tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74056524498920443642024-03-13T06:40:55.092-05:00.elpis."In hope against hope he believed..." -Romans 4:18Claire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-32543312630347333702008-12-18T16:45:00.002-06:002008-12-18T16:47:37.633-06:00We've moved!Being that I got married and there are a million things to change because of a new last name, I figured that the blog should be one of them! <span style="font-style: italic;">OUR</span> new blog website is <a href="http://wackywalkers.wordpress.com">wackywalkers.wordpress.com</a>. Please come and visit us :)Claire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-215947198123963892008-10-31T21:33:00.002-05:002008-10-31T21:43:05.086-05:00We're really getting married!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV49u-WfBsIoefp3O1zEPOtZIk9Y2eb-rytjmX-tAcmifEg19wfbyBho_Re01jF_np0o-97R3gd_20kvo134uQhpSJcvx3Xl8Kvxn7R0LyOmg8DY8bXTmYsEFJdOes-84ZlBk0pgBQcTk/s1600-h/engagement+pic+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 612px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV49u-WfBsIoefp3O1zEPOtZIk9Y2eb-rytjmX-tAcmifEg19wfbyBho_Re01jF_np0o-97R3gd_20kvo134uQhpSJcvx3Xl8Kvxn7R0LyOmg8DY8bXTmYsEFJdOes-84ZlBk0pgBQcTk/s320/engagement+pic+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263513486347893490" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Looks like there's no turning back now!! This is the picture that was in the Lafayette, LA newspaper last Sunday! Anybody surprised??<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">21 days from tomorrow I get to marry my best friend!<br /></div>Claire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-89193089371052995672008-10-20T18:06:00.004-05:002008-10-20T18:23:15.630-05:00Do I really live here??I have been here in the Appalachian Mountains for about 3 months now and I have not ceased to be amazed that I actually live here. It is October 20th, and this morning there was ice on my windshield. Yes, ICE! It's not even November! In Texas/Louisiana the "ICE STORM" of the year does not hit until at least January or February! So, that's an adjustment for sure. But besides the freezing winter I am preparing for, there are other interesting and beautiful aspects of the Appalachians.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">As mentioned earlier, I live about </span><span style="font-style: italic;">2 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway. In North Carolina we actually have Fall. I once heard Matt Chandler say that in Texas we don't have Fall, we just fell. Well, there is definitely a full Fall season here.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fE7tbp87cME9mWsSQI72qFnBcOJFAoFIVRFmDROVS6nQSp9BuSlcuz27DSNEtrxr7zzqMGpy4D4PKFS9y4IyWIXDDnSoZxySr_obU-J_8aCpO6O1GBphCQj4vg9bYL6h0vxSPSJGmLM/s1600-h/DSC03126.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fE7tbp87cME9mWsSQI72qFnBcOJFAoFIVRFmDROVS6nQSp9BuSlcuz27DSNEtrxr7zzqMGpy4D4PKFS9y4IyWIXDDnSoZxySr_obU-J_8aCpO6O1GBphCQj4vg9bYL6h0vxSPSJGmLM/s320/DSC03126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259378232624979106" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi625roEZMHC0RZxSkwcMZzVjpdSAm7PTJFgT4LSb7LGTnx8j6iKYURKVYvsjciGVE4Ox1OS2ecHirNQ1z0EfipBaDq2SmLSIHp6W3mou-k7ehmDVS1by5KgtL-udy2zP9Y9qwU4rb_brg/s1600-h/DSC03123.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi625roEZMHC0RZxSkwcMZzVjpdSAm7PTJFgT4LSb7LGTnx8j6iKYURKVYvsjciGVE4Ox1OS2ecHirNQ1z0EfipBaDq2SmLSIHp6W3mou-k7ehmDVS1by5KgtL-udy2zP9Y9qwU4rb_brg/s320/DSC03123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259378257184757506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedbD1Kc-6QJj_bXnKar_ApVeiJ-jXKQvXJU_A1QwLbxFvGco68pDqVGx5YBSf5myaUxGD2sW0ptIm7P2pIatnJhMfvv56yOAGCOME7Ca1RD7yHOgrilZx5rot3MCkUyVWqPtSo9xHRVg/s1600-h/DSC03132.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedbD1Kc-6QJj_bXnKar_ApVeiJ-jXKQvXJU_A1QwLbxFvGco68pDqVGx5YBSf5myaUxGD2sW0ptIm7P2pIatnJhMfvv56yOAGCOME7Ca1RD7yHOgrilZx5rot3MCkUyVWqPtSo9xHRVg/s320/DSC03132.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259378242537545666" border="0" /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">We spent all day Saturday at the Valle Crucis Country Fair. The fairgrounds were equipped with homemade apple cider (you have no idea what you are missing until you have apple cider straight from fresh apples), lots of crafts, blue grass music, and an old mountain man telling century-old tales. (You have no idea how amazing his tales were...)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtejExtBsrNn1Kl8VCJ3qFHNgfdNHt8JhTm8rTEfIRueCh4Awbhp2vs5xALwbP2levYMfsAsyLQUOfubXDxyOSJu9pCpuduHBwLAlpcjaKSPrvHQmKoedetcwOIhtEQSWwmv5sUEYsxXo/s1600-h/DSC03114.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtejExtBsrNn1Kl8VCJ3qFHNgfdNHt8JhTm8rTEfIRueCh4Awbhp2vs5xALwbP2levYMfsAsyLQUOfubXDxyOSJu9pCpuduHBwLAlpcjaKSPrvHQmKoedetcwOIhtEQSWwmv5sUEYsxXo/s320/DSC03114.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259379750018475762" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTna4_O6gBuvdWMTBQS3fPYXol5-86NuQgHMRR6JN6sQDgyzZ2vk7y6j-YWmCoKLaUJl3_Gqt85xnM5z5COyq3m-MAgKKEtbeWhGtQ6YjfEWQiituDSMdx4O_8hqiJHjlPW2LW3hgfD9k/s1600-h/DSC03113.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTna4_O6gBuvdWMTBQS3fPYXol5-86NuQgHMRR6JN6sQDgyzZ2vk7y6j-YWmCoKLaUJl3_Gqt85xnM5z5COyq3m-MAgKKEtbeWhGtQ6YjfEWQiituDSMdx4O_8hqiJHjlPW2LW3hgfD9k/s320/DSC03113.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259379760183841394" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So, there's a tiny taste of our Fall. Anytime you want to come and visit, we would love to welcome you to the Appalachian Mountains.Claire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-55464883293461544322008-09-22T18:02:00.004-05:002008-09-22T18:50:53.355-05:00Lost in a Nicholas Sparks Book and The Cake Fairy Strikes Again<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfRnNAbGdGZ3Y0R7SgvmVr0QmpiPoksGQNe5Z2BlxI_MV8Iu55SJwgMfRxVxDE-PywvLoxRlz1uwH-LaUK5AUTnloYEM64rZT-_M-FmFbl928bThQLzP8UZgGm7_g6CDiFmFYL3cnpXA/s1600-h/DSC03035.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfRnNAbGdGZ3Y0R7SgvmVr0QmpiPoksGQNe5Z2BlxI_MV8Iu55SJwgMfRxVxDE-PywvLoxRlz1uwH-LaUK5AUTnloYEM64rZT-_M-FmFbl928bThQLzP8UZgGm7_g6CDiFmFYL3cnpXA/s320/DSC03035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248992285070418066" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This weekend Joey surprised me and took me to Carolina Beach for my birthday. It was the greatest surprise! We sat on the beach and painted pottery and rode our bikes--it was absolutely perfect! The weather was gloomy, windy, and cold, but I seriously felt like I was somewhere in a Nicholas Sparks book and a great love story was about to ensue!<br /><br />It was a great weekend to get away from the craziness of this new life in the High Country of North Carolina and nice to spend some undisturbed time with my amazing fiance! And it wasn't too bad to come home to the mountains at the end of the weekend.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />We started off by trying to watch the sunrise--it was so cloudy that it was more like a cloud rise!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFaWmZFmWPFgAfYSTzrnm74yDAXHLfr32eqkg6PalBWi1fbx_98PgGWaAj1Yrq6mmfUu5qU_noAeU0JpFR7Kdb7RXNrMjc1KNBxNxdPHyzEftLtTiAqYmzsLK-CKKpunM2sy6TeJ8jpN0/s1600-h/DSC02931.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFaWmZFmWPFgAfYSTzrnm74yDAXHLfr32eqkg6PalBWi1fbx_98PgGWaAj1Yrq6mmfUu5qU_noAeU0JpFR7Kdb7RXNrMjc1KNBxNxdPHyzEftLtTiAqYmzsLK-CKKpunM2sy6TeJ8jpN0/s320/DSC02931.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248990351322678146" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So, Joey decided to build a sand castle--complete with a moat!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iuvaTDq0s6048gv8xVDGxAiIIv_vrms2I58iFIT_nLOd3JfUJpjLBD-ijHinOLAx0cKrXwsXsVptV6zqTX7yeFhj5iYrHJZ3cHwtgseCsAWs4r_IORUz0HDCo3yh780Z7lr4rhAy5xY/s1600-h/DSC02964.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iuvaTDq0s6048gv8xVDGxAiIIv_vrms2I58iFIT_nLOd3JfUJpjLBD-ijHinOLAx0cKrXwsXsVptV6zqTX7yeFhj5iYrHJZ3cHwtgseCsAWs4r_IORUz0HDCo3yh780Z7lr4rhAy5xY/s320/DSC02964.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248990355512874194" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iuvaTDq0s6048gv8xVDGxAiIIv_vrms2I58iFIT_nLOd3JfUJpjLBD-ijHinOLAx0cKrXwsXsVptV6zqTX7yeFhj5iYrHJZ3cHwtgseCsAWs4r_IORUz0HDCo3yh780Z7lr4rhAy5xY/s1600-h/DSC02964.JPG"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />And take some artsy pictures of me enjoying the waves!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeHaEgiPXRhw3CNr7JzMrJlTw_Au576aakezWGAeZwNXK3s5rujRbgKAMymGn3m3ttW-y4tUaIFZNjlcNv_a-loD2SLTTjes0eGIaZtJnuARuUmLANNGhvUohqL2j0WTgrQQq-NaybP8/s1600-h/DSC02982.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeHaEgiPXRhw3CNr7JzMrJlTw_Au576aakezWGAeZwNXK3s5rujRbgKAMymGn3m3ttW-y4tUaIFZNjlcNv_a-loD2SLTTjes0eGIaZtJnuARuUmLANNGhvUohqL2j0WTgrQQq-NaybP8/s320/DSC02982.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248990372737858642" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />And then we started having a LOT of fun!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiME_Wo3MDQ21TEp0V_g9Ylyzr-Rh8S6pQnAcTelXu-ecJozT8ogxTPUX-wMOrRzi62ntEb_jUiFc38gZPnHHMWJd7MG7VjVDZF9OaqnderUd5L9xrjKOKRokptnxMyDhseCi4dI0cruhs/s1600-h/DSC03053.JPG"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiME_Wo3MDQ21TEp0V_g9Ylyzr-Rh8S6pQnAcTelXu-ecJozT8ogxTPUX-wMOrRzi62ntEb_jUiFc38gZPnHHMWJd7MG7VjVDZF9OaqnderUd5L9xrjKOKRokptnxMyDhseCi4dI0cruhs/s320/DSC03053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248992293386969346" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmlj1GyhxHBegoLh0U9ba-59M6aw1EsCipxOD-EddFQIG45Wqyd50xR0MCq9gZGCAIcYh-d2tBzvYe8at5ZWbch0dTfMsl8fUsedE_VeZhJKBlkXwN-xzjIs3DmTBgZrU_5KkkS6zcyo/s1600-h/DSC03041.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmlj1GyhxHBegoLh0U9ba-59M6aw1EsCipxOD-EddFQIG45Wqyd50xR0MCq9gZGCAIcYh-d2tBzvYe8at5ZWbch0dTfMsl8fUsedE_VeZhJKBlkXwN-xzjIs3DmTBgZrU_5KkkS6zcyo/s320/DSC03041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248992292286767458" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgqwx6MAzO170VUjoT0L_gP6_6ovbo1spIWd9MgNOo9b7herleNMZ1Wc3GP0Uh13XT9_zHdJMp_mAvkMuwU4XfQB3VETyPWb3U1dk8AYicv1Mtuf29RZH4DyV5s0gNexzyUITr8nqKtM/s1600-h/DSC03057.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgqwx6MAzO170VUjoT0L_gP6_6ovbo1spIWd9MgNOo9b7herleNMZ1Wc3GP0Uh13XT9_zHdJMp_mAvkMuwU4XfQB3VETyPWb3U1dk8AYicv1Mtuf29RZH4DyV5s0gNexzyUITr8nqKtM/s320/DSC03057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248992300347742530" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YeO3qVhNl4SYkh4SoOBwDwc6eHvu3ICMKj3flwd0Ui87H6tReaEHYREv2iqEFBFMN2a2Sk_XGNmiL4ZICR5TqaG6mhu5zYmESpp0aoKYKMf3FsnSiu_cz_FhAJdJIudXU99OSedeUO8/s1600-h/DSC02969.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YeO3qVhNl4SYkh4SoOBwDwc6eHvu3ICMKj3flwd0Ui87H6tReaEHYREv2iqEFBFMN2a2Sk_XGNmiL4ZICR5TqaG6mhu5zYmESpp0aoKYKMf3FsnSiu_cz_FhAJdJIudXU99OSedeUO8/s320/DSC02969.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248990362498896594" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The houses on the beach were so colorful!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiHFD-8TJh5i96M82_AeFCVAfp9I68ePFSt_340PrJugnfhXpcVf7N-rfyLGl_frPJ4hr-c5FDkimC9FiaSNB1V40kQKd3TDPsjt-cGuQFRSo0WDUah26rR-FdikfYCn9PIj7FP8bDWw/s1600-h/DSC03023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiHFD-8TJh5i96M82_AeFCVAfp9I68ePFSt_340PrJugnfhXpcVf7N-rfyLGl_frPJ4hr-c5FDkimC9FiaSNB1V40kQKd3TDPsjt-cGuQFRSo0WDUah26rR-FdikfYCn9PIj7FP8bDWw/s320/DSC03023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248990385512534370" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">On Monday at school during 3rd period I got a note saying that they needed me in the office asap. So, after 3rd period I went into the office to find this surprise:<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyReZ2GeSPn-a8zMipv9zFLgJc7_-SbkEsmiCu-34Kk41oh4aQ2pW0WxlLJiiGDLpFRMP-kTE0JSPWf2IpOMXAnRg5obyrKNeJF8dDAWPNzzwyizZ_i77-B96AhYhcBscNqDMCXnt0wA/s1600-h/DSC03097.