tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9959862699275127122024-03-13T15:50:24.809-04:00As I See ItSharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.comBlogger343125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-85273205373303395022017-05-26T21:21:00.000-04:002017-05-26T21:21:08.406-04:00The (Bad) Language of Free Will<div class="MsoNormal">
My 7-year-old daughter came into my bedroom the other night
about an hour after I’d put her to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I knew she was upset because she was sucking her fingers, a habit that
she has mostly kicked but sometimes creeps up when she is worried or sad. I put
my arm around her little nightgown clad body and asked her what was wrong.
“Sometimes I say bad words in my head,” she said as tears rolled down her
cheeks, “and I am afraid that God will be mad at me since he knows what I am
thinking.” I hugged her close and dried her tears and asked her if she would
ever say those bad words out loud. “No way,” she exclaimed,
half-laughing/half-crying. I asked her why. She answered, “because I know
they’re bad and I can’t choose what I think but I can choose what I do.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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These kids, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes they can take the most difficult topic, in this case
free-will, and make us see it in an entirely new dimension. My daughter’s
dilemma is all of ours. All day long we have thoughts that drift in and out of
our consciousness, some good, some bad and we have to constantly make decisions
about which ones to act upon. As a Christian family, I try to make sure we are
rooting our decision making in the teachings of our religion. This does not
make life easy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I often consider myself fortunate that I don’t struggle with
the concept of religion. If I believe that there really is a God (I do) who
imbued humans with an immortal soul (I do) it only makes sense that God might
give us a primer on how to protect that gift. But without our immortal soul <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– what are we? We are animals with instincts
and desires and an inclination to do whatever it is that we want. Our bodies
and our minds are these amazingly complicated tools with great capacities for
good and evil. God, with his ultimate understanding of the nature of humanity,
gave us the owner’s manual for our bodies and for our soul. That means
having to sometimes choose the way that is difficult, but as our parish priest
once said, “We should not confuse what is easy with what is true.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Back in my bedroom, I confessed to my daughter that
sometimes I say bad words in my head too. She giggled and used her spitty
fingers to wipe away her tears. “What?!” she asked, incredulous. “You think bad
things too?” I said I did. “Well, I can imagine that<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> you </i>think bad thoughts, but does Daddy?” I told her that, yes,
even her beloved Daddy says bad words in his head sometimes. It’s normal. She hugged me and
thanked me for talking to her, but if I’m honest she taught me just as much as
I have ever taught her.<o:p></o:p></div>
Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-31533242819097011882017-01-18T16:00:00.001-05:002017-01-18T16:23:34.133-05:00Listening to the VoicesWhile I was growing up, my mom used to tell me that God speaks to you, you only have to be quiet and listen. For the most part, this has served me well. I have listened when That Little Voice has suggested, "tell the truth, even if it's hard," and had faith that the Holy Spirit was indeed guiding me. As I've grown older, my internal dialogue hasn't been so absolutely holy. "You're not smart enough," "You don't write well enough," "You're lazy," "Play the Lottery! You'll win," and many other destructive voices have joined the symphony. I have come to distrust That Little Voice, even downright ignore it.<br />
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Finding out that I was pregnant with John was one of the most defining moments in my life. If I am to tell the truth, I felt like we were maxed out. We had five bright, beautiful school-aged children and bringing home a new baby never entered into my personal plans. I don't know how far along I was (several weeks) when I sat praying before Mass with my family and my visiting mother, completely unaware of John's life growing within me. "This is My child," the words pounded through me the way a wave forms in the placidity of the ocean to break with the thundering force of the eternities upon the shore. "This is My child!" I couldn't ignore That Little Voice but years of weary, destructive banter in my head had taught me to discredit it. What child? Wait... When was my last period? I instinctively knew what That Little Voice was trying to tell me but I ignored it. I went home and drank wine with my mom trying to push the message of That Little Voice from my mind but my entire being knew better. A home pregnancy test taken the very next morning confirmed that I was pregnant.</div>
