Day Twenty Four: Wishing I could change

Day Twenty Four - A photo of something you wish you could change

The amount in our bank account

Ah.. if only I could click my heels, snap my fingers, say abra cadabra, whatever it takes, and magically our bank acount would grow...

Yes, I'm back to the photo challenge... It's been a crazy couple days around here.  Christmas, my parents were here, lots with the bio dad situation, (which I'll write a separate post on) But I'm back... and determined to finish this challenge! 

Tomorrow:  A photo of my day

Day Twenty Three: My favorite book

Day Twenty Three:  A photo of your favorite book

I read a lot.  I read even more, now that I have my Nook.  I probably average about one book every week or two.  Sometimes it's more, sometimes it's less.  But I read quite a bit.  So, with that being said, I can't possibly narrow it down to just one book as my favorite.  Because, as much as I read, I don't read the same book twice.  So, I changed it up, and decided to post a photo of my favorite author, Jodi Picoult.  I've read every one of her books, and I loved them all.  I get a little obsessed when I get into a new book of hers.  Stay up way too late, and read at every occasion possible.  Talk about a page turner! :) If you haven't read any of her books, I highly recommend them! 

Tomorrow:  A photo of something you wish you could change

Day Twenty Two: Wish I were

Day Twenty Two:  A photo of something you wish you were better at.




Interior Design

 I really wish that I had an eye for interior decorating.  Right now, we have such a hodge podge of furniture, and I just seem to get overwhelmed on where to start.  Why is it all those design shows make it all look so darn easy?  My mother-in-law has a great eye for that stuff.  Their home, though not my style,  is perfectly decorated.  I sometimes wish that she would come & decorate our home for us, but I don't think I'm ready for that! :)

Tomorrow:  A photo of your favorite book

Day Twenty One: Wishing to forget

Day Twenty One: A photo of something you wish you could forget

Boo auto post!  I had this set to post yesterday, and it didn't!  :( Technically i missed a day, but I don't think that counts!

Let me start off by saying that I am very much a "everything happens for a reason" kind of person.  I truly believe that anything that happens to you, or that you go through, good or bad shapes you into who you are.  Without those things, you wouldn't be where you are, nor would you be who you are.  There's lessons to be learned from those experiences, mishaps, heartbreaks, loves, etc.  The lessons could realized at that moment, could be years down the line, but it is all for a bigger purpose than you or I can understand at that given moment. 

So, with that (very long, rambling) preface, I can't really think of anything that I truly wish I could forget.  So I'm going with random people's birthdays.  Do I really need to remember the birthday of my first boyfriend in middle school?  I'm thinking not.  Or my bff from grade school that I haven't seen nor spoken to since we were kids?  Yeah, not so much.  I think those random dates that I remember are taking up valuable space in my mind, and I'm going to run outta room in there! :)

Tomorrow: A photo of something you wish you were better at

Day Twenty: Travelling Dreams

Day Twenty: A photo of somewhere you'd love to travel



Venice, Italy (photo credit)

 I've always wanted to visit Italy, specifically Venice. Someday the hubs & I will do just that!

Tomorrow:  A photo of something you wish you could forget

Day Nineteen: Photo & Letter

Day Nineteen:  A photo and a letter

I really had no idea of what to do for this one... seriously.  I almost made up my own day nineteen challenge, but then I thought that might be cheating.  So I'm totally winging it.  Here's the first photo that Sam & I took together.  This was when he was up from California visiting his parents. 

And here is an excerpt from the first letter he sent me:

"I'm still completely amazed and humbled that we found each other.  I'm so fortunate that you've trusted me and opened your heart.  As we both have acknowledged, we have so much to look forward to!"

There's a whole lot more mushy stuff, but I'll spare ya'll. :)  Isn't he the best?  Still gives me butterflies.  I have the best husband in the world!

Tomorrow:  A photo of somewhere you'd love to travel

Day Eighteen: Insecurities

Day Eighteen: A photo of my biggest insecurity

My weight

My weight has always been one of my biggest insecurites.  As I'm sure is the case with many women.  It's definitely something that I need to make a priority, and work on.  So, here's to 2011 and new goals! ;)

Tomorrow:  A photo and a letter.  (huh?)

Day Seventeen: Major impact

Day Seventeen: A photo of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.

