tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48197141110859705152024-03-14T04:26:09.141-04:00Our Life In DesignKalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-83089673424330602242016-07-17T11:37:00.001-04:002016-07-17T11:38:16.046-04:00New BeginningsHello! Long time no talk. Sorry I haven't posted in a long time. I just didn't feel like I had much to share. We had been looking at houses for quite a while, without any luck. We looked at so many. Fell in love with a few and then had bids refused or outbid.<br />
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But I finally have good news!! As of July 13, 2016 we are finally first-time homeowners!<br />
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It only took 4/5 years to finally happen. Our real estate agent, Karen, has been with us for 4 years. She is the agent we were working with when we almost bought <a href="http://ourlifeindesign.blogspot.com/2012/08/were-buying-house.html" target="_blank">the Pearl</a> in 2012, which we ended up walking away from after a few instances of <a href="http://ourlifeindesign.blogspot.com/2012/10/lifes-little-surprises-bad-kind.html" target="_blank">bad luck</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right after we finished signing all the papers. We had to get a picture with our real estate agent.</td></tr>
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We ran into another rough patch of house hunting this Spring after being outbid on a fantastic property. And to make our search even more difficult the market exploded and suddenly everyone was looking for a house. Our agent, Karen, said it was the busiest Spring her agency had seen since the 80's.<br />
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We tried to go to an open house - Cancelled - because the house went under contract after only 7 days. So I asked Karen about another property - under contract. Ugh. She suggested another one. We agreed to go look at it even though it was a raised ranch which is a style/layout we don't really like. I then found two others we would consider. She set up showings for the same day, however it only ended up being 2 showings because again the third house just went under contract. OMG.<br />
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Well we were right we hated the raised ranch. We didn't like the layout and it needed so much work. However, the other house was this cute little front-back split. I had shown it to my husband few times online but he had some reservations. He had agreed to look because it had some potential and we were running out of options. We walked in and fell in love.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took this photo a few days after closing. The listing photo is no where near as flattering.</td></tr>
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This property was foreclosure. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. We were surprised to find that the bank had actually put some work into it after they had taken listing photos. I asked Andrew what his reservations were and he said the bank had fixed them all. They had installed a new stove and hood vent. And the biggest change, they refinished all the wood floors with a dark stain.<br />
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OMG did I fall in love with these floors. And that fireplace. It is over 7 feet wide!!! This has to be my favorite room. Those gorgeous hardwoods are all through the living room, dining room, the stairs going up and down, the upstairs hallway and all three bedrooms.<br />
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We knew we had to move quickly so we discussed it that night and made an offer the next day. Even with our quick moving we received a reply that we needed to submit our highest and best because there was another offer. We put out our best offer and found out on Friday, May 13th that it was accepted! I guess Friday the 13th isn't always unlucky. LOL<br />
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We were supposed to close on June 30th but we had a small delay which pushed us to July 8th. The closing day came. Andrew and I both took half days from work. I did the final walk through with my agent. However, the Seller couldn't follow directions and messed up one piece of paperwork. So we had to delay closing again. So it was pushed to July 13th, which in some ways is nice because it meant we closed exactly 2 months after our offer was accepted. It sucked though because it pushes our move in date back.<br />
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We have a plumber and an electrician doing some work prior to us moving in. All of which I'm hoping will be completed early this week. Thankfully, our landlord doesn't mind us sticking around for a little bit. He is actually the husband of our real estate attorney. So he has been kept in the loop during our whole purchase process.<br />
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We have a lot a plans for renovations to make this property feel more like us. So please follow along with our story.<br />
<br />Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-55894418434719487582014-04-30T19:47:00.000-04:002014-04-30T19:47:12.281-04:00Daffodils & a Giant Bunny - Easter 2014So I decided to buy Rhia a new halter and lead line the other day. Her red one is still in pretty good shape but the new one is in my favorite color. I guess you would call it teal. It is kind of a blue green. I didn't put it on her the day I bought it because I wanted to take some photos of her in it and didn't have my camera that day. So I saved it for a nice day. That nice day ended up being the day before Easter. I "dressed" her up and brought her over to the nice green grass.<br />
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While taking photos of her I noticed some daffodils nearby. However, Rhia wouldn't cooperate and stand in front of the flowers. I decided the easier option was to pick a couple and put them in her halter.<br />
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On Easter Sunday I thought it would be nice if Andrew and I took a few pictures of us down in the park near our apartment. This was the first time I have ever used a timer on a camera and a tripod.<br />
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Andrew was great at posing for test shots so I could get the camera focused before I set the timer.<br />
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Things went relatively well except for the one shot where one leg of the tripod decided it wasn't locked and started slipping.<br />
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I've decided I need to buy a new tripod. One that truly locks in place and is a bit taller. I had to squat down every time I set it up. I also need to work on my settings. The ones I took of Rhia look great but the ones of us are a bit fuzzy. I think I had the depth set to short. Definitely a learning process. Happy Spring - Bring on the warmer weather!Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-51680974925517017402013-09-08T11:04:00.001-04:002013-09-08T11:04:57.141-04:00Oh The Places You Will Go!So I have a few other posts that I should have posted before this one but I really wanted to get this one up. On Friday my mom and I loaded up my car with half of my niece's stuff and drove 3 hours to her new college to help her move into her dorm.<br />
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Jessie, my niece, and my Sister, Vicki, had gone up the night before so they would be there for the start of move in. This is Jessie first year of college. She has been very excited and a little nervous about going but I think she'll have a blast. She has 3 roommates. It looks like she will get along really well with them. Two of them are a bit more introverted compared to Jessie. But that just means she'll be good for them. She already talked them into going to the icebreaker event the first night, when they originally were just going to head back to the dorm. I brought my new camera. I bought a used Canon EOS Rebel T2i back in July after falling in love with my co-workers T1i that he let me borrow to take pictures of my niece's High School Graduation. Love It!<br />
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So, back to Jessie's move in day. Mom and I got there just after 11 am and Jessie and 2 of her roommates helped us unload the car. Vicki was at a meeting for all the parents so she wasn't there right when we showed up but joined us a bit later. I got to work trying to hook-up Jessie's new wireless printer with her laptop. Yeah long story short that didn't work out too well, so we had to take a half hour drive to the Walmart and pick up a USB cord. Basically, because so many people are using the schools wireless internet at one time that the wireless printer couldn't find the laptop to connect. But before we headed off to Walmart we decided to grab lunch at the amazing buffet they offer on campus. My favorites were the Wild Mushroom Cream Sauce over pasta and the super gooey brownies. Then Jessie showed us a few of the things and places on campus.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abbey Hall - Jessie has a friend she met at an campus overnight staying in this dorm.</td></tr>
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The best was the school's library and Sugar Shack. For those who don't know a Sugar Shack is where you make Maple Syrup.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sugar Shack</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Library</td></tr>
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Jessie really would like to get into that class - she loves her maple syrup. The barn on the other hand is GORGEOUS!! It is made from two old Civil War barns. You enter through the silo. I'm in love with the picture of the view up into the silo.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Library entrance - looking up into the silo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Study area in library</td></tr>
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After we were done walking around a bit we headed back to the dorm to get a few things to drive to the Walmart. We got her USB cord, some light bulbs, and a few other things. Then we headed back and finished getting things setup.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom and Vicki loading the mini fridge with water and juice.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e1PCP9Mv7kM/UiyK8UjDVQI/AAAAAAAAA84/jA7smKJKTNA/s1600/College-Jessie-Dorm2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e1PCP9Mv7kM/UiyK8UjDVQI/AAAAAAAAA84/jA7smKJKTNA/s1600/College-Jessie-Dorm2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessie sitting on her bunk.</td></tr>
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I also took a few pictures of Jessie in front of her dorm.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAFmEKMJr64/UiyK-6BsW9I/AAAAAAAAA94/JmeeD9Y9u_M/s1600/College-McKean-Hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAFmEKMJr64/UiyK-6BsW9I/AAAAAAAAA94/JmeeD9Y9u_M/s1600/College-McKean-Hall.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing in front of her dorm.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SGVfAJQwHSA/UiyK-s3HoAI/AAAAAAAAA9w/889XIFyP4kE/s1600/College-McKean-Hall-Jessie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SGVfAJQwHSA/UiyK-s3HoAI/AAAAAAAAA9w/889XIFyP4kE/s1600/College-McKean-Hall-Jessie.jpg" /></a></div>
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We all said our goodbyes and headed on home. Andrew and I are going to miss seeing Jessie on the weekends. I hope she has a fantastic time at school and makes a ton of new friends.<br />
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<br />Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-28355871480477106742013-08-14T21:28:00.000-04:002013-08-14T21:28:35.013-04:00A Tale as Old as Time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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June 12th was our 3 year wedding anniversary. As my anniversary gift, Andrew bought us tickets to Disney's Beauty & The Beast at the Providence Performing Arts Center. Beauty & The Beast is my favorite fairy tale. The show was AMAZING! Everyone did a fantastic job. This was my first time seeing a show at PPAC. The building was gorgeous.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qlDw-iryOQA/UgwW_ZTUJBI/AAAAAAAAA7s/y9kDArsiy-I/s1600/P-Pac-Outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qlDw-iryOQA/UgwW_ZTUJBI/AAAAAAAAA7s/y9kDArsiy-I/s1600/P-Pac-Outside.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6a_SFJT9XWc/UgwW8nzt95I/AAAAAAAAA6g/8o7owsMvFdI/s1600/Andrew-and-Kala-at-P-Pac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6a_SFJT9XWc/UgwW8nzt95I/AAAAAAAAA6g/8o7owsMvFdI/s1600/Andrew-and-Kala-at-P-Pac.jpg" /></a></div>
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Beauty & The Beast is my favorite fairy tale. The show was AMAZING! Everyone did a fantastic job. This was my first time seeing a show at PPAC. The building was gorgeous. Here is a picture of the theater as if you were standing on the stage. Obviously, I did not take this photo<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jwoolf.com/portfolios/theaterinteriors/bin/images/small/Providence_Performing_Arts_Center_View_from_Stage_Providence_RI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="337" src="http://www.jwoolf.com/portfolios/theaterinteriors/bin/images/small/Providence_Performing_Arts_Center_View_from_Stage_Providence_RI.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was taken by John Woolf - You can find this photo and many other theater photos (no just PPAC) <a href="http://www.jwoolf.com/portfolios/theaterinteriors/" target="_blank">here</a></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: start;">PPAC originally opened October 6th, 1928 as the Loew's State Theatre Movie Palace. The building suffered damage during the hurricanes of 1939 and 1954, and narrowly escaped demolition in the 1970's. It became the Providence Performing Arts Center in 1982. </span>These are some of the photos I took of the PPAC lobby.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IzSvYidtxAM/UgwW9IVdDSI/AAAAAAAAA6w/z5w8cxFasdk/s1600/P-Pac-Decor-closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IzSvYidtxAM/UgwW9IVdDSI/AAAAAAAAA6w/z5w8cxFasdk/s1600/P-Pac-Decor-closeup.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cfx13iU5cDc/UgwW9g4B1SI/AAAAAAAAA64/ehoRARMU4a0/s1600/P-Pac-Lobby-Arches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cfx13iU5cDc/UgwW9g4B1SI/AAAAAAAAA64/ehoRARMU4a0/s1600/P-Pac-Lobby-Arches.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42uVJKqg7zk/UgwW-eDYEOI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/0QdVA-6UfOk/s1600/P-Pac-Lobby-Chandelier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42uVJKqg7zk/UgwW-eDYEOI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/0QdVA-6UfOk/s1600/P-Pac-Lobby-Chandelier.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chandelier in the PPAC Lobby</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vb2g5RN5T4w/UgwW93uEaoI/AAAAAAAAA7A/evQLeGB4na8/s1600/P-Pac-Lobby-Ceiling-closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vb2g5RN5T4w/UgwW93uEaoI/AAAAAAAAA7A/evQLeGB4na8/s1600/P-Pac-Lobby-Ceiling-closeup.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that gorgeous ceiling.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JwcrAac_XNQ/UgwW-ieMI3I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/nCVg9_PiFZ8/s1600/P-Pac-Lobby-Staircase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JwcrAac_XNQ/UgwW-ieMI3I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/nCVg9_PiFZ8/s1600/P-Pac-Lobby-Staircase.jpg" /></a></div>
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They don't allow photography in the theater. So I was only able to get photos of the lobby and just a few in the actual theater before they told me I couldn't.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j6pSzQd8Xbs/UgwW9PD-OaI/AAAAAAAAA6o/Nm2xlSTBSRg/s1600/P-Pac-Balcony-Box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j6pSzQd8Xbs/UgwW9PD-OaI/AAAAAAAAA6o/Nm2xlSTBSRg/s1600/P-Pac-Balcony-Box.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faux box seats</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4mCConoEb5U/UgwW8vHkCbI/AAAAAAAAA6U/7mxspdxFi1Q/s1600/BeautyBeast-Stage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4mCConoEb5U/UgwW8vHkCbI/AAAAAAAAA6U/7mxspdxFi1Q/s1600/BeautyBeast-Stage.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Stage</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oED15yY6FdE/UgwW_pmhdHI/AAAAAAAAA8E/AdxBjhjKKDI/s1600/P-Pac-Theatre-Chandelier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oED15yY6FdE/UgwW_pmhdHI/AAAAAAAAA8E/AdxBjhjKKDI/s1600/P-Pac-Theatre-Chandelier.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the giant chandelier in the theater. One of the employees came over and told me I couldn't take photos just as I was getting this shot. That is why it is so bad.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d5k3RPw5cpw/UgwW8u6RtYI/AAAAAAAAA6c/DmuIXPgV06w/s1600/Andrew-Play-Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d5k3RPw5cpw/UgwW8u6RtYI/AAAAAAAAA6c/DmuIXPgV06w/s1600/Andrew-Play-Poster.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rxk1x_cb1OU/UgwW89q6PwI/AAAAAAAAA8A/U5XKU2juYdI/s1600/Kala-Play-Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rxk1x_cb1OU/UgwW89q6PwI/AAAAAAAAA8A/U5XKU2juYdI/s1600/Kala-Play-Poster.jpg" /></a></div>
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Once the play was finished we walked around the area just a little bit. PPAC is very close to Johnson & Wales, which is a college that I almost attended. The old buildings and architecture in New England are just beautiful.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1v5IwSL--rk/Ugwt8NSCf8I/AAAAAAAAA8U/hzLZ1xttRpQ/s1600/Johnson-Wales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1v5IwSL--rk/Ugwt8NSCf8I/AAAAAAAAA8U/hzLZ1xttRpQ/s1600/Johnson-Wales.jpg" /></a></div>