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyReZ2GeSPn-a8zMipv9zFLgJc7_-SbkEsmiCu-34Kk41oh4aQ2pW0WxlLJiiGDLpFRMP-kTE0JSPWf2IpOMXAnRg5obyrKNeJF8dDAWPNzzwyizZ_i77-B96AhYhcBscNqDMCXnt0wA/s320/DSC03097.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248992301681958706" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My mom has always been the "Cake Fairy". No matter where I am for my birthday, she finds a way to get a cake to me! Year after year, she would show up in College Station with a homemade birthday cake. This year was no exception. She did not let the distance between us get in the way of getting me a birthday cake. She called the receptionist at my school and got a recommendation for a local cake baker. She ordered a cake for me and had it delivered to school!<br /><br /></div>It seriously was a great birthday weekend that finished off with a great surprise!<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks Mom and Dad, for making sure that I get a wonderful cake on my birthday :) </div>Claire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-58024846735647890942008-08-30T14:04:00.002-05:002008-08-30T14:12:12.187-05:00Please PrayHurricane Gustav is on it's way straight toward Lafayette, LA--my home town. My entire family is in Lafayette, except for my brother, Kevin, who is in Baton Rouge. The eye of Gustav is currently expected to make landfall at Vermillion Bay, just south of Lafayette, and head directly for Lafayette. The eastern side of the system is always the strongest which means that Baton Rouge will get the worst of the storm. My family in New Iberia (right at Vermillion Bay) are under a mandatory evacuation, so once again my parents are welcoming the entire family into their house. Please pray for safety for my family as well as for everyone that will be affected by this powerful storm. My parents have been through countless hurricanes throughout their lives, but my dad told me today that he is really scared of this one--something he would not say loosely. I am trying to see the Lord's hand in all of this. It is a huge storm and the hugeness of God and smallness of man is so evident in weather systems. However, I know that He loves us and will always protect us. Gustav is expected to arrive late Monday night/early Tuesday morning, so your prayers are greatly appreciated.<br /><br />much love,<br />cbClaire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-60786075809515905072008-08-16T13:23:00.004-05:002008-08-16T13:58:29.616-05:00Another New AdventureAaah....tis the season once again. Not the Christmas season, but the season of change. But this time, it's a change that I have been waiting for. And hopefully a change that will not change for a while (at least 2 years).<br /><br />I am a Boone, NC resident! Yes, that's right. No more Texas or Louisiana or California. I have ventured to the other side of our great country, and I couldn't be more excited.<br /><br />But, with excitement also comes a bit of anxiety.<br /><br />Upon my arrival I cried as per usual. I cried because it was all new. I cried because no one here really knows me. I cried because I just needed to cry. But this time something was different. I have Joey. He has been my rock over this past week. My move and this decision to be his wife has been confirmed over and over again when time after time he has chosen me over his friends. When he has made the decision (he says it's an easy one) to hang out with me when his friends are playing apple sauce in their backyard. (Basically, apple sauce is baseball with apples where you turn the apples into apple sauce!) So, even though this is hard at times, and it's another move without my chicks, it's okay...in fact it's very good!<br /><br />Since we have been here, lots has happened. Probably the biggest news is that I found out that I am the JV Cheerleading coach at Hibriten High School where I am also teaching Science.<br /><br />Yes, I said that right.<br /><br />JV CHEERLEADING!!!!<br /><br />I was just as surprised as you are.<br /><br />So, there's that.<br /><br />But, we have also been having a lot of fun! We went hiking the other day and the cycling yesterday. And, I'll tell you what, I thought I was a cyclist until I started cycling here. People who cycle here are real cyclists. The hills/mountains are killer! So, maybe I'll become a real cyclist after all. Here's some pictures of some of our first adventures in Boone. (Please, excuse the spandex.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Yg1O584KVtLlN2T68sYQS71M4A3z0xnn7DI6z_I_zPrMQ2_301olTlA2Itl_gagQiFo7rpM-cIW0ZiH4UIwb9uJvxeiske4JT85FPDQ8-j3Fot2l39EEA2jNW6AXOwUuhnVtvIPvyZQ/s1600-h/DSC02851.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Yg1O584KVtLlN2T68sYQS71M4A3z0xnn7DI6z_I_zPrMQ2_301olTlA2Itl_gagQiFo7rpM-cIW0ZiH4UIwb9uJvxeiske4JT85FPDQ8-j3Fot2l39EEA2jNW6AXOwUuhnVtvIPvyZQ/s320/DSC02851.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235190369206025058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-0dmkgikW21boEEzTJGhhWl0f2_KHVIA4NM1zON-pvT1j-2yMocxDM0IpZAyizjzou2VGxVYI4l0DHe77zhsojT0WCuxNcxpdLU8pNCP9nuhiyi4UQDxtEcUa8t7rT9h6YC6JfV7u4g/s1600-h/DSC02855.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-0dmkgikW21boEEzTJGhhWl0f2_KHVIA4NM1zON-pvT1j-2yMocxDM0IpZAyizjzou2VGxVYI4l0DHe77zhsojT0WCuxNcxpdLU8pNCP9nuhiyi4UQDxtEcUa8t7rT9h6YC6JfV7u4g/s320/DSC02855.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235190372820918754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2aFyqwHBTaKpzjf5isL8ZX5nleXoOC8JjhQ5kIBF3llrBEbpJutyawNmDgAZ4m6gABuJOya-50DcOBNe0t_SzbtC5n25ChxHlrqCetm10R1Ao0zBGilRDFyICaMatOZMzeBx3wyivn8/s1600-h/DSC02870.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2aFyqwHBTaKpzjf5isL8ZX5nleXoOC8JjhQ5kIBF3llrBEbpJutyawNmDgAZ4m6gABuJOya-50DcOBNe0t_SzbtC5n25ChxHlrqCetm10R1Ao0zBGilRDFyICaMatOZMzeBx3wyivn8/s320/DSC02870.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235190381146300770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRMMnXYejWBpENuRM26ToBv8JoXrY9BYGN54xBP-E8pWwa_vZNeIHfdOYr7nKYRnS5ca5xTTS-Qi2kTElsYvAlxdCpQWnoOCDd0YJuGACQSUD_3JqVCZYB9oT9snj-lDfAeR5HxMc0Ac/s1600-h/DSC02876.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRMMnXYejWBpENuRM26ToBv8JoXrY9BYGN54xBP-E8pWwa_vZNeIHfdOYr7nKYRnS5ca5xTTS-Qi2kTElsYvAlxdCpQWnoOCDd0YJuGACQSUD_3JqVCZYB9oT9snj-lDfAeR5HxMc0Ac/s320/DSC02876.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235190387379573154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpb-vcB3uWj3DjGxv0DtxxvsXj4QUOJC__weVdzNO9ZsVTBOkvp-OZ-2MC8bytkvEbrZ_4THI3wPrpg1UmAiQzttd6kTGmaaO_lHENsKElRe497Ml93kIOBfoVcIsKsKaqzj8X0u50nP0/s1600-h/DSC02877.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpb-vcB3uWj3DjGxv0DtxxvsXj4QUOJC__weVdzNO9ZsVTBOkvp-OZ-2MC8bytkvEbrZ_4THI3wPrpg1UmAiQzttd6kTGmaaO_lHENsKElRe497Ml93kIOBfoVcIsKsKaqzj8X0u50nP0/s320/DSC02877.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235190394750911170" border="0" /></a><br />Sooo...who's ready to come visit??<br /><br />much love,<br />cbClaire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-72987633050016649092008-08-05T13:28:00.002-05:002008-08-05T14:12:43.736-05:00Bike-walking<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgriyn4tPHKaoqViqvhfMlZjdXhkjZ9X1YWir0_xRpAf62-HakshBefPP5OWAW8wMew7nuhLw6_LJJ23-2xTZDhcNI1Bk4soM_B7VrqxKIxZDaTLh5PsEaeNg_zIOSd1tCiXFDQf09d_mo/s1600-h/TahoeRide+%282%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgriyn4tPHKaoqViqvhfMlZjdXhkjZ9X1YWir0_xRpAf62-HakshBefPP5OWAW8wMew7nuhLw6_LJJ23-2xTZDhcNI1Bk4soM_B7VrqxKIxZDaTLh5PsEaeNg_zIOSd1tCiXFDQf09d_mo/s320/TahoeRide+%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231113594766839602" border="0" /></a><br />Joey and I are moving to North Carolina on Thursday, and someone asked me the other day how our time in Lafayette has been.<br /><br />"Awesome" I say.<br /><br />As I think about my cliche answer some more, one thing stands out during our time in Lafayette--our bicycle woes.<br /><br />The woes began even before we got to Lafayette.<br /><br />I got a few stories for ya ags!<br /><br />Bike-walking #1<br /><br />So, about a month before Joey moved to Lafayette, he was mountain biking with some friends in North Carolina. He went off a jump, but quickly decided that he didn't go high enough. So, of course he had to try it again. The second attempt was not as pleasant as he had hoped as he flew over his handlebars and proceeded to be knocked unconscious. When he came to, he had to be taken to the emergency room (his friends walked his bike home) where they though that he had ruptured his spleen. (He ended up being okay, praise the Lord!) He soon realized that his mountain bike was totally busted and will require hundreds of dollars of parts and hours of labor.<br /><br />Bike-walking #2<br /><br />A couple of weeks after Joey and I got to Lafayette, we decided to go on a bike ride on the Northside of town (a little ghetto at times). We started our journey and soon saw that along our route were prisoners (in black and white stripes, no lie) working on the side of the road. I rode by quickly as they were whistling at me in my spandex! About 3.5 miles into our ride, we heard a pop. One of Joey's spokes on his back wheel had broken off his bike. Are you kidding me? Who does that happen to? So, we began the bike-walking. We decided to go down a side street to avoid the prisoners, but soon found out that we were walking down a very dangerous street in Lafayette. I was scared to death and when I asked Joey afterwards if he was scared he just replied, "I was ready." (Whatever that means...)<br /><br />Bike-walking #3<br /><br />A couple of weeks after incident #2, we headed over to Austin for <a href="http://jessicaschmale.blogspot.com/">Jessica</a> to take our engagement pictures. Joey insisted on going mountain biking. But, since his bike is still busted, I let him use my Gary Fisher (affectionately named Number 9) that survived the <a href="http://claireborne.blogspot.com/2007/08/slew-of-events.html">1-35 bike incident</a>. He was about 3 miles out peddling up a hill when suddenly he heard a clunk. The rear derailleur had fallen off the bike. WHAT?? Yes, I said that right, the rear derailleur fell off the bike. There is a little piece of aluminum that holds the derailleur onto the bike and it cracked in half. Joe had walk his bike back to where we were lying on the beach of Lake Travis. He was upset to say the least, but REI came through again and Hector, my friend at the Dallas REI, called Karl, my new friend at the Austin REI and he special ordered the part for us.<br /><br />Bike-walking...er...pulling #4<br /><br />Just a couple of days ago, we went riding around River Ranch in Lafayette with my parents. It was just a leisure 7pm ride after dinner when suddenly Joey couldn't pedal anymore and realized that a link on his chain had broken. So, we took his chain off his bike and I pulled him behind my bike (he held onto my seat) for the rest of our ride. We did pretty well except for one time when we had to start again after crossing a major street and I fell down onto Joey's bike with my feet still clipped into my pedals. I have bruises to keep the memory alive!<br /><br />So, there you have it...our bike-walking woes of Summer 2008. We did manage to go on a couple of good rides around Lafayette and the surrounding little cajun towns and only came out with minor injuries (sunburn, the beginnings of a heat stroke, you know the likes).