I wasn't sure if I'd bring this up here, but I figured since I've referenced the history here, here, here &most recently,  here, I decided why not?  Recently, (as in just last week recently) my biological dad "friended" me on Facebook.  I haven't heard from him for 30 years.  And he casually friended me.  No message, or anything to go with said friend request.  Just the request.  After some thought, (and if I'm being totally honest, a little freak out) I accepted.  One of the reasons I love facebook so much, is I have a lot of control over privacy settings, if I need.  Later that same night, he IM'd me.  Simply saying "hello, how are you?"  I ignored, and logged off.  Not quite ready for that yet.  He hasn't tried again since then.  Even though I know he's on FB almost as much as me.  There's still a ton of resentment there.  I'm trying, I really am.  Somedays I feel like I need to let go, and give him a chance.  But then, somedays, I don't think he deserves anything after 30 freaking years.  All in due time, right?  Ugh.

Tomorrow:  A photo of your biggest insecurity

Day Sixteen: My inspiration

Day Sixteen:  A photo of someone who inspires you

I thought about choosing my mom.  Or one of my friends.  But ultimately?  It's the man upstairs that inspires me the most.  To be a better person, to forgive, to accept...

Tomorrow:  A photo of something that has made a huge impact on your life lately.

Day Fifteen: Must Do

Day Fifteen: A photo of  something you want to do before you die



Travel!

 There's so many places that I want to go to, see, experience.  Someday the hubs and I dream of taking a long vacation and traipsing through Europe. 

Tomorrow: A photo of someone who inspires you

Day Fourteen: Can't imagine life without

Day Fourteen:  A photo of someone you could never imagine your life without

I think this goes without saying.  My husband.  Without a doubt. 

Tomorrow:  A photo of something I want to do before I die

Day Thirteen: My favorite band

Day Thirteen:  A photo of your favorite band or artist




Keane



Jack Johnson


This was difficult.  I don't really think I have a favorite band or artist.  My tastes are all over the place, and much to fickle to choose just one.  I chose Keane & Jack Johnson.  Even though right now, I'm not so impressed with what they're putting out there.  I LOVED Keane's first two albums.  Hopes & Fears is probably one of my all time favorite albums.  My friend, Sara & I drove 3 1/2 hours after work one night, to Vancouver, BC to go to a Keane show.  Got home, at 3am, and went to work the next day.  Because we loved them that much.  But the last two albums? Ugh.  So not the same band.  Which makes me sad.

Jack is always a good stand by.  I have all his albums, and I have to admit, he's awfully nice on the eyes.  But, all his stuff begins to sound the same.

So, there's two of my favorites.  Even if I am disenchanted with them both at the moment. 

Tomorrow:  A photo of someone you could never imagine your life without

Day Twelve: My love

Day Twelve:  A photo of something I love

My handsome husband

Need I say more?  :)

Tomorrow: A photo of my favorite band or artist

Day Eleven: Something I hate

Day Eleven: A photo of something you hate

This was tough!  Hate is a harsh word.  Sure, I may say I "hate" things, but do I really?  No.  Some days, I hate work, somedays, I hate being a grown up.  But all in all, there are few things that I can truly, honestly, say I hate.  So I decided to go with negativity.  I get it.  We all have bad days, but constantly focusing on the bad?  Being the Debbie Downer, that I have a hard time with.  Life is good.  Enjoy it. 

Tomorrow:  A photo of something I love

Day Ten: Crazy Times

Day Ten:  A photo of the person you do the craziest things with



Sara



My Mama & cousin


I know, I know, I really couldn't choose just one.  I can't say I get too crazy these days.  I'd like to think I've matured a little bit, so the "crazy times" are a little more dignified.  What's that?  You don't belive me?  Hmmph. 

The first is my friend Sara (obviously a really old photo of us... did ya see how short my hair was?!).  Oh, Sara & I had so many crazy, dumb, fun, good times back in the day. 

The second photo is my Mom & cousin, Amanda.  Amanda & I are really close.. we call each other sousins. Sister/cousin.  Not that we're inbred.  Just super close.  Mom, Amanda & I don't get to be together very often, but when we do, someone usually gets dangerously close to peeing their pants from laughing so hard.  And it's NOT me.  We once took a road trip from Eastern WA to Las Vegas.  Just the three of us.  It was SO much fun, and definitely some crazy times! 