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This Lighthouse was on the median dividing the street.<br />
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We had such a great time and I can't wait to see another play there.<br />
<br />Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-62421082414308970692013-06-18T22:02:00.000-04:002013-06-18T22:02:21.496-04:00Our Puppy Brother!Have you seen the adorable AT&T commercials where the guy is sitting with kids and asking them questions. Things like is it better to be faster or slower, Do you want more or less, etc... To which the kids give some of the cutest replies. One of my favorites is when the little girl says she would buy a Change-o machine and turn her brother into a puppy. Because when she brings him to show & Tell she can say here is my Puppy Brother.<br />
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Well Andrew has a puppy brother too, but he has always been a puppy. If you saw <a href="http://ourlifeindesign.blogspot.com/2013/03/i-love-bassets.html" target="_blank">this</a> post then you would have met Maxwell and seen his puppy pictures. He is now over 40 lbs and is more like a Doggy brother. He doesn't look much like a puppy anymore.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GEYuhca5Mew/UcEL7sZ_y0I/AAAAAAAAA4c/vxMKSIONzME/s1600/Maxwell-Laying-down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GEYuhca5Mew/UcEL7sZ_y0I/AAAAAAAAA4c/vxMKSIONzME/s1600/Maxwell-Laying-down.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's a Big Boy Now!</td></tr>
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We went and spent Father's day with Andrew's side of the family. We had dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's house and played with Maxwell in the back yard a bit. Then headed back to my Mother-in-Law's and took some more pictures. I have borrowed my co-worker's Canon Rebel T1i and have had a ball playing with it. It takes great shots! Now I just need to find one of my own. Enjoy the cute shots of our Puppy Brother.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SST50WxeWKM/UcEL75AJ07I/AAAAAAAAA4s/_X7edQ9h2vw/s1600/Maxwell-Laying-down2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SST50WxeWKM/UcEL75AJ07I/AAAAAAAAA4s/_X7edQ9h2vw/s1600/Maxwell-Laying-down2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frames out by the camera's sunshade!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why are you still taking photos of me?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Face!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YeudsR0IZ0Q/UcEL8SBTF-I/AAAAAAAAA5A/bOkzmRGzOj4/s1600/Maxwell-profile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YeudsR0IZ0Q/UcEL8SBTF-I/AAAAAAAAA5A/bOkzmRGzOj4/s1600/Maxwell-profile.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The regal basset profile.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basset howl</td></tr>
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I have decided that continuous shooting cameras were created for the purpose of taking pictures of running Basset Hounds. They are hilarious - flying ears and tongues.<br />
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Tired Bassets want to go inside after running around the yard for an hour or more!<br />
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He is so adorable. We just love our Puppy Brother. As long as he isn't trying to chew on us or our shoes. :)Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-84457397871266468682013-06-17T22:11:00.002-04:002013-06-17T22:11:51.772-04:00Sheets Metal TrunkSo I think I can't start a post without saying, Sorry it has been awhile since I posted. Things have been a bit crazy lately. So first I'll give you a few updates.<br />
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As of the end of April, Andrew started working again. He sent out quite a few resumes and heard pretty much nothing from almost all of them. My company had been searching for an Internet Sales Manager for our KIA dealership and we decided that Andrew should give it a try. The weekly salary was a little higher than unemployment and then there is the monthly commission available which would make things better. His first month was slow but it wasn't his fault. Web leads have been down across the industry. This month has started out better and I have faith that he will do quite well. Pretty much what his job consists of is calling and emailing people who submit a lead online. He then tries to help people find the best deal and vehicle for their needs. Andrew sets an appointment for people to come in and then he sets them up with a salesman at the dealership. He gets a small commission for every appointment that shows and another slightly bigger one if that person buys a car. It is definitely not his dream job but it is keeping the bills paid. So if anybody is looking for a new KIA or a pre-owned vehicle in the Southeastern CT or RI area visit <a href="http://michaelkiaofgroton.com/">MichaelKIAofgroton.com</a> and send my hubby a web lead.<br />
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Second, we celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary last week. How have 3 years already gone by? What is even crazier is we have been together for 8 years and known each other for 11 years. So we went out for our anniversary and had brunch at the Mohegan Sun buffet and I won $50 on the penny slots. The food was so good! We then went and stopped in a few stores near our apartment to look around. We stopped in TJ Maxx and found a great trunk. We have been looking for a new chest/trunk to put at the end of the bed to store our sheets and pillow cases. Here are a few pictures of our old one.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HAdkWGkIMIk/Ub-4ms_iQpI/AAAAAAAAA38/G6dr1e0HR0w/s1600/Old-Chest1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HAdkWGkIMIk/Ub-4ms_iQpI/AAAAAAAAA38/G6dr1e0HR0w/s1600/Old-Chest1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YkkyTBNlqWs/Ub-4m9vDNMI/AAAAAAAAA3w/uVzr3_Jb_l0/s1600/Old-Chest2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YkkyTBNlqWs/Ub-4m9vDNMI/AAAAAAAAA3w/uVzr3_Jb_l0/s1600/Old-Chest2.jpg" /></a></div>
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It was a cheap, simple storage chest that I picked up at Ocean State Job Lot like 4 years ago. The back piece bows out when you close it and the lid doesn't close all the way. So we brought this lovely lady home.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rTZTIgr9xLQ/Ub-4lxxMaiI/AAAAAAAAA3I/XalpigUxtLw/s1600/Metal-Trunk-Exterior-Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rTZTIgr9xLQ/Ub-4lxxMaiI/AAAAAAAAA3I/XalpigUxtLw/s1600/Metal-Trunk-Exterior-Front.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BGuucbseLTE/Ub-4mTBAqyI/AAAAAAAAA34/-_WOfyb4Dzo/s1600/Metal-Trunk-Exterior-Side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BGuucbseLTE/Ub-4mTBAqyI/AAAAAAAAA34/-_WOfyb4Dzo/s1600/Metal-Trunk-Exterior-Side.jpg" /></a></div>
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While looking at it and then when Andrew was carrying it to the checkout we had a couple people tell us what a nice trunk it was. One woman said she thought it looked kind of like one of the ones from Restoration Hardware. I do love me some Restoration Hardware and this one was like 95% less. <a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1810050&categoryId=cat1536015" target="_blank">Here</a> is one that I found on the RH site that looks kind of similar and cost $1,995.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3nyycJ2YYuQ/Ub-4mh-s5QI/AAAAAAAAA3s/LuirCLvvB-8/s1600/Metal-Trunk-Open.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3nyycJ2YYuQ/Ub-4mh-s5QI/AAAAAAAAA3s/LuirCLvvB-8/s1600/Metal-Trunk-Open.jpg" /></a></div>
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I love that it has the trunk lid and space for our sheets and then has two drawers for pillow cases and other items. It is covered with aluminum and has little marks that remind me a bullet holes. Andrew thinks it looks a little Steampunk and I tend to agree. The trim is made of some kind of leather like material, probably fake, and wood. And here are some detail shots.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VKlJ-wn_cOU/Ub-4lyzat-I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/I44gOMxlDzY/s1600/Metal-Trunk-Drawer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VKlJ-wn_cOU/Ub-4lyzat-I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/I44gOMxlDzY/s1600/Metal-Trunk-Drawer.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rf9r9deBNso/Ub-4mWkbNTI/AAAAAAAAA3g/HfZqQI5Phk4/s1600/Metal-Trunk-Latch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rf9r9deBNso/Ub-4mWkbNTI/AAAAAAAAA3g/HfZqQI5Phk4/s1600/Metal-Trunk-Latch.jpg" /></a></div>
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I wouldn't say that Steampunk is my most favorite style but I do like the mix of industrial rustic look with the old Victorian style of a steamer trunk. I think one day I'd love our bedroom to have a mix of Traditional, Rustic, and Industrial styles. This trunk will definitely supply the rustic and industrial looks. Here are some of the inspiration photos I have pinned on Pinterest for our Master Bedroom.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.girlvtheworld.com/" target="_blank">Source</a> - Only links to homepage not actual image location.</td></tr>
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I love the blue gray wall color with the white trim. I want to do some board and batten when we have our own house. Add in dark wood furniture and the whites and creams plus a touch of green. I also like the look and feel of this next picture.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hgtv.com/kitchens/tips-for-turning-your-small-kitchen-into-an-eat-in-kitchen/pictures/page-5.html?soc=pinterest&crlt.pid=camp.K61ngrIt59UB" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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I like the rustic chandelier over the table and think it could look cool in a bedroom, too. Also it has the dark blue walls and all the white molding that I love. This last photo some people may find a little weird as a design inspiration photo. But the colors in this outfit work perfectly for the color scheme I want to use in the bedroom.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fashionworship.com/4583/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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The blue jeans represent the wall color. The brown purse and/or belt is for the color of the dressers and nightstands. The natural fiber color of the sweater would be great as a comforter or rug. The green could be sheets or even jut some fun little pops of color in the accessories. I think I want hardwood floors and maybe some kind of rug under the bed so when we get up we aren't stepping on the cold floor. We'll see how it all comes together, one day.<br />
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And now that this post has gone so long I think I'll finish it here. Do you like my new trunk? What do you guys do for storage? Dreaming of how you want a specific room to look?Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-14843133341550815122013-05-14T21:07:00.000-04:002013-05-14T21:07:36.514-04:00Mother's Day Ponies & Peanut ButterI spent several hours the morning of Mother's Day with my big baby. I went for a ride on Rhia and then got some great photos of the horses when we let them out for the first-time in a long time on the secondary pastures. They were in heaven with all the grass they could eat. So without further adieu, here are some happy pony photos.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-83HDKT2KjvY/UZLXldSXEdI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/CC1vVn33nNA/s1600/Rhia-Half-Friesian-close-up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-83HDKT2KjvY/UZLXldSXEdI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/CC1vVn33nNA/s1600/Rhia-Half-Friesian-close-up.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhia looking pretty in her red halter - Watching Jimmy & Harriet finish the fences.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhia (Half Friesian) pigging out on yummy grass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What are you looking at Mom?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kri-bqSu6vU/UZLXk8NSEkI/AAAAAAAAA0M/y5F-Mx054Jg/s1600/Boop-%2526-Chammy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kri-bqSu6vU/UZLXk8NSEkI/AAAAAAAAA0M/y5F-Mx054Jg/s1600/Boop-%2526-Chammy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Betty Boop (Quarter Horse) & Chammy (Morgan Horse) enjoying the Spring grass after a few rain storms.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max (23 year old Morgan Horse) surrounded by Dandelions gone to seed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuffy (Morgan Horse) always checking out what is going on around him.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9r16_skqx8o/UZLXmnu68_I/AAAAAAAAA08/o541jnawrjw/s1600/Tuffy-Morgan-Horse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9r16_skqx8o/UZLXmnu68_I/AAAAAAAAA08/o541jnawrjw/s1600/Tuffy-Morgan-Horse.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuffy shaking out his mane.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhia & Max heads down in the tall grass.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tLbJCF5mN3g/UZLXl_81kqI/AAAAAAAAA0s/qV1CZHuTGKc/s1600/Rhia-Half-Friesian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tLbJCF5mN3g/UZLXl_81kqI/AAAAAAAAA0s/qV1CZHuTGKc/s1600/Rhia-Half-Friesian.jpg" /></a></div>
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With all the Dandelions gone to seed I figured I would try and get a nice detail shot of the puffs. I think it came out pretty good.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27T1eEIIHZs/UZLXrhuPOwI/AAAAAAAAA1c/ZIege-lJonc/s1600/Dandelion-Puff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27T1eEIIHZs/UZLXrhuPOwI/AAAAAAAAA1c/ZIege-lJonc/s1600/Dandelion-Puff.jpg" /></a></div>
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After I got back to the apartment and cleaned up we headed over to Andrew's Grandma's house for Mother's Day dinner with his grandparents and his Mom & her boyfriend. After we enjoyed some yummy lasagna, we headed over to my Mother-in-Law's house to watch the Bruins game. And of course laugh at one very goofy Maxwell. He really loves a Kong filled with peanut butter, sometimes he gets a little messy.</div>
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I hope everyone enjoyed their Mother's day. I didn't get to see my mom because her and Dad are in New Orleans. Luckily, they weren't at the parade where the shooting happened on Monday. They have a way of always scheduling vacation over Mother's Day.</div>
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<br />Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-39062228002545112822013-05-08T21:51:00.002-04:002013-11-13T19:03:18.623-05:00Spring Pinterest Challenge - Sisal MonogramYeah it is Pinterest Challenge time.<br />
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The Pinterest Challenge was started by Katie Bower of <a href="http://www.bowerpowerblog.com/" target="_blank">Bower Power</a> and Sherry Petersik of <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/" target="_blank">Young House Love</a>. It is not affiliated with Pinterest it is just a fun challenge to get us all off our pinning hinnys and start doing the things we actually pin.<br />
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My first Pinterest Challenge was the Winter edition. I made a Monkey Fist for the cat's to use as a toy.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WL_iDSbHcGc/USkIy3S7UbI/AAAAAAAAAqI/rFSMBmBY_1I/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Tasha3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WL_iDSbHcGc/USkIy3S7UbI/AAAAAAAAAqI/rFSMBmBY_1I/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Tasha3.jpg" /></a></div>
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I think it is currently hiding under the couch. You can read about how I made it <a href="http://ourlifeindesign.blogspot.com/2013/02/winter-pinterst-challenge-monkey-fist.html" target="_blank">Here</a>. I have a few other projects that I've been meaning to do. One is to remove the torn-up carpet on the cat tower and wrap it with sisal rope. But I didn't want this blog to just be about cat related projects. So I took some time to sift through my pins on my Craft & Art boards. I found the below project.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ejoym.blogspot.com/2011/11/autumn-entryway.html" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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A large monogram wrapped in twine and decorated. I thought it was so pretty and I had most of the supplies on hand. I decided to use sisal instead of twine - though the twine probably would have been easier to use. The original pinner didn't have much of tutorial but that might be for two reasons.<br />
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<li>There really isn't much to it. You take your letter and wrap the rope around it and glue it down.</li>
<li>There is so much glue that if you tried to take photos during each step your camera would be covered in glue. I was able to take some photos so you should be able to get the gist. </li>
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<b>Supplies:</b><br />
Material to make your letter - I had a piece of Styrofoam hanging around<br />
Box Cutter, Ruler & Sharpie - All to make your letter<br />
Sisal Rope - Still had plenty on hand from the first Pinterest Challenge<br />
Glue - White glue and super glue<br />
Decoration - I used fake flower and a fabric butterfly<br />
Rubber bands<br />
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Now here are a few tips<br />