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By anyone's assessment, I have had a super-human recovery to a spinal fusion surgery. After months of pain, I left the hospital in less that 24 hours, went for a walk 2 days after surgery, wrapped all of our Christmas gifts at 4 days post-op, and have otherwise enjoyed every minute of my life, pain-free, since the surgery. I've had all of my family and friends call to check on me and I've been able to give them the happy news, "I feel great." Every single time the response has been, "I am so thankful. I have been praying for you." Last week I met with a doctor who said she had never seen such a seamless recovery. I told my mom about the accolades and she replied, "Well, I prayed for you as if you were dying."</div>
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***</div>
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Grant lost his keys this morning. After a few frantic moments of searching, I sent him to work in my car with the promise that I would look for them. "Did you check the key basket," I asked. "Yes. Twice."</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Later in the morning I got to work looking for the keys. I looked in the key basket again and searched the cupboard where the basket is kept. Nothing. I looked in John's toy box and in the trunk of his toy car where other misplaced items have been found. Nothing. "Pray." It was That Little Voice. "Pray about it." My whole life, I have always felt guilty about praying for the mundane things in life. I've always felt like I can handle the lost keys, God, you just take care of the sick children, ok? But our God is not one to be bargained with. If we are to trust Him with our life, we must also trust him with our... keys? Ok. Ok. I crossed myself and prayed out loud, "In the Name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. Lord? If it is your will, please let me find Grant's keys. Saint Anthony, please pray for me to find Grant's keys. Amen." I thought no more of it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I don't know how long it was before I had a very strong urge to check the key basket again. My first instinct was to resist. "Go back to the basket. You will find the keys because I have put them there." It came from a place outside of my own thought processes. What could it hurt? I went to the kitchen and opened the cupboard where the key basket resides. I picked it up. I took out all of the contents of the basket even though it was visibly clear that the keys weren't in there. As I went to put the basket back in the cabinet, Grant's keys were sitting on the shelf where the basket had been.</div>
Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-87738093907660884812016-09-28T15:06:00.000-04:002016-09-29T10:55:56.962-04:00A Call After DarkMy telephone rang last night at 10:45. As I went in search of the handset, the mechanical voice announced, "Call from Kieffer, Steve." My dad. As a general rule, happy calls don't come after 9 pm. I braced myself. "Hello?" A slight pause on my dad's end, "Hey Maroon. What's doin?"<br />
<br />
It was in the beat that he took before he spoke. It was the way my childhood nickname sounded gentle and fatherly. The dark cloud of tragedy has broken on our little family again. My beloved cousin has been issued her fate: Nothing more they can do. Cancer has spread. Go home.<br />
<br />
Those words collected into little pools and then overflowed into the realities of loved ones near and far, each of us trying to stop the flooding. How can we bear this storm? How can we reach our arms to shield one another from the pounding force of eternity? There is nothing more we can do. We need to go home.<br />
<br />
It seems that all too soon the drops of the storm and the oceans of our grieving will lift up our sister and deliver her to her rightful destination. She will see her own Father - the architect of the storms and the eternities and I hope we will have to courage to wave her on. Go home, dear one. Go home.<br />
<br />
And we sure will miss you.Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-37734453657394387102015-11-26T23:53:00.001-05:002015-11-26T23:53:53.708-05:00Thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-34957923669234389162015-06-18T15:02:00.000-04:002015-06-18T15:02:45.411-04:00Poem<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We wake at dawn and rub our eyes and get on with it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The child in our bed greets us with smiles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And that is
enough for now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We greet at doors and smile through pain<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Lest a
child feel the heavy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>And the child shall not feel the heavy.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Heavy was not part of the vows but we feel it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And we are doing ok.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Our backs have grown strong from carrying the years<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And we no
more must draw from <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The well of
eyes that gave us drink at the first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Oh the first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Those blest
days<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That built
