb bouncing boy who is becoming the perfect addition to our little family. As new parents to our greyhound, we read all the books and prepared ourselves for the possibility of a destructive transition from his old life to the new one in his "forever home." Also like new parents we were EXCITED!!!! Through our excitement we are documenting our experience with our sweet Finnegan, the good, the bad and the stinky. We knew we would probably get little sleep his first night home, and understood there would likely be puddles and piles of little accidents. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In reality, we came home with an incredibly sweet Finnegan who has had ZERO accidents in the house so far, who sleeps through the night and has only let out the faintest whine when he appears to be bored. Although he has been a little worried about all of the changes, Finn is being the perfect poster-boy for greyhound adoption. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HFZRun7EuJeb5nnyJPeK5-GYmOxckTktAOcrmXltvVulDNItMqlyu-_i7NfJQz6W0ZmyqcsF70FEVJ5jV2kAwuCjARBmGLlAy7iPkb3eEHND8AjOUrZKyyPtoRToM8pLO5ex0H494mwy/s1600/DSC_0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HFZRun7EuJeb5nnyJPeK5-GYmOxckTktAOcrmXltvVulDNItMqlyu-_i7NfJQz6W0ZmyqcsF70FEVJ5jV2kAwuCjARBmGLlAy7iPkb3eEHND8AjOUrZKyyPtoRToM8pLO5ex0H494mwy/s320/DSC_0166.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As a retired racer, Finn isn't familiar with all of the intricacies of living in a house as opposed to a kennel - his entire life has been spent in a kennel or the racetrack ... so we've been helping him through things like: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Learning How to use the DOG BED! </span></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Mirrors are not as fun as REAL greyhounds:</u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Kitties are FRIENDS not FOOD! </u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Stuffed toys can become friends faster than kitties can:</span></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next up.... learning how to climb stairs! Stay tuned ... </div>Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-84757034875293108502011-03-29T10:08:00.002-04:002011-03-29T10:30:13.055-04:00Finnegan, Begin Again!Last weekend Shawn and I packed up our bags and hit the road on our way to Project Racing Home, a Greyhound adoption organization in Randleman, NC.<br />
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The group takes in retired racers from all over the east coast, they have a great kennel with kind and knowledgeable staff. On our way we were nervous and excited to meet the dogs at PRH, and after we arrived we were taken to a back pen where we met various lovable dogs looking for a forever home. After meeting them all, we took two on a walk and quickly realized that one special boy had won our hearts!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfYJAZR8THhrNEPBdqr7ch4wUaZ8upg0R4bU9x6ngaq-Ej45W8G3z557NYfb5ltbWv9VIxSYNolOp3xu8VOuJWErqpHK3LXNexCtdUYG4xJtuMIeZ7WkX7Q9ub2p3_BEsoBDjPpBrHfsl/s1600/Greyhound+comic.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfYJAZR8THhrNEPBdqr7ch4wUaZ8upg0R4bU9x6ngaq-Ej45W8G3z557NYfb5ltbWv9VIxSYNolOp3xu8VOuJWErqpHK3LXNexCtdUYG4xJtuMIeZ7WkX7Q9ub2p3_BEsoBDjPpBrHfsl/s400/Greyhound+comic.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">CLICK THIS COMIC TO READ IT in LARGE FORMAT</div><div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We decided that the sweet, friendly, loving brown-eyed gentleman would be the newest member of our family and I went to grab my camera to get some photos before we headed home to prepare our house for Finnegan's arrival. As I walked away from Shawn and a kennel manager to get my camera, sweet Finn followed me ... how cute! I gave him a pat on the head and continued to walk away ... he kept following... my heart melted. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finnegan was a racer at the Daytona Beach Greyhound Track where he raced in roughly 40 races, his last one being just after Thanksgiving 2010. The greyhound racing industry breeds approximately 50,000 puppies each year. Of these animals, only 15,000 actually become racing dogs. There is a lot of controversy surrounding the treatment and cruelty of race dogs or dejected greyhound puppies that never become racers ... regardless of the side you fall on, everyone can agree that these beautiful dogs deserve to be in a home where they are loved and appreciated. We certainly hope we can provide our new boy with as much love as he can handle! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Because he was a racer, Finnegan will be entering the house-pet world with puppy-eyes which means we will be working with him to learn how to climb stairs, ride in a car, recognize mirrors and glass (they often run into glass doors or out glass windows!), and develop a friendship with Lexie-Mae.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We cannot wait to get Finnegan home! We are so honored to be able to take in a retired racer and to give a dog like Finn the chance to begin again ... So many challenges will come with owning a Greyhound, but we are up for it and eagerly anticipating his arrival!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To learn more about Project Racing Home, please visit www.GetaGrey.com</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-4534330130338677302011-03-06T22:25:00.000-05:002011-03-06T22:25:00.067-05:00Lexie Mae and the Couch-Scratching SagaLexie-Mae is THE sweetest cat ever, my wonderful little furball ... but she has VERY sharp nails! I really couldn't consider declawing her, but her accidental scratches that were caused when jumping on our expensive leather couch started to become a big problem! How could I keep Lexie from ruining my prized furniture?<br />
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See pictures below of Lexie-Mae loving her couch time ...<br />
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Lexie showing off her super sharp dragon-claw nails! eeek!<br />
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So what was our solution to the kitty-scratch problem?<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Solution: Softpaws! </span><br />
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I am so thrilled with this great alternative to declawing that I just had to share! Softpaws are thin caps that go right over sharp-claws - they come in tons of colors and Lexie hasn't even seemed to notice! I would never do it just because it's cute (even though it is!), but if a cat owner is faced with the possibility of declawing - clearly this is the perfect alternative.<br />