<ol>
<li>The original pinner said she use hot glue. I'm not sure how because from experience I've learned that hot glue melts Styrofoam. </li>
<li>Super glue will also melt the Styrofoam - make sure you only use it to stick the rope to itself.</li>
<li>The rubber bands were a big help when it came to holding the ends of the rope down while the glue dried. White glue takes a while to dry.</li>
</ol>
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<b>Step 1: Creating your letter</b><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UHfK58gGQVg/UYr07kSlD7I/AAAAAAAAAzM/nFhIiBliHKY/s1600/Monogram-measurements-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UHfK58gGQVg/UYr07kSlD7I/AAAAAAAAAzM/nFhIiBliHKY/s1600/Monogram-measurements-1.jpg" /></a></div>
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You can do this a couple ways. Freehand, Stenciled or measure it out. Since I was making an M, it was relatively easy to measure it out. All I had to do was find the center and decide how wide I wanted the tops and the feet. Because of the size I was making the overall piece it was really easy when it came time to make the sides. The width of the ruler was perfect so I just used that to draw my lines.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uj0wX7q-LLk/UYr071Wx09I/AAAAAAAAAzI/PDlcInJvc6U/s1600/Monogram-measurements-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uj0wX7q-LLk/UYr071Wx09I/AAAAAAAAAzI/PDlcInJvc6U/s1600/Monogram-measurements-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gdQnr2O9zP8/UYr087wSN9I/AAAAAAAAAzE/ljg_AJVU6x8/s1600/Monogram-measurements-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gdQnr2O9zP8/UYr087wSN9I/AAAAAAAAAzE/ljg_AJVU6x8/s1600/Monogram-measurements-4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Step 2: Cutting out your letter</b><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x-eYVK9pm3E/UYr05Qvxi1I/AAAAAAAAAyE/Uf9BfhuuCLQ/s1600/Monogram-Cutting-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x-eYVK9pm3E/UYr05Qvxi1I/AAAAAAAAAyE/Uf9BfhuuCLQ/s1600/Monogram-Cutting-1.jpg" /></a></div>
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This is a little tricky. The blade on my box cutter wasn't long enough to go all the way through. Also, make sure you have something underneath to protect your surface you are cutting on. I just used a piece of cardboard from the recycle bag. That's right Shock Top Apple Wheat, Yummm.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mBJNLwib3ck/UYr05yuJ9_I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/YqgFa-FDoIA/s1600/Monogram-Cutting-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mBJNLwib3ck/UYr05yuJ9_I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/YqgFa-FDoIA/s1600/Monogram-Cutting-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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I also found that if you stick in the box cutter and pulled it to cut it kind of ripped the Styrofoam It worked better if I did a jabbing/sawing motion. To cut all the way through I found a butter knife did the job perfectly. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dJXt_t797hI/UYr06EAoVKI/AAAAAAAAAyI/kdKqmzrbG0Y/s1600/Monogram-Cutting-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dJXt_t797hI/UYr06EAoVKI/AAAAAAAAAyI/kdKqmzrbG0Y/s1600/Monogram-Cutting-3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Xh1PQ7xQk0/UYr6oDLrE4I/AAAAAAAAAz0/5-Bi7nQ6-Pg/s1600/Monogram-Cutting-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Xh1PQ7xQk0/UYr6oDLrE4I/AAAAAAAAAz0/5-Bi7nQ6-Pg/s1600/Monogram-Cutting-4.jpg" /></a></div>
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I may have also realized when I started cutting this that I probably should have waited to vacuum the house after doing this instead of before. Oops.</div>
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<b>Step 3: Wrap It Up!</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qsWRx5ZBKy4/UYr07OQ1nNI/AAAAAAAAAyg/X-8z7jS873M/s1600/Monogram-Wrapped-Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qsWRx5ZBKy4/UYr07OQ1nNI/AAAAAAAAAyg/X-8z7jS873M/s1600/Monogram-Wrapped-Front.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front of my M</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mZ9JPoi1tY/UYr06ucQ_dI/AAAAAAAAAyk/E4rILpZeO0A/s1600/Monogram-Wrapped-Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mZ9JPoi1tY/UYr06ucQ_dI/AAAAAAAAAyk/E4rILpZeO0A/s1600/Monogram-Wrapped-Back.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back of my M - This doesn't have to look as good as the front.</td></tr>
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Wrap the rope around a section of the letter without glue first. That way you can cut a length of rope and it makes it a bit easier when wrapping and gluing it to not have it attached you a big roll. Some people may like to put glue on the whole letter but I didn't think it was necessary. I only glued the ends. Make sure you wrap that rope tight. The blue and purple things are rubber bands that I used to hold the rope in place while the glue dried.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zmC7ijo-yaE/UYr07bdSTyI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/0tiNgNBYj9c/s1600/Monogram-Wrapped-Tops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zmC7ijo-yaE/UYr07bdSTyI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/0tiNgNBYj9c/s1600/Monogram-Wrapped-Tops.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3MrU2PUplf4/UYr06-0UzLI/AAAAAAAAAzc/LfN_xUtdmnc/s1600/Monogram-Wrapped-Foot-Bottom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3MrU2PUplf4/UYr06-0UzLI/AAAAAAAAAzc/LfN_xUtdmnc/s1600/Monogram-Wrapped-Foot-Bottom.jpg" /></a></div>
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Wrap and Glue. Wrap, wrap, wrap.............wrap.......glue. I did mine in 5 1/2 sections. Each side, the center up to one side, then I filled in up to the other side and lastly the two feet. The ends require the most glue to hold where the rope coils around itself. </div>
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<b>Step 5: Decorate</b><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A2SByQ9Q_Q0/UYr05wwuW7I/AAAAAAAAAyM/TsCwcZ-NAAQ/s1600/Monogram-Decoration-Detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A2SByQ9Q_Q0/UYr05wwuW7I/AAAAAAAAAyM/TsCwcZ-NAAQ/s1600/Monogram-Decoration-Detail.jpg" /></a></div>
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I bought a sprig of fake flowers and another one with fabric butterflies. They were a dollar each at Dollar Tree. I also bought my white glue and super glue there. I cut the flowers down and tucked them in the corner made by the M and then added a butterfly. Then just add glue to hold everything in place. I had to let it dry upside down so the glue didn't drip all out.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pkk5EkmxfOE/UYr06W2EaXI/AAAAAAAAAyU/BfD3kJKq6qk/s1600/Monogram-Hanging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pkk5EkmxfOE/UYr06W2EaXI/AAAAAAAAAyU/BfD3kJKq6qk/s1600/Monogram-Hanging.jpg" /></a></div>
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If you want to you can cut a piece of rope and glue it to the back to create a hanger. Since our walls really suck I've been using a push pin and wedged it between the ropes on the back and that worked to hang it.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YVq-a7GwtjA/UYr05F6iHVI/AAAAAAAAAx8/O7SG-DIOIlA/s1600/Monogram-Back-Thumbtack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YVq-a7GwtjA/UYr05F6iHVI/AAAAAAAAAx8/O7SG-DIOIlA/s1600/Monogram-Back-Thumbtack.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cdbNpEFBVC8/UYr04tiC3pI/AAAAAAAAAxs/ybG7uALG41c/s1600/Monogram-Back-Thumbtack-Detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cdbNpEFBVC8/UYr04tiC3pI/AAAAAAAAAxs/ybG7uALG41c/s1600/Monogram-Back-Thumbtack-Detail.jpg" /></a></div>
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I also think it looks cute displayed on my Spring "Mantle". I made some fake nests with shredded paper that came in a basket. Then made some fabric flowers - I used the method found in both Ashley's (<a href="http://www.attemptsatdomestication.com/a-splash-of-spring-fabric-flower-wreath/" target="_blank">Attempts at Domestication</a>) and Katie Bower's (<a href="http://www.bowerpowerblog.com/2013/02/fabric-flower-tutorial/?utm_source=feedly" target="_blank">Bower Power</a>) tutorials. Add one of my favorite wedding photos, an owl and the My Town ornament of the sign at our wedding location and we have a great display. Plus it has all of my wedding colors - Sage, Ivory and Brown.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A9wzvkhsD2c/UYr04uB4SsI/AAAAAAAAAyA/Cy3nybtZVfI/s1600/Monogram%2526Spring-Mantle-owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A9wzvkhsD2c/UYr04uB4SsI/AAAAAAAAAyA/Cy3nybtZVfI/s1600/Monogram%2526Spring-Mantle-owl.jpg" /></a></div>
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So did you take part in this Spring's Pinterest Challenge? Make sure you click over to the host's blogs and check out their projects as well as all the great projects everyone linked up.</div>
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<ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13.333333015441895px; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; padding: 0px;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.bowerpowerblog.com/wp-content/themes/vigilance/images/list-star.gif); background-position: 0px 0.3em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: block; margin: 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 17px;">Emily from <a href="http://www.sparklemeetspop.com/" style="color: #3da5a9;" target="_blank">Sparkle meets Pop</a></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.bowerpowerblog.com/wp-content/themes/vigilance/images/list-star.gif); background-position: 0px 0.3em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: block; margin: 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 17px;">Renee from <a href="http://redbird-blue.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3da5a9;" target="_blank">Red Bird Blue</a></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.bowerpowerblog.com/wp-content/themes/vigilance/images/list-star.gif); background-position: 0px 0.3em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: block; margin: 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 17px;">Sherry from <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/" style="color: #3da5a9;" target="_blank">Young House Love </a> </li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.bowerpowerblog.com/wp-content/themes/vigilance/images/list-star.gif); background-position: 0px 0.3em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: block; margin: 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 17px;">Katie from <a href="http://www.bowerpowerblog.com/" target="_blank">Bower Power</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-77717401252383219202013-05-03T12:00:00.000-04:002013-05-03T12:00:02.644-04:00The Colors, Duke, The Colors!Yes,the title of this blog post is taken from that Popsicle commercial from the 90's. The good news - unlike Duke, the dog from the commercial, I'm not colorblind and I'm hoping you aren't either. Otherwise, you are going to miss out on the beauty of the photos in this post.<br />
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I've recently taken an interest in photographing flora. The bright colors of the Spring flowers and budding trees are just so beautiful. I've found some great shots in several different locations. Riding my horse at the barn, walking around our neighborhood and a trip around my mother's yard. Below is a collection of the pictures I have taken this Spring. I hope you enjoy their colors as much as I do.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9FeBFclyoGU/UYMkqa3VTKI/AAAAAAAAAvo/uv4uhCrFQ2M/s1600/3-Pink-Tulips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9FeBFclyoGU/UYMkqa3VTKI/AAAAAAAAAvo/uv4uhCrFQ2M/s1600/3-Pink-Tulips.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink Tulips out front of the church near our apartment.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjcsYLLUAbM/UYMkqTGAP7I/AAAAAAAAAvk/ZbB4u8UvlKg/s1600/Apple-Blossoms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjcsYLLUAbM/UYMkqTGAP7I/AAAAAAAAAvk/ZbB4u8UvlKg/s1600/Apple-Blossoms.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple Blossoms in the front yard of the school.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a8LJfKOfo04/UYMkqlecMEI/AAAAAAAAAv4/cK3JoEDYsp4/s1600/Black-Walnut-Buds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a8LJfKOfo04/UYMkqlecMEI/AAAAAAAAAv4/cK3JoEDYsp4/s1600/Black-Walnut-Buds.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Walnut tree behind out house.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p7XaWPGwRe0/UYMkqyBgRcI/AAAAAAAAAv0/3QOYcWDJxGE/s1600/Dandelion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p7XaWPGwRe0/UYMkqyBgRcI/AAAAAAAAAv0/3QOYcWDJxGE/s1600/Dandelion.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even a weed such as a Dandelion can be pretty up close.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTK0AHkD8hQ/UYMkrY5tOuI/AAAAAAAAAwA/Lq985B67n0g/s1600/Pine-Cones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTK0AHkD8hQ/UYMkrY5tOuI/AAAAAAAAAwA/Lq985B67n0g/s1600/Pine-Cones.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pine cones from the giant Pine that was right our front of our apartment until this past Tuesday.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HK0hNtq2v1M/UYMkrsiy5uI/AAAAAAAAAwI/Zrsz4JYRYAw/s1600/Purple-Creeping-Phlox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HK0hNtq2v1M/UYMkrsiy5uI/AAAAAAAAAwI/Zrsz4JYRYAw/s1600/Purple-Creeping-Phlox.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely carpet of purple Creeping Phlox.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hiC0m6qjfHM/UYMkrymx_HI/AAAAAAAAAwM/Anlc3-8uE6E/s1600/Purple-Spring-Flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hiC0m6qjfHM/UYMkrymx_HI/AAAAAAAAAwM/Anlc3-8uE6E/s1600/Purple-Spring-Flowers.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These were in my Mother's backyard. I'm not sure what they are. Anybody know?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A02n-ChROnI/UYMkr4oi1aI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/lIN_0DmP_PY/s1600/Red-Tulip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A02n-ChROnI/UYMkr4oi1aI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/lIN_0DmP_PY/s1600/Red-Tulip.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely Red Tulips - found on my neighborhood walk.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NTWve8Lnom8/UYMksZV_cLI/AAAAAAAAAwY/rPptthqxgy0/s1600/Scarlet-O'Hara-Flowering-Bush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NTWve8Lnom8/UYMksZV_cLI/AAAAAAAAAwY/rPptthqxgy0/s1600/Scarlet-O'Hara-Flowering-Bush.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet O'Hara - One of my favorite flowers. This is a bush in my Mother's yard.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Azhxtq3d6TI/UYMksaPF9YI/AAAAAAAAAwg/isyAx_5-xmA/s1600/Spring-Leaf-Buds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Azhxtq3d6TI/UYMksaPF9YI/AAAAAAAAAwg/isyAx_5-xmA/s1600/Spring-Leaf-Buds.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bright green baby leaves on the tree behind our apartment.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k4qtuemCxEY/UYMksRVnINI/AAAAAAAAAwc/g2e-rUaB3mY/s1600/Spring-leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k4qtuemCxEY/UYMksRVnINI/AAAAAAAAAwc/g2e-rUaB3mY/s1600/Spring-leaves.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing like bright green baby leaves.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tivdviOmUuE/UYMksylSr9I/AAAAAAAAAws/InwZD7bVAKE/s1600/Weeping-Cherry-Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tivdviOmUuE/UYMksylSr9I/AAAAAAAAAws/InwZD7bVAKE/s1600/Weeping-Cherry-Tree.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weeping Cherry Tree in my Mother's front yard.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GzAcL9eUZ-s/UYMkswhOJII/AAAAAAAAAwo/9U7X3WM0ETI/s1600/White-&-Yellow-Daffodil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GzAcL9eUZ-s/UYMkswhOJII/AAAAAAAAAwo/9U7X3WM0ETI/s1600/White-&-Yellow-Daffodil.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Daffodil in the neighbors yard.</td></tr>
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I start to say one is my favorite and then I look at the next one and change my mind. Which one is your favorite?<br />
<br />Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-73039582895946050672013-04-30T21:34:00.000-04:002013-04-30T21:34:30.644-04:00You May Not Know...<span style="font-size: large;">...About Me!</span><br />
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So it seems like everyone does one of these posts at one time or another. It's a little bit of a peek into the blogger's life and adds a bit more of a personal feeling to the blogger - blog reader relationship.<br />
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<b>I was born in North Dakota! </b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u-NTDSHztE4/UXnn9txU_YI/AAAAAAAAAug/zLq-DWELLeQ/s1600/Kala-N.Dakota-License-Plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u-NTDSHztE4/UXnn9txU_YI/AAAAAAAAAug/zLq-DWELLeQ/s1600/Kala-N.Dakota-License-Plate.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://v3.brothersmanufacturing.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=36" target="_blank">Source</a> - I added my name</td></tr>
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Yup, out in the middle of no where. Dad was in the Air Force before he married Mom. Once they got married she moved out to ND with Dad. We moved to Connecticut in 1999, when Dad retired from the Air Force. The first school snow day in CT had me baffled. There was barely any snow. We used to have a couple feet on the ground and it was still coming down and we went to school. How cold was North Dakota you may ask? It wasn't unusual for us to hit -40 degrees. We stayed inside and bundled up when we went out. But that doesn't mean it didn't get hot in the Summer, oh no it was common for several days straight of 90 - 100 degrees.<br />