Tomorrow:  A photo of something you hate

Day Nine: My person

Day Nine:  A photo of the person who's gotten you through the most

My bff, Rachael

This was a toss up between Rachael & Heather.  But, since I used Heather for Day 2, I decided to go with Rach.  Rachael & I met about 8 years ago, when she was a student interning in my department at work.  After she graduated, she started working with us permanently, and we became closer.  She's my person.  I tell her pretty much everything.  I'm so very lucky to have such an amazing friend in my Rachi!  

Tomorrow:  A photo of the person you do the craziest things with

Day Eight: Making me laugh

Day Eight:  A photo that makes you laugh

Um wow, I can't believe I'm actually posting this.  But it does make me laugh.  I was playing around with the webcam on my laptop, taking photos, and using some of the weird effects.  Sam was sitting on the couch next to me, and I showed him a few of the photos, because, well, they're just goofy.  He was so appalled, and disgusted with the photos.  Ya think I'd shown him photos of dog poo or something.  Which, in turn made it even MORE funny.  I was laughing so hard.  My poor hubby.  :)\

Tomorrow:  A photo of the person that has gotten you through the most

Day Seven: Most treasured

Day Seven: A photo of your most treasured item

My iPhone

I'm not one that likes "stuff".  I typically don't get attached to things, so this one was kind of difficult for me, as I think of a treasured item being something that has great meaning, sentimental or otherwise.  ANd because of my aversion to beign attached to things, I don't really have anything that fits that.  So, I realize that this makes me seem shallow, or materialistic, but I'm really not... I swear! :) But oh, how I love my iPhone.  It has saved me many a time. 

Tomorrow:  A photo that makes you laugh

Day Six: Trading Places

 Day Six:  A photo of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

My nephews (photo by Amber Roberts Photography)

 I was torn between my nephews and a celebrity.  I decided to go with my nephews... It would be so wonderful to live a day with the innocence of a child.  Not worry about bills, or work, or anything you have to do.  I'll even do their chores!  :)  Why was I in such a hurry to grow up?

Tomorrow:  A photo of your most treasured item

Day Five: My favorite Memory

Day Five:  A photo of your favorite memory

Our wedding day

I didn't even have to think for a moment about this... Definitely our wedding day.  July 28, 2007.  Here's the slideshow that I still love to watch 3 1/2 years later.

Tomorrow:  A photo of the person you'd love to trade places with for a day

Day Four: My night

Day Four:  A photo of your night

I suck.  I totally forgot to take photos tonight. : (  So you get a lame photo.  We met up with our friends, Shawn & Monica, and their two kids.  We had a really good time with them, walking around and looking at all the cool stuff.  And lets be honest, I love being able to play with their 5 month old baby boy! :)

Tomorrow:  A photo of your favorite memory

Day Three: Cast of my favorite show

Day Three:  A photo of the cast from your favorite show

Current favorite:

Grey's Anatomy

All time favorite:

Sex And The City

Tomorrow:  A photo of your night

Day Two: Person I've been closest to the longest

Day Two:  A photo of you & the person you've been closest to the longest

This one is a toughie.  I don't think I can choose just one. So I'm cheating, and doing one of a friend, and one of family...



My friend, Heather

Heather & I have been friends since the 2nd grade.  We're now 34, so we're talking roughly 27 years!  Yikes!  I usually try to avoid doing the math... thats kinda scary! :)  She was the maid of honor at my wedding, the closest thing I've ever had to a sister, and there for me in a heartbeat. 

My family

I'm super close with my two brothers on the right, and, of course, my parents are amazing!  It's been a difficult year for our family, but I know that I can count on any of them for absolutely anything. 

Tomorrow:  A photo of the cast from your favorite show

31 Day Photo Challenge

A friend of mine on Facebook is doing this, and I thought I'd steal it from her, and do it here for the month of December... with my sporadic posting, we'll see if I actually keep up with it! 

Day One:  A photo of yourself, with 10 facts

1. My birthday is October 22
2. I didn't get my driver's license until a month before I turned 18
3. I was an honor student all through high school.  Until my senior year
4. I played the clarinet from 5th-11th grade.  (and yet I had to spell check clarinet)
5. I have never seen or read any of the Harry Potter books/movies.  I probably never will.
6. I didn't have any hair until I was two years old.
7. I am allergic to alcohol.  My face turns red, and I feel like I have a sunburn.  This only lasts a short while, so I continue to drink through it.  More often in my younger years than now. :)
8. I grew up in Washington, but I've lived in South Dakota, Idaho, Nevada, Missouri & now Arizona.
9. When I was 2 or 3, I hit my older brother over the head with a hammer.  He had to get stitches.  :(
10. The Dad that raised me is not my biological father. 

