tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88013921256581345572024-02-02T07:54:11.903-08:00The HalabalouAimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-57250175572022007372013-03-13T22:00:00.000-07:002013-03-13T22:00:02.274-07:00Rustic Frame<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is a copy cat frame from Hallmark that I stole (shhh!) ...stole the idea, not the frame ;) Anyway, I hate, and I mean HATE tracking down old, used, banged up barn wood and therefore I am a huge HUGE fan of <a href="http://thefriendlyhome.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-oxidize-wood.html">this method</a> to antique wood (called oxidizing) using these two simple products. Black Tea and steel wool dissolved in vinegar (takes about 3 days, but like many things, you can store it and it just gets better with time). I won't go into details on the method, instead just refer to the link.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabJBvciEeIzY9p8W18QB1IFhl9UdyL3NsFOi9JiBDA8wympPrOr_FbUt-mhT4o4qTu03dmajl8UL6wR3_ng3uV84QqhUb3fDKYfG6HFQ23vQno2T9IviuwKG_E4mFcFxl9-Io-awegEk/s1600/CAM00297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabJBvciEeIzY9p8W18QB1IFhl9UdyL3NsFOi9JiBDA8wympPrOr_FbUt-mhT4o4qTu03dmajl8UL6wR3_ng3uV84QqhUb3fDKYfG6HFQ23vQno2T9IviuwKG_E4mFcFxl9-Io-awegEk/s320/CAM00297.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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But here are a few pictures of the process. On the right, it's brushed with tea (I actually put my tea in a spray bottle and sprayed the wood). The one on the left is with the steel wool/ vinegar solution painted on after the tea has dried. It's pretty dark as you can see but it gets lighter as you sand. Don't pay attention to the rosettes at the top, that's for another project.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Dg5BnjX2QOLOy_h-KE42-g8pfZrq5tjFnM4L0KnO-lHzHmJ4vYg3Xk7UDOoZEz4zw0-pEPD0klZwgHT6R7jrZNn6kxbUoxCP2lwBmePwWQrh6XhwtmX4M09_-2QE9sveo7jhzqatf8M/s1600/CAM00275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Dg5BnjX2QOLOy_h-KE42-g8pfZrq5tjFnM4L0KnO-lHzHmJ4vYg3Xk7UDOoZEz4zw0-pEPD0klZwgHT6R7jrZNn6kxbUoxCP2lwBmePwWQrh6XhwtmX4M09_-2QE9sveo7jhzqatf8M/s320/CAM00275.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Here is after a very light sanding. I used Cedar fencing planks because they are very light weight. They are pretty rough but I wasn't going for a smooth surface this time since it would only be for looks and no one would be touching it.<br />
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I used wood glue and screws to piece it all together. You don't have to stain the back but you will have to make sure to stain the sides.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcRfK16VGAjXXNMHwQoxhx6mB1d-D5dKhNLIOW8siw11JyCqSIdi7pYVcH6nvTCs8hMmcN-ccpnAesJoOfCzduVMu-aqtbJv9j2dkC9arMX_rWGMTgENX3ZBbi9pIugBM5ahIx7pL67Y/s1600/CAM00286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcRfK16VGAjXXNMHwQoxhx6mB1d-D5dKhNLIOW8siw11JyCqSIdi7pYVcH6nvTCs8hMmcN-ccpnAesJoOfCzduVMu-aqtbJv9j2dkC9arMX_rWGMTgENX3ZBbi9pIugBM5ahIx7pL67Y/s320/CAM00286.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
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Finished product.</div>
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<br />Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-13879344699164765192013-01-24T07:45:00.000-08:002013-01-24T07:45:45.654-08:00$6 Twine Lamp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EWZ8lhk6r2L5jcijKWTB-oDV1DjNCaJgiQlnsngKFlgW8SVozI-4Tb3iCwHW7ZCAVm3KTOfAkfI1SwHwmR5VeddRFbKHbtk4-rpSBUgMmWUJAOvUk5NMZlY10St6oGi6_PE09KIKrMw/s1600/IMG1293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EWZ8lhk6r2L5jcijKWTB-oDV1DjNCaJgiQlnsngKFlgW8SVozI-4Tb3iCwHW7ZCAVm3KTOfAkfI1SwHwmR5VeddRFbKHbtk4-rpSBUgMmWUJAOvUk5NMZlY10St6oGi6_PE09KIKrMw/s320/IMG1293.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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What you will need: 4-5 spools of your favorite color twine ($1.29 a piece). I used 4. A candle light or a suspended light. I found mine at the Thrift store for a buck a piece. I also found a bouncy ball there as well for 20 cents. You will also need a glue of your choice. Any glue that dries clear is fine. I used half modge podge and half Elmers mixed together (helps save on cost).</div>
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There are a lot of methods for getting the glue on the twine. #1 you can put some glue in your hand and run the twine through as you go. #2 you can unravel the twine into a bowl and pour the glue over it. Try not to mix it too much though otherwise it will knot. #3 The best method I found was to use option #1 for the first spool of twine just to make sure you get an even base layer. Then every spool after that I would simply wrap the twine on the ball and then pour a generous amount of glue on my hands and rub it all over the ball. Do this after each spool of twine. Messy, but it seemed to go faster this way.</div>
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Let it dry 2 days.</div>