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</div>Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-58085298264099440122011-02-13T23:09:00.006-05:002011-02-13T23:13:11.998-05:00Deserving of Preserving<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Just two months ago, I vowed to blog more, and here I am ... over a month since I last posted. Well, I may have neglected my personal blog, but I have been actively adding and updating another blog of mine:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.Deservingofpreserving.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">www.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">DeservingofPreserving</span>.com </span></span></a></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="color: #525252; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For quite some time, I've been working on this site on my own and allowing it to develop slowly; I've recently added new authors to the site and I am excited for it to grow more and more. One of the goals of Deserving of Preserving is to bridge the gap between the field of preservation or historic site management and the public-at-large, so I figured why not let my friends and family in on what I'm doing with my life as a preservationist. Please check it out and let me know what you think! If you're new to preservation, I suggest visiting our "Special Series" tab and checking out Preservation Inspiration! </span></span></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.deservingofpreserving.com/"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbTngt8_HPa7ruQlKcWWZHOyf6XFTA4W8Q33mo9AQFBi-_VoqLoPnSJoiEtxyo6eu3YFqZBihH-vFq8K3SLiKwdCs2J3CgUzs5BOO4Z56srl7EjQqvXmwi898Awh5WNuzzgVQu5UwhTED/s400/Picture+3.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div>Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-89590655542687848792011-01-09T20:11:00.001-05:002011-01-09T20:12:12.956-05:00WanderlustIs there a cure for wanderlust? As I lay awake at night thinking of rolling green hills and the ruins of castles, I begin to think that though my mind is happy to wander the hours away on images of Ireland, I highly doubt it's good for me.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLP_GuIEb6ItQmuMmdnHBJKKXnn5bSGkPIWhPq0Qaa99ZwBollc6aY4ElnFvMgQnzhbwqo2x37u1PFQBGMscD3DQPj054c0I-BvluNdWfMurwn0c4btj40IsEdeDALLT-0VknLpvx1C3L/s1600/Clifden+Castle%252C+County+Galway%252C+Ireland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLP_GuIEb6ItQmuMmdnHBJKKXnn5bSGkPIWhPq0Qaa99ZwBollc6aY4ElnFvMgQnzhbwqo2x37u1PFQBGMscD3DQPj054c0I-BvluNdWfMurwn0c4btj40IsEdeDALLT-0VknLpvx1C3L/s400/Clifden+Castle%252C+County+Galway%252C+Ireland.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Ever since our honeymoon to Ireland, a trip I had always dreamed of, I haven't been able to get it out of my brain for too long. I've been hoping it would fade, as it still may, but as of now I am desperately longing to return to the Green Isle. I try to remind myself of their struggling government, crippled economy and non-existent job market, but pictures of cobbled streets, staggering cliffs and friendly locals creep back in.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoxQi-YkuOQ_VUMRXRZ5GaPRZGemeVfXtZJEHxa5qYdN9AJ3pgg1bqAhyphenhyphenrJCtM3rg2qKntQRzbJV5t5JQ-JEE3w_rct1XFZ__3id2KvBkWUUoziJ3RdTpz-XWrY6jGBJm4QTETuHMMlqA/s1600/1253365106gTXvX39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoxQi-YkuOQ_VUMRXRZ5GaPRZGemeVfXtZJEHxa5qYdN9AJ3pgg1bqAhyphenhyphenrJCtM3rg2qKntQRzbJV5t5JQ-JEE3w_rct1XFZ__3id2KvBkWUUoziJ3RdTpz-XWrY6jGBJm4QTETuHMMlqA/s400/1253365106gTXvX39.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
As I teeter on the edge of another weekend's end, waiting to enter back into the real world I contemplate another woman over in Ireland. Of everyone out there, there must be one girl over in Ireland dreaming of crossing the Atlantic to come to the United States; does she dream of the opportunities, or the sparkle of New York City?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32-ySq3OXFhQZp2cowLAD_Bm6kxY0ugqgaNLvVLLXTpYur_OvDFdSrCyO6ZtEolxPA4V7t7h2j_fNe-z8tvxRMuVYshL_5vWLt63JG6DcowZv6Z8kScGNcpe0LKVt1HtpzP2-jnae_Cy5/s1600/new-york-city-one-of-ten-best-cities-to-visit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32-ySq3OXFhQZp2cowLAD_Bm6kxY0ugqgaNLvVLLXTpYur_OvDFdSrCyO6ZtEolxPA4V7t7h2j_fNe-z8tvxRMuVYshL_5vWLt63JG6DcowZv6Z8kScGNcpe0LKVt1HtpzP2-jnae_Cy5/s400/new-york-city-one-of-ten-best-cities-to-visit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unless someone in Ireland is over there wanting to trade places for a bit (and yes, I am up for it!), I'll have to find all of the things I love about where I am here in Raleigh, which is actually a pretty length list! Shawn and I decided to do something new, or go somewhere we hadn't yet been to once a week. So far, we've been to the North Carolina Museum of History:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__J1NX62mTlQ7YpKoAukisTDfo1w8UtoPcRi-U7tJyOtV-qE4EY0p3IubTyCWZVGVnTxa3-RtaZVd9wzaPpM1LlUhBMKKEAPR-dtmJNcDGFMOOtVqN33qglCdl9MROnjjkylZ2zONsryS/s1600/g-trv-100405-NCMA-830a.grid-6x2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__J1NX62mTlQ7YpKoAukisTDfo1w8UtoPcRi-U7tJyOtV-qE4EY0p3IubTyCWZVGVnTxa3-RtaZVd9wzaPpM1LlUhBMKKEAPR-dtmJNcDGFMOOtVqN33qglCdl9MROnjjkylZ2zONsryS/s400/g-trv-100405-NCMA-830a.grid-6x2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
and then yesterday we finally made it to the Raleigh Times Bar downtown:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsRCiZspgmFqijX6cH2I51C7h7q7UEZsULJf29NkIl4oo8BqEhKa4yU4SfCXcNS-3kWtR6vfi1Yvmu04lZAsMEA0PTgsrhcBmnKuc7owcWhqkS6elmNkHEMLIuEgwgfufr7oM0OMIfRRg/s1600/the+raliegh1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsRCiZspgmFqijX6cH2I51C7h7q7UEZsULJf29NkIl4oo8BqEhKa4yU4SfCXcNS-3kWtR6vfi1Yvmu04lZAsMEA0PTgsrhcBmnKuc7owcWhqkS6elmNkHEMLIuEgwgfufr7oM0OMIfRRg/s400/the+raliegh1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
which, in case you didn't already know, is on the site where the Raleigh Times Newspaper was published ... fish & chips AND restoration of a historic structure? Be still my heart. Maybe we aren't too far from the heart of Ireland after-all.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcU-ZHdfCkfIuk0w0Z5IT2ogQdrFZU0mhtfZaZo5xFIyuc2I8A-xSk4GTNQsk_lh3P3znn7j43ki_bnt8e4phw7wDkr7R0AK_DsauxNvD_ASPsZXe6nONfKdmutnFd0XqRTa8HHCfz9WWI/s1600/4340036656_77fdb63515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcU-ZHdfCkfIuk0w0Z5IT2ogQdrFZU0mhtfZaZo5xFIyuc2I8A-xSk4GTNQsk_lh3P3znn7j43ki_bnt8e4phw7wDkr7R0AK_DsauxNvD_ASPsZXe6nONfKdmutnFd0XqRTa8HHCfz9WWI/s400/4340036656_77fdb63515.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-45749240751333150722011-01-07T22:31:00.000-05:002011-01-07T22:31:42.117-05:00Blog FaceliftEvery now and then the ol' blog needs a little touch up. To encourage me to write in here a little more, I had some fun with redesigning Up and Adams. Too bad it isn't this easy (and cheap!) to redesign my living room!Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-69475759996338698022010-12-09T23:40:00.001-05:002010-12-13T20:15:21.363-05:00Happy Corner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mom bought Shawn and I one of my favorite Christmas gifts thus far ... (it doesn't matter that I picked it out, does it?) ... a new side chair for our living room! No one really seemed to "get" the rocking chair we had next to our couch, and I just LOVE the french script that matches the rest of our decor perfectly! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love the touch of whimsey it adds to the space! ... It's also sitting next to my favorite Christmas picture on the end table ... a little shot of my dad and I in Santa hats during my very first Christmas! :) What a happy little corner!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHHv98jaxB3aFeDsqf_JnVH-Ie1fTy3QHylPWEXecgjXSUZ46sX3q-BfXr7kYdYN7GmI5Vy-xRmHATnTfuJI_t5dWguoAEuwXZSz6XLs0bhCW7EG8zmJPHUShwfjbdZtt-cdM2BMfl4wP/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHHv98jaxB3aFeDsqf_JnVH-Ie1fTy3QHylPWEXecgjXSUZ46sX3q-BfXr7kYdYN7GmI5Vy-xRmHATnTfuJI_t5dWguoAEuwXZSz6XLs0bhCW7EG8zmJPHUShwfjbdZtt-cdM2BMfl4wP/s640/DSC_0008.JPG" width="420" /></a></div>Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-32403400932203098592010-11-25T22:06:00.000-05:002010-11-25T22:06:04.332-05:00The Other HalfI like to take these little blog posts and write about things that I want to express, but don't always wish to broadcast. A blog posit isn't a Facebook status update, or a mass email to all my friends, it's a little side room of my internet identity that is seldom accessed by others. I quite like this opportunity! It's fun to share with just a handful of people! And so today, that's what I plan on doing. Sharing a little bit of me that I won't be broadcasting else where.<br />
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Here it goes.<br />
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You know those little family secrets that everyone seems to have? The ones that are rarely spoken about, the ones you didn't realize were such a big deal when you were 10? Well, we have one. It wasn't a bad secret, or a really exciting secret - but I always knew not to mention it, not to talk about it.<br />
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As I got older, I stopped one day and realized ... hey, this IS a big deal. I need to know MORE.<br />
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What was the big secret? I had a half-sister, Sonja who was adopted by another family years before I was born. This may not seem like that much to those people with full siblings, but to someone who always wanted a brother or sister, it was HUGE. Sadly, as quickly as I learned I had a sister out there, I also learned that she passed away years ago. Since we never met, it's hard to say I miss her, but every now and then I reflect on it and wonder what it would have been like to know her. I never asked any more questions, I just let it go and time passed like it always does.<br />
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This year, I realized that if there was anything I can do, it's research. After all, it's kind of my profession. I went to college and then graduate school learning how to research. Why hadn't I tried to find out more about my half-sister before now?<br />
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I looked and looked and researched and finally had the name of the newspaper who had the article on her car accident in their file. I called, but the branch had given those archives to the library - they gave me the number. I never called it. It's odd that I was right on the edge of knowing more, maybe even getting a picture, but I didn't take the next step. Somewhere inside, I thought that if I did, and it was a dead end, then the chance of knowing more would be gone. Over time, I lost the phone number and forgot the name of the library.<br />
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Every now and then, I would google my half-sister's name, just in case. One of these times, something came up. It was a web link with a photo of her grave-site, along with the matching birth and death dates that I knew, and a brief note about her being killed in a car accident on the way home from church on Easter Sunday.<br />
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I contacted the woman who had posted the link about Sonja and our information all matched up. She even knew the side of the story that I knew, the side that wasn't in the papers. It turns out she was a close family friend and still keeps in contact with them. She was going to send me a picture of Sonja.<br />
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I was in the car with Shawn driving down Capital Blvd last week when the email came through with my half-sister's picture. Before I knew it, the file had downloaded and I saw a face staring back at me from my iPhone. A face I had wondered about for a decade.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLr6LlV50zJwGyzPA2RyLoknbwBHlkpHLIel58GYu8qn1kUrmmPTOLJAMMuA5Kk4UOT7bZOVTT-DQbBqy1mv51gtOYSETTGZMstz1XF_pEyQv58Y9IOUBCYM9pnYhQZZySVM_VbQ5r1OlN/s1600/Sonja+Carbajal+%25281980%2529+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLr6LlV50zJwGyzPA2RyLoknbwBHlkpHLIel58GYu8qn1kUrmmPTOLJAMMuA5Kk4UOT7bZOVTT-DQbBqy1mv51gtOYSETTGZMstz1XF_pEyQv58Y9IOUBCYM9pnYhQZZySVM_VbQ5r1OlN/s400/Sonja+Carbajal+%25281980%2529+005.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><br />
The picture was faded and old, but beyond the sepia tone, I could see just a hint of my dad and it made me smile. It was many years too late, but I finally had a sister. I am grateful to now have a beautiful face to put to a memorized name.<br />
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Though Sonja's is a sad story, it inspires me to appreciate the time I have, and to love those around me as much as I can! It's a story that I've always been interested in sharing, but there never really is quite the right time to talk about long-lost siblings, is there?<br />
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I hope everyone out there, (all half-dozen who read this) can be reminded of how special family is, and how valuable siblings can be. Please enjoy them and love them every single day and thank the good Lord you've been given the opportunity to share life together! :)Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-59803305289723821062010-11-11T15:34:00.002-05:002010-11-11T15:39:19.096-05:00Veteran's DayAs I reflected on Veteran's Day today, my mind inevitably wandered to my dad. His favorite place on earth was Camp Perry, a military base in Ohio. I googled Camp Perry, and eventually I wound up at an article published online a few years ago that linked to my dad's name - this little spotlight just made me smile. I remember the funeral at Camp Perry, accept my mom and I witnessed it separated from the crowd, up in a tower down one of the ranges, so that we could have the very best view of the skydiver carrying the American flag, swirling in the air with colorful smoke shooting from his specialized boots. One boot carried red dust which drew streaks of color in the sky, the other boot emitted a lighter, more faint gray line. In this boot, were the ashes of my father. The colors mixed and swirled together as the skydiver careened to the group, the American flag he was carrying whipping in the wind. The 21-gun salute and bugler ended the ceremony and although it's a sad memory, it's one I am certainly grateful to have.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHGLHjtb3_fg-009d1ZYlwsHtrEjdhf2LwJHhouZGqszS8HCJZp3HHOTX0c7cNsrtek4a5ckVD74ujXCEBB6W3ib8FHNajc75asaCJbFre8Fdhc4ebKsGantjHGq0_87ZRaZHkat-Apdu/s1600/Picture+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHGLHjtb3_fg-009d1ZYlwsHtrEjdhf2LwJHhouZGqszS8HCJZp3HHOTX0c7cNsrtek4a5ckVD74ujXCEBB6W3ib8FHNajc75asaCJbFre8Fdhc4ebKsGantjHGq0_87ZRaZHkat-Apdu/s640/Picture+4.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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Today, and every other day I am grateful for our Veterans and all of their sacrifices for our Freedom. :)<br />