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<b>I'm legally blind!</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="424" src="http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/bphoto/bphoto1107/bphoto110700008/10002079-eye-glasses-isolated-with-eye-chart-background.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.123rf.com/photo_10002079_eye-glasses-isolated-with-eye-chart-background.html" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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My vision started getting blurry around 4th grade. I had to get glasses but only so I could see the chalkboard. From then on it got progressively worse each year until I had to wear them full-time. I was still able to take them off and read a book but as time went by that book had to get closer and closer to my face. In 7th grade I talked my mom into letting me get contacts. I thought I looked like a big nerd with glasses. I still wear contacts today. Last year I got an updated pair of glasses in case I wanted to go without contacts from time to time but I feel like I see better with contacts, especially at night or where there are a lot of lights causing glare. I asked my eye doctor at my last appointment what was my vision on a scale of 20/20. Yeah..... her response, "You aren't even on that scale." I don't remember the exact numbers but pretty much if I don't have my glasses or contacts on I can't even see the huge E on the top of the chart clearly. I'm that blind.<br />
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<b>I only have an Associates degree from a community college!</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="415" src="http://images.wisegeek.com/diploma-and-graduation-cap.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-an-associate-degree.htm" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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And I am perfectly fine with that. I was originally accepted by UCONN but didn't want to go away to college so I went to one of their local branches my first year and lived at home. During that first year of college I changed my major from Equine Business (Horses) to just Business. I ended up taking Economics and loved it and wanted to just focus on business. I decided at some point that first year that I didn't want to transfer to UCONN and that I just wanted to get my associates at our local community college. Once, there I took some advertising and graphics classes and changed my major to Marketing. Some people felt I was taking a step down by transferring to a community college and some ways I guess I could agree. But I'm not the type of person who wanted to go to 4+ years of college and get a big stressful job. I love being a Marketing Assistant and don't know if I want to be the person in charge. That also means I get to stay in a creative position and do graphic design work. The best part about going to community college. I paid for each one of my semesters in full. I never had to borrow money for college. I really appreciate this everyday. That means we only have one student loan to worry about and less debt overall.<br />
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<b>Andrew and I met in High School!</b><br />
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We met our Junior year when my best friend and I went to the movies and bowling. She invited a friend of hers and he brought Andrew. The movie we saw was Monsters Inc. I found out several years later that Andrew had a crush on me since that night. I'll admit I thought he was cute, too. :) We then hung out with mutual friends at school for the rest of high school. We didn't reconnect until our second year of college when I transferred to the community college. I guess that is another reason I'm happy that I transferred is because if I hadn't I might have never reconnected with my dear husband.<br />
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<b>I have a sister!</b><br />
Some of you probably figured I had some kind of sibling since I've mentioned my niece on here before. My sister is 11 years older than me and is actually my half sister. My sister, Vicki, is from our Mother's first marriage. I was a huge pain in her butt as a kid. She was in high school and I was just starting elementary school. Whenever, she had friends over I always wanted to hang out with them. Not really something a teenager wants when she has friends over. I also may have jumped on her early one Christmas morning and pulled her eyelids open. She really loved me that morning, LOL.<br />
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<b>Most of my graphic design skills are self taught!</b><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8drh_Ov44Q/UXnwYk2oa4I/AAAAAAAAAvA/BlKrWr1RLTI/s1600/Graphic-Design-with-color-pencils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8drh_Ov44Q/UXnwYk2oa4I/AAAAAAAAAvA/BlKrWr1RLTI/s1600/Graphic-Design-with-color-pencils.jpg" /></a></div>
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I took a total of 2 classes in college for graphic design. And although my teacher did teach me some stuff I read ahead most of the time because I picked it up pretty quick. There were a few times that me and a couple of my classmates had to help the teacher teach. Most of what I know comes from messing around with the programs, reading the text book and looking things up online when I don't know something. Don't get me wrong there is a ton more that I could learn but I just don't have the money for classes. I also really only know Photoshop and InDesign. I know next to nothing in Illustrator though I did just fumble my way through it to make a logo for work last month. Currently, I use my skills for print and web items at my work. Though I have recently started doing a bit of freelance work for a customer as well.<br />
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I think that covers a number of things that you might not have known about me prior to reading this post. Hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about me. Feel free to ask me any questions and I might just answer them.<br />
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<br />Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-60540794412091723492013-03-28T21:42:00.000-04:002013-03-28T21:42:42.075-04:00Google Reader's Going Bye byeSo for those of you who are out there using Google Reader you probably got a little pop-up when you logged in a few weeks ago saying Google Reader will be shut down July 1, 2013. Whuttttt! If you aren't familiar with Google Reader it is a free Google product where you can subscribe to all your favorite blogs and read them in one location. With the disappearance of Google's product many of us are left looking for a replacement. Some of the products out there are free and some charge. I haven't tried all of the products out there but after reading a few blog posts about the topic I decided to try Feedly, a free reader. Its not as easy as Google Reader but once I figured out the best way to organize it, it got a little easier. Here are some of the features and benefits.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-60mXQFCIgkM/UVTogco3ZrI/AAAAAAAAAtw/86mZQc0QptU/s1600/Feedly-Chrome-App.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-60mXQFCIgkM/UVTogco3ZrI/AAAAAAAAAtw/86mZQc0QptU/s1600/Feedly-Chrome-App.jpg" /></a></div>
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Feedly has apps for iOS, Android and Kindle. As well as, add-ons/apps for Firefox and Google Chrome.<br />
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The biggest benefit was the fact that Google Reader already integrates with Feedly and therefore I didn't have to download my subscription list and load it into Feedly, they were already there.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fNdDdfhBAAo/UVTovjUkxmI/AAAAAAAAAt4/UNR5uQEyTCc/s1600/Feedly-Facebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fNdDdfhBAAo/UVTovjUkxmI/AAAAAAAAAt4/UNR5uQEyTCc/s1600/Feedly-Facebook.jpg" /></a></div>
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You have the option of logging into your Facebook profile and having the new feed display to the right of all the blog posts. It isn't the most advanced plug-in though it only updates when you refresh the page. And it only displays a few items from your Facebook news feed at a time and you can't scroll down to view more. So this isn't a replacement for logging into Facebook.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9XOUK4rpU4w/UVTo-o41ixI/AAAAAAAAAuA/I2qpQaNadK0/s1600/Feedly-Menu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9XOUK4rpU4w/UVTo-o41ixI/AAAAAAAAAuA/I2qpQaNadK0/s1600/Feedly-Menu.jpg" /></a></div>
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You can organize your blogs into categories of your choosing. So when I want to look at only my Home Blogs or Food Blogs I can just open that folder. You can tag posts for future reference. Like I've created a Recipe tag for when I find a recipe that I want to be able to find later so I can make it. Then I don't have to try and remember which blog it was on and how long ago it was posted.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ud8QTUBs2iA/UVTpNKT1skI/AAAAAAAAAuI/79nQhEA2tCU/s1600/Feedly-Full-Article.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ud8QTUBs2iA/UVTpNKT1skI/AAAAAAAAAuI/79nQhEA2tCU/s1600/Feedly-Full-Article.jpg" /></a></div>
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You can click on a post to read the full article in Feedly (unless the blogger truncates their posts) or you can use preview. Preview Mode has to be one of my favorite features.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PZ1rVbmKVq0/UVTpVOptOPI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/ORFwvy-Ri0o/s1600/Feedly-Preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PZ1rVbmKVq0/UVTpVOptOPI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/ORFwvy-Ri0o/s1600/Feedly-Preview.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hi, Gemma, hope you don't mind that I used your blog for my screen shot of the Preview Mode. I love The Sweetes Digs.</span></i></td></tr>
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When you are using Google Reader you aren't able to navigate a blogs website without clicking over to the site. If you click on the preview button at the top of an article it actually will open the website in the Feedly window but you can still see Feedly behind it. But it isn't just a preview of that one article you can actual move around the site without leaving Feedly.<br />
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So there might be more features that I haven't discovered yet but for now that is what I've figured out.<br />
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<i>For those of you who use a reader, what are you using? </i>Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-17622942915947504792013-03-27T20:37:00.001-04:002013-03-27T20:37:37.523-04:00Regularly Scheduled Programming Continued...So when I last left off, I had filled you in on what shows we love to watch Sunday through Tuesday. Well, a few more shows have started up recently. First I let you know what those are and then I finish off Wednesday through Saturday.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Mondays</span></b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n5r0T0jqhKo/UVOPGZC7oyI/AAAAAAAAAtY/MU_UFOiwBjQ/s1600/The-Voice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n5r0T0jqhKo/UVOPGZC7oyI/AAAAAAAAAtY/MU_UFOiwBjQ/s1600/The-Voice.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nbc.com/app2/img/default/scet/metaverse/1/2/4/6/6/1/voice-hero-01-7p-10p.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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The Voice - During the blind auditions, the decisions from the coaches are based solely on voice and not on looks. The coaches hear the artists perform, but they don't get to see them - thanks to rotating chairs. If a coach is impressed by the voice, he/she pushes a button to select the artist for his/her team. At this point, the coach's chair will swivel so that he/she can face the artist. If more than one coach pushes their button, the power then shifts to the artists to choose which coach they want to work with. Once teams are set, the battle is on. Coaches will dedicate themselves to developing their teams of artists, giving them advice and sharing the secrets of their success, along with help from their celebrity advisers. (write-up NBC)<br />
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We have watched this from Season 1. We used to watch American Idol but it has become all about the judge drama and I feel the talent has really fallen. The judges/mentors are fantastic on The Voice. Season 1 -3 had Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine. Season 4 just started on Monday. Christina and Cee Lo decided to take a season off to work on personal projects. In their places are Shakira and Usher. I have yet to watch the new season, we will have to watch it on catch-up.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QH2YXv1pAeY/UVOOA3uD4uI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/zKEie654skE/s1600/Revolution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QH2YXv1pAeY/UVOOA3uD4uI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/zKEie654skE/s1600/Revolution.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wX9k1I2NBpQ/UKAUFHfBWQI/AAAAAAAAGBo/lxwCYGsTUwA/s1600/Revolution-Tv-Series-Characters-HD-Wallpaper_Vvallpaper.Net.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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Revolution - In this epic adventure from J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot Productions and "Supernatural's" Eric Kripke, a family struggles to reunite in an American landscape where every single piece of technology - computers, planes, cars, phones, even lights - has mysteriously blacked out forever. A drama with sweeping scope and intimate focus, "Revolution" is also about family - both the family you're born into and the family you choose. This is a swashbuckling journey of hope and rebirth seen through the eyes of one strong-willed young woman, Charlie Matheson (Tracy Spiridakos, "Being Human"), and her brother Danny (Graham Rogers, "Memphis Beat"). When Danny is kidnapped by militia leaders for a darker purpose, Charlie must reconnect with her estranged uncle Miles (Billy Burke, "The Twilight Saga"), a former U.S. Marine living a reclusive life. Together, with a rogue band of survivors, they set out to rescue Danny, overthrow the militia and ultimately re-establish the United States of America. All the while, they explore the enduring mystery of why the power failed, and if - or how - it will ever return. (write-up NBC)<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Tuesdays</span></b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nmIUlGIM7ck/UVONWocsGYI/AAAAAAAAAtI/-kp7ZVb3SoM/s1600/Smash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nmIUlGIM7ck/UVONWocsGYI/AAAAAAAAAtI/-kp7ZVb3SoM/s1600/Smash.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nbc.com/app2/img/default/scet/metaverse/1/2/2/4/7/5/1_Hero_Smash_Hero_Template_970x400_UG.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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Smash - “Smash” is a musical drama that celebrates the beauty and heartbreak of the Broadway theater as it follows a cross-section of dreamers and schemers who all have one common desire - to be a “Smash.”<br />
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In Season 2, the “Bombshell” team is one step closer to achieving their Broadway dream. The Boston run was the success the team was hoping for, including producer Eileen Rand (Academy Award winner Anjelica Huston, “Prizzi’s Honor”); writers Tom Levitt (Tony Award winner Christian Borle, “Peter and the Starcatcher”); and Julia Houston (Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, “Will & Grace”); last-minute star Karen Cartwright (Katharine McPhee, “American Idol”); and director Derek Wills (Jack Davenport, “Pirates of the Caribbean”). But, they are all about to learn even a charmed show cannot avoid paying for sins of the past. Will Eileen get away with mixing business and pleasure with her shady paramour, Nick (guest star Thorsten Kaye)? Will Julia’s marriage to Frank (guest star Brian d’Arcy James) survive the revelation of her infidelity? Will actress Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty, “9 to 5: The Musical”) bounce back from the shame of losing the lead role to rival Karen and bedding her fiance in retaliation? And will Tom and Julia’s long-time partnership endure the changing tides of opportunity?<br />
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As they all scramble to push forward, one of the show’s players finds Brooklyn natives Jimmy Collins (Tony Award nominee Jeremy Jordan, “Newsies”) and Kyle Bishop (Andy Mientus, “Carrie: The Musical”) toiling away on a current-day rock musical of their own, which could either become “Bombshell”’s biggest rival, or yet one more Broadway false start. (write-up NBC)<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Wednesdays</span></b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9XjgROyL86A/UVOKzWNCfZI/AAAAAAAAAs4/MTRbGRHLx-U/s1600/Nashville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9XjgROyL86A/UVOKzWNCfZI/AAAAAAAAAs4/MTRbGRHLx-U/s1600/Nashville.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UqQvLmB_so0/ULqEt_jADII/AAAAAAAABJo/2iGA2FFeDMQ/s1600/nasvhille.jpeg" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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Nashville - Music legend Rayna Jaymes reigns as the Queen of Country, but after two decades, her grip on the throne is slipping. Rayna refuses to be steamrolled by her record label as they present a new arrangement. And in the face of an evolving industry, Rayna is struggling to adapt and reinvent herself, which she must do if she plans to stay relevant.<br />