the floor on which this house is laid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The young walk the floors without the truth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">They walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We scrub.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We keep the floor clean and private.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">That is our floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We built it with row boats and wine and sex<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With planes
and rings and moves from norms<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With care
and pace our floor took form<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Where wee
feet now tread with dirt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">So much dirt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And we try to keep it like new<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">But any man can tell that the floor is not new.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">(I think I saw a tiny
bit of shit on the steps.)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I got a rag and sprayed that shit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And now it looks like it did one day ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">In those spaces where the shit is clean<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The floor shows us a new space to shine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">(in a small way I am
glad for the shit)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">for socks and toes shall gild the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We walk our floor at the end of our day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And we climb to those pools of eyes <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">That held us at the first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The floor is there but we lie above it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">In the light we will go back to our rags<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">But the soft of thread and skin are just fine for now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The child falls into the peace of sleep and so do I.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We are ok.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-39408313657367596592015-04-03T17:14:00.001-04:002015-04-03T17:14:21.930-04:00John Steven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-10409569725946179472014-07-08T20:30:00.000-04:002014-07-08T20:30:54.364-04:00Lorde - With Outtakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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we tried "Team" but we don't know it very well and the choreography was a fail. The result is a little funny - - if you're my mom. </div>
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<br />Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-90520341692704918342014-07-07T19:53:00.000-04:002014-07-07T19:53:05.129-04:00Pictures of Light<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-61497134156085073012014-06-18T23:13:00.000-04:002014-06-18T23:13:59.408-04:00Mah Boo Bastille<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Because lately I am indulging my fantasies of becoming a professional lip-syncer.</div>
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It is fabulous, having one's own blog, isn't it?</div>
<br />Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-67805368000849549592014-06-17T21:34:00.000-04:002014-06-17T21:38:04.920-04:00George MichaelIf you make it through, say, 45 seconds of this video you should be given some kind of reward.<br />
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Oh, and it's water in the princess cup. Promise.<br />
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Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-49476613902271791262014-06-09T22:21:00.000-04:002014-06-09T22:21:40.649-04:00Mah BlogIf I were posting on here, I would have made a few more vitriolic statements about my vile disgust for spanking. But I wasn't. I think I did a fairly decent job of gilding my disdain.<br />
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<div class="UFICommentContent" data-reactid=".ci.1:3:1:$comment10202242100634345_10202249023407410:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0" style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #4e5665; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">
<i><span data-reactid=".ci.1:3:1:$comment10202242100634345_10202249023407410:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.$author"><a class="UFICommentActorName" data-ft="{"tn":";"}" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=1245133983&extragetparams=%7B%22hc_location%22%3A%22ufi%22%7D" data-reactid=".ci.1:3:1:$comment10202242100634345_10202249023407410:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.