<br /><br />It has been a great summer, but we are excited to be back with 4 fully functioning bicycles and in North Carolina where it isn't so hott!<br /><br />much love, cbClaire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-70049588122408658662008-07-14T21:28:00.004-05:002008-07-15T10:17:35.192-05:00We Love Schmale!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXuEx525fLQixweosD8sPqlUt7FVZ5iIK7umVbaqpnLfb9N-snfhdHw58JeU3yR6zcAhnOCmTo8eh6MCqSD5PXDxwCp8_3iv9IWTKHjINm0gGyfBMJxLV9iccNGitLPFl1XWiT2kX4JA/s1600-h/Walkers20_blog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXuEx525fLQixweosD8sPqlUt7FVZ5iIK7umVbaqpnLfb9N-snfhdHw58JeU3yR6zcAhnOCmTo8eh6MCqSD5PXDxwCp8_3iv9IWTKHjINm0gGyfBMJxLV9iccNGitLPFl1XWiT2kX4JA/s320/Walkers20_blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223063637484334354" border="0" /></a><br />Last weekend Joey and I ventured off to Austin, TX because one of our favorite people in the whole world--Miss Jessica Lynn Schmale--lives there and donated her mad photo skills for the weekend. We spent the Fourth of July at Muleshoe Ranch where Jess, Jillian, and I laid out by the water and Joey attempted to go mountain biking (due to a bicycle malfunction, he was unable to complete his entire journey). We ended the day by watching fireworks over ATX and then got a good night sleep for our big day to come.<br /><br />During our "photo shoot", we were completely at Jessica's disposal and had an absolute blast. She did a fabulous job capturing our personalities for our engagments and we are more an impressed with her skills. We ended the day cliff jumping at Pace Bend (Jess even jumped off!).<br /><br />To see more awesome pictures, visit <a href="http://jessicaschmale.blogspot.com/2008/07/claire-joey-engagement.html">Jessica's blog</a>.<br /><br />Jess,<br /><br />Thanks so much for putting up with us and our "personality" for an entire weekend! We had a blast, the pictures look fabulous, and we love you soooooo much!<br /><br />Joey and ClaireClaire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-19961073858826672682008-07-08T16:08:00.003-05:002008-07-08T16:27:25.874-05:00An OdeMy mother--Renee Claire Borne--is one of the most talented people I know. She and I have not been the closest of mothers and daughters, but we have a mutual understanding that we don't have to be 100% involved in each others lives 100% of the time. She has always been "that mom" who taught French and Science at my school, coached the Science Olympiad Team, sponsored the cheerleaders, made every single one of my formal dresses, made and decorated all of our birthday cakes, cooked every night like a true Cajun woman, cleaned up after 3 disgusting children and one disgusting husband, put together a Mardi Gras Ball, and at the same time still managed to keep up with THREE soap operas a day!!! I mean are you getting the point? This lady is superwoman!!!!!<br /><br />But, ladies and gentlemen, I do believe that she has outdone herself this time.<br /><br />About a month ago, Renee Borne opened up her very own quilt shop in Lafayette, LA. <br /><br />I am not even kidding.<br /><br />Hundreds of bolts of fabric.<br /><br />Bar codes.<br /><br />A scanner gun.<br /><br />A credit card machine.<br /><br />I mean...it's legit!<br /><br />She decided to call it The Borne Quilter--get it...our last name is Borne!! HA! So clever!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQv7_ECa7zsraNOvMtv3y-6LhQLiuQAYllB6TtFKCdoX28aU6i8qXWSSR27sn8eBh4jeQZZzbtkSduuHIMYvirOrr0-W3_cqlg3jPLCMIwZu6_1zi-S1gdyS8XFHWSPsET0vX52y_NEj4/s1600-h/colormedium.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQv7_ECa7zsraNOvMtv3y-6LhQLiuQAYllB6TtFKCdoX28aU6i8qXWSSR27sn8eBh4jeQZZzbtkSduuHIMYvirOrr0-W3_cqlg3jPLCMIwZu6_1zi-S1gdyS8XFHWSPsET0vX52y_NEj4/s320/colormedium.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220756474350407458" border="0" /></a><br />I am working at the shop this summer as I plan Joey's and my wedding. Which brings me to another reason why she is superwoman. Not only is she running a brand new quilt shop, she is also organizing yet another <a href="http://claireborne.blogspot.com/2008/02/not-boring.html">Mardi Gras Ball</a> (she's the Dame Commander again), and she is helping me plan our wedding!<br /><br />Can someone give me a ditto on this woman being SUPERWOMAN!?!?! (Chicks, I want to see those fingers in the air!!)<br /><br />So, this blog is dedicated to my mom. She's so stressed right now, but still has time to laugh with Joey and me to tears at midnight, cook us chicken yum-yum, teach us how to have at least a little bit of etiquette while planning this wedding, and still manages to keep up with The Young and the Restless, All My Children, and One Life to Live!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">P.S. You can see pictures of the shop </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.thebornequilter.com/">here</a><span style="font-style: italic;">. Part of my job has been doing computer stuff and I made this website a couple of days ago. It's nothing fancy, but it'll do the trick for now.</span>Claire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-52034121820606865272008-07-02T09:47:00.004-05:002008-07-02T09:53:19.926-05:00Confessions of a Sonic Junkie, Part II<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIK9swji81vZzpriTVj3udDaWv64G6vGH5j1ku_AfcXthHwqC-bKim8E2doRq5YSW8X4o6-O7-htPXAEZXYuX3OkeOdsyK_ZKeN6NGSqRanyQQ_AS6Mz4FOCY_Mxeu3n2XswIJtFLvOKM/s1600-h/Sonic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIK9swji81vZzpriTVj3udDaWv64G6vGH5j1ku_AfcXthHwqC-bKim8E2doRq5YSW8X4o6-O7-htPXAEZXYuX3OkeOdsyK_ZKeN6NGSqRanyQQ_AS6Mz4FOCY_Mxeu3n2XswIJtFLvOKM/s320/Sonic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218429407078750370" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">For all of you in the heat of the south this summer, I would like to recommend my newest favorite Sonic drink (Joey loves it too):<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Strawberry Lime Slushie</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Seriously--they are delicious. They even have chunks (sorry Brookie) of strawberry and pieces of limes at the bottom--an added bonus!! And they are so cold that they make your insides fool your outsides that you are actually cold instead of dripping with sweat.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, if you are looking for a cool summer drink from the drive in we all love most, try a strawberry lime slushie--it won't let you down.</div>Claire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-77883573386153294412008-06-06T09:03:00.004-05:002008-06-06T09:22:07.168-05:00All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...It seems to be a trend in my life to move frequently. I have blogged before about how I have moved 5 times since I graduated from college and by the end of this summer it'll be seven.<br /><br />Seven times in 2 years!<br /><br />There are times that I love the wandering lifestyle. I have made many great friends along the way and have experienced things that I wouldn't trade for the world. The Lord has led me out into the desert and has drawn me back to himself. It has been good--very good.<br /><br />But also very exhausting. <br /><br />I am tired of moving. I absolutely HATE packing and I hate even more saying goodbye to people. I have been told that when I make a friend I make them my instant best friend. I am all in. This is a quality that I like because I really have some deep friendships, but I hate because I continue to have to tell them goodbye. It is so hard.<br /><br />And although this is a good move I still find myself asking the Lord why. Why do I have to move again?? Why do I have to say goodbye? Why? Why? Why?<br /><br />He continues to say, "Just follow Me. I have never let you down. Why would I start now? I will take care of you."<br /><br />So alas...here I go again. I am currently sitting at my desk on my last day of school (a workday for teachers--no children) with nothing to do because I am not coming back here next year. My car is packed to the brim (literally) and my bikes are loaded on the top--yes I am scared to death to drive 7 hours with them on top of my car without Sarah in case of a crisis again! I am going to make the drive to Lafayette for the summer to plan our wedding and then will move to Boone, NC at the beginning of August. I did get a teaching job (PTL) in Lenoir, NC teaching physical science and physics to juniors and seniors which is a HUGE blessing as well as a huge load off my back.<br /><br />I am ready to be somewhere for a while. I am ready to really settle. To nest. I always thought I was the wandering type, but I think I am ready for a break. I am ready to be somewhere and not have in the back of my mind when I am going to move or where I am going to get a job next. I would LOVE to teach at this school for at least two years. But I am going to continue to follow Him (along with Joe's leadership) wherever He takes us (at least I pray that I will).<br /><br />So, to all of my DFW friends--I love you and I will miss you terribly. You guys have been so consistent with me even though I have been all over the place. Thank you for your friendship. I hate that some friendships are just for a season, but that just the way it goes, right? We <u>will</u> stay in touch--I promise.<br /><br />Much Love, CBClaire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-2895787747862002792008-05-27T18:17:00.009-05:002008-05-27T19:20:48.348-05:00The Future Mrs. Joey Walker!!! AAAHHH!!!<div style="text-align: center;">Well readers (if there are any more of you left out there), I have some news for you.<br /><br />Are you ready?<br /><br />Are you sure?<br /><br />Okay--here goes....<br /><br />I am currently the future Mrs. Joey Walker!!!!<br /><br />That's right! Joey asked me to be his wife on Saturday. Wow--just writing that makes my heart race!! I, of course, said yes! I cannot believe that I get to be his wife!!!<br /><br />So...here's the story--<br /><br />He was coming in to visit and he told me that he missed his connecting flight and that his phone was almost dead and that he had left his phone charger at home. I was immediatly frustrated with him and didn't know when he was going to be in and had no way to find out. So, I went to the Vierlings house to lay out by the pool and cool off.<br /><br />About an hour or so later, my friend Sarah Seifipour called me and told me that she needed me to come to my house. She said that she and her husband got in a fight and she was at my house and needed someone to talk to. I got in my car and rushed home to help "a friend in need". As soon as I pulled up, this is what I found...<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhEsuNFUieFM3Crc3mMZqdxhHc8r_O9ERqidLzah4UEF_BV8xeYm4OryRS3nrk0OaLpUQEwbroEA8Z3CXGyJKn_aiQ-agHZ255nC-9T7Z-y81bbluwWCS6HTy-HtDv-gSQA3JoncpIjY/s1600-h/Borne-Walker+Proposal+%284%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhEsuNFUieFM3Crc3mMZqdxhHc8r_O9ERqidLzah4UEF_BV8xeYm4OryRS3nrk0OaLpUQEwbroEA8Z3CXGyJKn_aiQ-agHZ255nC-9T7Z-y81bbluwWCS6HTy-HtDv-gSQA3JoncpIjY/s320/Borne-Walker+Proposal+%284%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205210593380042450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I yelled, "I am supposed to be mad at you!" And then walked up to him. I couldn't believe what was happening!! He started singing "I wanna grow old with you" from The Wedding Singer. It was so funny and so sweet!!