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Juliette Barnes is sexy, sassy, and trails trouble in her wake— she’s also the country’s #1 crossover artist. In her climb to the top, Juliette's public image is threatened by circumstances she struggles to control. And while she is determined to sit on Rayna's throne, Juliette refuses to deal with her difficult past.<br />
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Offstage, things aren't much smoother for Rayna. Her father, Lamar Wyatt, Nashville's most influential businessman, continues to complicate her life. Their strained relationship is defined by years of resentment and secrets that come to a head when Lamar and Rayna’s sister, Tandy, push Rayna's husband to run for mayor. For husband Teddy Conrad, this marks an opportunity to share the spotlight with his wife instead of continuing to be the man behind the woman.<br />
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The city of Nashville is the stage for many hopefuls: Deacon Claybourne, Rayna's longtime bandleader whose unrequited love for Rayna prevents him from claiming success if he went on his own. Scarlett O'Connor, the beautiful and gifted songwriter, who's here to support her boyfriend Avery's talent while still unsure of her own. Avery Barkley, a struggling alt-country musician, who can't help but feel left behind when his girlfriend Scarlett's songs have a chance to find an audience before his own. And Gunnar Scott, a wholesome up-and-coming crooner, who finds a musical soulmate in Scarlett, coming in between her relationship with Avery. (write-up ABC)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N9d-rskoEL0/UVOJ6tIDK2I/AAAAAAAAAsw/fdVjdmHwZzg/s1600/The-Americans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N9d-rskoEL0/UVOJ6tIDK2I/AAAAAAAAAsw/fdVjdmHwZzg/s1600/The-Americans.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/thumbnail_570x321/2013/01/fx_americans_keyart_p_2012.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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The Americans - The Americans is a period drama about the complex marriage of two KGB spies posing as Americans in suburban Washington D.C. shortly after Ronald Reagan is elected President. The arranged marriage of Philip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth Jennings (Keri Russell), who have two children – 13-year-old Paige (Holly Taylor) and 10-year-old Henry (Keidrich Sellati), who know nothing about their parents’ true identity – grows more passionate and genuine by the day, but is constantly tested by the escalation of the Cold War and the intimate, dangerous and darkly funny relationships they must maintain with a network of spies and informants under their control. Complicating their relationship further is Philip’s growing sense of affinity for America’s values and way of life. Tensions also heighten upon the arrival of a new neighbor, Stan Beeman (Noah Emmerich), an FBI agent. Stan and his partner, Agent Chris Amador (Maximiliano Hernández), are members of a new division of Counterintelligence tasked with fighting against foreign agents on U.S. soil, including KGB Directorate S illegals, Russian spies posing as Americans. (write-up FX)<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Thursdays</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uy-EjJEf2pw/UVOLoX9Ei2I/AAAAAAAAAtA/daupHE37YCw/s1600/Elementary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uy-EjJEf2pw/UVOLoX9Ei2I/AAAAAAAAAtA/daupHE37YCw/s1600/Elementary.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/d3/b2/d3b2ef4f97a9ba7ad4c739c1099f3a35.jpg?itok=XJ9BE4EZ" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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Elementary - stars Jonny Lee Miller as detective Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu as Dr. Joan Watson in a modern-day drama about a crime-solving duo that cracks the NYPD's most impossible cases. Following his fall from grace in London and a stint in rehab, eccentric Sherlock escapes to Manhattan where his wealthy father forces him to live with his worst nightmare - a sober companion, Dr. Watson. A successful surgeon until she lost a patient and her license three years ago, Watson views her current job as another opportunity to help people, as well as paying a penance. However, the restless Sherlock is nothing like her previous clients. He informs her that none of her expertise as an addiction specialist applies to him and he's devised his own post-rehab regimen - resuming his work as a police consultant in New York City. Watson has no choice but to accompany her irascible new charge on his jobs. But Sherlock finds her medical background helpful, and Watson realizes she has a knack for playing investigator. Sherlock's police contact, Capt. Tobias "Toby" Gregson, knows from previous experience working with Scotland Yard that Sherlock is brilliant at closing cases, and welcomes him as part of the team. With the mischievous Sherlock Holmes now running free in New York solving crime, it's simple deduction that he's going to need someone to keep him grounded, and it's elementary that it's a job for Watson. (write-up by CBS)<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Fridays & Saturdays</span></b><br />
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Catch-up days - We don't have a DVR, though Andrew really wishes we did. We have Comcast Xfinity, which offers Free On Demand(catch-up) of a huge selection of TV shows. They don't have everything so we have make sure if we miss a show it is one on the catch-up. We watch all of the shows we were unable to watch during their regular air times because of conflicting shows or if I go to bed early. Some of our shows air at 10pm eastern time and I'm just to tired to stay up. We sometimes will watch some shows on catch-up on Wednesday and Thursdays, too.<br />
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<i>What shows do you like to watch? Do you DVR your shows when you can't watch them or do you have Comcast's On Demand?</i><br />
<br />Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-32627128923176917812013-03-18T21:06:00.002-04:002013-03-18T21:06:58.512-04:00I Love Bassets!It has been a little while since my last post. Sorry. I've been busy heading to the gym around twice a week and spending at least one morning on the weekend at the barn riding my pony. Warmer weather was here and made riding fantastic. However, we now suddenly have another winter storm headed our way. Also, 3 of the 4 past weekends included a visit to my Mother-in-Law's house. Want to know why?<br />
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Well two reasons:<br />
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1. We enjoy watching a good Bruins hockey game at their house.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pbJFzVvh4gQ/UUe5OU53bjI/AAAAAAAAAsg/skPXRtOY_xM/s1600/Boston-Bruins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pbJFzVvh4gQ/UUe5OU53bjI/AAAAAAAAAsg/skPXRtOY_xM/s1600/Boston-Bruins.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://newenglandgamer.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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2. This adorable little guy!<br />
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I can't handle his super adorable floppiness! He is so silly and has a tendency to trip over his soft ears.This is their second Basset Hound.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkHY9NOhhkM/UUe3WDTJVaI/AAAAAAAAArw/ZKd9ugglafk/s1600/Homer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkHY9NOhhkM/UUe3WDTJVaI/AAAAAAAAArw/ZKd9ugglafk/s1600/Homer.jpg" /></a></div>
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Dear, sweet Homer was laid to rest 1 year ago on March 8th. He was 15 1/2 years old. My husband surprised his mother with him when he was just a puppy. We were all quite sad to lose him but he lived quite a long life. At Christmas we ordered a custom printed fleece throw from Wal-Mart as a gift for Andrew's Mom. They have a great service where you can upload a hi-res photo and they will print it on a variety of products. We chose a photo of Homer when he was much younger and luckily it turned out to be one of my MIL's favorites. The throw is huge and came out fantastic. She love it and it was such a great deal. Here are Andrew & his Mom holding it up on Christmas.<br />
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Well at the end of 2012/beginning of 2013 my MIL and her boyfriend decided to get a new puppy. This little boy was born on 12.12.12 and they named him Maxwell. They got him on February 22nd and we are all in love with him. All of the photos of Maxwell in this post are from February 23rd. Now you will be subjected to cuteness overload.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S78u6RQNJYY/UUe3z1UVbfI/AAAAAAAAAsA/dK7N4lrKBQw/s1600/Maxwell3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S78u6RQNJYY/UUe3z1UVbfI/AAAAAAAAAsA/dK7N4lrKBQw/s1600/Maxwell3.jpg" /></a></div>
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Has any once else been enjoying some super cuteness?Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-49934208055091932622013-02-27T13:07:00.000-05:002013-02-27T18:34:47.676-05:00Winter Pinterst Challenge - Monkey Fist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I did it! I completed my very first Pinterest Challenge. The Pinterest Challenge is a seasonal event that was created by Katie Bower of <a href="http://www.bowerpowerblog.com/">Bower Power Blog </a>and Sherry Petersik of <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/">Young House Love</a>. Katie decided that we all needed to stop pinning and start doing the projects that we pin on Pinterest. The challenge is in no way sponsored by Pinterest. Its just a fun little event for everyone to take part in.<br />
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<a href="http://images.younghouselove.com.s3.amazonaws.com/2013/02/winter-challenge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="aligncenter" height="188" src="http://images.younghouselove.com.s3.amazonaws.com/2013/02/winter-challenge.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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So for my first Pinterest Challenge I needed to find something I could complete over the weekend and preferably with something that I didn't need to buy any supplies for. I scrolled through my crafts board on Pinterest and found a tutorial on how to make a Monkey Fist Rope Ball. Many people use them for Nautical decoration but I had another plan in mind .......<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="375" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lGOyppUx5H0/TkKgx1GsJlI/AAAAAAAAAkY/Zu0bLo_gW0M/s640/rope_decor_4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.creativeinchicago.com/2011/08/decorator-rope-balls.html" target="_blank">Creative In Chicago</a></td></tr>
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<b><u>A CAT TOY</u></b><br />
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The image I had pinned was from <a href="http://www.creativeinchicago.com/2011/08/decorator-rope-balls.html">www.creativeinchicago.com</a>. However, it looks like the tutorial was actually posted on YouTube by a user named Stormdrane. Watching the tutorial it makes tying these knots look really simple, which in some ways they are but it can take a little practice. It took me 3 tries to get it right. Here is the YouTube video with the tutorial.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MXdHcH3FRcM?rel=0" width="640"></iframe>
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I took a few photos of my process but I'm sure the video is a bit more complete. The tutorial uses a 1 inch metal ball bearing but I wanted something larger so I used an old golf ball. I didn't measure out the length of rope exactly. Instead I just estimated it by wrapping the rope loosely around my 3 fingers three times and then took that times 3. I worked out pretty well. The tutorial shows you to wrap it around each direction 3 times but when I did that my golf ball showed through. So I redid it and did it 4 times each direction. Here is the Sisal rope and golf ball I used.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kLTGK4SJBMY/USkIyZpNqJI/AAAAAAAAAqA/j8PGLwITGIo/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Supplies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kLTGK4SJBMY/USkIyZpNqJI/AAAAAAAAAqA/j8PGLwITGIo/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Supplies.jpg" /></a></div>
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And of course you will need an audience to watch you complete this awesome project. Brady was willing to comply and considered attacking the rope the whole time.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rDfX_X3C1QY/USkIv6A7wAI/AAAAAAAAApM/Ed1PF2OWpvI/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Brady0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rDfX_X3C1QY/USkIv6A7wAI/AAAAAAAAApM/Ed1PF2OWpvI/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Brady0.jpg" /></a></div>
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First wrap it 3 to 4 times (depending on the size center ball you plan on using) around your three fingers. and place the last line between your middle finger and ring finger.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NDlLCjKzhls/USkIxD2udGI/AAAAAAAAApk/UPUfraGqqVg/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Step1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NDlLCjKzhls/USkIxD2udGI/AAAAAAAAApk/UPUfraGqqVg/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Step1.jpg" /></a></div>
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Then feed the other end of the twine around the lines that you already wrapped and through the middle and ring finger and feed it through to the front. Do this the same number of times you wrapped it around your fingers.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JkSNMZZ04Dg/USkIxdXIAYI/AAAAAAAAApo/55cLwR_pQIA/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Step2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JkSNMZZ04Dg/USkIxdXIAYI/AAAAAAAAApo/55cLwR_pQIA/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Step2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Place your center weight, in my case a golf ball, inside your twine.<br />
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Then feed the rope back through the loop above the ball and then forward through the loop under the ball.<br />
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Again you repeat this motion the same number of times as the other directions.<br />
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Now all you need to do is go around starting from the beginning end and tighten the rope. The key is to hold the pieces next to the part you are tightening so they don't slip. You want to probably go through and do this a couple times. I had a little tail left over. So I wrapped some scotch tape around the end to make it easier to feed it under the tightened ropes this made my wrapping a little fuller so I couldn't see any of the golf ball and then I just trimmed the end and tucked it in.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKxk6WPBDe4/USkIyBCshgI/AAAAAAAAAp0/eWHmcxyEx24/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Step6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKxk6WPBDe4/USkIyBCshgI/AAAAAAAAAp0/eWHmcxyEx24/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Step6.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjIBkvyAsuM/USkIwsJJihI/AAAAAAAAApc/Ia-yGYtVAJQ/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjIBkvyAsuM/USkIwsJJihI/AAAAAAAAApc/Ia-yGYtVAJQ/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Finished.jpg" /></a></div>
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After it was all done I rubbed some catnip all over it to make it a little more interesting for the furry children.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MHYsQk9Pj3I/USkIv56zCkI/AAAAAAAAApI/kgqBBmzR0Pc/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Brady1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MHYsQk9Pj3I/USkIv56zCkI/AAAAAAAAApI/kgqBBmzR0Pc/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Brady1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-24sVid1a02M/USkIv4_S6yI/AAAAAAAAApQ/85Ww3Dw_hB0/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Brady2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-24sVid1a02M/USkIv4_S6yI/AAAAAAAAApQ/85Ww3Dw_hB0/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Brady2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ku37XebkaIw/USkIwUsrDwI/AAAAAAAAApY/qt0Kd-xNFwM/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Brady3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ku37XebkaIw/USkIwUsrDwI/AAAAAAAAApY/qt0Kd-xNFwM/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Brady3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vVWdfuuuYI8/USkIwVVRaJI/AAAAAAAAApg/5IMMUpjlzwg/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Brady4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vVWdfuuuYI8/USkIwVVRaJI/AAAAAAAAApg/5IMMUpjlzwg/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Brady4.jpg" /></a></div>