Anyone else want to join in the photo challenge?  Let me know if you do!

Up next:  A photo of you & the person you've been closest with the longest

Thanksgiving weekend

Ahhh... such a nice, much needed long weekend!

Even though it was just Sam & I for Thanksgiving this year, I decided to take on preparing a feast for oh, 20!  Okay, maybe not 20, but definitely enought to ply us with leftovers for way longer than we would like.  I'm thinking next year, I may just take Michelle up on her offer to have us over for Thanksgiving. 

 
I was a little sad throughout the day, as I was really missing my family.  They were all together in Eastern Washington. My brothers, mom, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.  And I was here.  Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that we're here, and that I have my wonderful husband here with me.  I was just a little homesick, I guess.  However, I was NOT sad that they had 20* or colder weather, and nearly a foot of snow at my uncles house.  I'll gladly take our mild 70-ish weather any day! 

I decided to stay home, and not partake in the Black Friday craziness.  We're not planning on buying any big ticket items, so I  bowed out.  Friday night, we met up with some friends at my favorite restaurant, Nando's.   It was delicious, as always!

Sunday, we went to church, and I had plans to meet up with my friend, Vanessa, for a movie date.  Unfortunately, the cold I've been battling for the last week or more got the best of me.  Instead, I stayed home & we decorated the tree.  Behold our fabulous tree:


Before



During

Ta Dah!! After


Please excuse the crappy iPhone photos... I seemed to have misplaced the real camera. 

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving weekend too!

Cirque du Soleil: Alegria

A couple weeks ago, the hubs & I were watching tv, and a commercial for Cirque du Soleil's Alegria came on.  We hopped online, to see what tickets were going for, and decided to go for it, and minutes later we had two tickets to the show the following Saturday night.

i've been fortunate enough to be able to see two other Cirque shows:  KA and Beatles Love.  Alegria did not disappoint! It was absolutely amazing!  The music, the costumes, the performers... Seriously, there are no words that can begin to describe it!  The hubs and I were absolutely mesmerized. 



On the way out, we stopped and bought the CD and the program.  I have been listening to the CD pretty much non stop since we went.  I love it! 

This show did not disappoint, that's for sure!

First Friday Art Walk

For the past several months, we've been trying to make it to the First Friday Art Walk with two other couples.  Sam & I have taken advantage of the Phoenix Art Museum being free on the first Friday, but we haven't made to to the art walk portion. 

Finally, we were able to make it happen the first Friday of November!  Unfortunately, Monica & Shawn had sick kids, so they wound up bowing out at the last minute, but Michelle & Ty were up for it.  We had planned on grabbing a quick bite to eat, then heading to the art walk.  Unfortunately, traffic was terrible, and dinner took a lot longer than we anticipated.  Thus, causing us to get a much later start than we were planning on.  We caught the trolley at the art museum, and got off at the Trinity Cathedral.  It was amazing.  Such a beautiful sanctuary!  We happened to be in the sanctuary when one of the church members/volunteers for the night  came in.  He was kind enough to give us a personal tour, while telling us a little history. 



After we finished up at the Cathedral, we hopped back on the trolley, and headed back to the museum.  Unfortunately, we got there right as they were closing, so that was pretty much the conclusion of our First Friday experience. 

We're hoping to go again this weekend, and see a little more than we did the last time. 

Belated Birthday Recap

Wow, I haven't posted for entirely too long!  Seems I'm starting most posts that way these days.  Hopefully I'll have more to update with the holidays and all that fun stuff.  I have a couple fun things we've done that I've been meaning to blog about, so I'll (hopefully) do that in the next couple days. 

But first... a birthday recap:

On Friday (my actual birthday) friends of ours hosted a bbq for me.  It was pretty low key, but so much fun!  We had delicious food, and lots of laughs.  They have an adorable 5 month old little guy, which allows me to get a bit of a baby fix when we hang out with them! 

Saturday, Sam & I went to breakfast at the Farmhouse in Gilbert.  It was so yummy!  With Sam being such a night owl, and therefore the furthest thing from a morning person, it was a treat to be able to go out to breakfast for a change. 