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<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JjSogCNAgfo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JjSogCNAgfo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-60368963724400814102010-10-25T23:16:00.001-04:002010-10-26T17:08:38.225-04:00Inspiration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2FpOSNebyBE_o6Zl4dZyaxQz1Dnn-v1ccBJWBy-oX3k9kng4CNg2UzIhY_CKhVmhj-PacS8FlMfAgumIPZEbQMECcitgFyJo5eAFedJ9C7_0lGCdQ0May_HbeHwGbIqr-wroI4lYf19I/s1600/MARKET_189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2FpOSNebyBE_o6Zl4dZyaxQz1Dnn-v1ccBJWBy-oX3k9kng4CNg2UzIhY_CKhVmhj-PacS8FlMfAgumIPZEbQMECcitgFyJo5eAFedJ9C7_0lGCdQ0May_HbeHwGbIqr-wroI4lYf19I/s400/MARKET_189.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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I've always had a love of buildings, spaces, design, expression and aesthetic. Early on, it was my love of classical architecture, statues and poetry that led me to major in Classical Civilizations ... I wanted to learn what inspired them to be so great that they in turn became inspirations to the rest of history. When I finished my undergraduate, I looked for a way to apply my focus in history to the buildings themselves. To me spaces and structures spoke, and it was important that those who could hear them would stand up to speak on their behalf. I spent the next two years pursuing my Masters with a focus on Historic Preservation, which has lead me to where I am now, working for a local nonprofit and serving to advocate for the historic built environment.<br />
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During my last year in graduate school, I took a class on the History of Furniture ... we took a trip to the Hickory Furniture Market and I was HOOKED. Where had this been all my life when I constantly rearranged my bedroom as a child, when I sketched layouts of every apartment I lived in, and drooled over a side chair in the store window? Needless to say, I've been trying to get more and more daily inspiration (not that I have the money to implement it) but that isn't what matters, right?! Sometimes it's a blending of classical elements that I love, or an unexpected light fixture ...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPamXkIoiirT1_thR7nMIGjFtPE1JSGtau-iNjg_lFwgkn-OovrjHgISOq6k8yesNM8xJvvOrhCXTfR3y0uUzt6gCWoNiI4b5Q7lzmi2Hf81pyx3UxTVob71HGGy0dhU4tZg1_HRPlKH4/s1600/birds-birds-birds-chandeliers-ingo-maurer-detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPamXkIoiirT1_thR7nMIGjFtPE1JSGtau-iNjg_lFwgkn-OovrjHgISOq6k8yesNM8xJvvOrhCXTfR3y0uUzt6gCWoNiI4b5Q7lzmi2Hf81pyx3UxTVob71HGGy0dhU4tZg1_HRPlKH4/s320/birds-birds-birds-chandeliers-ingo-maurer-detail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I mean ... how could you see this chandelier and NOT have something to say about it? More often than not I am just enthralled with modern design that is playful or pays allegiance to historical precedent; whether it's text printed on linen, architectural elements used indoors, even family portraits displayed in all their glory ... love it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In my own home, beyond the high end interiors I drool over, my biggest inspiration is surrounding myself with things that mean something to me: from an old wooden cross my aunt brought back from Ethiopia, to a small heart-shaped box filled with memories of my father, to the amazing hand-made bowl my hubby and I picked up on our honeymoon in Ireland.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZezTCDrhV7U1BkPJMRKn8V_zko18XrU3UK2HEzo8TQkqJvOId9CMGOT-sgP0jPVy7VDbU1Zaak4zPgYSDlN0sx903IqKTCbTl-bLiHvBrLGqJtmmOnIUapiHzEqslSr8y5n5IKFQhKSw/s1600/DSC_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZezTCDrhV7U1BkPJMRKn8V_zko18XrU3UK2HEzo8TQkqJvOId9CMGOT-sgP0jPVy7VDbU1Zaak4zPgYSDlN0sx903IqKTCbTl-bLiHvBrLGqJtmmOnIUapiHzEqslSr8y5n5IKFQhKSw/s400/DSC_0165.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZFvPwF-13yycrj5AqXwSJHxwbCy98AGf3m6-fMWfv0CFRyB2pA5TTZI4kMAAaW800_Z93boJLP98jVVWljbfGq3PTGXu7vNvqlBdP3Aac4y5LgR93CMFL-CcP0G6Ko9IUcD8fKzkHgV4/s1600/DSC_0171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZFvPwF-13yycrj5AqXwSJHxwbCy98AGf3m6-fMWfv0CFRyB2pA5TTZI4kMAAaW800_Z93boJLP98jVVWljbfGq3PTGXu7vNvqlBdP3Aac4y5LgR93CMFL-CcP0G6Ko9IUcD8fKzkHgV4/s320/DSC_0171.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAW-6lawVYTUNb_vgtV0VDOY4F7x2AjPzsBItE2o9wsL_ZzGGz7HYNLBpGjlR5js580d1T1emtunDtn7Wl2hgi3_ppd8b2-Lb4PUuJk3OmKggyw9PqItoNTMySjDJUByPvajixpka-OSM/s1600/DSC_0174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAW-6lawVYTUNb_vgtV0VDOY4F7x2AjPzsBItE2o9wsL_ZzGGz7HYNLBpGjlR5js580d1T1emtunDtn7Wl2hgi3_ppd8b2-Lb4PUuJk3OmKggyw9PqItoNTMySjDJUByPvajixpka-OSM/s320/DSC_0174.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As I move beyond the excitement of planning a wedding, I'm looking forward to making our house a home together, and continuing the hunt for inspiration!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-1929436666547206592010-10-21T22:51:00.000-04:002010-10-21T22:51:36.601-04:00All in a day's work ...Just prior to the wedding and honeymoon, I had another big event - this one for the company I work for. We held our annual awards banquet, known as the Anthemion Awards on September 20th. So much went into the event, it felt like a second wedding (minus the excitement of me being in a big white dress and all that jazz). So much work went into preparing for it! - from the award presentation boards, to setting up the room, preparing the guest list, donation spreadsheets, countless phone calls and one very difficult maneuvering session where I managed to cram 11 full-size professional display easels into my car ... It went very well and everyone enjoyed a great evening, but boy am I glad it's behind us! :) Now, to prepare for next year!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3D60OdYSCwP_ChrRrwZuZbrJfVe3mOUpz4rvR75ZIg3buLDhbjcNqdnl4mCx6i8kW3iGQM3gg0kb5ZSSvTfxNhWNejeAo-7hvQ9sasD46XV9HCSVYDK1e31ZJFzNkF9-mfYZBsdr11moA/s1600/DSC_0717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3D60OdYSCwP_ChrRrwZuZbrJfVe3mOUpz4rvR75ZIg3buLDhbjcNqdnl4mCx6i8kW3iGQM3gg0kb5ZSSvTfxNhWNejeAo-7hvQ9sasD46XV9HCSVYDK1e31ZJFzNkF9-mfYZBsdr11moA/s400/DSC_0717.