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Brady wasn't overly excited but Miss Tasha was rubbing her face all over it. I'd call this project a success.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WL_iDSbHcGc/USkIy3S7UbI/AAAAAAAAAqI/rFSMBmBY_1I/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Tasha3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WL_iDSbHcGc/USkIy3S7UbI/AAAAAAAAAqI/rFSMBmBY_1I/s1600/Monkey-Fist-Ball-Tasha3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Make sure you visit the rest of the Pinterest Challenge projects at the hosts blogs: </span><a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Young House Love</a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.bowerpowerblog.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Bower Power</a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.theremodeledlife.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">The Remodeled Life</a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://decorandthedog.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Decor & The Dog</a></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">. </span>So will you be making your own Monkey Fist balls? These could be fun with some bright colored rope if you wanted something that wasn't so nautical looking.Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-32085493719892772712013-02-18T22:45:00.003-05:002013-02-18T22:45:39.079-05:00White Stuff Everywhere - The Blizzard of 2013As promised here are the photos from Winter Storm Nemo aka The Blizzard of 2013. W lost power Friday, February 7th around 8:00 PM and didn't get it back until around 6:30 PM on Sunday, February 9th. We woke up on Saturday to a chilly 49 degrees in our apartment. We layered up and went down to shovel out the driveway and our cars.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9dbYxsD-LsU/USLsR1tpm_I/AAAAAAAAAng/DNC-2UN2F-A/s1600/Blizzard-2013-Andrew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9dbYxsD-LsU/USLsR1tpm_I/AAAAAAAAAng/DNC-2UN2F-A/s1600/Blizzard-2013-Andrew.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gTvt1KK1XAg/USLsS4DtMSI/AAAAAAAAAnw/nwtm2diwElY/s1600/Blizzard-2013-Kala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gTvt1KK1XAg/USLsS4DtMSI/AAAAAAAAAnw/nwtm2diwElY/s1600/Blizzard-2013-Kala.jpg" /></a></div>
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And this is what a picture of a bunch of snow looks like when you forget to adjust your camera settings. Holy blinding snow.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ObJ9qddYn4/USLsR0WW79I/AAAAAAAAAno/x94CPnRbL9c/s1600/Blizzard-2013-Blown-Out-Snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ObJ9qddYn4/USLsR0WW79I/AAAAAAAAAno/x94CPnRbL9c/s1600/Blizzard-2013-Blown-Out-Snow.jpg" /></a></div>
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There was so much snow. We have a rock wall that is around a foot to a foot and a half tall at the front of the yard that goes along the sidewalk. Well the snow on the sidewalk and the curb from the plow was level if not higher in some spots than our rock wall. I dug a little hole to stand in to show you how high it was but the bottom layers of the snow was icy and packed down. So really I'm not even down to the sidewalk yet in the picture.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4au3E9BTOWA/USLsSNXvn9I/AAAAAAAAAnk/aQ9g6Xqqp3A/s1600/Blizzard-2013-Deep-Snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4au3E9BTOWA/USLsSNXvn9I/AAAAAAAAAnk/aQ9g6Xqqp3A/s1600/Blizzard-2013-Deep-Snow.jpg" /></a></div>
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There was a tree down across the street leaning against the neighbor's house. He came out to shovel his driveway while we were shoveling away. He said the tree broke some of his siding, a few shutters and dented his gutter a little but luckily it only brushed down the side of the house instead of landing right on it. Also, he got lucky it didn't hit his car. He always pulls his car close to the road so he doesn't have to shovel his whole driveway to get out. If he had pulled his car in any further the tree would have landed on it.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9GfZB04ivn8/USLsTN7RaXI/AAAAAAAAAn4/Joq7XUDiJ4w/s1600/Blizzard-2013-neighbor%2527s-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9GfZB04ivn8/USLsTN7RaXI/AAAAAAAAAn4/Joq7XUDiJ4w/s1600/Blizzard-2013-neighbor%2527s-house.jpg" /></a></div>
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Our cars were coated with snow and ice. Plus, I always park under the pine tree during snow storms. It isn't to uncommon for the branches to get stuck to the roof of my car. This time with so much snow weighing down the tree there were so many branches frozen to the roof.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DUFeJjvI7J4/USLsTuhd7bI/AAAAAAAAAoA/hWk-i6ELKF0/s1600/Blizzard-2013-tree-on-car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DUFeJjvI7J4/USLsTuhd7bI/AAAAAAAAAoA/hWk-i6ELKF0/s1600/Blizzard-2013-tree-on-car.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iYY8hqiyZ6E/USLsSmaWC0I/AAAAAAAAAns/pKn7YSkAwJw/s1600/Blizzard-2013-Kala%2527s-Car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iYY8hqiyZ6E/USLsSmaWC0I/AAAAAAAAAns/pKn7YSkAwJw/s1600/Blizzard-2013-Kala%2527s-Car.jpg" /></a></div>
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Andrew had to take my ice scraper and disconnect all the branches before I could move it. I also had to somewhat crouch under a few branches just to get into my car. Andrew didn't even bother clearing off his car for a few days, letting the sun do most of the melting for him.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jaidnjNkxUs/USLsR9b2TcI/AAAAAAAAAnc/kbUr6uxGNyk/s1600/Blizzard-2013-Andrew%2527s-Car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jaidnjNkxUs/USLsR9b2TcI/AAAAAAAAAnc/kbUr6uxGNyk/s1600/Blizzard-2013-Andrew%2527s-Car.jpg" /></a></div>
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Here are what the 1st & 2nd floor neighbors' cars looked like. Just a bit of snow and ice for them, too. No that isn't an antennae sticking out of the snow on the car to the left. That is a very small tree branch frozen standing up.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K1xD6rWs78I/USLsSxVdiSI/AAAAAAAAAoE/2dPTsAp6hyo/s1600/Blizzard-2013-Neighbors-cars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K1xD6rWs78I/USLsSxVdiSI/AAAAAAAAAoE/2dPTsAp6hyo/s1600/Blizzard-2013-Neighbors-cars.jpg" /></a></div>
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The hardest part of shoveling was getting through all the solid snow that the plows had left in the driveway. Here is a picture of me posing on top of it with my weapon of choice. See the lump in the snow to the right of my shovel. yeah that is the end of the rock wall where the entrance to our driveway is.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W7yR3kXvGAw/USLsTJZIIcI/AAAAAAAAAn8/5QtA1oWbnEQ/s1600/Blizzard-2013-Snow-Posing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W7yR3kXvGAw/USLsTJZIIcI/AAAAAAAAAn8/5QtA1oWbnEQ/s1600/Blizzard-2013-Snow-Posing.jpg" /></a></div>
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After spending around 2 1/2 hours shoveling we walked down to the corner of our street to see what all the lights were the night before. Turns out we had power lines down on our corner and the corner one block down. Guess we found the reason why we had no power. We decided to see if the Dunkin' Donuts or McDonalds down the street had power. Well if they did they weren't open. We then found out from listening to the radio in my car that the Governor had announced that they wanted everyone off the road and if you were out driving around you could be charged with a $500 fine or up to a year in prison. Ooops. Guess we need to buy a battery operated radio for times like these. :) Luckily, we headed back home and didn't get pulled over.<br />
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We decided to go and stay at my Mother-in-Laws house with our kitties. It didn't look like we were getting power back any time soon and it was supposed to get below zero Saturday night. When we came back early Sunday afternoon it was very chilly in our apartment. I'd like to tell you the temperature but our thermostat only goes to 40 degrees and that is what it was at. I'm pretty sure it was less than that though. We unloaded the kitties and packed up our laundry to go wash at my Mom's house. We had left my cell phone number with one of the neighbors so we would know when power was back. Thankfully, we got the call just before 6:30 PM letting us know that we had electricity back.<br />
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Hopefully this was the last big storm before spring. I'm so ready for warm weather.Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-28537102431430323952013-02-09T19:49:00.000-05:002013-02-09T19:49:20.696-05:00Snow Snow Snow <span style="font-size: x-large;">We were hit by Winter Storm/Blizzard Nemo!</span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="404" src="http://allthingsd.com/files/2013/02/snow_nemo-380x241.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://allthingsd.com/20130209/northeast-winter-storm-kills-power-for-some-yields-a-blizzard-of-snow-pics/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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We got somewhere around a foot and a half or more of snow dumped on us at our apartment. Sadly I'm not able to post any pictures right now. Why? Well last night we lost power around 9ish. Without electricity we also lost heat because even though we have gas heat and baseboards they still need electricity to either pump in the gas or the hot water through the pipes or both. I'm not quite sure. Since our apartment isn't usually on the warm side that meant it started to get quite chilly. We ended up sleeping with sweatshirts on and added an extra quilt to the bed. After shoveling for 2 1/2 hours this morning we were able to get my RAV4 out of the driveway. The power has still not come back. So we decided to pack up ourselves and the two kitties and go stay the night at my Mother-in-law's house. Heat and hot food were too good to resist. The cat's are currently hiding under the futon we will be sleeping on tonight. Hopefully, the power will be back soon. While we were out shoveling and driving here we saw three locations where power lines were down in our neighborhood and two trees had split. I took pictures of the snow in front of our apartment house, around our cars and me standing in the snow. I will post those another time though because I forgot to bring the cord for may camera to my Mother-in-law's. Oops. :) All this snow made me feel like I'm back in my hometown out in North Dakota. Though maybe I'm wrong but I don't remember us ever losing power in ND during a blizzard. Maybe they just have stronger power line connections because they are use to a lot of snow. I hope the rest of my New England friends and family members are safe and staying warm.Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-67601863975968673122013-02-07T00:09:00.000-05:002013-02-07T00:09:19.004-05:00Weight Update & Our Regularly Scheduled Programs Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Weight Loss update - So I have been using MyFitnessPal for 2 weeks now and I still love it. I've learned not to get too upset with myself if I go over my calories. There is enough wiggle room that I can go over some and still be losing weight. The best news - I'm down 5 lbs since I started MyFitnessPal. I'm on my way to losing those 40 I'm shooting for. I also added my ticker to the right side of my blog and it will automatically update every week when I check-in. I always weigh myself Wednesday morning right after I wake up and use that as my check-in weight. I also weigh myself a few other times throughout the week but don't check-in. </div>
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So now I'll move on to what this post is really about - Our regularly scheduled programming aka our favorite TV shows.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Sundays</span></b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zN1r7wjfByQ/URMr7j8pDSI/AAAAAAAAAjs/g1RQKPLwQ_I/s1600/Once-Upon-A-Time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zN1r7wjfByQ/URMr7j8pDSI/AAAAAAAAAjs/g1RQKPLwQ_I/s1600/Once-Upon-A-Time.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stacylwhitman.com/http://www.whitmanstacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Once-Upon-a-Time-Poster.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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Once Upon A Time - Fairy tale characters in our world. It is fantastic and the mysteries in each episode are fantastic.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EUa-5n1-Bjg/URMszC1cQYI/AAAAAAAAAj0/UmIZth7p3gY/s1600/Downton-Abbey-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EUa-5n1-Bjg/URMszC1cQYI/AAAAAAAAAj0/UmIZth7p3gY/s1600/Downton-Abbey-3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Vf1nIV8UL._SX500_.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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Downton Abbey - I didn't start watching this until after the second season was finished. I caught up on the first and second season on DVD. We were all ready when the 3rd season started this year. Andrew was skeptical at first but he is hooked just as much as me now.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3yTEQVEm4dw/URMtyi7coFI/AAAAAAAAAkA/xq6fA0hmk8Y/s1600/The-Mentalist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3yTEQVEm4dw/URMtyi7coFI/AAAAAAAAAkA/xq6fA0hmk8Y/s1600/The-Mentalist.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images2.fanpop.com/images/photos/3000000/The-Mentalist-the-mentalist-3097106-1024-768.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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The Mentalist - Supposedly Patrick Jane has met Red John but I'm not sure who it is. Cho is so dead pan he makes me laugh. And we are pretty sure that Grace (the girl pictured in the upper right corner) is pregnant in real life. Every episode she is either sitting at her desk or behind something.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Mondays</span></b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fWF_gH7TbGY/URMvl13sVnI/AAAAAAAAAk8/xS9ux0qP0zc/s1600/How-I-Met-Your-Mother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fWF_gH7TbGY/URMvl13sVnI/AAAAAAAAAk8/xS9ux0qP0zc/s1600/How-I-Met-Your-Mother.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/How-I-Met-Your-Mother-Cast-how-i-met-your-mother-791275_1280_1024.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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How I Met Your Mother - They recently announced that everyone has signed on for one last season. So that means we will finally know who Ted is going to marry. I'm really hoping that means we get to meet her this season so it isn't just - hey here's the Mother, end of story.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pSiYFrePKOg/URMwZS8DzKI/AAAAAAAAAlI/hNAOrc3n1q0/s1600/Rules-of-Engagement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pSiYFrePKOg/URMwZS8DzKI/AAAAAAAAAlI/hNAOrc3n1q0/s1600/Rules-of-Engagement.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://globalseriestv.wdfiles.com/local--files/rules-of-engagement/2007_rules_of_engagement_wallpaper_002.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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Rules of Engagement - I love Patrick Warburton. He is hilarious! Sometimes I swear Andrew and I are a lot like Jeff and Audrey. Russell is just creepy.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7k7mijGZUOk/URMxNNKLlEI/AAAAAAAAAlo/qilUarab0_0/s1600/2-Broke-Girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7k7mijGZUOk/URMxNNKLlEI/AAAAAAAAAlo/qilUarab0_0/s1600/2-Broke-Girls.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.entertainmentwallpaper.com/images/desktops/movie/tv-2-broke-girls02.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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Two Broke Girls - We started watching this show right from the beginning of the first season last year. We laugh so hard whenever we watch this show.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Tuesdays</span></b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yVZOlmA1kUY/URM0U-yctjI/AAAAAAAAAmM/9F8-vgdUlcE/s1600/NCIS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yVZOlmA1kUY/URM0U-yctjI/AAAAAAAAAmM/9F8-vgdUlcE/s1600/NCIS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images2.fanpop.com/images/photos/6800000/NCIS-ncis-6825468-2240-1680.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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NCIS - We love every single one of these characters. Ziva and Tony just need to finally get together. Gibbs is great he is such a father figure for his team. Ducky, Abby and McGee just add to the fabulous cast.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-spXGyayAYpo/URM1zw92emI/AAAAAAAAAmw/YOcKalVk_KQ/s1600/NCIS-LA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-spXGyayAYpo/URM1zw92emI/AAAAAAAAAmw/YOcKalVk_KQ/s1600/NCIS-LA.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images4.fanpop.com/image/photos/15100000/NCIS-Los-Angeles-ncis-los-angeles-15159775-1280-1024.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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NCIS Los Angeles - Many people were skeptical of this spin-off but we love it. I love every single character.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rCdEwnqXoXQ/URM2RcSu9HI/AAAAAAAAAm4/xXHc25zhz_Q/s1600/Vegas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rCdEwnqXoXQ/URM2RcSu9HI/AAAAAAAAAm4/xXHc25zhz_Q/s1600/Vegas.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.zap2it.com/images/tv-EP01568625/vegas-9.jpg" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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Vegas - Most of the time I love this show but there are other times when I could do without it. Some of the cast is fantastic where as others are just a little annoying.<br />
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That will do for now. I'll be back with the second half of our favorite shows in my next post.Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-75076462689957063512013-01-23T22:00:00.003-05:002013-01-23T22:00:43.050-05:00FORWARD - Weight LossThis year I plan on moving FORWARD. Forward is my word for 2013, you can read more about it in this <a href="http://ourlifeindesign.blogspot.com/2013/01/2013-word-of-year-forward.html" target="_blank">post</a>. I'm going to start the name of my posts about moving FORWARD with different parts of our life.<br />