Afterwards, we went to Barnes & Noble to get me my big birthday gift... a Nook!  I LOVE it.  I've been reading so much more with that.  It's super easy to just toss in my purse, and take with wherever.  I know, I could do that with an actual book, but this is even smaller & I never have to worry about losing my place!

For dinner we went to Ra for sushi.  Another thing that I rarely have, as Sam is not a fan.  He enjoyed some chicken teriyaki, and I devoured some amazing rolls! Shawna Day concluded with seeing Life As We Know It.  All in all, a very good birthday weekend.  :)

Birthday Week!

Today officially begins my birthday week!  Woo hoo!  This coming Friday is my birthday.  Here's a few things on my wish list:

I'm pretty sure this is what the hubs is getting me.  I'm super excited!

I've been eyeing this "cook book" for awhile.  Maybe it'll be what I need to kick me into actually doing more cake pops!

I have always loved this necklace.  Which is unusual for me, as I am not a fan of blatant advertising a designer/brand (thus why I don't care for most Coach bags, Louis Vuitton, etc) I think this necklace is just understated enough, and it's a classic. 

I am in desperate need of a huge makeup shopping spree.  Okay, "desperate need" may be just slightly overdramatic.  Especially if you've seen my makeup drawer(s).  There are several staples I'm running low on, and I'd really like to get some more fun stuff too!

There's more that I am lusting after, but I'll keep the list somewhat short.  :)

I'm not really sure what we're going to do to celebrate.  We were originally going to do the Mesa Ghost Walk Friday night with two other couples.  Unfortunately, we all waited too long to buy the tickets, and they're now sold out.  :(  Boo.  So, now I'm not sure what we'll do with our friends that night.  Saturday, Sam has something planned, just not sure what it is yet. 

Anyone out there have any good ideas of things to do that night?  We want to keep the costs relatively low, but do something a little different than the usual dinner.  Hopefully we can come up with something!

Vacation Recap

A couple weeks ago, the hubs & I met up with my bff, Rachael in sunny California.  And I do mean sunny.  We booked this trip, thinking that it would be a nice escape from the crazy high temps, here in Phoenix.  Unfortunately, it happened to be during a major heat wave.  No escape for us!  The temperatures were well into the 90's, and over 100 at times.  Despite the heat, we still had a really great time.

We flew into the Orange County airport Friday afternoon, picked up our trusty rental car, and headed to Long Beach where Rachael was waiting at the airport for us. After being reunited with my fabulous friend, we headed to get something to eat at Panera Bread.  Ahhh... how I've missed Panera!  We have Paradise Bakery, (which is a sister company) but it's not quite the same.  But I digress.

After a bite to eat at the much loved & delicious Panera, we checked into our hotel.  We chilled for a little bit, and then got freshened up to head out to that evenings festivities.  We were driving up to Glendale, to meet up with one of Sam's long time friends for dinner & drinks.  We met at her amazing home, then to dinner, followed by a stroll around the Americana mall.  We stopped at Beard Papa's and had the most amazing cream puff dessert.  So delicious!  After a little more walking around, and some posing for photos, we headed back to Alli's house.  Enjoyed some cocktails, laughs & catching up.  All in all, it was a great night, with great friends.

Saturday morning, we got up had some breakfast at the hotel, and then got on the road to head up to Santa Monica for the day.  The traffic was extra crazy for some reason, so what should have taken us about 30 minutes, took us twice as long.  We got there, walked around the shopping area for a bit.  Did a little shopping ourselves, and met up with Rachael's friend, Sarah, and her boyfriend.  We all headed down to the pier.  It was super hot (even at the beach) and we decided to take refuge in a Mexican restaurant, and have some margaritas. After imbibing in some delicious refreshments, we started our journey back to Anaheim to go to dinner.  We were supposed to meet up with Will & Anna, but they ended up cancelling on us (at the last minute, but whatevs. Their loss, right?) The three of us enjoyed a nice, low key dinner before calling it a night.

Sunday was the big Disneyland day.  We had SO much fun!  We got to the park around 10am, and stayed until closing (at midnight).  We ate at the Blue Bayou restaurant, which is inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.  It was a fun experience, and really good food.  It was rather pricey, so we probably won't be doing that again for awhile.  But I'm really glad that we did. It was ridiculously hot that day, but the lines weren't horribly long.  Most were around 30-45 minute waits. 

