tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-200698632024-03-07T02:44:06.794-05:00My Life 101: A Wonderful Work in ProgressLife 101 - taking this life journey one day at a time, observing and journaling about everyday adventures.Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-12426538499635818462010-12-07T12:43:00.000-05:002010-12-07T12:43:37.554-05:00Mmm, mmm good!I made homemade, from scratch soup yesterday. And it was so delicious. And so perfect for the cold weather. I started off with homemade sofrito - green and red peppers, tomato, onion, cilantro -lots of it!-, and garlic. Sauteed that in some evoo, and then added yuca, yautia and platano verde. I love adding those starchy tubers because it makes the soup stick-to-your-ribs thick. And it reminds me of the good smells of growing up - at home and in the bodega. I served that up with a bowl of warm rice. And the girls asked for seconds...and thirds! I love to see them eat up my food.So now I'm inspired. What to make for dinner tonight? Well, as long as there is sofrito, it'll end up delicioso!Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-31090306627178123872010-11-30T10:42:00.000-05:002010-11-30T10:42:05.222-05:00"OYt-meal"Mama, can I have some "OYtmeal", please? Lili loves her oatmeal. 'cept she calls it "OYt-meal." Reminds me of "Oy, vey!"Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-48965570959720678122010-11-25T10:49:00.000-05:002010-11-25T10:49:11.970-05:00"Best Day Everrrrr!..." -RapunzelYesterday definitely counts as a best-day-ever kinda day. Lili and I visited a friend. Afterwards we breakfasted with Kat - she made us macrobiotic oatmeal, really yummers. Then, when Kat set off to do errands, Lili and I stayed behind to do some clean up. While I washed dishes, Lili shined up the fridge. It was good work and it was good working together, mommy and daughter, side by side. Once done, we set off to the movie theater to meet up with Mike and Isa to watch <a href="http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/tangled/#/home/">Tangled</a>. I really liked it. The story, the animation, the writing. Good stuff. Afterwards we four got ice cream at Menchie's. Our flavors - Mike - carrot-cake, me - chocolate/vanilla swirl with an apple-pie chaser, Isa - same as me, and Lili - choco/vanilla swirl. They had fun choosing their toppings. I had fun just being with them. <div><br />
</div><div>We sat outside, eating our ice cream, people watching. I love people watching. It's one of my fave things to do, and one of the reasons I love NY -there are so many different, interesting characters. But Winter Park provided some pretty good people watching, too. I made observations. Mike reminded me not to judge. I laughed, sharing my imaginings of what a people-watcher might be saying about me..."look at that lady with the chinny-chin hairs (which will get waxed tomorrow). But they really are, mostly just observations. And a good launching pad for imagining what that person's story is or might be.</div><div><br />
</div><div>When we got home, Mike and I watched Glee, from the first episode thru to the one where Shue's wife ambushes the preggy cheerleader chick. Now, for most folks, this is not a big deal. But for Mike and me, it's the way we connect - watching shows together. We'd grown apart after a betrayal. More specifically, the Battlestar Galactica Betrayal. See, I consider our episode watching our sacred couple time. And Mike watched more than one episode of BSG without me. When I was putting the kids to bed. Double betrayal! So getting to watch a brand new show together...well, it feels like a new beginning.<br />
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</div><div>What I liked best was that I was pretty chillax. I was just go with the flow. Not uptight. And that felt so good. The day-to-day grind, making sure everyone is where they should be when they should be, well, that's overwhelming and stressful. So I'm grateful for the break. The chance to sit back and just be together.</div></div>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-40877936778024435162010-11-23T02:27:00.000-05:002010-11-23T02:27:24.118-05:00"...live in thanksgiving daily..."I'm blessed. A lot. And it's revealed to me everyday. It just depends on if I'm paying attention. This morning was rough. Getting the girls ready can be...let's just say...overwhelming. Even more on the days I have to drive in to the office. And be on time. Those seem to be the mornings that the girls are extra slow, extra diva-ish, extra extra....sigh... Those are the mornings when I'm just barely holding it together. And I can't cry on my way into work. Especially since I'm not wearing water-proof mascara. And so I reach out. I take a deep breath. I breathe out. I repeat. And then I call Ann. And she answers, and makes me laugh. And makes me realize that this is all part of the journey of parenting children. Particularly girl children. Of which I have two. And she helps me see the good side of things. And by the time I'm at work, I know that it'll be ok. She's saved me more times than she knows. And I'm thankful. for Ann.Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-35937180361306492052010-11-20T22:41:00.001-05:002010-11-21T11:01:23.307-05:00Sweet Saturday9a-11:30am: The girls, along with their children's church group, visited with seniors at the local nursing home. They sang songs and played games together. It was a beautiful juxtaposition of young and old connecting.<br />