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This year I'm getting serious about weight loss. I've fluctuated a lot since high school. When I graduated high school I weighed around 145 lbs. Not huge by any means but I sure felt fatter than a lot of girls. Now that I weigh 185 lbs. That's right you read the correctly. I've put on 40 lbs in the last 10 years. I'm not super tall, 5 foot 6 inches, but I seem to carry my weight better than some. Whenever I've told people how much I weight they don't believe it.</div>
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One year after high school I had lost around 10 lbs and looked pretty damn good. Though looking back at some of those pictures I think that might be a little too skinny for my age. Two and a half years ago, when I got married I weighed only 155 lbs. I've decided I would really like to get back to a weight of 145 - 150 lbs. In an effort to do so I've done two things.</div>
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1. I asked my mom and dad for a gym membership for Christmas</div>
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2. I'm watching what I eat</div>
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In regards to the gym membership - I started going to Planet Fitness as a guest with my mom last year. We usually went twice a week. She asked back then if I wanted a membership for Christmas but I wasn't sure if I would use it enough. Well after a while I found there were days when I wanted to go to the gym but Mom couldn't go. And if she wasn't there I couldn't go. So now that I have my own membership I've been going twice a week but I want to try and up it to three times. I've started with mostly cardio. My usual routine is 30 minutes on the elliptical machine and then 60 minutes on the arc trainer. I average 4 miles and almost 700 calories with this routine. I plan to start adding in some weight/strength training too.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="640" src="http://www.athleticbusiness.com/microsite-content/cybex/products/cybex-product1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cybex Arc Trainer - not exactly the same model I use at the gym but close - <a href="http://athleticbusiness.com/" target="_blank">source</a></td></tr>
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To help me watch my weight I joined My Fitness Pal. I know several people who use this and swear by it. I didn't think I could because I don't have a Smart phone (yes I'm behind the times - but I don't have any money for a data plan). Well while looking for a recipe on Monday I was directed to My Fitness Pal. I found out that you don't have to use the program on just a Smart phone. You can use the website on your computer. I also haven't been very good in the past about tracking my food daily, but right now I'm kind of obsessed with this site. When you first sign up you enter your starting weight, height, date of birth, goal weight and level of daily activity. It will then calculate your daily calorie allowance. You can gain more calories by doing exercise each day. My Fitness Pal has a huge catalog of foods. You enter what you eat each day and how much and it will tell you how many calories you have used for the day. Also once you enter all your food for the day and any exercise that you have done it will tell if you eat like this everyday for the next 5 weeks you will weigh X lbs. Sometimes I like to put my food in for all my meals early to see where my numbers are at and that way I can adjust in case I'm over or under my daily calories. You can weigh in on whatever schedule you want. I think I'm going to try to do it once a week. My Fitness Pal also creates a little ticker for you based on your goals. It can either say your actual weight and you work toward your goal weight or you can display pounds lost. Here is what my ticker looks like right now hopefully that little ladybug will start moving to the right over the next weeks/months.</div>
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<small>Created by MyFitnessPal - <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/">Free Calorie Counter</a></small></div>
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Two of my problems when it comes to food is portion size and fatty foods. I love candy and many things that are just plain bad for you. Now I'm on my way to making better choices. So here is to moving FORWARD with my weight loss goal! I'll let you know how it goes.</div>
Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-68925401671452457022013-01-07T21:12:00.001-05:002013-01-07T21:12:46.434-05:002013 Word of the Year - Forward2012 was a tough year for us. We had some great moments - Reconnecting with old friends, Celebrating our <a href="http://ourlifeindesign.blogspot.com/2012/06/731-days-ago-2-years.html" target="_blank">2 year wedding anniversary</a>, <a href="http://ourlifeindesign.blogspot.com/2012/08/were-buying-house.html" target="_blank">Finding a house</a> and Seeing our niece win the <a href="http://ourlifeindesign.blogspot.com/2012/11/we-are-champions.html" target="_blank">High School Volleyball State Championship</a>. Then we had some really crappy moments - <a href="http://ourlifeindesign.blogspot.com/2012/10/lifes-little-surprises-bad-kind.html" target="_blank">Andrew losing his job, Having to pull out of the contract on our house</a>, the<a href="http://ourlifeindesign.blogspot.com/2012/07/let-games-begin.html" target="_blank"> 2 bats</a> that decided to visit us in our bedroom and losing Andrew's childhood dog. Farewell 2012 and here looking toward 2013.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sanantoniomag.com/SAM-Says/Fall-2012/Looking-Back-Moving-Forward/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source</span></a></td></tr>
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Since I started reading blogs over a year ago, I've seen a few bloggers choose a word of the year. The word of the year can be what you hope for in the year to come or something to inspire you throughout the year. Here are some of the blog posts that I have read so far this year about bloggers' words of the year.<br />
Layla from <a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/" target="_blank">theLetteredCottage.net</a> wrote about her 2012 and 2013 words <a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/word-of-the-year-2013/" target="_blank">here</a> and Shelley from <a href="http://thehouseofsmiths.com/">thehouseofsmiths.com</a> wrote about her 2013 word <a href="http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2013/01/awesomer-my-2013-word-of-year.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thehouseofsmiths%2FulLc+%28House+of+Smith%27s%29" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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While reading Layla's post I started thinking about what word I would like to have describe my 2013. I've been wanting to write about my word but just haven't taken the time to do so. Until today when I read Layla's post about the This Little Word Of Mine Link Party. The first word that came to my mind was FORWARD.<br />
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I hope this year will be full of Forward moments. Lately, it seems like we have been either stuck or going backwards this past year. When Andrew lost his job it felt like we took a huge step backwards. And then because of the job loss we had to pull out of the contract to buy our first house. Which then made us feel stuck in our apartment and stuck in life. I'd love to see this year bring about some great opportunities to move Forward. A new job for Andrew and maybe the chance to move out of our apartment.<br />
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Here's to looking FORWARD to what will hopefully be a great 2013.<br />
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<a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/word-of-the-year-link-party-2013" title="The Lettered Cottage"><img alt="The Lettered Cottage" src="http://theletteredcottage.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Word_Of_The_Year_2013.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-32962019429249058152013-01-03T10:00:00.000-05:002013-01-03T10:00:08.574-05:00Featured Artist: Alyssa Watters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So this post has been sitting in my brain for a little while. I'm not sure if Featured Artist posts will become a regular series but you never know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Today's featured artist is <b><u>Alyssa Watters</u></b>, owner of artbyalyssa. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Alyssa Watters (photo credit artbyalyssa)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em;"><b>About the Artist</b><br /><i>artbyalyssa is a company based in Beverly, Massachusetts. Founded by Alyssa Watters, artbyalyssa combines a love for oil painting with a passion for creating handmade gift products. Originally from Ledyard, Connecticut, Alyssa moved to Beverly in 2003 to attend Montserrat College of Art, and has been there ever since.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>From the age of 16, Alyssa has worked in a handful of wonderful gift shops that have helped shape her into the person she is today. After getting her BFA, Alyssa managed one of the leading stationery shops on the North Shore. While running a shop, she also hosted solo art shows, experimented with creating gift products, attended local craft fairs and submitted her products for wholesale at local businesses.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em;"><i>In the beginning of 2011, Alyssa left her day job to pursue artbyalyssa full time. Today artbyalyssa can be found in seven states, at craft fairs throughout New England and at Alyssa's larger solo shows that she curates twice a year.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Personally, I didn't really know Alyssa in High School. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">We traveled in different circles and I don't think we had any classes together.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"> I learned about her artwork on Facebook several years after we graduated. Andrew, on the other hand, had been in art class with Alyssa and got to see some of her skills firsthand. When I heard that she would be selling her some of her prints and other items at Holdridge Home & Garden Showplace's Evening of Shopping on December 21st, I really wanted to go. Many of her paintings are of birds but she has also expanded her portfolio to include other items and New England themed designs such as the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, coastal themes and many more.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> You can see more of her work on her website <a href="http://alyssawatters.com/">alyssawatters.com</a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">artbyalyssa display - This was from a different event because I wasn't able to get a photo of her table <br />
with so many people huddled around her buying things. (photo credit: artbyalyssa)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5em;">Other than her originals and prints she also sells coasters, calendars, wine totes, pocket mirrors, key chains and more all with her designs on them. We bought 4 things, even though I probably would have bought her whole display if I had the money. We bought a print of an owl, a ceramic magnet with a New England Patriots helmet and two pocket mirrors. One mirror was for myself and had an owl on the back and the other was of a My Little Pony and was a Christmas present for one of my best friends.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the owl print that I bought. Now all I need is a frame for it. (photo credit artbyalyssa)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pocket Mirrors - I bought the one with the owl in the bottom left corner. (photo credit artbyalyssa)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the painting that was printed on the pocket mirror I bought for my friend (photo credit artbyalyssa)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Below are a few of the paintings I found on her website that I'm in love with.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(photo credit artbyalyssa)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(photo credit artbyalyssa)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(photo credit artbyalyssa)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="280" src="http://alyssawatters.com/opt/illus/illus3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(photo credit artbyalyssa)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(photo credit artbyalyssa)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could pick a bunch more but this post is already getting super picture heavy. You can see more of Alyssa's artwork on her website - alyssawatters.com. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Which ones do you like? Want to have a piece from artbyalyssa? Shop her Etsy store at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/artbyalyssa">http://www.etsy.com/shop/artbyalyssa</a>.</span></div>
Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-79519438288167266772012-12-05T22:08:00.000-05:002012-12-05T22:13:30.381-05:00A Winter Mantel.....Without the Mantel Well the blog-o-sphere has been alive with Christmas decorating. So I figured it was time for another installment of Seasonal Mantel decorating without the mantle. This time we decided to expand a little bit. Instead of just decorating the top of our $3 cabinet we decorated the top of the bookshelf right next to it, too. But the real star of our (yes, Andrew even got in on the arranging) decorating is my wall of Snowflakes!<br />
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The whole idea came from Sherry & John Petersik's Young House Love book. If you haven't read their blog yet, you have been missing out. Go check them out at <a href="http://younghouselove.com/">YoungHouseLove.com</a> They are a young married couple who are in the process of making their house more them. They have painted cabinets and furniture, built furniture, laid a brick patio, installed counter to ceiling tile as their kitchen backsplash and laid cork floor, plus so much more.<br />
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Well, they released their first book, Young House Love: 243 Ways to Paint, Craft, Update, & Show Your Home Some Love, last month and I had to have it.<br />
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On page 187 there is a project called Add a bunch of 3-D Butterflies. I thought it was the perfect fix for the blank wall above my Christmas display. But butterflies weren't going to work. It had to be SNOWFLAKES! They are so easy to make. To get a little color, I decided to use a cosmetic catalog that I got in the mail. It was filled with a bunch of red and gold pages.<br />
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Step 1: Choose your page and fold it in half the short and fat way, not long and skinny.<br />
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Step 2: Fold it in half again so it is almost square.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FN507Zpfuos/UL__vO4z5oI/AAAAAAAAAec/w2GW0NLvpfw/s1600/Snowflake-Craft-step-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FN507Zpfuos/UL__vO4z5oI/AAAAAAAAAec/w2GW0NLvpfw/s640/Snowflake-Craft-step-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Step 3: Fold the folded short edge down to the long folded edge. Now it looks kind of like a cone.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VfzyCQRXhGo/UL__zZYueXI/AAAAAAAAAek/6nvgPTY7fyM/s1600/Snowflake-Craft-step-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VfzyCQRXhGo/UL__zZYueXI/AAAAAAAAAek/6nvgPTY7fyM/s640/Snowflake-Craft-step-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Step 4: Fold it the same way as step 3 so now it is an even thinner cone.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wc3O8k7x5zQ/UL__3BMcIeI/AAAAAAAAAes/k3ouZlTMU_0/s1600/Snowflake-Craft-step-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wc3O8k7x5zQ/UL__3BMcIeI/AAAAAAAAAes/k3ouZlTMU_0/s640/Snowflake-Craft-step-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Step 5: You'll notice some of the paper is longer than the rest. Cut it down so it is even and then you can start to cut all kinds of designs into it to create your flake. The wide part of the cone shape is the outside of your flake.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-80f1GEwoVb0/UL__8XPzuqI/AAAAAAAAAe0/opzWEWqlc38/s1600/Snowflake-Craft-step-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-80f1GEwoVb0/UL__8XPzuqI/AAAAAAAAAe0/opzWEWqlc38/s640/Snowflake-Craft-step-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NVY_GlUVOK0/UMAAEHzBrAI/AAAAAAAAAe8/ANHakcampss/s1600/Snowflake-final-cut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NVY_GlUVOK0/UMAAEHzBrAI/AAAAAAAAAe8/ANHakcampss/s640/Snowflake-final-cut.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Step 6: Unfold and check-out your snowflake.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4CdCGSJGb7I/UMAAKrActtI/AAAAAAAAAfE/N4GQYh4-ov4/s1600/Snowflake-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4CdCGSJGb7I/UMAAKrActtI/AAAAAAAAAfE/N4GQYh4-ov4/s640/Snowflake-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This one wasn't one of my favorites so I decided to make a different one to show you a better design. Here it is still folded.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qLfLD3EljAI/UMAAVoLNKWI/AAAAAAAAAfM/7VOjmPkrbWY/s1600/Snowflake-2-folded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qLfLD3EljAI/UMAAVoLNKWI/AAAAAAAAAfM/7VOjmPkrbWY/s640/Snowflake-2-folded.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And now laid out flat so you can see the repeated design. So pretty.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bIXTSmMEXQ8/UMAAWH31zsI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/Miv8C4hQWeA/s1600/Snowflake-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bIXTSmMEXQ8/UMAAWH31zsI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/Miv8C4hQWeA/s640/Snowflake-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then I just rolled some small pieces of tape, stuck it to the backs and spread them out on the wall. Here are a few close ups of some of my favorite flakes.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LZEKb822QZg/UMADLLjaGNI/AAAAAAAAAf0/tSqtBW1LoVQ/s1600/Snowflake-Close-up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LZEKb822QZg/UMADLLjaGNI/AAAAAAAAAf0/tSqtBW1LoVQ/s640/Snowflake-Close-up.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oEuRUlUCtZM/UMADLdpUVjI/AAAAAAAAAf8/RMBfbqQxOPY/s1600/Snowflakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oEuRUlUCtZM/UMADLdpUVjI/AAAAAAAAAf8/RMBfbqQxOPY/s640/Snowflakes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As for the actual "Mantel" display, the only thing new is the Silver Owl. I bought him at TJ Maxx for $9 this past weekend.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f2tbJ-qAYwI/UMADUxYe1jI/AAAAAAAAAgE/suBAGjTRrds/s1600/Silver-Owl-&-Snowflakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f2tbJ-qAYwI/UMADUxYe1jI/AAAAAAAAAgE/suBAGjTRrds/s640/Silver-Owl-&-Snowflakes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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He is so cute and looks a little bronzey in some of the photos but he is really silver. I popped him up on a empty box to gain some height in the center of a pre-lit Christmas wreath.<br />