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The presentation boards I made by hand for each award winner ... lots of work but they turned out so well it was worth it! :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIQ7I1KTErLxlJjTDm0lKy94940p6UpkCYvyIlpV9O3ZkZ-XCV0uK6PHTcg4dKDV2HtgjpoHK3uNLEVn3ZnIPJOOW98wBII2avp4T1JwrdoQKWWHcHx30agWUX937rCf7Y7ZFXPmvQ4mG/s1600/DSC_0718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIQ7I1KTErLxlJjTDm0lKy94940p6UpkCYvyIlpV9O3ZkZ-XCV0uK6PHTcg4dKDV2HtgjpoHK3uNLEVn3ZnIPJOOW98wBII2avp4T1JwrdoQKWWHcHx30agWUX937rCf7Y7ZFXPmvQ4mG/s640/DSC_0718.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a close up of one of our award winner boards; this little gem was renovated and is now used as a bridal dress shop! (I loved this particular errand! So many pretty things inside and I got to take pictures of it!) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jWb6ROqC5sNdYoLK3-HDLmhJ1nTKFnwWm1K4880jtvWYrnNl1sGpqBBvwA5UtBC-NAHyuh41H0MZ2Uvy8nU_kpGTlGYPJtKIN67rzNtIHwDwjsXHN9eivQpYRByO6wH6qBMFGXJjvajP/s1600/DSC_0740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jWb6ROqC5sNdYoLK3-HDLmhJ1nTKFnwWm1K4880jtvWYrnNl1sGpqBBvwA5UtBC-NAHyuh41H0MZ2Uvy8nU_kpGTlGYPJtKIN67rzNtIHwDwjsXHN9eivQpYRByO6wH6qBMFGXJjvajP/s400/DSC_0740.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had a full house - every seat at the Irregardless Cafe was filled with supporters and award winners! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3-zPVrgzJAAbm8TmJmlNWKdWVfJ5-_XBX0tYlqonq-aCRHvpmNN1H2yj7i-pr5WCWGxEbVYKWOhAmH9pGtiAkVlc1qfCz45UceGszr3obZabhzAPBeniuLZsXXMY_0kcHFM8mWDVMXh_/s1600/DSC_0856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3-zPVrgzJAAbm8TmJmlNWKdWVfJ5-_XBX0tYlqonq-aCRHvpmNN1H2yj7i-pr5WCWGxEbVYKWOhAmH9pGtiAkVlc1qfCz45UceGszr3obZabhzAPBeniuLZsXXMY_0kcHFM8mWDVMXh_/s400/DSC_0856.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The best part of the night is that my sweetie got to join me! He helped out at the front door and then enjoyed the show while I took pictures - it was fun to have him see what I do!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6p5VrPzUcIUqLJ7B-nplezT6l9jHQ7ds5zc4QaZP3jUkCh3XYUeef9Yd0oai-2pWtXAGEISUcCj-M6bVGMahGKLPLquNHAXkWPSRN8yEEswtKwwFzcSFAjI7Eu7HPdP4SmiVfXvL5e_hx/s1600/DSC_0865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6p5VrPzUcIUqLJ7B-nplezT6l9jHQ7ds5zc4QaZP3jUkCh3XYUeef9Yd0oai-2pWtXAGEISUcCj-M6bVGMahGKLPLquNHAXkWPSRN8yEEswtKwwFzcSFAjI7Eu7HPdP4SmiVfXvL5e_hx/s400/DSC_0865.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After the party was over and the guests had left ... it was up to Shawn and I to get all of the easels back into the car, but finally - we did it!! </div>Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-15811380106017795122010-10-21T16:04:00.000-04:002010-10-21T16:04:33.161-04:00Irish Fancies<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">I sat at work today, with my iPod on shuffle and a familiar song came on. "Heave Away" by the Fables isn't known that well to many people, but it ever after we used it during our wedding for the Irish Dollar Dance, the song had etched itself into a favorite memory of mine. After spending our honeymoon in Ireland, the sound of Irish music brings me back to those magical days that Shawn and I spent there. Here are a few of my favorites memories in no particular order: </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8g-4vM4H8l0uPFSsQLncOvY2KyST0jEeC8HoDgu_yYossI5Hpqn8837LDnp8vVrIsKEegLbjgptM0N36QnfGNMinv6NL-OrCtjiGPmmj3-m969f2ey9SgIG1dJCunCEQMnTFFWCvx70v/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8g-4vM4H8l0uPFSsQLncOvY2KyST0jEeC8HoDgu_yYossI5Hpqn8837LDnp8vVrIsKEegLbjgptM0N36QnfGNMinv6NL-OrCtjiGPmmj3-m969f2ey9SgIG1dJCunCEQMnTFFWCvx70v/s400/DSC_0043.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Favorite Memory #1: Arriving in Ireland to find that the rental car Shawn choose was smaller than my Mini Cooper! It actually worked perfectly for us because if Shawn had trouble parking, he could just pick it up and move it to where it needed to be! ... only kidding.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNWC1ftqNT6NO3owyNQZk1wlCrTl2KczniWMb5GmrMl3oxjGaVY2EvFffko-L6jJhtlkD2JLHGt3YBucgH-D8bvF86h3kd5UTObvrVX5tI_m2YH_BDECnRtpJbabEN_0StzO4ne33drer/s1600/DSC_0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNWC1ftqNT6NO3owyNQZk1wlCrTl2KczniWMb5GmrMl3oxjGaVY2EvFffko-L6jJhtlkD2JLHGt3YBucgH-D8bvF86h3kd5UTObvrVX5tI_m2YH_BDECnRtpJbabEN_0StzO4ne33drer/s400/DSC_0106.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Favorite Memory #2: Taking a "Viking" tour of Dublin ... this included us screeeeeaaaming at a variety of people on the street a) those carrying coffee b) those holding a map [there were a TON of these!] and c) happy couples ... our driver would slowly sneak up behind people and give the signal and the whole bus would give our best Viking yell! ... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewW5xJ72PLhcNihr_5satTu6FfF3CqlS9kGMXfN2FMMcXI3gfhjZzyRQ3QzWOoBFxwcgF0cStlTmHOgNrdSERH4CF4jgTe_QoTJruw7ZMulAtpAZttT_SYYqbb9BtXWSvqoibQ2_B-cqh/s1600/DSC_0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewW5xJ72PLhcNihr_5satTu6FfF3CqlS9kGMXfN2FMMcXI3gfhjZzyRQ3QzWOoBFxwcgF0cStlTmHOgNrdSERH4CF4jgTe_QoTJruw7ZMulAtpAZttT_SYYqbb9BtXWSvqoibQ2_B-cqh/s400/DSC_0150.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Favorite Memory #3: Napping in St. Stephen's Green in the middle of Dublin. After a sleepless night on the plane, and a full morning of touring, we were exhausted and instead of going back to the B&B ... we decided to do as the locals did - and sleep in the park! Fabulous weather, beautiful view ... great sleep!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83yKzx0oRsT1KtN96kqJnT7T_s0JqQltdLbk19dYfdiq27hl3HVoJpukoMo3l8fRJCVjkOhc7L40015KYIqFinyrzKaxpiX-AsrrazUqbY1oz75ZDAeQ765wzDZa10dINgLq0ydFkEnA6/s1600/DSC_0203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83yKzx0oRsT1KtN96kqJnT7T_s0JqQltdLbk19dYfdiq27hl3HVoJpukoMo3l8fRJCVjkOhc7L40015KYIqFinyrzKaxpiX-AsrrazUqbY1oz75ZDAeQ765wzDZa10dINgLq0ydFkEnA6/s400/DSC_0203.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Favorite Memory #4: Dublin in the evening. Every now and then I LOVE to be in the middle of a city, the vibrancy of a downtown like this is just beautiful! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZ_EV1bNYZ4YgbfcVvKTJ1ZNNXG_22-r3ZX9Q99v-l1Ejm6I3czJGQCFN57aWsn6sjBJqPAVSkUV3z7GQd-BEQRb4LBDotWhdhdJcIFr0kKJNaR9KjwbOKswfcsMVzBakaqX8QmPqHFkB/s1600/DSC_0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZ_EV1bNYZ4YgbfcVvKTJ1ZNNXG_22-r3ZX9Q99v-l1Ejm6I3czJGQCFN57aWsn6sjBJqPAVSkUV3z7GQd-BEQRb4LBDotWhdhdJcIFr0kKJNaR9KjwbOKswfcsMVzBakaqX8QmPqHFkB/s400/DSC_0157.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Favorite Memory #5: Irish Coffee with Berna. Our favorite B&B in Ireland was with the amazing Berna who made us Irish Coffee when we arrived, lit the fire and sat down with us to chat ... Irish hospitality! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpCBkfarRZ-arhGdZ9I1TFLfQAvx3cUDQVZNq6FCEzqN0rRSnHAQ2A4JnKc-fmgalNYTl_cpEFk7jTlNiRzEmPfwdDsa-Wlqe2n7oFcBfYzjQ_HVcqZDck10lIj7lrLxYih3gsw9LAtXo/s1600/DSC_0731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpCBkfarRZ-arhGdZ9I1TFLfQAvx3cUDQVZNq6FCEzqN0rRSnHAQ2A4JnKc-fmgalNYTl_cpEFk7jTlNiRzEmPfwdDsa-Wlqe2n7oFcBfYzjQ_HVcqZDck10lIj7lrLxYih3gsw9LAtXo/s400/DSC_0731.