Monday, we were all beyond exhausted, and ready to go home.  We dropped Rachael off at the Long Beach airport, then met up with Will for a quick lunch before heading back to John Wayne to return the rental car & check in for our own flight.

It was a really quick trip, but so much fun!  I'm glad that Rachael was able to meet up with us.  We're already talking about making another trip next year sometime!

Here's a slide show of a bunch of the photos from the trip:  Enjoy!

Create your own free slideshow

Remember me?

Really? It's been a month since I last posted?  Wow.  I keep meaning to post.  I have a vacation recap started, but I just haven't felt like finishing it.  I've been in a bit of a funk the past few weeks.  I don't know why.  I think I'm missing my family, and just feeling a bit bleh.  I'll be back.  Soon. :)

Before & After

I moved to the Phoenix area over a year ago now.  In that time, I've had my hair done a whopping two times.  The first time was at Dolce, in Scottsdale.  It was super expensive, and I wasn't impressed at all.  My highlights bled, and though it wasn't noticeable to others, it was to me.  The cut wasn't very good at all either.  She didn't connect the layers, so it looked like a shelf or something in the middle of my hair.  Again, probably not noticeable to others, but to me, it definitely was.  And considering we paid several hundred dollars, I wouldn't return there.

The second time I got my hair done, I went to a place that my coworker recommended.  I thought she did a good job, and the price was reasonable.  Why didn't I return?  Well, the salon was kind of grimy, dirty, and it just skeeved me out to be perfectly honest. 

I was missing my old stylist something fierce.  I had been going to Heather at Envy Salon for 8 years prior to moving to Arizona.  I started to feel as though it was impossible to find a great stylist, at a decent price within 20 minutes from me.  Finally, I decided to ask my friend, Monica, who she went to.  She lives fairly close to me, and although her hair isn't colored, the cut is always cute.  I scheduled an appointment, and went yesterday to have it done. 

Before:

After:

I like it a lot.  At first, I was a little disappointed that there was a lot more blonde than I thought there would be.  I guess I had imagined it to be mostly the reddish color, and just a little bit of the blonde.  Sam LOVES it.  Of course, he'd love if I were entirely blonde, so I guess this is a compromise of sorts.  :)

Where Were You?

credit

Nine years ago yesterday the world changed.  I had just moved back to Seattle from St. Louis.  I was staying with a friend of mine, and had a job interview that day.  I got up that morning, turned on the news, and saw the news coverage.  I was in shock.  How could that happen?  Here, in the United States?  This is surely a very terrible dream. 

Credit

I was glued to the television coverage.  My friend I was staying with got up, and we watched together.  Tears streaming down our faces.  I called my mom, my dad, my brothers.  "Did you see?  I can't believe it.  I'm in shock!"  I told them I loved them, was glad we were all at home, or work.  Safe.  So happy my family was safe.  I eventually pulled myself away from the news coverage.  I had an interview to get ready for.  I went to my interview.  As I waited in the lobby of the company I was interviewing with, I watched the coverage more on a television they wheeled out, as other employees gathered around to watch.  The interview wasn't my best.  My mind was elsewhere.  I couldn't stop thinking about all those people that lost their lives.  All the families that affected. 

Credit

After the failed interview, I met up with another friend of mine.  I felt like I needed to be around my loved ones.  We wandered around the Freemont area of Seattle.  Most of the shops were all closed.  Shop owners deciding they also needed to be home with their loved ones. 

We weren't thinking, and forgot our camera.  Please excuse the not so great iPhone photos

Nine years have gone by, and I can still remember every detail of that day.  Yesterday evening, Sam & I met up with our friends, Monica & Shawn.  We went to the Healing Field at the Tempe Beach Park.  We walked around the nearly 3000 flags that were displayed.  On each flag, a card was was attached, listing the name, age & a brief bio of someone that died as a result of the attacks.  We read about a man who was overseeing his office in the World Trade Center close.  They were scheduled to move out of the office two days after the attack.  He just happened to stop by that day.  We read about  a grandma, who was the "cool" grandma.  Teaching her grandchildren to gamble.  We read about victims as young as 22, and as old as 76.  I was choked up while reading each card.  The families that were left behind, the lives that were cut short.  It was a touching, and very memorable experience.  Where were you on 9/11/01?