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On the bookshelf, I have the Christmas rocking horse that my Grandpa & Grandma gave me, my Lenox Belle (found on clearance at Hallmark a few years ago) and my apothecary jars ($8 for the set at a garage sale 2 years ago) filled with ornaments, beads & tissue paper. I think all I need to finish it off is some pine foliage to fill in around the figures and hide that cord. And I'll end this post with some detail shots.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BvhcgzNv0sU/UMAHus85z0I/AAAAAAAAAg0/QWIySLlWddw/s1600/Horsehead-&-Snowflake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BvhcgzNv0sU/UMAHus85z0I/AAAAAAAAAg0/QWIySLlWddw/s640/Horsehead-&-Snowflake.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IikaAtvI2jM/UMAHt4qbsSI/AAAAAAAAAgs/NJWWfaYktlI/s1600/Belle-Horse-Snowflakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IikaAtvI2jM/UMAHt4qbsSI/AAAAAAAAAgs/NJWWfaYktlI/s640/Belle-Horse-Snowflakes.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://theletteredcottage.net/christmas-mantel-decorating-ideas-link-party" title="The Lettered Cottage"><img alt="The Lettered Cottage" src="http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj29/LaylaPalmer/Linky%20Buttons/The_Lettered_Cottage.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
<br />Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-81114681922049577752012-12-01T09:00:00.000-05:002012-12-01T09:00:08.863-05:00House Hunting InternationalSomeone is house hunting...in a whole different land. No not us.<br />
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The Toons are out and the Princesses are moving in. Ariel and Belle are taking over Fantasyland. They have a whole section dedicated to my favorite princess, Belle from Beauty and the Beast.<br />
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I love Disney World and can't wait to go back. Especially now that they have been working on the all new Fantasyland. Fantasyland is mostly made up of the Enchanted Forest which includes Maurice's (Belle's Father) cottage, Gaston's Tavern and of course Beast's Castle. </div>
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<img alt="Enchanted Tales with Belle" height="288" src="http://wdw2.wdpromedia.com/media/wdw_nextgen/CoreCatalog/WaltDisneyWorld/en_US/Media/InternetMediaType/Attraction/EnchantedTalesWithBelle/enchanted-tales-with-belle2.jpg?t=2012-11-13T08:08:29" width="640" /></div>
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The first stop is Maurice's Cottage where you will find Enchanted Tales with Belle.</div>
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<b>Enchanted Tales with Belle</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Your journey begins in Maurice's workshop, where an enchanted mirror becomes your doorway to an unforgettable experience. After stepping through the mirror, you'll find that you've been transported to Beast's magnificent library, where Belle and Lumière invite you to become part of a lively retelling of the "tale as old as time." </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Disneyworl.disney.go..com</span></div>
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Belle and Beast decided to do a little house hunting to find some new digs.</div>
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In Beast's Castle you will find the Be Our Guest Restaurant. I can't wait to go.</div>
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<b>Be Our Guest Restaurant</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">The flavors of France are served with a smile and song at Be Our Guest Restaurant inside Beast's Castle. You can dine in 3 magically themed rooms that will take you straight into the story of Beauty and the Beast. Whether you chose quick dining service by day or table service by night, you'll have a delicious dining experience like none other. Just ask the dishes. - </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">FindingFantasyland..com</span><br />
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Looking for a quick bite to eat and some great atmosphere - Gaston's Tavern located in Belle's Village.<br />
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<img alt="Gaston's Tavern" height="288" src="http://wdw2.wdpromedia.com/media/wdw_nextgen/CoreCatalog/WaltDisneyWorld/en_US/Media/InternetMediaType/Dining/GastonsTavern/gastons-tavern2.jpg?t=2012-11-13T08:08:31" width="640" /></div>
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<b>Gaston's Tavern</b><br />
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Satisfy your sweet tooth in the manliest of manly places—Gaston's Tavern, a quick-service restaurant in Belle's Village New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom park! Discover a unique blend of machismo and magic as you enjoy a break from your day in a place inspired by the Walt Disney film Beauty and the Beast. - Disneyworl.disney.go..com</div>
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Next to Belle's Village is Under the Sea-Journey of The Little Mermaid found at Prince Eric's Castle.<br />
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<img alt="Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid" height="288" src="http://wdw1.wdpromedia.com/media/wdw_nextgen/CoreCatalog/WaltDisneyWorld/en_US/Media/InternetMediaType/Attraction/UnderTheSeaJourneyoftheLittleMermaid/journey-of-the-little-mermaid.jpg?t=2012-11-13T08:08:30" width="640" /></div>
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<b>Under the Sea - Journey of The Little Mermaid</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Enter Prince Eric's stunning castle, board a giant clam shell and get ready for a musical adventure! During your journey, you'll behold a world teeming with color and characters as you enjoy high-energy songs and incredible effects that take you inside scenes from the animated Disney film </span><em style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Little Mermaid</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">. - </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Disneyworl.disney.go..com</span><br />
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And next on the list for completion is the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Which won't be open until 2014.<strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><br />
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<b>Seven Dwarfs Mine Train</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">A swerving, swaying train of mine cars takes you on a wild ride through the diamond mine. As you travel along the twisting, turning track, you'll weave in and out of the mine and through the countryside—with animated figures, glittering gems and playful surprises at every turn. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Your journey ends at the Dwarfs' cottage for a musical celebration with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. - Disneyworl.disney.go..com</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">All photos not cited are from http://disneyworld.disney.go.com.</span>Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-67528656541880393012012-11-27T09:00:00.000-05:002012-11-27T09:00:08.211-05:00We Are The Champions!So I had planned on posting a bunch of photos from some window shopping trips to Target and possibly some other stores. But I haven't dug up all the photos. Instead I figured I would share some photos of my niece and her High School volleyball team. My niece, Jessica, is a senior at the same high school that my husband and I graduated from almost 10 years ago. This was her second year on the volleyball team. Last year she was on JV but this year she made Varsity!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vU-Fs02-ffI/ULQ5z7S2TgI/AAAAAAAAAcY/6050Q9TX94M/s1600/Jessica-Prep-Serve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vU-Fs02-ffI/ULQ5z7S2TgI/AAAAAAAAAcY/6050Q9TX94M/s640/Jessica-Prep-Serve.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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So I thought we would start out with a shot where you can actually see what miss Jessie looks like. Most of the others are action shots.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lAoiSiiA6YE/ULQ50tpRXFI/AAAAAAAAAco/ZOezfq69Trs/s1600/Jessica-Spike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lAoiSiiA6YE/ULQ50tpRXFI/AAAAAAAAAco/ZOezfq69Trs/s640/Jessica-Spike.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Every year they have a senior night (which not to honor the elderly) to honor the girls who are graduating this school year. Jessie and two other girls were the only seniors on the team.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D2Vb-MZatYw/ULQ511NGqXI/AAAAAAAAAc8/KSrywQo_0Z8/s1600/Varsity-Senior-Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D2Vb-MZatYw/ULQ511NGqXI/AAAAAAAAAc8/KSrywQo_0Z8/s640/Varsity-Senior-Day.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We went to almost all the home games and then as the team made it to ECC's and the State Championship games we did a bit of travelling. Jessie's birthday happened to fall on the same day as one of their games. So, my sister made about 90 mini Panda cupcakes. Aren't they cute? They were delicious.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZQY0tkX2iM/ULQ51XHGRJI/AAAAAAAAAc0/wvCVYP4zmHo/s1600/Panda-Cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZQY0tkX2iM/ULQ51XHGRJI/AAAAAAAAAc0/wvCVYP4zmHo/s640/Panda-Cupcakes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This was the first time LHS has ever made it to a semi-finals game for State's. Our girls won that and went on to the State Championship game. If you aren't familiar with the scoring for indoor volleyball. Each game is best of 5 sets. A team must score 25 points to win a set and must win by 2 points. If each team wins 2 sets then the 5th game only goes to 15 points. Now that you know that let me tell you that at the State Finals we(ranked 3rd) beat the 1st ranked team in the first 3 sets. It was crazy.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cm4yi1u-gYI/ULQ5y7zbjWI/AAAAAAAAAcI/0mcCYRqtlhk/s1600/Jessica-Got-Air.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cm4yi1u-gYI/ULQ5y7zbjWI/AAAAAAAAAcI/0mcCYRqtlhk/s640/Jessica-Got-Air.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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That girl can really get some air on those spikes. This was from the 3rd set but she also spiked a ball during the 2nd set for the winning point. She even got interviewed by one of the local papers after they won. Yes mister tie-dye shirt is a writer for the paper.<br />
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LHS had their first State title and Andrew and I were there to cheer the girls on. My sister wasn't able to make it because she had to work and my Mom and Dad were meeting Grandma, who was in-town on a bus trip. They would have gone to the game but it was on the other side of the state.<br />
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We were so excited to be there and see our girls win. Each girl received a metal and they gave a plaque to the coach and the MVP. Then of course we had to take the obligatory #1 team photo.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Congratulations LHS Girls Volleyball!!!</span></b></h2>
Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-37343488206657681982012-11-22T12:11:00.001-05:002012-12-07T16:47:42.271-05:00Happy Thanksgiving!I hope everyone had a very Happy Thanksgiving. We will be enjoying our Turkey with a few of my husband's Aunts and Uncles on his father's side this year. Enjoy your meals and remember everything you are thankful for today. And don't forget the stretchy pants.<br />
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I promise I have some posts coming. I have tons of photos from a few window shopping trips that I just need to load and size. Plus a bunch of photos of my niece. She is a senior in high school this year and was on the varsity volleyball team. This year they won the State Championship. It was the first time Ledyard has ever won the State Championship.Kalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812116631835954732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819714111085970515.post-44704577727912845282012-11-02T19:41:00.000-04:002012-11-02T19:43:31.824-04:00A Fall Mantle ... Without the MantleSo I've had this project done for a couple weeks now.I know I'm way behind with this post. Everyone else in the Blogosphere has done their Fall Mantle posts. But Whatever.<br />
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I wanted to decorate a little bit for Fall this year. However, I've never really had any Fall decor and I don't have a mantle to decorate. Luckily, this year my loving Hubby bought me some pumpkins that I had be crushing on at HomeGoods.<br />
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I blogged about them in this <a href="http://ourlifeindesign.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-lighthouse-and-pumpkins.html" target="_blank">post</a>. But of course that was a month before my birthday. So when we went back to HomeGoods to pick them up they only had the Oil Rubbed Bronze one. I was kind of sad at first because the white one was my favorite. But my Hubby is a quick thinker and remembered that HomeGoods, Marshalls and TJ Maxx are all owned under the same parent company and tend to carry similar items.<br />
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So we hopped over to Marshall's which was in the same shopping plaza. No dice. They didn't have it either. So we ran a few more errands and then swung over to TJ Maxx on the way home. If they didn't have it we had one more TJ Maxx that we could check out. But lucky us they only had 2 left. So we headed home with my two new ceramic pumpkins and then they sat in the dining room wrapped up for a few weeks.<br />
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I had originally planned on putting them out on our dining room table in our new house. But that plan fell apart when we ended up not buying said house. So on to plan B. We have a cabinet in our living room. Fondly referred to a the $3 cabinet. That is because we got it for $3 a the ReStore. I love you ReStore. It is one of those cabinets from like the 80's or 90's with the big glass door that people used to put their VCR and other components in. So it had all these cut-outs in the back panel for cords and junk. We pulled that off and had my father cut a piece of wood-grain laminate, that he had in his basement, to size. A bunch of finishing nails latter we had a much better looking piece of furniture. By no means is it beautiful but at lease you can't see right through it anymore. I decided that I'm going to make the top of this $3 cabinet my seasonal decor spot. I used it last year for my Christmas display. Here is the before:<br />
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Pretty plain. Just a couple wedding photos, a wax burner, a painted pony (I collect them) and my Husband's Grandfather's flag. I started by taking everything off except the flag and the photo on the wall. Then added in my pumpkin, a Fall themed pony, and an apothecary jar filled with leaves I gathered from our yard. Add a few more leaves to surround the items and a few pine cones and it was good to go.<br />
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Here is a little detail shot of the leaf jar and my Apple-oosa pony.<br />
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I thought it was great for my first try. I did try one alternative look. Instead of my white pumpkin I tried the ORB'ed one but I think it just looks too dark and almost like a black hole in the display.<br />
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So there it is all done, or so I thought. While Andrew and I were out this weekend we found a cute little addition. He adds a little more Halloween to the display.<br />
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Isn't he cute. He was only $3 at Target. Here is a little closer look.<br />
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Perfect now I can't wait to change things up for Christmas/Winter!
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