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Cut a hole in the twine large enough to get your hand through. Poke a hole in the ball and pull it out. If you plan on doing more than one you could use a ball pump needle to deflate the ball instead.</div>
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Place the sphere over the candle light or suspend it with your suspension light.</div>
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<br />Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-63823144387767922952012-08-17T21:37:00.002-07:002012-08-17T21:45:39.652-07:00Carmel Apple Pies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I wanted to post this on Pintrest and I needed a place to put the instructions so....here ya go!</div>
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Start by picking out 6-7 small apples.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4gKuMYhFh9NCbGrWuzInyl4LJaos81lseR3LO8P5_5V365b-ULRJZBDL9gqeBZvzR575KJ4vP6mormpJZsqldI69tlfI4Xtca23tZoQ2gaIq5u15tWj2cRQjADAVImna750i7jIlNYE/s1600/DSC_0396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4gKuMYhFh9NCbGrWuzInyl4LJaos81lseR3LO8P5_5V365b-ULRJZBDL9gqeBZvzR575KJ4vP6mormpJZsqldI69tlfI4Xtca23tZoQ2gaIq5u15tWj2cRQjADAVImna750i7jIlNYE/s320/DSC_0396.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTBlUORLLt3FtK3dPKIW3LFCeI_5syrmEQLje9X2bEmT4kk-qg0bvKvS5vUj_eEnxThrpuewxLLdtafJD5zYpFE6rdA74uwNvPaDvhKHoOuXzsOy_zb5gZUve70Kr0dKVKYelREt_kag/s1600/DSC_0398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTBlUORLLt3FtK3dPKIW3LFCeI_5syrmEQLje9X2bEmT4kk-qg0bvKvS5vUj_eEnxThrpuewxLLdtafJD5zYpFE6rdA74uwNvPaDvhKHoOuXzsOy_zb5gZUve70Kr0dKVKYelREt_kag/s320/DSC_0398.JPG" width="320" /></a>The on on the right is a normal size apple so the one on the left is what I mean by small.</div>
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Slice.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndAb3jJWaHbsiXvNBKQdpDZlBuu1e3CrqlqirMHzdt6jjv3kpmNItbLiGmcR9kv8gFTDnEi24VFKq4YHUT7gESuAd0QueAl7XBmVc1CthXKIVNkmnEouSq82CUg8tEESccFLSpYcIwEc/s1600/DSC_0401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndAb3jJWaHbsiXvNBKQdpDZlBuu1e3CrqlqirMHzdt6jjv3kpmNItbLiGmcR9kv8gFTDnEi24VFKq4YHUT7gESuAd0QueAl7XBmVc1CthXKIVNkmnEouSq82CUg8tEESccFLSpYcIwEc/s320/DSC_0401.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD14fwQTdL7Sd_u6UApFJrQHDodVFsMolgXe0qdG2qmpRrnwP_LlfyDxm8aEObixue-mxmIVfTLuk7YyNCvVuq0F81EAIR2O2ci1HQgCpA1YLOt3VEs6fPKb_ncfvu1kANFKjbhFRnBkU/s1600/DSC_0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD14fwQTdL7Sd_u6UApFJrQHDodVFsMolgXe0qdG2qmpRrnwP_LlfyDxm8aEObixue-mxmIVfTLuk7YyNCvVuq0F81EAIR2O2ci1HQgCpA1YLOt3VEs6fPKb_ncfvu1kANFKjbhFRnBkU/s320/DSC_0407.JPG" width="320" /></a>Remove center and brush with lemon juice.</div>
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Sprinkle with Cinnamon Sugar.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZcl-cXesrIPpPbAaETw5nQ76FAVo9r8uRlAXhmfbSnBJ-kLTn53AhYGmZFfeK5aXRLCbYdX6zeVi8gkyyGD_RCP4lVVzB6Nyb7MYPrkqpIU5sltnJS1mR6aKfnoWu2ECnm-EIs1gHDc/s1600/DSC_0410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZcl-cXesrIPpPbAaETw5nQ76FAVo9r8uRlAXhmfbSnBJ-kLTn53AhYGmZFfeK5aXRLCbYdX6zeVi8gkyyGD_RCP4lVVzB6Nyb7MYPrkqpIU5sltnJS1mR6aKfnoWu2ECnm-EIs1gHDc/s320/DSC_0410.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRECNy0Z09F2HzybhDvCfB5VgfjVGsSPbhh4TOajEDNc62-45wbj_6kZgFMqPlGRjFW6bmcbdrjkF89F8BlO91MivA_60-PGTpZffJhyphenhyphenq4A7sei7x0eKFJvQg0yeYPH2uiA3hFqKKataA/s1600/DSC_0412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRECNy0Z09F2HzybhDvCfB5VgfjVGsSPbhh4TOajEDNc62-45wbj_6kZgFMqPlGRjFW6bmcbdrjkF89F8BlO91MivA_60-PGTpZffJhyphenhyphenq4A7sei7x0eKFJvQg0yeYPH2uiA3hFqKKataA/s320/DSC_0412.JPG" width="320" /></a>Put in as many caramels as you can fit.</div>
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Put face down on pie crust.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPXwvKuuoaxR13G6CY9GxPfH5BTDPRa2PIzE1xiaLM9oScuQ5GmMHVtiZS1v9J3e4NjTegkRYZsMPc8TpvYyQgYNOVlJZpKWsIhE3172sPiTHnRlsLn46HsmxJtrjoD0Vuhe5B4sqdsw/s1600/DSC_0414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPXwvKuuoaxR13G6CY9GxPfH5BTDPRa2PIzE1xiaLM9oScuQ5GmMHVtiZS1v9J3e4NjTegkRYZsMPc8TpvYyQgYNOVlJZpKWsIhE3172sPiTHnRlsLn46HsmxJtrjoD0Vuhe5B4sqdsw/s320/DSC_0414.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Place smooth side up, so the apple inside is right side up.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXd86U9I1rg02tRmgzdGmbl3RzTnOfXiFMTxC5S2-se7wOMVcPZ_9-vyx1EsO7tz2smoIwVEuO-GPDabPbAWHkkFe2pJEVFLffvn4zoR94sKIWOFmYYmLtYt-a1Cg9yjSbDqDIbOa8psw/s1600/DSC_0423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXd86U9I1rg02tRmgzdGmbl3RzTnOfXiFMTxC5S2-se7wOMVcPZ_9-vyx1EsO7tz2smoIwVEuO-GPDabPbAWHkkFe2pJEVFLffvn4zoR94sKIWOFmYYmLtYt-a1Cg9yjSbDqDIbOa8psw/s320/DSC_0423.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until golden brown.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9p3rNHyzkiNU7sQo6CzxzulhqPhyMboiZ9iTrAO7TTHqa-wGMKOR6x9b5INfzmWu8VMW5X2aPdoV25mkSyq1WnLjv1Hdp6J4F0NYsrjIRq6wXOSrI0gEZoWjO7hIpWJ_XuGcMjYt0H4/s1600/DSC_0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9p3rNHyzkiNU7sQo6CzxzulhqPhyMboiZ9iTrAO7TTHqa-wGMKOR6x9b5INfzmWu8VMW5X2aPdoV25mkSyq1WnLjv1Hdp6J4F0NYsrjIRq6wXOSrI0gEZoWjO7hIpWJ_XuGcMjYt0H4/s320/DSC_0429.