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9at9SNFY47Gvn5bXzutX2TqV5EfqqEIKjVLirQf6q_0TOnfuHO6vaUyEEQZJMk81Z4mEIgBfoL6GdWejLv4JEmPRCRg8ACAu03L2eAka0INyma2J-2ymYFLo4GDa8wxrbuR-AC1JeUw/s1600-h/Borne-Walker+Proposal+%2823%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9at9SNFY47Gvn5bXzutX2TqV5EfqqEIKjVLirQf6q_0TOnfuHO6vaUyEEQZJMk81Z4mEIgBfoL6GdWejLv4JEmPRCRg8ACAu03L2eAka0INyma2J-2ymYFLo4GDa8wxrbuR-AC1JeUw/s320/Borne-Walker+Proposal+%2823%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205211632762128098" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">After the song was over he told me to stand up and he asked me if I would be his wife! I was speechless--yes, weird for me! I mustered up a "YES" and then started freaking out!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmjsi5JMmFfz79VUA9IhnAQCqhHpGUmOtmZjcVDh5dDI7pBrFb4z6WYyPgoFJGR9B2hpsz3vDuxfMZzaS-bewV1JoOg3zXZ1OHgDlzgkqxCPmcvF63EGYTbIMLUeF1PM5GpYmGhGOXNA/s1600-h/Borne-Walker+Proposal+%2866%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmjsi5JMmFfz79VUA9IhnAQCqhHpGUmOtmZjcVDh5dDI7pBrFb4z6WYyPgoFJGR9B2hpsz3vDuxfMZzaS-bewV1JoOg3zXZ1OHgDlzgkqxCPmcvF63EGYTbIMLUeF1PM5GpYmGhGOXNA/s320/Borne-Walker+Proposal+%2866%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205213964929369842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAAyfNuDshlXxqdgEd9pk_RfLCwzTIM14HrsEcFKwI76GwWYKa7wS_UI69CWVkxu7YA04wvkwEcMSH3jcvwq1lQz9lf1xRpfMrLOjakG2K6NoSmyU-I69MyD16LELFnWDVrmejBZus04/s1600-h/Borne-Walker+Proposal+%2867%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAAyfNuDshlXxqdgEd9pk_RfLCwzTIM14HrsEcFKwI76GwWYKa7wS_UI69CWVkxu7YA04wvkwEcMSH3jcvwq1lQz9lf1xRpfMrLOjakG2K6NoSmyU-I69MyD16LELFnWDVrmejBZus04/s320/Borne-Walker+Proposal+%2867%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205213973519304450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMJd7lMaElL5SOhBxiL2AdGBedzsQzcYcgnsktxJGxOpSwGnUHNtS_4n3PHZiRDXlMBOy74CyClGVK7RI246J6ZRyp4OKdsPxQHbyh74211WrTD8dgeqCHSHuSugrYLOSkGIw-i2ifr4/s1600-h/Borne-Walker+Proposal+%2895%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMJd7lMaElL5SOhBxiL2AdGBedzsQzcYcgnsktxJGxOpSwGnUHNtS_4n3PHZiRDXlMBOy74CyClGVK7RI246J6ZRyp4OKdsPxQHbyh74211WrTD8dgeqCHSHuSugrYLOSkGIw-i2ifr4/s320/Borne-Walker+Proposal+%2895%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205213982109239058" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I then realized that Sarah was there taking pictures the whole time! She was so stealth.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ui2Od67Xjk33x9tD7E7Q1Fqzr57C52YzdU2TDWZHtWYpTsLj4AqOTII3Ru-t7EIajkERqt5rV35w4zcQlsrAecz_C99mpDXvn0GPom_F0bhxcrq9KSEigpjpH0Fv1pJ4BbVNL9DAEzE/s1600-h/Borne-Walker+Proposal+%28117%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Ui2Od67Xjk33x9tD7E7Q1Fqzr57C52YzdU2TDWZHtWYpTsLj4AqOTII3Ru-t7EIajkERqt5rV35w4zcQlsrAecz_C99mpDXvn0GPom_F0bhxcrq9KSEigpjpH0Fv1pJ4BbVNL9DAEzE/s320/Borne-Walker+Proposal+%28117%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205214690778842914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I was beyond excited! I am beyond blessed! <br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1H5FrfHcQ5o9YDa3-mmaQaas2qVmIpLePuJtxrJdJiEFVIwXUJjSfXrJHfIz6ToL2wG23FdFQYLbLobJm7UcprjUlOAtkaeugOqiUXtBomM1uFXzUrpi4_Hgi-JdNL6RUz0uKnkn6JI/s1600-h/Borne-Walker+Proposal+%28133%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1H5FrfHcQ5o9YDa3-mmaQaas2qVmIpLePuJtxrJdJiEFVIwXUJjSfXrJHfIz6ToL2wG23FdFQYLbLobJm7UcprjUlOAtkaeugOqiUXtBomM1uFXzUrpi4_Hgi-JdNL6RUz0uKnkn6JI/s320/Borne-Walker+Proposal+%28133%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205215347908839218" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The ring is soooooo perfect! He did such a great job!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfDk0XhcdjK_yjg5eDdIC1r8MnCEwnaxYNWYAV5iCdRIttHDxhcEsIr1Gzz-G-7nJl4h5e5FAqr86Mvyniy3TwjomgsvsWWbW0Jwa74aS0vhG9NnV-hRA3boo_s60ZngvOVxgQ5NqGpk/s1600-h/DSC02687.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfDk0XhcdjK_yjg5eDdIC1r8MnCEwnaxYNWYAV5iCdRIttHDxhcEsIr1Gzz-G-7nJl4h5e5FAqr86Mvyniy3TwjomgsvsWWbW0Jwa74aS0vhG9NnV-hRA3boo_s60ZngvOVxgQ5NqGpk/s320/DSC02687.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205216331456350018" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8J2_xxqPYKCUyIJxXuF-nMkxVrerJGxqi90huqgDvs_zen15EzYV1pGjd1nZTn5xPLED3g_WjBNT9GmayAm6iJm77ML3bZfh1zDLn6JvLWHdj_PSxMjNo8LECxuOOZi54aXWtVHfl1kY/s1600-h/DSC02688.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8J2_xxqPYKCUyIJxXuF-nMkxVrerJGxqi90huqgDvs_zen15EzYV1pGjd1nZTn5xPLED3g_WjBNT9GmayAm6iJm77ML3bZfh1zDLn6JvLWHdj_PSxMjNo8LECxuOOZi54aXWtVHfl1kY/s320/DSC02688.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205216344341251922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Joey Walker is my best friend and I cannot wait to be his wife. I feel so honored to get to spend the rest of my life with him and I cannot wait for forever to start!! <br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYc_N7tBbClU4CTJGVJgqI6VE35rCBzH6unBmFuCh5uZjERIl03wiBrxcn2_mMBWhga34IBFZ48xitnGebtEQR6ekv3TVVBWkrUi1Mbn6LGcvvJp9COCWr7h1qvbogYsQCnXPVAC2DFEg/s1600-h/DSC02699.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYc_N7tBbClU4CTJGVJgqI6VE35rCBzH6unBmFuCh5uZjERIl03wiBrxcn2_mMBWhga34IBFZ48xitnGebtEQR6ekv3TVVBWkrUi1Mbn6LGcvvJp9COCWr7h1qvbogYsQCnXPVAC2DFEg/s320/DSC02699.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205216348636219234" border="0" /></a>Claire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-43467992534719759102008-05-09T14:23:00.000-05:002008-05-09T14:49:42.185-05:00If I Wasn't a Celebrity...For those of you who don't know, I am a Chemistry teacher at The Academy of Irving ISD. At The Academy there are a number of specialities that students can choose from and take classes in. One of those specialities is Media Technology. In Media Tech, students learn all about video stuff--from cameras, to news casting, to editing--the whole thing! Part of the speciality includes a weekly live broadcast of ANN--Academy News Now--and a weekly airing of "School'd"--an in house game show. Normally students are the anchors and weather people and contestants on ANN and School'd, but this week was an exception--the teachers took over!<br /><br />I was asked about a month and a half ago to represent the 3rd floor on School'd along with another 3rd floor teacher (we competed against the 1st and 2nd floors). Of course I said yes--any excuse to be in front of a camera I will accept. However, I usually hate the end result!<br /><br />I'm not going to tell you if we won--<a href="http://www.irvingisd.net/academy/ann/schoold.asp">you'll have to see for yourself!</a><br /><br />Two weeks ago, I was asked to try out to be an anchor for the teacher ANN episode. I didn't want to because I had already done the School'd episode, but I was forced--literally! I auditioned but was hoping not to get the spot, but much to my dismay I got it. So, on Wednesday during homeroom I was the ANN anchor...LIVE. I was so nervous!!!!!! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.irvingisd.net/academy/ann/default.asp">Here I am anchoring ANN.</a> It's no "Heather with the weather", but I did okay!<br /><br />But, here's the clencher--they were both aired on the same day. At 8:40am they aired my School'd episode and at about 9:10am they aired ANN live. The whole reason why I didn't want to be on ANN was because I had already done School'd. It was as though it was "The Ms. Borne Show". Since Wednesday (today is Friday), I have been getting comments by every student that walks by my classroom. Comments from, "I saw you on T.V. today Miss." to "Hey Miss, next time try decaf!" Seriously, I feel like a celebrity! It's so funny. <br /><br />So, there you go...I have officially been at this school for about 6 months and already everyone knows who I am--for better or worse!Claire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-47925257774121670772008-04-19T18:36:00.000-05:002008-04-19T19:15:33.368-05:00Ridin' and Rockin' (cheezy title, I know)Thirteen thousand riders.<br /><br />One hundred and fifty miles.<br /><br />All riding to find a cure.<br /><br />There are no words to describe how cool last weekend was.<br /><br />There was a 15-20 mph head wind almost the entire 150 miles. There were some nice hills. It was hard. But it was so much fun! I love riding my bike and I love Rachel and her family so it was just perfect. My mom added some nice cajun flare to the weekend. She came complete with some boudain and some butter rum cake--no one ever said she lacked hospitality skills!<br /><br />Here are a few pictures of our weekend.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA01fDn0ME1uSOPbHeTs9CMf6LEWGnQenuyxMKaTjfuQKshgPBy9RkO4fR7sNeuEep0YifVP5EWwKJVBm919BOIKtzcYFEUbdpciKNOcw5ofka54yVgrCPcIp-Y8mrLfkYBi4j6PAM558/s1600-h/DSC02537.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA01fDn0ME1uSOPbHeTs9CMf6LEWGnQenuyxMKaTjfuQKshgPBy9RkO4fR7sNeuEep0YifVP5EWwKJVBm919BOIKtzcYFEUbdpciKNOcw5ofka54yVgrCPcIp-Y8mrLfkYBi4j6PAM558/s320/DSC02537.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191106903874863682" border="0" /></a>Rachie and Me getting at the starting line--before our butts were sore!!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwXYjLDpbz2GFW4PZWslAihwtJuTR4tqZlJKhDSwTGt8N7RXag0-HOLHC6kURkwYIb2JoqoksKe__QjaOI-zhhoFbzqlHvv5y1a8Q3VElQG5wbzu0DRXiunf8tMYbX_XDQvtyttjG6yU/s1600-h/DSC02554.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwXYjLDpbz2GFW4PZWslAihwtJuTR4tqZlJKhDSwTGt8N7RXag0-HOLHC6kURkwYIb2JoqoksKe__QjaOI-zhhoFbzqlHvv5y1a8Q3VElQG5wbzu0DRXiunf8tMYbX_XDQvtyttjG6yU/s320/DSC02554.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191106908169830994" border="0" /></a>Team Yags (almost all of us) at lunch on day 1 with Yags (Rachel's mom) and Renee (my mom).<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVqzSyK8ZAJMmfRTuC2ONOVdLJvfCtfAGhZb0hRzDCZ-1cT-sXSAsQVoGgQ1e4yoQigHYbxKNeoHlE4j9xmzvvPEDXl82bF2WpDBGI-7u8KnV-qQn6xisw-LLxCsJE9GdwiLBNV-0M0U/s1600-h/DSC02577.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVqzSyK8ZAJMmfRTuC2ONOVdLJvfCtfAGhZb0hRzDCZ-1cT-sXSAsQVoGgQ1e4yoQigHYbxKNeoHlE4j9xmzvvPEDXl82bF2WpDBGI-7u8KnV-qQn6xisw-LLxCsJE9GdwiLBNV-0M0U/s320/DSC02577.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191106916759765602" border="0" /></a>Day 2 lunch. "The Cupid Shuffle" came on so I had to show everyone the dance!!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiT6bW4KpMOg5nrLanE8PJepmLZcAyJbAKr46n8beEeUaWYF-rkQsAZo4cExqmGmrY6xwGDeJYz2zNBU6llP5SKVuGedX7a00Z7o_EQUtylVViCLmfLHJjERifbA8sRg7GOTNZ1zbO1JU/s1600-h/DSC02593.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiT6bW4KpMOg5nrLanE8PJepmLZcAyJbAKr46n8beEeUaWYF-rkQsAZo4cExqmGmrY6xwGDeJYz2zNBU6llP5SKVuGedX7a00Z7o_EQUtylVViCLmfLHJjERifbA8sRg7GOTNZ1zbO1JU/s320/DSC02593.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191106921054732914" border="0" /></a>Rachie coming into the finish line at the Texas State Capital in Austin. If you can't tell by it's length--that's my arm in the back!<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br />I quickly shifted gears (no pun intended) and had to get back some energy to enjoy a night out with the girls! On Monday night I joined some girl friends at a Bon Jovi concert at American Airlines Center. We bought the tickets months ago and were so excited about the concert. (Those of you who know me well, also know of my love for Bon Jovi. Needless to say, even though I was painfully tired, I was beside myself.) The concert was all that I hoped for-and more! It was truly amazing! I got goosebumps when the entire crowd sang "You give love a bad name" without Bon Jovi singing or playing at all. Truly amazing! Here's some pictures for your viewing pleasure...<br /><br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGIi-Hpg3LzajNyBQdBR_UzSTHUJiUffdFAO8CWB6jgVkglu8yv92lMRM7EqdrsTbnnHQ5I9PTc11FbhtwsaynA83ycJ47ty3n1XBsbZLhAx06WCnWHwVbruvStqAhmIGSR2Qj270PY0/s1600-h/n675865881_800834_2309.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGIi-Hpg3LzajNyBQdBR_UzSTHUJiUffdFAO8CWB6jgVkglu8yv92lMRM7EqdrsTbnnHQ5I9PTc11FbhtwsaynA83ycJ47ty3n1XBsbZLhAx06WCnWHwVbruvStqAhmIGSR2Qj270PY0/s320/n675865881_800834_2309.