$author.0" dir="ltr" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharonksteele?fref=ufi" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Sharon Steele</a></span><span data-reactid=".ci.1:3:1:$comment10202242100634345_10202249023407410:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:0"> </span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".ci.1:3:1:$comment10202242100634345_10202249023407410:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".ci.1:3:1:$comment10202242100634345_10202249023407410:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".ci.1:3:1:$comment10202242100634345_10202249023407410:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".ci.1:3:1:$comment10202242100634345_10202249023407410:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0">As it seems that this discussion is coming to a close, I will thank you all for a thoughtful discourse. For us, parenthood has been a constant evaluation and reevaluation of what is working and what is broken. This article reinforced my firm resolve th</span></span><span data-reactid=".ci.1:3:1:$comment10202242100634345_10202249023407410:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".ci.1:3:1:$comment10202242100634345_10202249023407410:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".ci.1:3:1:$comment10202242100634345_10202249023407410:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$0:0">at corporal punishment is an outdated form of discipline. Would we spank an Altzheimer's patient for wandering? Never. Why? Because our elderly have an intrinsic right to feel safe. Our children are entitled to the same respect. It seems to me that in an effort to go back to a simpler time (larger families, backyard gardens, bike riding, drinking from the hose, etc. ) we have thrown the baby out with the bathwater, so to speak. We know so much more about the psyche and the dignity of the human person now. Is the objective in parenting solely "obedience?" If so, spank on. I am quite sure that spanking will produce obedient children. If the objective is a deference out of respect and love? There are other ways to achieve that end.</span></span></span></span></span><span data-reactid=".ci.1:3:1:$comment10202242100634345_10202249023407410:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.4"></span></i></div>
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Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-5052619297231927142014-05-02T17:49:00.000-04:002014-05-02T17:49:29.148-04:00What it is to be Ben...<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Today my eldest son is 13. Let me profile the things I know about him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Ben is sophisticated</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3cHn9WWD9vY/U2QQpvoMYKI/AAAAAAAAC8o/2kzQVjgW9tk/s1600/DSCN0440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3cHn9WWD9vY/U2QQpvoMYKI/AAAAAAAAC8o/2kzQVjgW9tk/s1600/DSCN0440.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> Ben is mature</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WF1ROLfyJFg/U2QQvGRwPDI/AAAAAAAAC8w/ABg1cBvd_yQ/s1600/DSCN0442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WF1ROLfyJFg/U2QQvGRwPDI/AAAAAAAAC8w/ABg1cBvd_yQ/s1600/DSCN0442.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> Ben is serious</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ci8kruUx55M/U2QQ0tLuhqI/AAAAAAAAC84/BC9b-oZbrqw/s1600/DSCN0438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ci8kruUx55M/U2QQ0tLuhqI/AAAAAAAAC84/BC9b-oZbrqw/s1600/DSCN0438.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">and he makes me a better person every day. My boy. He stole my heart, this one. And he's never given it back.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7dbJe7tJRBA/U2QQ-2MJEUI/AAAAAAAAC9A/TBeymg_8k08/s1600/DSCN0430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7dbJe7tJRBA/U2QQ-2MJEUI/AAAAAAAAC9A/TBeymg_8k08/s1600/DSCN0430.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">(Secret: I don't want it anyway.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
Linkaroo:<br />
Ben's Defunct Blog<br />
<a href="http://bensmag.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://bensmag.blogspot.com</a><br />
<br />
Ben's 7 Year-old Birthday Pictures<br />
<a href="http://sharonksteele.blogspot.com/2008/05/happy-birthday-darlin.html" target="_blank">http://sharonksteele.blogspot.com/2008/05/happy-birthday-darlin.html</a><br />
<br />Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-16645243064810281312014-04-28T21:27:00.002-04:002014-04-28T21:27:54.895-04:00Our Busted Punnet SquareGrant has the dreamiest brown eyes. And lots of eyelashes.<br />
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(spoiler: he is a major babe.)<br />
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When it came to having babies, I thought I would be the sole owner of blue eyes in the family, because recessive traits, and all. So imagine our surprise (or maybe that's a little pride - genetically high-fiving myself right now) when we ended up with only 1 brown eyed child, 3 with eyes the color of the sky, and 1 whose eyes are so lovely and indescribable that words do not suffice.<br />
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Check them out:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fmp4VCjBQGg/U17_ovPjRbI/AAAAAAAAC8Y/W5bwYkcrvZc/s1600/DSCN0405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fmp4VCjBQGg/U17_ovPjRbI/AAAAAAAAC8Y/W5bwYkcrvZc/s1600/DSCN0405.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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And it doesn't hurt that she is one of the nicest people I've ever met, either.Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-66331822856954832062014-04-11T10:50:00.001-04:002014-04-11T10:50:33.650-04:00Dear Diary,April 10, 2014<br />
<br />
Dear Diary,<br />
<br />