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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If I did it over again, I would have served it on a pool of melted caramel as well. Yum Yum!Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-91899051120372525592011-10-27T21:34:00.001-07:002011-10-27T21:41:45.738-07:00My Girl<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5VjcnRxceHl1pJkkKqHLrNCLxWG7W2FxiqMivEI8rqpjYc6FhNphn0iFM94KvTACKQo0S7z58HS0eadD21KB5AxhMMvXeQaSUxnpeKYZhdZ-X9fD26VYrryf8de0_GFSwcmqBAMVM58/s1600/DSC_0004+45.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 368px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5VjcnRxceHl1pJkkKqHLrNCLxWG7W2FxiqMivEI8rqpjYc6FhNphn0iFM94KvTACKQo0S7z58HS0eadD21KB5AxhMMvXeQaSUxnpeKYZhdZ-X9fD26VYrryf8de0_GFSwcmqBAMVM58/s400/DSC_0004+45.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668398408661044210" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Today my baby girl is 1.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Here are a few </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">misconceptions</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> I had about having a girl before she came:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Girls aren’t as squirmy.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Girls don’t get as dirty.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Girls are quieter.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Girls aren’t capable of having mood swings till they’re 12.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Girls don’t bite.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Things that I was absolutely</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> right on</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> about:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">That I would love this little girl with all my heart. With a deep pinching kind of love that eventually consumes my whole heart with wrenching, sweet emotion. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Emily, you remind me what it’s like to be a little girl myself.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Back when hugging my Heart to Heart Bear was considered a favorite pastime, talking walks down a country road to visit my best friend Joloene was the most important thing on my to-do list, and imagination trumped all.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">These memories remind me to have patience with all my children, whose current priorities should be something of the same.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Carefree and untroubled.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As always, for me, music captures so perfectly how I feel about you and me.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And every night with a whisper I sing these words in your ear as I rock you to sleep. Happy Birthday my darling. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(currently playing on playlist)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">“I Never Saw Blue Like That Before” by Sawn Colvin.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Today I took a walk up the street <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And picked a flower and climbed the hill <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Above the lake <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And secret thoughts were said aloud <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We watched the faces in the clouds <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Until the clouds had blown away <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And were we ever somewhere else <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You know, it's hard to say <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And I never saw blue like that before <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Across the sky <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Around the world <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You've given me all you have and more <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And no one else has ever shown me how <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">To see the world the way I see it now <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Oh, I, I never saw blue like that <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I can't believe a month ago <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I was alone, I didn't know you <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I hadn't seen or heard you're name <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And even now, I'm so amazed <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It's like a dream, It's like a rainbow, it's like the rain <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And somethings are the