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191110107920466562" border="0" /></a>Daughtry opened for them. Seriously--how in the world did Taylor Hicks win that year of American Idol?? I am still baffled.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJffoCEfeqHC6kePfeWct3B2wlRT_INFnNetB9KqXaQxHBzTD-UkEbutsZRyHdl7_MTRf5QP80vMFv_fyMWTtxFp8oChgokWDK3QUT_CJffeoAumtkvKMRnc6wHlj5bGevj_18ytGKybc/s1600-h/n675865881_800894_8320.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJffoCEfeqHC6kePfeWct3B2wlRT_INFnNetB9KqXaQxHBzTD-UkEbutsZRyHdl7_MTRf5QP80vMFv_fyMWTtxFp8oChgokWDK3QUT_CJffeoAumtkvKMRnc6wHlj5bGevj_18ytGKybc/s320/n675865881_800894_8320.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191110112215433874" border="0" /></a>Oh Oh...We're halfway there. OOOOOOH Livin' on a Prayer!!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Z0OfS9XUi8CKDMe20DSvUVaYohSsRWeIs77Mn3TRe-MywY7i2Xec6VZKf2qc8bdFgSZjJUmIh4XP4TrZcufJj250U7l25Bph_BCv7qUVDprqtaMEVVALJ8YfD4Kz_NZBHkUmR3Cg_88/s1600-h/n675865881_800920_5608.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Z0OfS9XUi8CKDMe20DSvUVaYohSsRWeIs77Mn3TRe-MywY7i2Xec6VZKf2qc8bdFgSZjJUmIh4XP4TrZcufJj250U7l25Bph_BCv7qUVDprqtaMEVVALJ8YfD4Kz_NZBHkUmR3Cg_88/s320/n675865881_800920_5608.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191110112215433890" border="0" /></a>It seriously looked like I was watching the making of a bad 80's music video. Hilarious!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9p1UQp-T0O05QKd8dcyb03qdfu1LLJUSllCXRFvv-C3bN7gMOuhwKmlz99rirF2-S98EJUVMQ8R_LjXfxjEhdXyOPwHrXONvxfMFFjJaiiPV8Fxo_6LtGTfxcxuoEnjaqSJAIwIVTJo/s1600-h/n675865881_800930_9761.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9p1UQp-T0O05QKd8dcyb03qdfu1LLJUSllCXRFvv-C3bN7gMOuhwKmlz99rirF2-S98EJUVMQ8R_LjXfxjEhdXyOPwHrXONvxfMFFjJaiiPV8Fxo_6LtGTfxcxuoEnjaqSJAIwIVTJo/s320/n675865881_800930_9761.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191110116510401202" border="0" /></a>Not even kidding. Amazing!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KsUKSarfSyiCDNsMKjk2NlcEJelzKhO0wtXXKgwC-qzSxabiqRj5cnfLEjNnl7CkEcq-T6DDVnjnMMd0q8EKDGbmlfIUg5DTr6PTWml8r2d4U4bJOY6kWSk9PfjAxkH2G8n_GSV1prc/s1600-h/n675865881_800931_1946.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KsUKSarfSyiCDNsMKjk2NlcEJelzKhO0wtXXKgwC-qzSxabiqRj5cnfLEjNnl7CkEcq-T6DDVnjnMMd0q8EKDGbmlfIUg5DTr6PTWml8r2d4U4bJOY6kWSk9PfjAxkH2G8n_GSV1prc/s320/n675865881_800931_1946.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191110116510401218" border="0" /></a>"Raise Your Hands!"<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyYB-1MWZ-nAS44B4rzhH8w0OkgTrFWqaszLO2Q-4PMBeRfUPN9ukdbtgT7VqGxJKYQEw-VFcQWzu_xGyA2REDDWrwCCxgq7Gnez7Kr2Hh1WxaJT34wR6pc6LEF8aF8AUagmm9hm6Jbo/s1600-h/n675865881_800917_6239.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyYB-1MWZ-nAS44B4rzhH8w0OkgTrFWqaszLO2Q-4PMBeRfUPN9ukdbtgT7VqGxJKYQEw-VFcQWzu_xGyA2REDDWrwCCxgq7Gnez7Kr2Hh1WxaJT34wR6pc6LEF8aF8AUagmm9hm6Jbo/s320/n675865881_800917_6239.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191111821612417746" border="0" /></a>The spirit fingers were alive!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYCWc4RFBD-5rdxBqDEq6iksjrot1ruusKPgP2WyjVWh9brTIFN8mhmnABikrcNhd7XvHq5_zqcRHpxDrBhlI3Z3-JkUIR4CXdFLwZcMe0F2uWGaYv5jbsI5O-t17RbrTorV1QJImfJg/s1600-h/n675865881_800937_963.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYCWc4RFBD-5rdxBqDEq6iksjrot1ruusKPgP2WyjVWh9brTIFN8mhmnABikrcNhd7XvHq5_zqcRHpxDrBhlI3Z3-JkUIR4CXdFLwZcMe0F2uWGaYv5jbsI5O-t17RbrTorV1QJImfJg/s320/n675865881_800937_963.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191111825907385058" border="0" /></a>"These five words I swear to you...I'll be there for you!"<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVbHBxqX_CThylmLe5d-fcNp_ly-6DaqWZjfa6JOCikr07Uz1y7PZ0Fq5pfgUH-aeI4NHytH9EgJTNsAG5nO5UElBfqCVM_o-MIaOB4uWJ733FKpOk761bRvCD19PE7vzvi23oNbHdrM/s1600-h/n675865881_800971_5606.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVbHBxqX_CThylmLe5d-fcNp_ly-6DaqWZjfa6JOCikr07Uz1y7PZ0Fq5pfgUH-aeI4NHytH9EgJTNsAG5nO5UElBfqCVM_o-MIaOB4uWJ733FKpOk761bRvCD19PE7vzvi23oNbHdrM/s320/n675865881_800971_5606.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191111825907385074" border="0" /></a>His moves are still living in 1984!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsK2dYbKUVuTwx82D76heoVYPzm-w5TxYKOyPG-Ez6gX8oN7Bxrcw-TPdC6ECHg8Icjys_jVgS7FKF1dlvjktzMF15hi74dOI9PVpnSHli4JkVMh7aU-7Nt8p6Z0Td1vugSom0LqG8t8/s1600-h/n675865881_800928_8837.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsK2dYbKUVuTwx82D76heoVYPzm-w5TxYKOyPG-Ez6gX8oN7Bxrcw-TPdC6ECHg8Icjys_jVgS7FKF1dlvjktzMF15hi74dOI9PVpnSHli4JkVMh7aU-7Nt8p6Z0Td1vugSom0LqG8t8/s320/n675865881_800928_8837.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191111830202352386" border="0" /></a>That vest with no shirt just about killed me!<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So there you have it. A great few days indeed! Gillman family--I'm ready for next year! Anne--we must do this again!!<br /></div></div></div>Claire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-47677963934945058912008-04-10T20:09:00.000-05:002008-04-11T08:58:23.899-05:00one hundered and fiftyMultiple sclerosis (MS) usually strikes adults in the prime of life - between the ages of 20 and 50. It is a chronic disease of the central nervous system affecting the brain and spinal cord. One new case of MS is diagnosed every hour. It comes and goes unpredictably, leaving people to wonder, "Will I become paralyzed, blind or have trouble walking? Will I be able to raise my family and continue my career?"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzGDrX1UOyNzgLEspI09U6ha94IJnoCWgFvd0Mmys_ARdovnn6ZvYkMrQ-ujzSTxd82TH-5kmA-zzbwZyNRab8zCgSbi8XBqDFnxfuu_LOq1MkcUErl5qSLm_8a8JP752FkKXT06wsZU/s1600-h/Yags+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzGDrX1UOyNzgLEspI09U6ha94IJnoCWgFvd0Mmys_ARdovnn6ZvYkMrQ-ujzSTxd82TH-5kmA-zzbwZyNRab8zCgSbi8XBqDFnxfuu_LOq1MkcUErl5qSLm_8a8JP752FkKXT06wsZU/s320/Yags+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187792198969686978" border="0" /></a><br />My dear friend, Rachel's mom was diagnosed with MS in 1990. Last year, while we were roommates, she asked me if I wanted to ride in the MS 150 with her--a 150 mile bike ride from Houston to Austin to raise money to find a cure for MS. The race was in about one month and I didn't even have a bike, but I agreed. It seemed like a good cause and I'm always up for a new adventure.<br /><br />I found a bike, trained for a few weeks, and then headed down to Houston with Rachel's family. It turned out to be one of the greatest, most rewarding weekends of my life. Rachel's mom, Denyse, is such an inspiration and it was a pleasure and a joy to ride my bike for her and for all other fighting MS.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHxbxTmcyeyPOakU3wm2ITLHtGsfcTTeO3uXWUpakYlVjr7ALdX6PdmXkfTfKhmfPyo8xPe0KQ4wp-NcYPyXZ-c7jP8CE-hTO1t-hN7jldhC5Hiiq4QufE89PI8C6Z-cQJBm2aEZx5Ze0/s1600-h/TeamPic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHxbxTmcyeyPOakU3wm2ITLHtGsfcTTeO3uXWUpakYlVjr7ALdX6PdmXkfTfKhmfPyo8xPe0KQ4wp-NcYPyXZ-c7jP8CE-hTO1t-hN7jldhC5Hiiq4QufE89PI8C6Z-cQJBm2aEZx5Ze0/s320/TeamPic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187792194674719666" border="0" /></a><br />So, this weekend I will once again, head down to Houston, get on my <a href="http://claireborne.blogspot.com/2007/08/slew-of-events.html">bike</a>, and--over a course of 2 days--will ride my bike to Austin. And, this year, my mom will be hanging out with Denyse and driving one of the chase cars. I can't wait!!<br /><br />Rachel's siblings have started their own MS 150 team called "Team Yags" (Denyse's nickname) and I'm excited and honored to be a part of their team once again. Our website is <a href="http://www.teamyags.com/">www.teamyags.com</a> where you can see bios of all of us and donate if you would like.<br /><br />Please pray for our safety this weekend. There are thousands of riders and it can get dangerous on the roads with that many people out there. I'll post pictures of this year's ride next week!Claire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-37061139523902340462008-04-01T20:51:00.000-05:002008-04-10T20:30:49.399-05:00Oh...and P.S.While my trip to Italy was absolutely fabulous, my trip back to DFW from Italy was not so fabulous.<br /><br />I woke up early (4:30am Italy time) on Saturday morning. I got dressed, and Sarah called a cab to take me to the airport.<br /><br />The cab picked me up at 5:00am and I told Sarah, "Ciao" and was on my way. After a 20 minute silent cab ride, I was at the airport ready to head back to the ol' U.S. of A. Lufthansa apparently wasn't so ready for me to return!<br /><br />I was greeted by a very long line at the Florence line, which I waited in patiently. (I, of course, made some friends from the Dallas area. The daughter of the family actually goes to LSU, so that was fun!) It was finally my turn to the ticket lady--WAHOO!! She checked my bags and gave me my boarding pass and then said the following words: "Your plane did not land in Florence last night, it was diverted to Bologna. You are going to take a bus to Bologna and leave for Frankfurt from there."<br /><br />WHAT??<br /><br />My idiotic response was: "Just me? Or the whole plane?"<br /><br />I know...dumb. But to my defense, I was shocked! Have you ever heard of this? Is this a joke? I couldn't believe it.<br /><br />So...we all headed to the gate and waited and waited and waited. The plane was supposed to leave Florence at 6:55am. It was 7:15 and we still hadn't gotten on the bus to drive the 1.5 hours to Bologna! At 7:30 our bus left. We were all thinking that the bus was going to drive straight to the plane for us to get to Frankfurt asap. Well...Italians do not believe in haste apparently!<br /><br />When we got to the airport, we had to grab our own bags from below the bus and re-check them at the Bologna airport--seriously, at this point I think I am in a dream!! We all checked in and the plane did not end of taking off until 10:15am--the same time that my flight to Frankfurt was leaving for DFW!!<br /><br />So, we got to Frankfurt around noon-ish and I ran to the ticket lady. I told her my situation and waited for her to check her system for any flights to DFW. She looked up at me and said the dreaded words: "I'm sorry. There are no more flights leaving today." I immediately started crying. I know, pathetic, but I was tired and sick and it was the LAST think I wanted to hear.<br /><br />She gave me some tissue, booked me on a flight home the next day at 10:15am, gave me an overnight kit (complete with an XL t-shirt, a toothbrush, and some deoderant), booked me in a hotel room, and told me that I could make ONE phone call.<br /><br />I felt like I was in jail.<br /><br />I made my phone call and headed to the bus that would take me to my hotel. The hotel was very nice and Lufthansa also paid for me to get a yummy dinner and breakfast a the hotel restaurant--probably the best buffet in town!<br /><br />I got to my hotel room at about 1:30pm and didn't know what to do. First of all, there was a double bed with a twin-size comforter and one flat pillow. WHAT???? I turned on the T.V., but of course everything was in German! So, I put on my XL t-shirt, turned on figure skating, and read my "Fried Green Tomatoes" book.<br /><br />I got even more sick that night and didn't really sleep because my sneezing kept waking me up. I got out of bed the next morning, enjoyed my delicious free breakfast (complete with cappuccino), and headed back to the Frankfurt airport.<br /><br />This is when I decided to use my misfortune and sickness to my advantage. I went to the gate lady and told her of my woes, coughed a few times, and even managed a sneeze and asked for an upgrade.