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Favorite Memory #6: Carriage ride around Ross Castle. This experience is what I dreamed of when I thought of Ireland, and it didn't disappoint! We enjoy talking with our Irish guide as he drove us around the property and told us about his life in Killarney. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKjrAVtGryx0FVHuSNUJLZPrNg8MdvrbcuW9Db4kJDbUKcXTgF-Chak85X8QJa6EEu3UiR0kK7la80Hniu2sxwNjrZJAtQYOOM_VzXkzhmzqASeFXHAjeGBFaUFpkgpYrajsVP4GCZPzX/s1600/DSC_0423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKjrAVtGryx0FVHuSNUJLZPrNg8MdvrbcuW9Db4kJDbUKcXTgF-Chak85X8QJa6EEu3UiR0kK7la80Hniu2sxwNjrZJAtQYOOM_VzXkzhmzqASeFXHAjeGBFaUFpkgpYrajsVP4GCZPzX/s400/DSC_0423.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Favorite Memory #7: Shawn. That's it - just Shawn. He is the best travel companion and always keeps me entertained - the honeymoon was no exception! </span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBY26GVJncOWqwPiv1TCfUtOoDR3KzShflDtc2Uh3tQx7kHdDQS8vUc1-xx9EnNFIyKwDuoxQW8NqraG7xL79w8Hr1DohwcSHKoo1Yuh5Pds5id3eLLOnsRQo83OsSUqbaNdCBmyQko8y/s1600/DSC_0380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBY26GVJncOWqwPiv1TCfUtOoDR3KzShflDtc2Uh3tQx7kHdDQS8vUc1-xx9EnNFIyKwDuoxQW8NqraG7xL79w8Hr1DohwcSHKoo1Yuh5Pds5id3eLLOnsRQo83OsSUqbaNdCBmyQko8y/s400/DSC_0380.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Favorite Memory #8: Horse-back riding on the beach ... There were so many things I loved about this experience - seeing Shawn's face light up when he got on a horse for the first time is one of them! He was grinning and laughing for 2 hours straight on this trip! The views we saw were staggeringly beautiful, the water was a vivd teal and the seagrass that had washed up on the beach was a bold rust color ... everywhere we looked was mother nature in all her glory! </span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DtEUhqwMfjIJRLHd5irjSoq6NDFqQfehldy2iXD4J3jNGOunFLgQGSN0kb2yaHOdqhTsvEBBN0Rz5n0ZCLfPfB0RRkIfno0tN5DmWu8WDu6_huhM-gfksOdgBScrlvGb05kRy8OnXbsk/s1600/DSC_0901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DtEUhqwMfjIJRLHd5irjSoq6NDFqQfehldy2iXD4J3jNGOunFLgQGSN0kb2yaHOdqhTsvEBBN0Rz5n0ZCLfPfB0RRkIfno0tN5DmWu8WDu6_huhM-gfksOdgBScrlvGb05kRy8OnXbsk/s640/DSC_0901.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Favorite Memory #9: An unplanned night in Ennis. After a long day, we decided not to go to the big banquet we had planned on and instead to enjoy a night alone together - what a FABuLOUS decision that was! We ventured into the amazing town of Ennis, where we found this inspiring restaurant called the Cloister ... delicious food, stunning ambience and since it was a weekday - GREAT service because we were one of the only ones there! So romantic! We capped the night with a Guinness in the pub next door and traditional music ... be still my heart! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHMUu16-TbP3Z4kSd_yMntXDHvx6DuRoyicj3cHCWo6FfCnrESbaNZbNOQ_NrwIKqYPS19L7fpGUgX_K-E3NvgtWz85t8FSc4wtqcRq8KTiNzlmbNFQ7Qn0CczpAgbVpwiRYhFWghasBp/s1600/DSC_0836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHMUu16-TbP3Z4kSd_yMntXDHvx6DuRoyicj3cHCWo6FfCnrESbaNZbNOQ_NrwIKqYPS19L7fpGUgX_K-E3NvgtWz85t8FSc4wtqcRq8KTiNzlmbNFQ7Qn0CczpAgbVpwiRYhFWghasBp/s400/DSC_0836.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Favorite Memory #10: The Cliffs of Moher. This place was the single most beautiful site I've ever seen. Shawn and I spent 2 hours here, just staring at this 800 foot cliff and knowing that pictures would never do it justice. The natural beauty of this place is so powerful it's almost spiritual and truly undefinable. When we finally make it back to Ireland, we've promised ourselves to make a trip here. Can't wait! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div>Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-58677382966545368582010-10-19T22:48:00.000-04:002010-10-19T22:48:44.490-04:00Halloween with the Adams FamilyAs I eagerly await our first pumpkin carving together, I took a little time to practice on one of our "artificial" pumpkins. I thought that without the pumpkin goo mess, it would be soooo much easier ... 2 broken mini-carving knives later ... I realized it can by just as messy as little foam pieces dot our living room floor, and just as frustrating (mistakes happen just the same!) but it's still just as rewarding to see a finished carving all lit up! :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRgOBmcalOg4zuBGLqP6R322hlcQSOwpcgTBHLBi0fp4RW7jWOWR0Ncfny8G8xQ3l-dwmwt57pbhIYZfSiJ29CYJUQsHdvwtZ9-4w_qDcJ3sZforrBp__7pBN2Y16aPHPquV_t7lP8P54/s1600/DSC_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRgOBmcalOg4zuBGLqP6R322hlcQSOwpcgTBHLBi0fp4RW7jWOWR0Ncfny8G8xQ3l-dwmwt57pbhIYZfSiJ29CYJUQsHdvwtZ9-4w_qDcJ3sZforrBp__7pBN2Y16aPHPquV_t7lP8P54/s640/DSC_0069.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-60817979100967547142010-10-19T21:34:00.000-04:002010-10-19T21:34:34.763-04:00Wedding DazeI blinked my eyes and all of the wedding preparation was over. It was time to make some memories that I'd retell for the rest of my life; after 19 months of waiting ... the big day was finally here: September 25th ... our wedding day. For a little taste of the wedding, see the short video below!<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="265" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/15861644" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/15861644">Boone Hall Wedding</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user942636">BRITESIDE PRODUCTIONS</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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It happened in a flurry, in a flash of sparkle and feather. Snapshots of streaming sunshine, ancient oak trees and sweaty friends remain vivid in my mind. It was nothing that I expected and everything I hoped for. I completely enjoyed planning and designing for the wedding, but I am so happy it's all behind me. Now comes the fun of waiting for the wedding pictures and enjoying the holidays with my new hubby. :)Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-80792853394701648872010-07-30T12:54:00.000-04:002010-07-30T12:54:16.492-04:00Cornhole ConqueredAs part of our wedding crafts (and well, because we wanted some type of entertainment when grilling out!) Shawn and I set to work to make our own cornhole boards this summer! The process took longer than we expected because once I was in the thick of painting (and yellow took 4 coats to cover!) I just had to do it right ... this meant I had to suffer through inhaling WAY to many paint fumes and a few long evenings of sitting on a hard wood floor ... but they turned out AWESOME!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1x5M2ltt_WBW64LkXDS5Qbe6rzmLmR8oaUicKPdRCw1uYfBnyQonlK62PqkSHvuOWOwvO9-4qcSAhQ1fi9OeyXuH9sOK6aYMmgZsK7mRLEj3HfICVXAeQl46qYk6Vj23pHcPpiZrXw_g/s1600/DSC_0507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1x5M2ltt_WBW64LkXDS5Qbe6rzmLmR8oaUicKPdRCw1uYfBnyQonlK62PqkSHvuOWOwvO9-4qcSAhQ1fi9OeyXuH9sOK6aYMmgZsK7mRLEj3HfICVXAeQl46qYk6Vj23pHcPpiZrXw_g/s400/DSC_0507.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We want our wedding to be laid back and fun, so we decided to bring our cornhole boards for the cocktail hour to encourage guests to relax a bit and enjoy the outdoor scenery that we've come to love from Charleston! One more task down ... dozens to go! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-42024900359648482412010-07-29T12:22:00.000-04:002010-07-29T12:22:08.206-04:00Wooden Pallet InspirationWith the realization that our wedding is getting closer (8 weekends for me to prepare - WHAT?!), I've put the preparation of my wedding crafts into overdrive. Yesterday, Shawn and I found a listing on Craig's List for free wooden pallets to anyone who would take them from a furniture store out in Cary. Although he rolled his eyes, Shawn went with me (and brought his new tools) to salvage some wood for a wedding DIY.<br />