way they are <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And words just can't explain <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Cause I never saw blue like that before <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Across the sky <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Around the world <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You've given me all you have and more <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And no one else has ever shown me how <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">To see the world the way I see it now <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Oh, I, I never saw blue like that before <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And it feels like now, <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And it feels always, <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And it feels like coming home <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I never saw blue like that before <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Across the sky <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Around the world <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You've given me all you have and more <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And no one else has ever shown me how <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">To see the world the way I see it now <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Oh, I, I never saw blue like that before <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Oh, I, I never saw blue like that</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-50365935763202716232011-10-19T09:54:00.000-07:002011-10-19T10:05:04.922-07:00Stupid Stupid Stupid!<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">*WARNEING: Spoiler alert for those hoping to read The Hunger Games. Although I would save myself the letdown and do something more constructive with your time...like watch paint dry.</span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRtuvYu-io6W5rTtfVEa5Oo9RcUezSUcUf9e-yegK8Uj2uUtP1Jy6Nrmi9XTHXUgywxGZ6yxprsPrl9MQbx1OQQWwgsoqFVLl1ky0LAAshBcrO4YeMSXt8mMUieq2Ut5jp2C0N6g6VlI/s1600/images.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRtuvYu-io6W5rTtfVEa5Oo9RcUezSUcUf9e-yegK8Uj2uUtP1Jy6Nrmi9XTHXUgywxGZ6yxprsPrl9MQbx1OQQWwgsoqFVLl1ky0LAAshBcrO4YeMSXt8mMUieq2Ut5jp2C0N6g6VlI/s400/images.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665249379134230242" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">That may seem like a juvenile title but as far as bad language goes, in my house I may as well have said a swear word.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And it’s directed at you </span></span><span style="color:#222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Suzanne Collins.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You and your stupid trilogy of mind-bending books, The Hunger Games.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Alright, lets not get ahead of ourselves, shall we?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And give credit where credit is due?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You rocked in the middle of the story!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I will be the first to admit that although it took me a while to warm up to your storyline of children being forced to kill each other in the beginning, by the middle, I was HOOKED!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Loved it.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Loved the dynamics of the games, personalities of all the characters, loved the whole love triangle thing you had going on with Peeta, Gale and Katniss. You described everything so perfectly!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But what I want to know is, what happened at the end? It was like the last hundred pages you all the sudden realized that you had a deadline to meet and hastened to tell us a mediocre and depressing end.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It was literally painful and disappointing to read.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Like seeing a gifted young scientist bring the overused model of the planets in orbit to the National Science Fair.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What happened??<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You spent all that time building us up for two main things…the capture of the capital and for Katniss to decide between Gale and Peeta.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Then you mention the overthrow of the Capital almost like an after thought, and made Katniss go insane (literally) and choose Peeta basically by default!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Not to meantion the fact that Gale, her best friend in the whole wide world, who always has her back, never comes back to see her?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But deserts her for some plush job with the government, whom he hates? I wanted her to choose Peeta, but not like that! Horrible horrible horrible!