Deciding to put the kids in school has seemed to work out well. Everyone is thriving and I have a lot more time to focus on getting things put away in the new house. I know I may have said this before, but this may very well be the happiest time of our lives.<br />
<br />
Yesterday started out very promising. I signed up to chaperone a field trip to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum with Michael's class. Lucy was able to come along and I was very much looking forward to seeing the caveman exhibit I heard about on NPR. An artist/anthropologist has rethought how to reconstruct early man beginning at the bones and sculpting from the inside out. I was also pretty excited at the thought that I could put Michael back on the bus and go to the Cherry Blossom Festival with Lucy. I've never been in 15 years of living in DC and with homeschooling in our rear view mirror, this was the perfect time.<br />
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We got up early, packed a yummy lunch, put on our best walking shoes and got set to hit the town. That is when our plan unravelled.<br />
<br />
First of all, I got separated from the school bus I was following, which if you know DC traffic you will understand that this spells disaster. As the bus sailed through a yellow light at a main thoroughfare and into the city of gridlock and tunnels, I felt like I was waving to the launching space shuttle from terra firma. Farewell. Hope to see you again someday.<br />
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I then employed the help of my frenemy (mostly enemy) Siri. I think I said something like this, "Siri, I know we have had our differences in the past but I really need you to get me to the Natural History Museum. The Smithsonian. In Washington DC." Apparently Siri hasn't forgiven me for all the times I have cursed her and wished her dead over the years, because what I heard back was, "Starting route to … Hayden Planetarium" the one in New Flipping York. I then screamed some obscenities at Siri and told her I really did wish her dead. And I do.<br />
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I used my very own homing skills to get us to the Natural History Museum and as I turned the corner I saw Michael's bus. Victory. That is when I heard Lucy in the back say, "Mommy, my tummy hurts….. blaaahhhhhhhh!" She vomited all over herself and the seat of the car. Game over. I called one of the moms that I knew on the bus and got the message to Michael that we had to go home. He was fine. He enjoyed the trip but never did get to see the cavemen.<br />
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Lucy and I took the long way home. She used one of Grant's old shirts to mop up the vomit and sucked her fingers as we drove the route of the cherry blossoms.<br />
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Someday I will make it to that festival, and when I do, I am sure that I will find myself wistful for the days of vomit and field trips. All in, I count myself very fortunate. Very fortunate indeed.<br />
<br />
<br />Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-66990359404433342602014-03-26T15:53:00.000-04:002014-03-26T15:53:42.793-04:00Dairy-Free/Gluten-Free Mac & Cheese - Whaaat?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWCn9CNt_Ks/UzMn9hWfqlI/AAAAAAAAC7c/qba-AKsQSG0/s1600/photo-19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWCn9CNt_Ks/UzMn9hWfqlI/AAAAAAAAC7c/qba-AKsQSG0/s1600/photo-19.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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This here? This is a pretty big deal. In my constant quest to present suitably edible baked goods to one desperately-allergic daughter of mine, I have engineered what might be the most delicious concoction since Nutella.<br />
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(Just kidding. Nothing is better than Nutella.)<br />
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Ingredients:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hLY6wC1jXRk/UzMrZIVznqI/AAAAAAAAC70/tEQMlWr1oNY/s1600/photo-20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hLY6wC1jXRk/UzMrZIVznqI/AAAAAAAAC70/tEQMlWr1oNY/s1600/photo-20.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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8 oz daiya<br />
(I combined 4 oz cheddar style and 4 oz mozzarella style. You can do what you want.)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f8N86mX6wN8/UzMr_XzvbqI/AAAAAAAAC78/HOhaqKCvUZY/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f8N86mX6wN8/UzMr_XzvbqI/AAAAAAAAC78/HOhaqKCvUZY/s1600/image.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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8 oz truRoots ancient grain pasta elbows<br />
(I imagine that any gluten free pasta will do. Plain rice pasta seems gluey and flavorless. This cooked up al dente.)<br />
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1 Cup Rice Milk (or your favorite milk substitute.)<br />
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper<br />
1/2 tsp onion salt<br />
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1) Preheat oven to 400<br />
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2) Prepare the ancient grain pasta according to the directions and drain.<br />
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3) As any macaroni and cheese connoisseur knows, the cheese must be made into a sauce in order to achieve the proper silky texture. Therefore, put your daiya into a medium saucepan with the Rice Milk and heat over a medium/low heat stirring constantly. Slowly. Don't burn it.<br />