<br /><br />IT WORKED!!!!<br /><br />I got a business class seat on the way back to DFW!!!! I am pretty sure that is what made this story in the end a success! The flight was fabulous. My seat laid all the way down, I had a massage on my chair, my own personal T.V. with like 20 movie choices, a menu to choose my dinner... I mean the works! THIS, my friends, is the way to travel overseas!!!<br /><br />I realize that this story was waaaaay long, and if you stuck with me--CONGRATS!! The situation was no fun at the time, but it made for a great story--and I'm always up for a great story!<br /><br />Lufthansa, you are very strange in putting me on a bus when I paid for a plane ticket, but I salute you for making it up to me in the end!!!!!Claire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-35378039860264038222008-03-25T18:58:00.000-05:002008-04-10T20:30:25.628-05:00Ciao! Grazie!(NOTE: There's going to be a bunch of pictures...so get ready!!!)<br /><br />So I made my journey to Florence, Italy last Friday and began a whirlwind Spring Break Trip. I arrived in Florence on Saturday afternoon and Sarah immediately began the "Keep Claire Awake" campaign. We went on a nice stroll around Florence which ended at the David statue. Here's a picture of the David replica--the real David is even bigger!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnggNZpqtrLCPTCGlWsZoD5clFBdzHk3hfn-S7ljntEPnlTWrRFx5qyT9Yh27WIIvXoRUrc5i1nKrS2XZUC9t7QzKxdfHKOAigi-ZiCW_gg_cyDRBXBMD-jKUg5PDDa_unENmgeZHL9QM/s1600-h/DSC02237.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnggNZpqtrLCPTCGlWsZoD5clFBdzHk3hfn-S7ljntEPnlTWrRFx5qyT9Yh27WIIvXoRUrc5i1nKrS2XZUC9t7QzKxdfHKOAigi-ZiCW_gg_cyDRBXBMD-jKUg5PDDa_unENmgeZHL9QM/s320/DSC02237.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182231352610508306" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The next morning we got up and I got on my very first train and went to Pisa. Now, when I think about Pisa, all I can think about is Pauly Shore saying, "Look...it's the leaning tower of cheesa!" on Son In Law. Anybody? Anybody? Beuller? Sarah and I took our obligatory holding up the tower pictures. I took it one step further and went ahead and hugged the statue.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zEDJAiEtzfr6WZCl8K7whi_OGJLniNluF5x9J8hPR528DFk2G4Ah9es__UtathTwW4e-478ldsd3XZO1_orDClw2kCCAinj55fT8eQxsKxAMQRKC6ko7K2UAVMTWySQfzHRjKsaYJRY/s1600-h/DSC02255.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zEDJAiEtzfr6WZCl8K7whi_OGJLniNluF5x9J8hPR528DFk2G4Ah9es__UtathTwW4e-478ldsd3XZO1_orDClw2kCCAinj55fT8eQxsKxAMQRKC6ko7K2UAVMTWySQfzHRjKsaYJRY/s320/DSC02255.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182231709092793890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bctHgiUiLf-J93u-y1h5LHQKvgVtjMsLlf6p5GvF6U2yPaxn1e2VVmJAixLTiW9i8bxSOeP5iU0D9zKzDma6oUf3TW_uIDUyUVfuNSTM-hkIRNBQTfiwqt0WvVP9pCetI08fUqe-06k/s1600-h/DSC02258.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bctHgiUiLf-J93u-y1h5LHQKvgVtjMsLlf6p5GvF6U2yPaxn1e2VVmJAixLTiW9i8bxSOeP5iU0D9zKzDma6oUf3TW_uIDUyUVfuNSTM-hkIRNBQTfiwqt0WvVP9pCetI08fUqe-06k/s320/DSC02258.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182232001150570034" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We then got on another train and headed to Lucca--a very quaint fortified city near Pisa. The city is very small (only 2.5 miles in perimeter) and the wall is so thick that you can drive a car on it. We rented bikes and rode around on top of the wall. We had a blast!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSGrbOG2vkWwahzG9OaAgImzkgCA_1jAIzoCFnpXtoG1hsB7JgGamyFnnp3GaaL1sTyoudcxRRPyd1Sro32SOF-9pMzb_wtcvHWKkMpEkVLvoZUDMJ5MZAjOU6sfgon-BYxfD0oD48fc/s1600-h/DSC02271.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSGrbOG2vkWwahzG9OaAgImzkgCA_1jAIzoCFnpXtoG1hsB7JgGamyFnnp3GaaL1sTyoudcxRRPyd1Sro32SOF-9pMzb_wtcvHWKkMpEkVLvoZUDMJ5MZAjOU6sfgon-BYxfD0oD48fc/s320/DSC02271.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182232486481874498" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And watched the sunset from the top of the wall...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguErnbC828Xxhioyf3GB9VezCrYlKERnDt2VJFlIQR5RGVJRQa5arNQvHp6ZZjNbC87jSwwpc-w_XpP18GawtV1F-F0AUS4ANRDeTaZ2GkRtXDB3BSRQxf7EiL5T8CvI2Lvc_4zLHwCrk/s1600-h/DSC02281.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguErnbC828Xxhioyf3GB9VezCrYlKERnDt2VJFlIQR5RGVJRQa5arNQvHp6ZZjNbC87jSwwpc-w_XpP18GawtV1F-F0AUS4ANRDeTaZ2GkRtXDB3BSRQxf7EiL5T8CvI2Lvc_4zLHwCrk/s320/DSC02281.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182232881618865746" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The next day, Hayley joined us from the States and we began operation "Keep Hayley Awake". Due to the lack of showering on all of our parts, I am going to refrain from putting up any pictures from that day!! We strolled around Florence and Hay and I each bought a genuine Italian leather bag!<br /><br />The next day was Roma!! We spent the entire day in Rome and did EVERYTHING. Here's just a few shots of our nonstop day.<br /><br />In front of St. Peter's Basilica:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivi8zP3csvW8U7lU6Fvoy3FLchsC94eTeK120xJqc-RPBpdozGMnjWJc4PUas1HbiV7ACoxN-t7IgZafDA8khH91L2Ro4LPIm7YET1uRiTAoRlskvkBCUBjI7rR2aDhFqV8gXyxIgQ1a4/s1600-h/DSC02333.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivi8zP3csvW8U7lU6Fvoy3FLchsC94eTeK120xJqc-RPBpdozGMnjWJc4PUas1HbiV7ACoxN-t7IgZafDA8khH91L2Ro4LPIm7YET1uRiTAoRlskvkBCUBjI7rR2aDhFqV8gXyxIgQ1a4/s320/DSC02333.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182233238101151330" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Coliseum:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HQ8l2NVfpMGGxHQ9_in7hUfUkc8YEYAKRDaOUzX104r6FtdotmYuzIhpU_cjQ8m7CPwNJUK_QRP5_CmKQr23Va8L5zu3QuBrlC_xWHNxdXLP4IbI5dXy9D68OF2ypzqJ9zspFa-qx44/s1600-h/DSC02340.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HQ8l2NVfpMGGxHQ9_in7hUfUkc8YEYAKRDaOUzX104r6FtdotmYuzIhpU_cjQ8m7CPwNJUK_QRP5_CmKQr23Va8L5zu3QuBrlC_xWHNxdXLP4IbI5dXy9D68OF2ypzqJ9zspFa-qx44/s320/DSC02340.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182233547338796658" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Trevi Fountain:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TxAGGVr2wCU_c3qtrN73h_ePA8UD3JJCivt2OVQu7DhzwIJ7IkD7V5srmLC1VT91rroUC9gL8KEu-fvHySTO9f12cTtnCnDSqIn0Fp-rIzxHtnDaq1XblFjR4MENvDDA8Tu8vJvd30Y/s1600-h/DSC02372.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TxAGGVr2wCU_c3qtrN73h_ePA8UD3JJCivt2OVQu7DhzwIJ7IkD7V5srmLC1VT91rroUC9gL8KEu-fvHySTO9f12cTtnCnDSqIn0Fp-rIzxHtnDaq1XblFjR4MENvDDA8Tu8vJvd30Y/s320/DSC02372.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182233787856965250" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The next day was the day I was looking forward to the most--biking through Tuscany. We rode a total of about 12 miles, but went to Machiavelli's vineyard (remember "The Prince"??), had a fabulous dinner, and enjoyed the Tuscan hills. Here's one for your enjoyment. (Click on the picture to enlarge for your enjoyment.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmSBNGMJ5JM5Zim03axmQZKw9ctjduZYzXHtk1Yd144snoXARgu89EWjc0kwXeAQZfUZbKQzCX6aewRaTkNKOL2lbRetqV0E0ehzAyyKYf5fyRcicjlCpPc7L4w9EoNnJ9WIaD4x1OeY/s1600-h/DSC02415.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmSBNGMJ5JM5Zim03axmQZKw9ctjduZYzXHtk1Yd144snoXARgu89EWjc0kwXeAQZfUZbKQzCX6aewRaTkNKOL2lbRetqV0E0ehzAyyKYf5fyRcicjlCpPc7L4w9EoNnJ9WIaD4x1OeY/s320/DSC02415.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182234135749316242" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The next day we were off to The Cinque Terra (The 5 Lands). We took a train to the first city and hiked to the fourth city along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. We spent the night in an apartment with a fabulous view and then took a train to the 5th city and headed back to Florence that night. Here's a few pics from the trip--I'm going to try to limit it to just a few...<br /><br />The view from our balcony:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGJBVHlrKDcG6enyhWypFS7g8flTtSm125CcaNMia-cSyjtMBU-RHpgaO1llRlAboK9JqoQanev06yKEftxzQY7dRjj-1vubGBxWWFuscT8eLXipsNttu95STv16PoChNufbfmi8OQ6E/s1600-h/DSC02494.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGJBVHlrKDcG6enyhWypFS7g8flTtSm125CcaNMia-cSyjtMBU-RHpgaO1llRlAboK9JqoQanev06yKEftxzQY7dRjj-1vubGBxWWFuscT8eLXipsNttu95STv16PoChNufbfmi8OQ6E/s320/DSC02494.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182234591015849634" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The girls on a bridge:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvz9G3od09Qwm4RvGjbreshkz0AxQgdYI2HocYjUw8Mb3q3_hVxpUzPmTYMwEVoTWkd4sQMWmhXbCD1GE6FY9EWsYfwzx8dL8fDPFAgqOvhbsxuBsBRyvn83CgoFrRKgn6PE_iltJo2M/s1600-h/DSC02443.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvz9G3od09Qwm4RvGjbreshkz0AxQgdYI2HocYjUw8Mb3q3_hVxpUzPmTYMwEVoTWkd4sQMWmhXbCD1GE6FY9EWsYfwzx8dL8fDPFAgqOvhbsxuBsBRyvn83CgoFrRKgn6PE_iltJo2M/s320/DSC02443.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182234891663560370" border="0" /></a><br /><br />All of us in the fourth city--Vernaza:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PmlRnhhnAxtZDT-5r3hX9Q5mOq6IIrLMz7BGnKr0XYZd3at-0ZH-mXlcOWtFeTAxjO2T9g2yzoiYW61cU78wyJ9jRzQrq6at4e-xuZ9n7LR6Nu15qgpznH6mkEkW8et3XxUMNuzREqs/s1600-h/DSC02478.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PmlRnhhnAxtZDT-5r3hX9Q5mOq6IIrLMz7BGnKr0XYZd3at-0ZH-mXlcOWtFeTAxjO2T9g2yzoiYW61cU78wyJ9jRzQrq6at4e-xuZ9n7LR6Nu15qgpznH6mkEkW8et3XxUMNuzREqs/s320/DSC02478.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182235574563360450" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We headed back to Florence for my last night there. Sarah took us to a restaurant called Za Za's where I proceeded to have the best steak I have ever head in my entire life. It was covered in cognac sauce with peppercorns on it--absolutely fabulous!! Here's Sarah and I enjoying our steak--my last meal in Italia!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0C_sTZz3-J3d-jC_SEcE838mNvuYSQghtVh7q9Wzkp_tkuLXeqR5QGT-Mkh8uT-Rq7_65XC6FU9F2L18-YthlMroPxBMl3POubGK4_qiGppCNxfYcUYAZ6lWy7S4YvtKRt19xhrl8eI/s1600-h/DSC02531.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0C_sTZz3-J3d-jC_SEcE838mNvuYSQghtVh7q9Wzkp_tkuLXeqR5QGT-Mkh8uT-Rq7_65XC6FU9F2L18-YthlMroPxBMl3POubGK4_qiGppCNxfYcUYAZ6lWy7S4YvtKRt19xhrl8eI/s320/DSC02531.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182235853736234706" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So, the trip was a success. We made our rounds and had a blast! Thanks, Bunkmate, for being such a great tour guide. Thanks Emily and Kelly for letting me stay at your apartment. Thanks Hayley for being a fabulous travel companion. A great Spring Break INDEED!!Claire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-8961117525598761742008-03-14T08:29:00.000-05:002008-04-10T20:31:21.274-05:00Bunkmates for Life!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1TBRyauQZ0f6s1LndNRTgNmgsga70QXHdCiHkoWz0YSHOcYsIboSOJjh22ANSp6eucRHWzO2UnMrPm2GjbvmhgY3ZkYcCr-oGRaCGL_dGUGjkjJVdMCMokLtDAgBAXIB5LVcRE52r_c/s1600-h/bunkmates.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177591514954200898" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1TBRyauQZ0f6s1LndNRTgNmgsga70QXHdCiHkoWz0YSHOcYsIboSOJjh22ANSp6eucRHWzO2UnMrPm2GjbvmhgY3ZkYcCr-oGRaCGL_dGUGjkjJVdMCMokLtDAgBAXIB5LVcRE52r_c/s320/bunkmates.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>Today I will love the DFW airport.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>No, it is not taking me to Joe.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>But it is taking me to one of my other favorite people in the whole world on the other side of the ocean--my Bunkmate, Miss Sarah Page Viering.