Not a Guest Post, but 11 More Smartphone Pictures III

photo credit: “nothing like the…” via photopin (license)

It’s been a messy week or so.

Normally this space would contain a guest post. Through some misunderstandings and crossed wires, it does not. So I’m turning to my smartphone – this time, an Android – to save my butt.

I’m trying to get on track and write ahead, but that’s not working out so well.

These days lately sap me to the core and leave me with the choice of sleeping our writing. Sometimes I choose writing, and sleeping wins anyway. It comes in fits and stretches, and I’ve mastered a new trick:

Falling asleep while sitting up.

I hope to escape a little today – a lot – for Marie’s birthday. Lucky kid never goes to school on her birthday (she’s an 11/11 kid, who turned 11 on 11/11/11. You can never have too many 11s.)

The day will hold crepes I promised, the Shrek movies, and a day for hearts to rest. I love the Shrek movies, by the way. I can associate with the ogre. And his adventure to find his way back to where his heart is.

Thanks for the love, y’all.

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Let’s lead off with Grace! This is after the International Festival at UNC Charlotte, my alma mater on a beautiful day. I picked up a present and Grace found an Italy shirt. We both burned our mouths on Saudi coffee!

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There’s a familiar skip! Here’s Grace after accepting her finalist medal at a tournament in Burlington. You wouldn’t have known there were tears moments ago. We shared an Airbnb room and had a blast together.

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The view just as the Nova Southeastern ID camp got underway. After an arduous trek on the edge of a hurricane, we arrived and walked onto the field like Karate Kid and Miagi. We learned paradise doesn’t always equal home.

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More Grace! I swear these were selected him at random. She made a new friend at a fall festival. We also prodded a llama within the limits of the Geneva Convention. This little dude was easier to headlock.

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The beauty of getting lost in the woods. Well, not lost. But, sometimes, when you’re in search of your golf disc, it does you well to look up. There’s something replenishing about the woods. Must get there soon.

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Clinching is fun, y’all. This is at that same Burlington tournament. The girls had a heckuva run. I had the honor of sitting on the bench with them. In the final, Grace scored another angry goal – the first that team gave up all weekend.

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On Halloween morning, Grace and I took a trip to a fresh market at Pure Pizza. Yes, there was breakfast pizza, and mimosas. I had the pizza, but not the mimosas. I have another pic of Grace imitating her pumpkin’s face.

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There’s the birthday girl. She doesn’t get into a lot of pictures, unless a) someone else’s parent is taking them; or b) she’s not looking. I love the swinging pony tail. She’s ready to roll, for sure.

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Ever felt guilty about eating certain things? Me either. But this guy stood watch at a Bojangles we visited after a soccer match. Notice the product placement of the drink cup. If it works for the Chick-fil-A cows …

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I unleashed this beastly trio on the Red Ventures Halloween day. The Leonardo, the Cat and Rosie made off with grocery sacks loaded with goodies. And we didn’t even get to the top floor! Never too old to trick or treat.

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Elise didn’t pick Nova Southeastern for college. We did stop at Wal-mart and get her and her sister NSU T-shirts. And we got to pick a few things before we left for home. The sea at Pompano Beach washed up a unique gift I gave, too.