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4) Add onion salt and pepper to taste. Make sure to taste it. I like more pepper to give it that rustic taste, but you might not. 1/2 teaspoon is safe.<br />
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5) Once the cheese sauce is appropriately saucy, pour it onto the prepared noodles. Combine well.<br />
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6) Pour entire mixture into a small casserole and bake on 400 for 15 minutes or until it gets that brown crust that makes you go, "Mmmmmmm!"<br />
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7) cool and enjoy.<br />
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Even my non-allergy kids loved this dish. 3 cheers for daiya. Here is a shot of the ingredients for those inclined to look at such:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lTm9Kk3b-A0/UzMv1WwZozI/AAAAAAAAC8I/yTr5J52ICUg/s1600/image-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lTm9Kk3b-A0/UzMv1WwZozI/AAAAAAAAC8I/yTr5J52ICUg/s1600/image-2.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">daiya - it's not plastic!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-79712143269655891952014-03-25T18:09:00.001-04:002014-03-25T18:09:58.601-04:00Apples and TreesApparently the aforementioned don't fall far from one another because of this:<br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: 'American Typewriter'; font-size: 22pt;">An</span><span style="color: #17365d; font-family: 'American Typewriter'; font-size: 22pt;"> Ode to Jackie Robinson</span></div>
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<span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">Football, baseball, cross-country too<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">Jackie Robinson, which will you
choose?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">The Brooklyn Dodgers called your name<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #17365d; font-family: "American Typewriter"; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">And you went down in the Hall of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fame<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Desdemona; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "American Typewriter";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Desdemona; font-size: 22pt;">By
Michael K. Steele</span></div>
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Fanciful wordplay must run in the family because I think Michael "hit a home run" with this little bit of poetic brilliance.</div>
Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-88731966632764085472014-03-06T14:23:00.000-05:002014-03-06T14:23:11.911-05:00Micro Arranging<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvnLBh9Htok/UxjKepD3InI/AAAAAAAAC7M/CUDqD6Qljhg/s1600/IMG_3710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvnLBh9Htok/UxjKepD3InI/AAAAAAAAC7M/CUDqD6Qljhg/s1600/IMG_3710.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I've been completely hooked on micro flower arranging lately. Here is my tip:</div>
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Whole Foods spice jars make fantastic little vases when you're done with the spice. Just peel off the label and voila! You have a darling little vase.</div>
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Flowers: Ranunculus from Trader Joes</div>
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Vase: Bay Leaf spice jar from Whole Foods</div>
<br />Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-4795733416572326512014-02-20T22:33:00.003-05:002014-02-20T22:33:53.059-05:00Cub Scout Shadow Box<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-onQ71CnV-Q8/UwbGRYGkfrI/AAAAAAAAC6w/0iLUC3AxzqA/s1600/IMG_3623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-onQ71CnV-Q8/UwbGRYGkfrI/AAAAAAAAC6w/0iLUC3AxzqA/s1600/IMG_3623.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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As far as friends go, if an 11 year old boy could be considered one of my friends, then this box is a gift to one of my besties. I am so proud to gift it to him.</div>
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Some details:</div>
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This is a variation on my <a href="http://sharonksteele.blogspot.com/2013/05/shadow-box.html" target="_blank">original post</a> where I listed out where I got the fabric and the box. This time, because I was afraid that there wouldn't be enough badges to make it look worthy, I got some scrapbooking stickers in camping themes from JoAnn Fabric and Michael's Craft.</div>
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Once again - Iron, hot glue, lint roll. I don't like bunchy sloppy shadow boxes. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dEJL7jr6RqM/UwbI7MUywsI/AAAAAAAAC68/Y_G9f7oaADI/s1600/photo-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dEJL7jr6RqM/UwbI7MUywsI/AAAAAAAAC68/Y_G9f7oaADI/s1600/photo-20.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://sharonksteele.blogspot.com/2013/05/shadow-box.html" target="_blank">ORIGINAL POST</a> </div>
Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-86002446241801421132014-01-30T12:12:00.002-05:002014-01-30T12:14:56.213-05:00My girls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-362mjr5L4e4/UuqH5sAUy-I/AAAAAAAAC6Y/DndOJ0197UM/s1600/DSCN0306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-362mjr5L4e4/UuqH5sAUy-I/AAAAAAAAC6Y/DndOJ0197UM/s1600/DSCN0306.JPG" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
We're a long way from this,<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRBA_o2OIVg/UuqIYqwmBOI/AAAAAAAAC6g/TgsPOn4pUxM/s1600/IMG_4801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRBA_o2OIVg/UuqIYqwmBOI/AAAAAAAAC6g/TgsPOn4pUxM/s1600/IMG_4801.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a>aren't we?</div>
<br />Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-65108428091811687182014-01-16T15:46:00.001-05:002014-01-16T15:46:14.113-05:00Don't Say I Didn't Warn You...This is what I know:<div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">It is ill advised to eat an entire bag of dried fruit and then go to a Pilates class.</span></div>
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Until next time.</div>
Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-30578742574029385462014-01-13T23:23:00.000-05:002014-01-13T23:23:13.091-05:00Matrimony in Our Front Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy9fD5TTSA0JKb05tbjXDiRZpLDKjPOvPIkoXo0L9uuxFAXhJNRxFYFzqxyevUFqDuYKj0bXYXyVPf3PwDgUg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Im a sucker for a wedding and this one is no exception. Please don't anyone tell her that she can't really marry Josh. I think she'll die.Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-60350136667997827782014-01-03T12:08:00.002-05:002014-01-03T12:12:21.678-05:00New Camera, Y'all!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-40926090921278957542013-12-30T15:50:00.001-05:002013-12-30T15:50:46.874-05:002013 Kicked Butt/2013 Kicked Our ButtDear 2013,<br />
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How could we have ever anticipated that we'd end up here? After ten life-filled, laughter-enjoyed, dirty, wonderful years, you brought me to my knees. You led us to the most courageous decision of our tenure as parents: To sell our family home and seek the new. Our venture has brought us anticipation, hope, sadness, grief, evaluation, loss, new horizons, growth, potential, and peace. You've brought us closer as a family and ever-nearer to our LORD. For all of these things we are thankful.<br />
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<span class="text Ps-34-1" id="en-KJV-14390"><span style="color: red; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I will bless the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.</span></span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-34-2" id="en-KJV-14391"><span style="color: red; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">My soul shall make her boast in the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">O magnify the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> with me, and let us exalt his name together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And now for some 2013 Picture awesomeness:</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We "enjoyed" art</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We kissed bananas</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We took a bath in the sink</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We enjoyed the simple things</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We travelled together</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We met our Great-Grandma</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We welcomed a hatchling</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We celebrated the Risen Lord</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TIkpiyfTTRk/UsHa_NKC8gI/AAAAAAAAC34/OGof5X0PAKc/s1600/IMG_1639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TIkpiyfTTRk/UsHa_NKC8gI/AAAAAAAAC34/OGof5X0PAKc/s320/IMG_1639.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And gave thanks for HIS many blessings</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUJSb0rOa5c/UsHa_grjnvI/AAAAAAAAC4I/2AUYxKW-seg/s1600/IMG_1684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUJSb0rOa5c/UsHa_grjnvI/AAAAAAAAC4I/2AUYxKW-seg/s320/IMG_1684.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We received our First Holy Communion</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QNeH2jDTIzI/UsHbAEu9ueI/AAAAAAAAC4M/gfxp7Udfv_E/s1600/IMG_1786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QNeH2jDTIzI/UsHbAEu9ueI/AAAAAAAAC4M/gfxp7Udfv_E/s320/IMG_1786.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">… and we Grew!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DlLTf26YkHA/UsHbA9yPQXI/AAAAAAAAC4U/PFExf-TxwTg/s1600/IMG_2089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DlLTf26YkHA/UsHbA9yPQXI/AAAAAAAAC4U/PFExf-TxwTg/s320/IMG_2089.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made new friends</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T45rguJKPy0/UsHbBtK2pdI/AAAAAAAAC4g/BWVxq_QThx8/s1600/IMG_2261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T45rguJKPy0/UsHbBtK2pdI/AAAAAAAAC4g/BWVxq_QThx8/s320/IMG_2261.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We sold our house.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We ate delicious food,</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DQGpXxz8Ng8/UsHbCqTtHHI/AAAAAAAAC4s/_xjVTSmmAnY/s1600/IMG_2496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DQGpXxz8Ng8/UsHbCqTtHHI/AAAAAAAAC4s/_xjVTSmmAnY/s320/IMG_2496.