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This is how they started:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFCU1WzQbbklyvfQhoFVy4BD98z3zNTCvKnDFb7VMl97UEkJsLbt9E_7RpmBNwFniIZPbB1dbY444MDbi0hLrVQHTTywZxahj_9XJTHAFGYfcg2cTL6glh1q4q4yMH7EF_QI5wV3Azzcf/s1600/make-deck-wood-pallets-800X800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFCU1WzQbbklyvfQhoFVy4BD98z3zNTCvKnDFb7VMl97UEkJsLbt9E_7RpmBNwFniIZPbB1dbY444MDbi0hLrVQHTTywZxahj_9XJTHAFGYfcg2cTL6glh1q4q4yMH7EF_QI5wV3Azzcf/s320/make-deck-wood-pallets-800X800.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After a feverish burst of creative energy, I produced these wooden signs that we'll be using throughout the wedding/surrounding area:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVLAV-Z7-4dCZybl5XkCxCIOT3t5EPhjtnj5MbhKYuB4pwPB5VbqnNtq8i0CQocpuaNRs5EXktQbrqnLBcsMpzcuH4lUsBSJeqRmgnBXb8vVaru2deXp_VmDln2w_LnQNcPweH2gXcnOR/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVLAV-Z7-4dCZybl5XkCxCIOT3t5EPhjtnj5MbhKYuB4pwPB5VbqnNtq8i0CQocpuaNRs5EXktQbrqnLBcsMpzcuH4lUsBSJeqRmgnBXb8vVaru2deXp_VmDln2w_LnQNcPweH2gXcnOR/s400/photo-1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The "parking" and "wedding" signs will be cut to point the way for our guests, the "ceremony" sign helps to divert everyone around the reception area to the waterside ceremony, and the "Mr." & "Mrs." signs will be hung on the back of our chairs ... completely excited that these bad boys cost us NOTHING ... aside from the paint and a splinter in my finger. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next up: an update on our AMAZING corn-hole boards for the cocktail hour! </div>Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-67871602638985297942010-06-16T00:27:00.000-04:002010-06-16T00:27:18.421-04:00Showered with Love!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">Had an amazing wedding shower last weekend thrown by Shawn's family in New Bern. It was an interesting twist on showers because it was for both Shawn and I - that means gifts that range from slow-cookers to shop-vacs. So blessed to have such special people in our lives, the outpouring of support was amazing and we were so honored! </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJH31Cm6gTmjkwdJSAxE3k_Oa1fBCrS2ugEOMZiADm8yeS7Pyl_K5tMXlKBLnmEqm1Txpq_ZuzfSO8-7l9pQI8U_SzpluotstHVbuEA28M1AyVQNHC-fjNzZOQpwo-3avg0Ki68FtjYDi/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJH31Cm6gTmjkwdJSAxE3k_Oa1fBCrS2ugEOMZiADm8yeS7Pyl_K5tMXlKBLnmEqm1Txpq_ZuzfSO8-7l9pQI8U_SzpluotstHVbuEA28M1AyVQNHC-fjNzZOQpwo-3avg0Ki68FtjYDi/s400/DSC_0003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">The adorable table-scape ... LOVED it! Not sure how they knew about my obsession for damask patterns but they got it spot-on!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYUoxHIZxrssxZn9hR0KBaYI4-C140bwumjXrwSA-ENRcRyazPghRiZp-RJ5xbslvx6dPlTDVAPcB3t3rxEqr13iD4Q9cP40grQfrsKsWDzeabaAxX9_5dgCGpT0Tdytql0yUe8wJ0-5t/s1600/DSC_0047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYUoxHIZxrssxZn9hR0KBaYI4-C140bwumjXrwSA-ENRcRyazPghRiZp-RJ5xbslvx6dPlTDVAPcB3t3rxEqr13iD4Q9cP40grQfrsKsWDzeabaAxX9_5dgCGpT0Tdytql0yUe8wJ0-5t/s640/DSC_0047.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">The future Mr. and Mrs. Adams ... a little over 3 months to go! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCl3t5XNwIxiVyqceEyO2eQWg4fzagvrIL5qHz_hfh5rm0FYvDJqvDJxpk1oaM8LmmjnrWZLJTssXGuKvtMuGCeyWGzSyUiCetBVKotVoVX0AJfAj2EPQvOdAehyyvSZVywUgdtdX8eKA/s1600/DSC_0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCl3t5XNwIxiVyqceEyO2eQWg4fzagvrIL5qHz_hfh5rm0FYvDJqvDJxpk1oaM8LmmjnrWZLJTssXGuKvtMuGCeyWGzSyUiCetBVKotVoVX0AJfAj2EPQvOdAehyyvSZVywUgdtdX8eKA/s400/DSC_0077.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">They put together this fun game where our guests would try to guess which one of us had particular stories or experiences growing up! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcGQEVxh80mvEezYFUNeXKWMhXs_VcZP19pv7LtXSYBEIKwY3o-HPV_cNbW3Y1gKHHHyrIJNOgN08vXR59mPo1R8hdPh8sJT3P5oheBHO3-16eTcwNFL1cys5t9QSMibtsE7peAXY1jqd/s1600/DSC_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcGQEVxh80mvEezYFUNeXKWMhXs_VcZP19pv7LtXSYBEIKwY3o-HPV_cNbW3Y1gKHHHyrIJNOgN08vXR59mPo1R8hdPh8sJT3P5oheBHO3-16eTcwNFL1cys5t9QSMibtsE7peAXY1jqd/s400/DSC_0095.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">Needless to say it led to more than a few embarrassing yet funny stories.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">... this little nighty sprang up as a surprise in the middle of present opening ... </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">Paula Deen even made an appearance! My favorite Southern Belle! </span></span></div>Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-55113750893676133572010-05-18T14:29:00.000-04:002010-05-18T14:29:51.108-04:00Rainy Wedding DayWith all of the nasty rain we've been having this week, I've begun to think about the very real potential of a soggy wedding day for Shawn and I this September. Yes, we chose to have a wedding on the coast in the middle of hurricane season. (and NOT the hockey team that Shawn so loves.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2P9WOZRr_VYMsF9dRq31-CHld5S4rOpAXrviw_fT7_idAka6n_sEgTbZpspYen0pX8FkYuPICPfAu0uq4MITVFHtidZTLdlJUA4r7lQIrDbpg6NpFjBqRZvSF5kLj1B1ILU_tsMvcgl1m/s1600/hurricane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2P9WOZRr_VYMsF9dRq31-CHld5S4rOpAXrviw_fT7_idAka6n_sEgTbZpspYen0pX8FkYuPICPfAu0uq4MITVFHtidZTLdlJUA4r7lQIrDbpg6NpFjBqRZvSF5kLj1B1ILU_tsMvcgl1m/s400/hurricane.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Thankfully, even though our wedding ceremony and reception have the feel of outdoors, both are fully covered - so even if it does rain cats and dogs ... it'll just add a sense of romance - the kind of romance that includes love all around you, candles flickering and drizzle hitting a tin roof. (Plus, our venue <i>Boone Hall Plantation,</i> is where that wonderfully memorable scene from the Notebook was filmed - the one where Noah and Ally embrace in the pouring rain ... be still my heart.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JOhyphenhyphenSr1cQsP0BC7EEDm2DsqENqik1MY3PpLHA4-tZqf33whC9KYG1_rk59vS_Hf5C4N0AubKjnO7ZHvSL6ZV7DkP5YGRNNrd2e3qqvs1TBGlr1cSCs-AYIPCqHmbD_jOVvMSjsbejmAE/s1600/153484_1229208692293_full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JOhyphenhyphenSr1cQsP0BC7EEDm2DsqENqik1MY3PpLHA4-tZqf33whC9KYG1_rk59vS_Hf5C4N0AubKjnO7ZHvSL6ZV7DkP5YGRNNrd2e3qqvs1TBGlr1cSCs-AYIPCqHmbD_jOVvMSjsbejmAE/s400/153484_1229208692293_full.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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If it's going to rain on a girl's wedding day, it makes things so much better if it's the same rain at the same location of a storm in a Hollywood romance.<br />