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Yes, people, I am going to Italy!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I don't speak a lick of Italian (that's what Sarah is for) and I know nothing about <a href="http://sarahvierling.blogspot.com/2008/02/italian-fashion-export-or-reject.html">fashion</a>, but I am going to be brave in an attempt to experience Italy to the fullest!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I know that I won't fit in with my Patagonia fleece, Tim Buk 2 bag, and rounded toe shoes, but whatever--I'll make it!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'm so excited about getting to see where Sarah lives and all that she loves. Italy has been her baby for so long and now I will get to enter into her world and walk in her shoes--well not her literal shoes...they would KILL my feet!! Hayley will be there on Monday, so it will be half of the chicks invading Italy! WAHOO!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>A follow-up post will be coming next week...so stay tuned.</div>Claire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-82220737331756500512008-03-05T20:25:00.000-06:002008-04-10T20:33:16.413-05:00A Love-Hate Relationship<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4ubW66DeZrAue10K4ilKDWCmn0GL25BLgP3ZzBj6cfYXsJ-OnwLwareoVRxbKWQNe_YnkrCs30J7QtdRZ0gwWR9dorELRsRAciTIGCOro9IiPSr6boio0klVZZGDHc6lKeztaQScepA/s1600-h/dfw-airport-address.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4ubW66DeZrAue10K4ilKDWCmn0GL25BLgP3ZzBj6cfYXsJ-OnwLwareoVRxbKWQNe_YnkrCs30J7QtdRZ0gwWR9dorELRsRAciTIGCOro9IiPSr6boio0klVZZGDHc6lKeztaQScepA/s320/dfw-airport-address.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174451840369008354" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I have a love-hate relationship with the DFW airport.<br /><br />I love it when it brings Joe to me and when it brings me to Joe.<br /><br />I hate it when it takes Joe back home and when it welcomes me back to Dallas.<br /><br />I loved it this past Thursday when I drove there after work to greet my amazing boyfriend and I hated it on Monday morning when I had to drive there at 4:30am so that Joe could go back home.<br /><br />I am grateful for the DFW airport because without it I would never be able to see Joe, but a lot of the time I absolutely hate it.Claire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-91322589957881828762008-02-24T20:07:00.000-06:002008-04-10T20:33:48.239-05:00Confessions of a Sonic Junkie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtYlHv4M-4KM3ag4eH-1BpRIx3mvgHaAcunvlPU2LzReWCeQRUytfmeNXQ3EAncm7367Xnvg5U78Xowokgqq0j3pKhvMhqa41FKIq_X965RjQHv4YZbsZxBJuhhqXDnUoEvJmpGmhT2I/s1600-h/sonic+logo+new.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtYlHv4M-4KM3ag4eH-1BpRIx3mvgHaAcunvlPU2LzReWCeQRUytfmeNXQ3EAncm7367Xnvg5U78Xowokgqq0j3pKhvMhqa41FKIq_X965RjQHv4YZbsZxBJuhhqXDnUoEvJmpGmhT2I/s320/sonic+logo+new.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170739177610282162" border="0" /></a><br />I love Sonic.<br /><br />There. I said it. It's out there.<br /><br />But the problem is that I not only love Sonic America's Drive In...<br /><br />I adore it.<br />I crave it.<br />I don't know what I would do without it.<br /><br />A large Coca-Cola Classic, half ice is the greatest thing in the world to me. It makes my heart race (that was for you Jecca).<br /><br />(NOTE: In Texas, I have to say it like that because sometimes when I order Coke they ask me, "What kind?" I want to yell at them, "What kind do you think? I said Coke, not Dr. Pepper!!" So now I avoid the frustration I simply order a Coca-Cola Classic.)<br /><br />A Coca-Cola Classic from Sonic is better than a Coca Cola Classic from any other place in the whole wide world. Sonic must put some sort of addictive agent it that keeps me coming back for more. Lauren (Garrison) Helton would even argue that <span style="font-style: italic;">MY</span> Coca-Cola Classic from Sonic is even better than <span style="font-style: italic;">HER</span> Coca-Cola Classic from Sonic. Maybe it's my love for Sonic mixed in with the addictive agent that keeps her sipping on my Coca-Cola Classic instead of hers. (No, I am not bitter!!)<br /><br />In addition to Sonic Cokes, I also crave Sonic cheese sticks (fried mozzarella cheese for those more refined than me). I am a self-proclaimed cheese stick <span class="me">connoisseur, and would argue with anyone that Sonic has the best cheese sticks around. So, a number 10 with a large Coca-Cola Classic instead of a medium with half ice and extra marinara sauce just about makes my day!<br /><br />So there you go.<br /><br />It's out there.<br /><br />I LOVE SONIC and I'm not afraid of it!<br /><br />Now, get it your car and go get you your favorite yummy treat from America's Favorite Drive In.<br /><br />It will put a smile on your face.<br /><br />Oh--and if you go between the hours of 2pm and 4pm, it's Happy Hour and all drinks are 1/2 price. I'm telling you--Sonic's got it going on!!!!<br /><br />Now hurry. Go! Go!<br /></span>Claire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-63262086189514176842008-02-17T20:04:00.000-06:002008-04-10T20:34:53.430-05:00Not BoringSometimes I think that I have a boring life, and then I remember where and who I came from and remember that there has never really been a dull moment in my life. When I try to describe the family I came from, most people do not understand. So, pictures usually get the point across. Some of you may have seen these on <a href="http://tamu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2464628&l=23704&id=8334411">facebook</a> (click on the link and you can see the pictures even if you are not a member), but I’ll throw some on here for your viewing pleasure!!<br /><br /><br />The short version: My mom is in Mardi Gras Crewe (like a club) and she was the Dame Commander (in charge of the ball). The theme this year was the British Empire and all of the colonies. She had a "special" part because she was, of course, THE Dame Commander!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjMcsM4s6AC-khgzXzcm-IaD7atv2Yeu_oPBMVF_Cc1IdK1AvaMxMBOBhN7yz251Y-GvvsOz0sg8sYSsZAsuCxQ9EUrjNB8TUApEcntlMTMJt9bBLVyLnbn0pA_UESWBY5lJ_aCgx3pw/s1600-h/DSC02137.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjMcsM4s6AC-khgzXzcm-IaD7atv2Yeu_oPBMVF_Cc1IdK1AvaMxMBOBhN7yz251Y-GvvsOz0sg8sYSsZAsuCxQ9EUrjNB8TUApEcntlMTMJt9bBLVyLnbn0pA_UESWBY5lJ_aCgx3pw/s320/DSC02137.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168137260652561506" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My mother as the "SUN" that never sets on the British Empire (it's a long story!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhdnRNPg_ltFsBmeUeewpfKiGPZBvLKPtCJkCFq3AlnP6xLsJLo5Pxe1KWnAeO9OmKSMy-RYL4LZOLXQxFBq6t_dpwUADb6bxKT-Fbt-USdqkLJl8pjnNotm5zYGUnzufYt0vDf-ZwK8/s1600-h/19071.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhdnRNPg_ltFsBmeUeewpfKiGPZBvLKPtCJkCFq3AlnP6xLsJLo5Pxe1KWnAeO9OmKSMy-RYL4LZOLXQxFBq6t_dpwUADb6bxKT-Fbt-USdqkLJl8pjnNotm5zYGUnzufYt0vDf-ZwK8/s320/19071.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168137668674454642" border="0" /></a>My Brothers and me at the Ball<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4eAEBF-ndodU4kcxSN8t_AvAolBiDO0Si-WNHSWFfX7zeYy3VB7_upZIl7Yc1DZ9mJcYAQ-e-VZm4b1psjY5c-ZMeWGB0oVKVRhtjUCbCUz839eEj_Vb8tXvD2RaATUkybpTuP25kLA/s1600-h/Victoria+2008+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4eAEBF-ndodU4kcxSN8t_AvAolBiDO0Si-WNHSWFfX7zeYy3VB7_upZIl7Yc1DZ9mJcYAQ-e-VZm4b1psjY5c-ZMeWGB0oVKVRhtjUCbCUz839eEj_Vb8tXvD2RaATUkybpTuP25kLA/s320/Victoria+2008+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168138682286736514" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My Fabulous Parents (who are on Facebooke, by the way--ridiculous!!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I was also very blessed by my fabulous parents with a frequent flyer ticket to visit my fabulous boyfriend, Joe, in Boone, NC. (Thanks again, Mom and Dad!!) Joe and I were blessed with great weather and good friends to hang out with in Boone. As always, it was an amazing visit and I am more and more thankful that he is in my life.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvruhOR-7QvRz6ccEPExfpZKFGW3woOiNKE1Od74ZjD72663mWd0XFuhM3LXFsc99y19pPbOgn5nhF9GdpOK-nGLWJZzYpWsdldt-CH_zxdqM6ceBlDeYOgcx1GGYdqO5TknyjsgCp8j4/s1600-h/DSC02162.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvruhOR-7QvRz6ccEPExfpZKFGW3woOiNKE1Od74ZjD72663mWd0XFuhM3LXFsc99y19pPbOgn5nhF9GdpOK-nGLWJZzYpWsdldt-CH_zxdqM6ceBlDeYOgcx1GGYdqO5TknyjsgCp8j4/s320/DSC02162.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168140387388753042" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here we are before snowboarding--not quite Colorado, but it was so much fun to get to snowboard with Joe!!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFI40kdSxW7nFrWnw3HoZWUPd_aYasAWfkius89wdiQuC5weULaCHsR3aV8z7VF_WmicrhAkQBKPjXYyKi4T9DjLFAPqYNjbzGL4ZgoOlCKkGD5mZ3NCmK8YnxGB3RHmyJSpfe71bTl0/s1600-h/DSC02163.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFI40kdSxW7nFrWnw3HoZWUPd_aYasAWfkius89wdiQuC5weULaCHsR3aV8z7VF_WmicrhAkQBKPjXYyKi4T9DjLFAPqYNjbzGL4ZgoOlCKkGD5mZ3NCmK8YnxGB3RHmyJSpfe71bTl0/s320/DSC02163.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168140885604959394" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And here's Manny--he's Joe's roommate and my friend! We love Manny!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So, no, my life is not boring--it's actually really exciting! In two weeks, I went to Mardi Gras and to the Appalachian Mountains. I hung out with my family and with my boyfriend! My Jesus is so good to me.<br /></div></div></div></div>Claire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-92063154712416338692008-01-30T18:54:00.000-06:002008-04-10T20:35:57.224-05:00Growing up...or NOT growing up!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3U16_2iG8H83UOi5b8LisVmGwbvetBNU3NKHoJtHbPQps4ZpWSDfTw0ifwSHSf5q1-Oa0QM0-3EhLAi6yFpnUYplo6JfMcS_PyR9zYKQpuIozIK5vBYg9rKmNp3EagPc1dr07dvArsM/s1600-h/MotherMeasuring.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3U16_2iG8H83UOi5b8LisVmGwbvetBNU3NKHoJtHbPQps4ZpWSDfTw0ifwSHSf5q1-Oa0QM0-3EhLAi6yFpnUYplo6JfMcS_PyR9zYKQpuIozIK5vBYg9rKmNp3EagPc1dr07dvArsM/s320/MotherMeasuring.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161443014265510210" border="0" /></a><br />I was thinking today about how much I have grown up in the past year and a half since I graduated from <a href="http://www.tamu.edu/">A&M</a>. A few things have happened and a few things haven’t happened. Here are just a few:<br /><br />1. I have moved 5 times—yes I said FIVE times! Ridiculous! I have lived in 3 different places in Lewisville, TX and two places in California. (And maybe a new move soon???)<br /><br />2. I have had 5 different jobs!!! Are you ready for this??? I have worked at: (in this order)<br /> -<a href="http://www.eaglenewsca.com/articles/2007/05/24/news/news01.txt">Imperial Beach Coffee and Books</a> (Barista)<br /> -<a href="http://mhs.lisd.net/">Marcus High School</a> (student teaching)<br /> -<a href="http://fmhs.lisd.net/">Flower Mound High School</a> (Chemistry teacher)<br /> -<a href="http://sites.younglife.org/camps/MountainLodge/default.aspx">Young Life’s Mountain Lodge </a>(Program Intern)<br /> -<a href="http://www.starbucks.com/">Starbucks Coffee</a> (Barista)<br /> -<a href="http://www.irvingisd.net/Academy/home/default.asp">The Academy of Irving ISD</a> (Chemistry/IPC Teacher)<br /><br />3. I have been on a <a href="http://eaglepass.blogspot.com/2006/12/we-have-to-do-this-together.html">cruise</a>. (With Sarah—the bunkmate!) Very fun, but would be SUPER fun with all six of us!