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11:45 -1:30pm - Hula practice for the Dec. Luau. Dancing to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMgys3wB73o&feature=related">The Hukilau</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-eSTAeoNjQ">Pearly Shells</a>. It's so much fun learning the steps. Will be practicing everyday so I can rock it at the luau. So thankful to May for teaching us. Hoping to get Isa and Lili into Hula Class soon.<br />
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2-300: Lunch with Kat, Isa and Lili at <a href="http://www.royalthai-orlando.com/">Royal Thai</a>. Of course when the server came by to take our order Isa asked for "macaroni". Right, macaroni at a Thai restaurant. Granted - she's five years old. Here's the funny thing. We don't even eat macaroni at home, so your guess is as good as mine at to why she asked for macaroni. We did get Pad Thai and Red Curry to share. Yummers.<br />
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4pm-7pm - Spent time with Baby Ez at Deb's house. Kat took the kids out on a walk while I took a much needed (Thank you, Kat!) nap on the sofa. Woke up to baby squeals - Baby Owen. So cute. Got to see gorgeous Gretchen and her cute boys, Aidan and Owen. Good times.<br />
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8pm: at the farm with Kat (who's presently on the phone talking to Peterson), Isa and Lili (who are tucked in bed), and my parents. Hadn't been here for a while. It's nice to be here.<br />
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What a wonderfully full day. Off to knit a lil' before I drift off to sleep. Aloooooha!Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-5843981256391764272010-11-13T11:25:00.002-05:002010-11-14T00:51:58.825-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b>Saturday Morning</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:xdcP8grDt3d2kM:http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/whaleluver777/pillsbury_doughboy.jpg&t=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:xdcP8grDt3d2kM:http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/whaleluver777/pillsbury_doughboy.jpg&t=1" width="112" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Baked cinnamon rolls for breakfast (yes, with help from the Pillsbury Dough Boy - heeheehee.) They were the perfect way to calm the beasties. Cinammon rolls + Saturday morning cartoons =happy campers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Morning plans include a cup of tea and then off to clean out the van. It's to the point that if anyone asked me for a ride, I would make believe that I am not a car owner. Here's the thing. I clean up and clean out the car. And I pledge to never ever go astray. And then I do. I had a good thing going for about a month. The car was in pretty good shape. Clean. Lovely. And then, suddenly, not clean. Not lovely. Well, the Japanese say, "Fall down seven times, stand up eight." So, here I go again. (Which makes me think of this <a href="http://youtu.be/i3MXiTeH_Pg">White Snake song...)</a></div>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-51281250069663022162010-11-12T19:57:00.002-05:002010-11-12T20:09:41.225-05:00Welcome Back...me! It's been about 4 years. We're still the parents to just two ("just"= more than enough) daughters. One's in Kindergarten, the other in Preschool - they are only 13 months apart. M and I have been married 6 years now.Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-44908282722934092162006-11-27T10:57:00.000-05:002006-11-27T11:17:43.803-05:00Babies make me laugh :)<br><br />Hello everyone!<br />I have to say I had a great Thanksgiving day weekend. I spent so much time with the girls it was great! isabella is so smart and she really is a tiny Einstien in my eyes. She like to turn on and off the TV and see how a ball bounces even the ones that are heavy plastic "learning balls or squares". She likes to observe then try out new things especially when it comes to daredevil tricks. I must admit I egg her on, I grab her throw her around, wrestle with her and swing her in circles and land her on the bed. Good times :) . With lilyana I just bounce abit usually to burp her but I mostly just look at her as she smiles and laughs. Sometimes I forget about everything when I look at her she is so sweet. They are both so beautiful and (if I use this saying correctly) The apples in my eyes. They both make me laugh!<br /><br><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dcCZABr_G1k"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dcCZABr_G1k" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5P6UU6m3cqk"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5P6UU6m3cqk" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-86573593912197384082006-11-17T19:29:00.001-05:002006-11-17T19:29:36.656-05:00Grandma & Lily<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64542389@N00/298968528/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/103/298968528_bbbc290ccf_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64542389@N00/298968528/">Grandma & Lily</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/64542389@N00/">Euro609</a>. </span></div>Hang out at Downtown disney :)<br clear="all" />Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-8530714853875415622006-11-17T10:16:00.000-05:002006-11-17T10:23:26.728-05:00New POST!It has been a long time since I posted something here. I havve just not been keepin' up but I hope this will help :)<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/7655/2449/1600/548897/Us%20small%20size.