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Just to make myself feel better I bought some adorable rain-boots like these below (shot by our wedding photographer at another one of her weddings). My purple boots will help me to embrace the day - regardless of weather. (but no, they will not make an appearance if the weather is fine ... I have some sassy high heels that are much preferred :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1uKKoHwDkfklZv4naplpu_mDTDua3eJW9uEbjSd7vW3nKB0TmpJuBUNbWYkBRIcF8BeScFSAxZJ_JjOcXIEP6JdLB9ltihKLFnLWNDHEyb_h6hxrPlA0t_owLS6wlBUMp88SZkRVBSO7/s1600/Golashes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1uKKoHwDkfklZv4naplpu_mDTDua3eJW9uEbjSd7vW3nKB0TmpJuBUNbWYkBRIcF8BeScFSAxZJ_JjOcXIEP6JdLB9ltihKLFnLWNDHEyb_h6hxrPlA0t_owLS6wlBUMp88SZkRVBSO7/s400/Golashes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Even if it's bright and sunny, I'll be taking my purple boots on our honeymoon to Ireland where they are SURE to get some use. :)Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-20313838016965143132010-04-19T23:48:00.001-04:002010-04-19T23:49:14.180-04:00Happy Springtime!!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">It's officially Springtime! Beautiful flowers, baby animals, warm weather. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;">God is good. </span></span><br />
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To mark this fabulous transition, we went out to see a baseball game in Winston-Salem with Mike and Danielle ... nice weather, happy people, dance- numbers and free t-shirts (not that I actually managed to snag a t-shirt, but the opportunity was there!), and a big WIN for the home team = happy Perry.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2D3A0JCc-kS0s_qqQvCYVgEUaIgPSy6kaxqrT4tymr6otjcI7H9T4gPlW2ExloOD7qQnKtVxaXp5u2CAL-wYxH8k2DENFpuE7d5B1x1oum2NY2EttSGtEQWXPeyQJZS9uagauNSYZK-PA/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2D3A0JCc-kS0s_qqQvCYVgEUaIgPSy6kaxqrT4tymr6otjcI7H9T4gPlW2ExloOD7qQnKtVxaXp5u2CAL-wYxH8k2DENFpuE7d5B1x1oum2NY2EttSGtEQWXPeyQJZS9uagauNSYZK-PA/s320/DSC_0065.JPG" /></a></div>Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-12565440185304098422010-04-07T21:55:00.001-04:002010-04-07T21:56:41.528-04:00Two Birds - One Stone!Since I've been trying to save costs in my wedding planning, I have been looking to find ways to incorporate decor items that I plan on using at my wedding in our apartment and vis versa. Since the wedding is a reflection of us anyway, many of the items I have around the house (globes, vintage photos, aged books, bronze keys) are going to be used at the wedding in some form or another. It also goes a long way in allowing me to feel less guilty pouring money into stuff for the wedding if I remind myself that I can reuse some of it around the house. One of my favorite examples is my new picture frame!<br />
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I painted it a lighter version of the beautiful teal that I'm using at the wedding and put in one of our engagement pictures. Love it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYyF_-xqNLBtEa4f5QPuxal5fVOLxmI9lpSALz2-8tNpGHtOTIpbquzJ2y2BOugDzYAa5WsbXbKd8nsvqKkpYRR1EsTlNjKnjxnmT7E844tWQ0Xec-p6BufU2NRj1wQFFOMErQ2EgQ6FI/s1600/DSC_0029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYyF_-xqNLBtEa4f5QPuxal5fVOLxmI9lpSALz2-8tNpGHtOTIpbquzJ2y2BOugDzYAa5WsbXbKd8nsvqKkpYRR1EsTlNjKnjxnmT7E844tWQ0Xec-p6BufU2NRj1wQFFOMErQ2EgQ6FI/s400/DSC_0029.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931913830982121700.post-74950246760211102902010-04-06T00:53:00.000-04:002010-04-06T00:53:44.973-04:00Sigh of ReliefThe end of March marked the end to one and a half years of stress and worry over my M.A. comprehensive exams. All of our time spent studying history since we entered the program was tested on a single day, with four typed papers, each of which took 90 minutes. Needless to say, my classmates and I had dreaded what we called "Comps" ever since we were first told they would be a requirement to graduate.<br />
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Whenever I would work on wedding planning, I always had this dark little cloud called Comps that would remind me not to get too excited - that there was still a big hurdle in my way before I could sit back, relax and enjoy being a bride. When we sat down at the computers in our campus lab on the morning of the exam, I couldn't believe how anxious I was to open the manilla envelope with the questions I would have to answer. (We had to prepare to answer virtually any question on American History that our professors could throw at us, and not just answer it but to develop a 6-8 page paper about it from memory!)<br />
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I had already finished my first paper on "<i>How radical was the American Revolution? Consider the point of view of revolutionaries and disenfranchised groups, and explain how historians have disagreed over tim</i>e" and was half way through with my second paper on "<i>How has academic theory and architectural history intersected (or not) with applied historic preservation? What are the historical and historiographical roots of intersection and/or division between academics and preservationists?"</i> when ....<br />
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THE POWER. WENT. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>OUT</b></span>.<br />
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Can you believe it?! We had prepared for literally almost YEARS for this exam and nearly halfway through the power in our computer lab went out. For a split-second we all (about 30 of us) sat in darkness, as gasps broke what had been a constant sound of typing. In the end, about half the class had lost their papers (campus computer labs delete all files when restarted) - thank the good Lord I was given the foresight to email myself a copy just in case something happened! *Whew!* It was traumatic to say the least, but when I walked out those doors I was a free woman!! :) Hooray!!!<br />
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I still have my big paper to work on, and a presentation at the end of April but I feel so relieved to be finished with that exam. :) I've already ordered my rehearsal dinner gown to celebrate! Now it's off to Charleston on Friday to try on the wedding gown I ordered for the first time! No more sample try-ons! This time she's all mine! I can't wait!Perry Ann Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00874513776763439343noreply@blogger.com2