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I finished reading the final book while on the bike at the gym and was so upset on my drive back home that I had to make up an alternate ending and explain the complicated dynamics to my 11 month old daughter, who didn’t understand a word, but knows I’m brilliant.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Never mind I had to keep working the words “patty cake” in there so she would clap.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I never thought I’d say this after finishing this series but Suzanne Collins, you disappoint me.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I appreciate your struggle to be an innovative author and think outside the box to continually surprise your readers, but your ending does not match the personalities you’ve painted for your characters.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Not by a long shot.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Besides the fact that it’s depressing! How often do people actually end up with everything they’ve wanted in life?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We are continually thwarted by reality in our efforts for a happily ever after, the least you can do is give it to us in fiction!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Badly done Suzanne Collins.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I think you have great potential to be a wonderful author but this one was badly done. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#222222;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You have my full support and promise to purchase should you decide to rewrite the last book.</span></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-60974073432318978832011-10-08T10:41:00.001-07:002011-10-09T13:58:04.063-07:00Real Life On S.W.A.T.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggq-97wCP-fI61VrBUFfINPLC4jVzzaFv2mjfvbYftLuG624rh7TBbxDLTQQ1LpLQRieMGNo_54ytr-n7tR4QZ_TeM0FKV_4KMq4Q1MPwjzdY8bTaCh4hMHaTEmg0jpTl1RtfmR238Su4/s1600/4e912f528b98e.image.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggq-97wCP-fI61VrBUFfINPLC4jVzzaFv2mjfvbYftLuG624rh7TBbxDLTQQ1LpLQRieMGNo_54ytr-n7tR4QZ_TeM0FKV_4KMq4Q1MPwjzdY8bTaCh4hMHaTEmg0jpTl1RtfmR238Su4/s400/4e912f528b98e.image.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661599576598289842" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdYMqadmh8_kw1CUkuPBzHEdX_-26UN7475vKDShY4SSLxZEwE59wFVYHroEknkEUCvn27bYvnaHMJ5LBXYqJHlUIqP6OjHqZb78o52A44oYvpd_ALc8MnvpDadHqG-WvpUuPxkZHFVg/s1600/4e90795fa3301.image.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 297px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdYMqadmh8_kw1CUkuPBzHEdX_-26UN7475vKDShY4SSLxZEwE59wFVYHroEknkEUCvn27bYvnaHMJ5LBXYqJHlUIqP6OjHqZb78o52A44oYvpd_ALc8MnvpDadHqG-WvpUuPxkZHFVg/s400/4e90795fa3301.image.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661175112842510962" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtli2LsLEiJef2c3ac1ETdn3Z59D_QZTJFfo9Ygq0B1pKGwE3Xqf_dHR7AYzY7bzdSW19PB6CJ0o4E5LPCYZUUjPl2qTbjLLJwJixbVJlPeN2iGhAWdkbQNm70dfAT9GuMkalkIt-L4gM/s1600/4e9079487200e.preview-300.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtli2LsLEiJef2c3ac1ETdn3Z59D_QZTJFfo9Ygq0B1pKGwE3Xqf_dHR7AYzY7bzdSW19PB6CJ0o4E5LPCYZUUjPl2qTbjLLJwJixbVJlPeN2iGhAWdkbQNm70dfAT9GuMkalkIt-L4gM/s400/4e9079487200e.preview-300.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661175109662928866" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">When Matt came home from work one day and told me he wanted to join the S.W.A.T. team, my honest reaction was “Hot!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I thought it would be so cool to be married to someone so badass (course, he didn’t need the S.W.A.T.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>team for that).</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>After weeks of scenario training and long days at the shooting range, the rose still never lost it’s bloom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The idea just got more attractive if anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>…Then last night he didn’t come home after work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I waited up for a while and then finally went to bed thinking he was just working a long case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Finally at about 3:45am I got a text from my friend letting me know that her husband was called out for S.W.A.T. earlier that morning and that’s where my husband was too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was relieved to know that he was ok and then immediately fearful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I didn’t know the circumstances he was called out for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I didn’t know how it was going or when he would be home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Suddenly this S.W.A.T.