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and went to building school.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y2ktww6db9U/UsHbCy4ecjI/AAAAAAAAC5E/bjTcfpmktzg/s1600/IMG_2848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y2ktww6db9U/UsHbCy4ecjI/AAAAAAAAC5E/bjTcfpmktzg/s320/IMG_2848.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We dressed up for Halloween,</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WtNbhjHXoO0/UsHbDHkwxSI/AAAAAAAAC40/ggt5Rhxt1ms/s1600/IMG_2892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WtNbhjHXoO0/UsHbDHkwxSI/AAAAAAAAC40/ggt5Rhxt1ms/s320/IMG_2892.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and celebrated 40 glorious years at the top of a mountain.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
2013 brought us to the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. To 2014, we say, BRING IT!! We have Our Lord, we have each other - we've got this.</div>
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Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-41630496716935770782013-10-25T15:12:00.001-04:002013-10-25T15:12:38.286-04:00Look at This<a href="http://stylecaster.com/anne-hathaway-nickelback-10-irrationally-hated-celebrities/" target="_blank">This here article</a><br />
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Take a look at this, my friends. It takes my breath away that there are still lists like this in circulation. "The 10 Most Hated Celebrities in Hollywood" and if you look closely, you will see, that 9 of the 10 are women. Read the captions: "hated for her face," "hated for not being able to gain weight," "hated for her money," "hated for being stupid."<br />
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So, when we wonder why anorexia still exists; when we wonder why women still <i>hate their nose, </i> or <i>wish they had thinner thighs</i> just remember this. <br />
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Keep your daughter away from the television. You will be glad you did.Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-995986269927512712.post-88952554246066029392013-10-10T14:13:00.002-04:002013-10-12T14:26:02.249-04:00A Stream of ConsciousnessToday, I heard an advertisement on the radio for a casting call catering to young girls. They asked if your daughter likes to "sing and dance," and has ever "dreamed of being on their favorite shows such as <i>Wizards of Waverly Place </i>or <i>The Suite Life</i>." I wondered who falls for this load of bull anymore. Don't we have a collective awareness that turning our kids into commodities is dangerous - if not fatal?<br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A friend (who I've actually never met, in real life) posted the following video on <a href="http://facebook.com/sharonksteele" target="_blank">Facebook</a>. I have to confess that I loved it. </span><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://seriouslyomg.com/?p=37661" target="_blank">Miley Cyrus strips down We Can’t Stop!</a> </span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And while I am a huge lover of the party anthem and dance music, if you look at the poor child who is at the literal center of the music, you will see an addicted, broken shell who needed protection about ten years ago.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3s20CaTgSzk/UlbqMyRLKgI/AAAAAAAAC10/fGgdXjYhXBk/s1600/1C4829784-ss-121118-AMA-35.blocks_desktop_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3s20CaTgSzk/UlbqMyRLKgI/AAAAAAAAC10/fGgdXjYhXBk/s320/1C4829784-ss-121118-AMA-35.blocks_desktop_large.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've had an uncharacteristically difficult time transitioning from Homeschooling-Mother-of-5-Kids to Public-Schooling-Mother-With-Only-One-At-Home. You can hate me or think I am a baby when I confess to you in all humility that <i>I don't know what to do with myself. </i>This is not something that I think is cute or humblebragging. I am wont for a purpose and those are difficult waters to navigate. So, in an effort to get out of the house, Lucy and I went to H&M where I purchased a pair of MC Hammer pants, or what the upstarts like to call <i>harem pants</i>. Here's the thing friends: they are hella fresh. I am fairly certain that they will be my new uniform until such time that Doc Martins and prairie skirts come back "in" and then <i>I WILL BE ALL OVER IT</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I am contemplating using natural deodorant.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This week, I joined <a href="https://twitter.com/sharonksteele" target="_blank">Twitter</a> because, I don't know. My foray into the Twitter-verse has forced my sweet husband to shut his own account down. Sometimes I feel like Pepe LePew and the Cat with him on the internet. Good thing he loves the daylights out of me, IRL.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes I feel guilty if I don't blog for a long time. Like, someday when my kids are poring over my writings after I have gone to Jesus, they will wish that I had continued my tribute-journal to our life together. So, if that is indeed the case, dear children this is my contribution to our posterity.</span>Sharon Kieffer Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134157094381856447noreply@blogger.com0