<br /><br />4. I have <a href="http://eaglepass.blogspot.com/2006/06/i-like-this-gamegood-one-brookie.html">broken</a> my first bone and had my first stitches—my middle finger, what a fiasco!<br /><br />5. I have learned the importance of clinging to the Lord in the Valleys, praising Him for them, and rejoicing on the Mountaintops.<br /><br />6. I have learned how much I really do love teaching and how much technology can help me instead of hinder me!<br /><br />7. I have not broken my camera since the last incident when I got my Aggie ring (remember girls?)!!!<br /><br />8. I have gotten a <a href="http://claireborne.blogspot.com/2007/08/slew-of-events.html">new car</a>. I have a car payment and everything! Yes, of course, Keith and Renee (my parents) helped out quite a bit on the down payment—thanks mom and dad—but I do have a monthly payment. Now, I’m not saying that I like my payment, but it does make me feel like a grown up!<br /><br />9. I have not stopped singing! Now, most of you are thinking to yourself, “Self, I didn’t know Claire was a good singer.” Well, you are correct in your thinking, I am not a GOOD singer, but I LOVE to sing! Those of you who know me well, know that I can turn anything into a song, and I have not stopped doing it. I like to think of my life as a musical. In fact, today in class I was telling one of my students to shake something and just started singing, “Shake it like a Polaroid picture.” Yes, maybe not appropriate, but you know they loved it! I’m so relevant to my students!!!<br /><br />10. I have not grown up! I have realized that I have a grown-up job and I pay grown-up bills, but I still do not do grown-up things. I would still much prefer to throw the Frisbee than go to a fancy club, I still do not dress up very much for work, and I don’t really think about or plan for my future financial situation. (Sorry dad!) Maybe it’s because I am dating a younger man, but I just refuse to grow up!<br /><br />So, although time has passed since <a href="http://eaglepass.blogspot.com/2006/05/new-format.html">graduation</a>, much more will have to pass for you to really see a "grown-up" Claire. Or, maybe I'll just move to Neverland and never grow up!!Claire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-91596592704448468352008-01-19T12:11:00.000-06:002008-04-10T20:36:48.123-05:00My Brother, the star!!Go to <a href="http://www.lsu.edu/">www.lsu.edu</a> and you'll see my little brother, Kevin, on the homepage.<br /><br />In case it has changed, here's the picture...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yyk63YCAOTwjos09p7EGfleJ5Hc64idfDwbxrzO1iCkpCVh7VBnlQRBIEmWxR9AQIcVuV8fJ75USJu4F85Yr8TIXma0Ap4hQ5oIFjPZZpvC1FJFKcNeqFyY24j1HdY3npXZS1udXTHU/s1600-h/HPimage20080118.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yyk63YCAOTwjos09p7EGfleJ5Hc64idfDwbxrzO1iCkpCVh7VBnlQRBIEmWxR9AQIcVuV8fJ75USJu4F85Yr8TIXma0Ap4hQ5oIFjPZZpvC1FJFKcNeqFyY24j1HdY3npXZS1udXTHU/s400/HPimage20080118.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157252335165060562" border="0" /></a>Claire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-52867727284584503412008-01-12T23:02:00.000-06:002008-04-10T20:37:47.094-05:00Winter Break RecapBeing a teacher, I am blessed with a wonderful 2 week vacation. When I begin to be frustrated with my job, I just remember my 2 weeks for Christmas, my spring break, and, not to mention, my 2 1/2 months during the summer. If you know me at all, you know that I cannot stand to just sit around for 2 weeks when there are so many other things I can be doing with my time. So, here's a recap of my 2 weeks off...<br /><br />As you can see from the previous post, I spent a few days back in Lafayette with my family.<br />Here I am with my cousin's youngest, Ava. Sometimes it's still crazy to me that Aimee is old enough to have kids!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBdwZuyCnpS8OngndVoTrjZIDkSeKbBJ91sq2ltfTpfYAAN8R_USs9AXeLd5BlaQLLs9wVWr83Q5m78Wz0OUoZntWW08vAfS9nhHtz0bkLzMb_PtmptEERkheVxrUMjxxFxcjVrMidck/s1600-h/DSC01949.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBdwZuyCnpS8OngndVoTrjZIDkSeKbBJ91sq2ltfTpfYAAN8R_USs9AXeLd5BlaQLLs9wVWr83Q5m78Wz0OUoZntWW08vAfS9nhHtz0bkLzMb_PtmptEERkheVxrUMjxxFxcjVrMidck/s320/DSC01949.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154824342907991346" border="0" /></a><br />December 29th, was Joey and Emily Dunnebacke's wedding, as well as the declared Six Chicks reunion. It was such a blessing to be back with my best friends for the first time in 19 months! We went to to the wedding and then rented a hotel room for the night and picked up right where we left off. It seriously was as though no time had passed. Here are some pictures from the night:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucytXnVGTvW2cYHXAChn-kAudxnRHUx2aCeW3-gJzMru27sOZmG4qROD3Uaqkon9aFT8HPnRA5EGgotmMTF0ZHErHIzeXs1yJvXTU8LPa2_enX593RlkEVG0Z-VvGSgwO1s1M5yLzd-A/s1600-h/DSC01962.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucytXnVGTvW2cYHXAChn-kAudxnRHUx2aCeW3-gJzMru27sOZmG4qROD3Uaqkon9aFT8HPnRA5EGgotmMTF0ZHErHIzeXs1yJvXTU8LPa2_enX593RlkEVG0Z-VvGSgwO1s1M5yLzd-A/s320/DSC01962.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154833254965130690" border="0" /></a>The Chicks live on...<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1eaEnkWNktq6REOgV6IglErFe31nR4CnARRckI0JEvpRqHLYqI1JTIXBAYEZa-Y8nCM51fasEt53OKV2gwqQJ6nf96_VqwJHvDuLS_L4jCQQnl-ZVdIiBok98Xi9ilf9b7nXjUe82cg/s1600-h/DSC01971.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1eaEnkWNktq6REOgV6IglErFe31nR4CnARRckI0JEvpRqHLYqI1JTIXBAYEZa-Y8nCM51fasEt53OKV2gwqQJ6nf96_VqwJHvDuLS_L4jCQQnl-ZVdIiBok98Xi9ilf9b7nXjUe82cg/s320/DSC01971.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154826065189877074" border="0" /></a>All of us with Joey and Emily.<br /><br /></div><br />A couple of days after the wedding/reunion, I packed up my bags to spend New Years (and a few days after that) with MY Joe. We celebrated his best friend, Ryan's, birthday and then went up to Truckee for a couple of days to hang out with the Thomsens and th rest of the interns from last summer. In Truckee, we built a snowman, went snow shoeing, and went sledding. I was able to cross 2 more things off of my 30 before 20 list! Wahoo!!! Here's some pictures of our time in Truckee.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-ZKYpNBZS2b1m-nZx2BTmIe_Fd92Pm_Ro9fO7oIIby-mxK8YPTgScuI5HOHjwc2lVxwd-E4q_CD909BYtzDiWrss1ix-lP3i-OGinHWB89N3e-LAlLmxmas2-mWEfszZvho2NJZDg7w/s1600-h/DSC02026.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-ZKYpNBZS2b1m-nZx2BTmIe_Fd92Pm_Ro9fO7oIIby-mxK8YPTgScuI5HOHjwc2lVxwd-E4q_CD909BYtzDiWrss1ix-lP3i-OGinHWB89N3e-LAlLmxmas2-mWEfszZvho2NJZDg7w/s320/DSC02026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154828225558426978" border="0" /></a>Joey and I at Lake Tahoe<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPdyK2O7UYLElHghFTfvutTOR7W7a2AALc76B2b-HTRSGuLzn9tUDgYF2W47pYf8A6SagA4F4ixujSa26ko_2eIV469zML0IHF3LpkHHs_8i_tBDK0rNH35Cezu0dO-tKHx1i5ye2H7s/s1600-h/DSC02040.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPdyK2O7UYLElHghFTfvutTOR7W7a2AALc76B2b-HTRSGuLzn9tUDgYF2W47pYf8A6SagA4F4ixujSa26ko_2eIV469zML0IHF3LpkHHs_8i_tBDK0rNH35Cezu0dO-tKHx1i5ye2H7s/s320/DSC02040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154828869803521394" border="0" /></a>All of us with our snowman<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMTrzByvqica4XAyES_pRXMkJei16AMK6_6nUkYRx9tiTqkfj5NjSl5H81_2ohSZZUtDAs0QCrFmStFR7pDYYuNYfDmxNv1luziP3gOIY9-Q9E9CooR4zKm0aJzcmMGkE869LAigobFw/s1600-h/DSC02053.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMTrzByvqica4XAyES_pRXMkJei16AMK6_6nUkYRx9tiTqkfj5NjSl5H81_2ohSZZUtDAs0QCrFmStFR7pDYYuNYfDmxNv1luziP3gOIY9-Q9E9CooR4zKm0aJzcmMGkE869LAigobFw/s320/DSC02053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154829466803975554" border="0" /></a>All the girls snowshoeing<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxG5N9J3XMFOnMexs3jwSIpO2oMO6sXAWquyvkFP9KM19EFnqesfQ5HutaH6SaU6KYDXYIEp_kZWkarmDykId4iFUcMzm55b9TNP2E31Dn0Zm67P2WutE_68joD1V8Pmbupzpw8hjiMB4/s1600-h/DSC02075.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxG5N9J3XMFOnMexs3jwSIpO2oMO6sXAWquyvkFP9KM19EFnqesfQ5HutaH6SaU6KYDXYIEp_kZWkarmDykId4iFUcMzm55b9TNP2E31Dn0Zm67P2WutE_68joD1V8Pmbupzpw8hjiMB4/s320/DSC02075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154830025149724050" border="0" /></a>Crashing with Emmeline on the sled<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxl8AjiMGJ2IIdPxPzmI1d8fQJI8X5oGQaRtFjZaN_PEU5R6oKi7HZ_ga-JFTffLVi6SnxRNJ5E-qqmb2g9pe-uSj5eD0u4TtV9Em93rh3B5xYVpT9ItYOT4OeZw36ZFntOmivN7Q4ZCI/s1600-h/DSC02078.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxl8AjiMGJ2IIdPxPzmI1d8fQJI8X5oGQaRtFjZaN_PEU5R6oKi7HZ_ga-JFTffLVi6SnxRNJ5E-qqmb2g9pe-uSj5eD0u4TtV9Em93rh3B5xYVpT9ItYOT4OeZw36ZFntOmivN7Q4ZCI/s320/DSC02078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154830596380374434" border="0" /></a>Having fun with my snow shoes!<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNbEe_OcyuWCavnxEc_BgloLHHLpXixfA3Gy-zK_vQz4yIki8nH2bgh01c8u4Fnd2Mf3OSi_WvzS6j5ybjqFm69Jdm5eqbL_IGRF1NjYHCuGcLGN8uT3EBghbgYw3-gLUf1qO4NY4ctA/s1600-h/DSC02083.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNbEe_OcyuWCavnxEc_BgloLHHLpXixfA3Gy-zK_vQz4yIki8nH2bgh01c8u4Fnd2Mf3OSi_WvzS6j5ybjqFm69Jdm5eqbL_IGRF1NjYHCuGcLGN8uT3EBghbgYw3-gLUf1qO4NY4ctA/s320/DSC02083.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154831167611024818" border="0" /></a>Joey and me in our favorite city<br /></div><br />It truly was a great break, but it is good to be back to routine. Thank you, Lord, for family and friends, and here's to Spring Break in...(you'll have to stay tuned to find out my destination)...Claire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405652449892044364.post-74888173895121195562007-12-27T19:43:00.000-06:002008-04-10T20:38:41.500-05:00I really am from the South!As per usual, I went home to Lafayette, LA for Christmas.*<br /><br />I was thrilled to be able to relax with my great family.<br /><br />Little did I know that Kevin (my brother) and Patrick (Kevin's best friend) were going to remind me what my roots truly are.<br /><br />Kev bought himself a handgun for Christmas and we just had to try it out, so we went out to some rice fields and had some fun. Enjoy :)<br /><br /><p style="visibility: visible;"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://widget-a8.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" style="width: 426px; height: 320px;" height="320" width="426"><param name="movie" value="http://widget-a8.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="scale" value="noscale"><param name="salign" value="l"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"> <param name="flashvars" value="cy=ms&il=1&channel=576460752330012072&site=widget-a8.slide.com"></object></p><p><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=ms&ad=0&id=576460752330012072&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-a8.slide.com/p1/576460752330012072/ms_t000_v000_a000_f00/images/xslide1.gif" ismap="ismap" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=ms&ad=0&id=576460752330012072&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-a8.slide.com/p2/576460752330012072/ms_t000_v000_a000_f00/images/xslide2.gif" ismap="ismap" border="0" /></a></p><p></p><br /><br />And for your viewing pleasure, here's the video of my first shot with the handgun!<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwJhr9D6AKOF6kmWRcVhKMpPRF4y2mA9ttjRYPVtVdveYVLlqNbo9NJvj9oX1HRpuZA7vduiXcWxo27rIV3IA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />*The only reason why I could go home is because of my new amazing teaching job! Praise the Lord!!!Claire Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04618214036240602961noreply@blogger.com4