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/7655/2449/320/668231/Us%20small%20size.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />If your wondering whose who in the picture let me start with right to left. To the far right is my distant cousins husband with their baby sofia. Next to them is my (michael) Dad with lily :) next to him is me with belly! and finally erica with her big smile :)<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sdUUx5FdySs"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sdUUx5FdySs" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-1157722426174430062006-09-08T08:33:00.000-05:002006-11-15T09:34:43.238-05:00Little Women<embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-8436448757946727549&hl=en" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-1157721752416216982006-09-08T08:16:00.000-05:002006-11-15T09:34:43.128-05:00Hey?!<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64542389@N00/237185193/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/97/237185193_b67cb5955f_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64542389@N00/237185193/">Hey</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/64542389@N00/">Euro609</a>. </span></div>Lily has a look of surprise as I take this photo.<br clear="all" />Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-1156458008937607562006-08-24T17:19:00.000-05:002006-11-15T09:34:43.056-05:00Happy 50th!This video is for my grandparents in Colombia.<br /><br><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=3311621130763297924&hl=en" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-1156372440562347362006-08-23T17:30:00.000-05:002006-11-15T09:34:42.965-05:00Introducing David BrentHello all!<br />here is a video of one of the funnier people on this earth. His name is David Brent and if you haven't seen him before I urge you to go and check out "the office" (the original series from across the pond). Enjoy!<br /><br><br /><embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=9076288729387457440&hl=en"> </embed>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-1156372210480756732006-08-23T17:29:00.000-05:002006-11-15T09:34:42.891-05:00David Brent part 2<embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=959125392868390030&hl=en"> </embed>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-1155455525058874922006-08-13T02:46:00.000-05:002006-11-15T09:34:42.825-05:00Hey, that's me!Today Bella pointed at the desktop picture of her 5 month old self and then pointed to her actual almost 16 month self. Wow! Self recognition. I had already known that at 13 months she recognized herself in the mirror because I had done the "rouge test" which means that I put some red lipstick on her nose and went over to a mirror. As soon as she saw her reflection she touched her own nose. But now she's showing me that she recognizes herself in baby pictures. Wow!<br /><br />Another amazing thing that she did today. I was administering medication to a squealing in disdain Lili who was not enjoying the cherry flavored experience and Bella rushed over to pull my hand away as if to say, "Stop that this instant." She's an advocate for her sister already. Wow.Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-1155455150004008072006-08-13T02:40:00.000-05:002006-11-15T09:34:42.753-05:00The price for loving a childThere's a price to pay for the love of child, for the sparkle in the eye, for the wrap-around-the-leg hugs. It goes beyond the bundles of diapers and the cans of formula. Long sleepless nights of heartache as you keep bedside watch over a feverish brow. It's learning how to put the sonic humidifier together and finding distilled water to use in it despite the hard Florida water. It's getting up to tend to that baby even when your own brow is feverish and you've only just now fallen asleep. No one tells you this at the baby shower over the crinkle of the pastel gift wrap, or the celebrations. It might be because the love of a child is worth that and so much more that in retrospect it seems insignificant, inconsequential? -eEricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-1154957564836899982006-08-07T08:31:00.000-05:002006-11-15T09:34:42.669-05:00almostnakedanimals.comSo funny, so cute. They even come on lil' onesies. Checkout the this cool blog for other cool button badges and artwork: http://www.prickie.com/index.htm?artist=a56Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-1154957452146212942006-08-07T08:24:00.000-05:002006-11-15T09:34:42.604-05:00I slept!Last night I fell asleep in a heap on the futon in the other room. I awoke to find my husband dressing me in my pink-sandals pajama pants. He told me that he would be on watch with our two babies that night and that I would get to sleep the whole night, Oh joy! Oh sweet ecstasy! To sleep is better than diamonds and even better than chocolate. He covered me with a deliciously clean bedsheet and then with his favorite sleeping bag/blanket (which I've become quite fond of meself, kissed me goodnight and then left me to drift off to sweetest, deepest sleep. I dreamt of eating salads and getting ready for a prom/dance. I slept so deeply that I got to live the life I live when I sleep and dream - that other place you go to when your eyes are shut. Anyhow, I woke up refreshed and rejuvenated. How in the heck did I get os luckyto find a man that gives me the very best gifts? I know that I will be better able to enjoy the day. Thank you, M.Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-1154902760287373562006-08-06T17:08:00.000-05:002006-11-15T09:34:42.467-05:00The Tete Bandit and other bits and piecesIsabella-Rose is 15 1/2 months old. Her fave things to do these days include:<br /><br />1)stealing her baby sister's "tete" (teh-teh). This means that despite having her own baby bottle full of milk, she prefers to make off with Lili's tete - does she think it tastes better? Anyhow, we call her the Tete Bandit because she grabs the tete and makes a run for it.<br /><br />2) Trying on all the shoes she can get her hands on. It's fun to see her trying on other ppls shoes and taking a few steps in them. Of course, this means that your shoes are nowhere to be found when you need them but you can console yourself by thinking that someone else wants to walk in your shoes.<br /><br />3) Getting up after she falls. She's been walking for a few months now but she still takes a spill now and again. What I admire most is that she gets right back up and at 'em. No time to waste. Wow! She's my hero!<br /><br />Lili - At 2 1/2 months Liliana has been incredibly patient with us - what with our sleep deprivation and all. She is a delightful little smiley baby. If you take the time to sit and talk with her, you get to hear the most delicous coos from her. Her whole face lights up when she has your attention. She's just now starting to sleep a little longer thru the night. For a while she's been sticking to the midnight, 3am and 5:30 am schedule but I think she's moving to four hor intervals.<br /><br />I never imagined that being a parent would be so hard, so challenging, so draining and so amazingly humbling and wonderful at the same time.<br /><br />Mike continues to amaze me. Somedays he reveals me to myself and I think, Whoa, he knows me better than I know myself. It's a good thing that he does because he knows how to make me laugh when I don't know how to laugh - what with the sleep deprivation and all. <br /><br />Gotta go - the Tete Bandit needs me. - eEricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-1154732996822337812006-08-04T18:05:00.000-05:002006-11-15T09:34:42.390-05:00Welcome to our revised blog!<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64542389@N00/206777500/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/84/206777500_3d89e39ce9_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64542389@N00/206777500/">DSC01165</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/64542389@N00/">Euro609</a>. </span></div>Hello everyone,<br />My name is Liliana-Marie, I am the youngest (so far) in my family. I live with my sister Isabella-Rose, my mom Erica and my dad Michael in our condo in orlando Fl. I was ask to introduce our new add-ons our blog. As you notice the picture layout has change. We are now posting on Flickr.com for our pictures. Blogger took too long to upload pictures so went to Flickr that was much easier. To check out our album just click on my picture and you will be transported to our photo album on flickr. Also we added home movies to our blog. We felt movies can show what pictures can't, sound and motion. If you would like to know how add video to your blog just leave me a comment and I will get back to you. Well I hope you enjoy our blog!! :)<br /><br />Bye, Bye<br />lili<br clear="all" />Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-1154732239734555162006-08-04T17:57:00.000-05:002006-11-15T09:34:42.324-05:00The bouncy ball :)<embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-1088604914344814154" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-1154732143237381402006-08-04T17:55:00.000-05:002006-11-15T09:34:42.259-05:00Isabella and Grandma in the Pool<embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-6409276083044190138" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-1154731963149700682006-08-04T17:52:00.000-05:002006-11-15T09:34:42.189-05:00Lili coos mom and my heart :)<embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=3640089873132256667" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20069863.post-1154731874415576302006-08-04T17:49:00.000-05:002006-11-15T09:34:42.119-05:00lili in her chair<embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-5711361382049443274" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" scale="noScale" salign="TL" FlashVars="playerMode=embedded"> </embed>Ericahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044372874603678129noreply@blogger.com0