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>thing wasn’t so cool anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>So, I’ve been up since 4 am, wide awake trying to keep my mind from going to the dark side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s 9:17am now and I’ve learned little about the case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Only that it was a hold up at a gas station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There was a hostage that has since been let go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Only one solitary man with a gun locked inside a building is what stands between me and snuggling with my honey on a cold rainy Saturday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>When I would get mad as a teenager I used to tell my mom “It’s my life!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My choices don’t effect anyone else but me!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So naïve. I sit with my three kids at home now wondering if this man realizes how many life’s he is effecting with these choices.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The suspense is almost more than I can take.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I can only presume that no news is good news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m trying to distract myself but thoughts of Matt are never far from my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The driveway doesn’t go more than 5 minutes without being checked for a glimpse of his truck.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>And we wait.</p><p class="MsoNormal">** Update: 11:31 am. Still no call. Matt has been up for 27 hours now and I worry about him staying awake and alert. I feel more confident as the hours pass though for some reason. Well, I know the reason. Heavenly Father is helping me feel his calming influence. I know that Matt is a careful methodical man who knows what he is doing and how to handle himself. I'm confident everything will turn out fine. ....At least for the good guys. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Follow the story at www.helenair.com</p><p class="MsoNormal">**Update: 12:24pm Finally! A call from Matt. It was the first he could get through. Everyone is ok and the stand-off is over. They had to go in and get the guy so I'm sure there will be a fun story posted by Matt on our family blog soon about how it was from his point of view.</p><p class="MsoNormal">See what I mean? Not so great. Maybe when he tells me the story of how it all went down and I forget how worried I was, I'll think S.W.A.T is cool again. ....I'm not holding my breath. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <!--EndFragment-->Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-15410158958694377172011-09-24T22:26:00.000-07:002011-09-25T22:19:51.085-07:00Let Conference Begin!!<div>No matter who you are or what religion you belong to, if you are a woman, Elder Uchtdorf's talk at the end of this broadcast is for you. It felt like a warm blanket draped over my heart to ease my everyday worries and concerns. </div><div><br /></div><object id="flashObj" width="486" height="412" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=1180453706001&linkBaseURL=http%3A%2F%2Flds.org%2Fgeneral-conference%2Fwatch%2F2011%2F10%3Flang%3Deng%26vid%3D1180453706001%26cid%3D7&playerID=66819209001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAD5C7cik~,NkEKrBzbuXL1RD1uYGY2x0Vcg3Yr-Utp&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true"><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com"><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashvars="videoId=1180453706001&linkBaseURL=http%3A%2F%2Flds.org%2Fgeneral-conference%2Fwatch%2F2011%2F10%3Flang%3Deng%26vid%3D1180453706001%26cid%3D7&playerID=66819209001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAD5C7cik~,NkEKrBzbuXL1RD1uYGY2x0Vcg3Yr-Utp&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="412" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" swliveconnect="true" allowscriptaccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object><br /><div><br /></div><div>If you like what you've heard, please tune in with the rest of us this saturday and sunday for a world wide General Conference at www.lds.org.</div>Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-50583137039427661212011-09-04T16:32:00.000-07:002011-09-04T16:54:05.366-07:00Neighborhood Baseball
<br />I know I haven't posted a lot lately. I THINK about it all the time but, I'm so busy! I will try and be better though. First and foremost, I left you last while training for Spokane to Sandpoint. It was a great success! We all met our personal times and I am so proud of our 12 man team for running 185 miles, continuous! To see pictures, go to my family bog: www.postums.blogspot.com. It's private but if you are a friend of the family and haven't received an invite yet, leave me your email in the comments and I can send you one.<div>
<br /><div>Anyway, I mainly just wanted to post about last night. We had a bunch of friends over to play an informal game of softball and it was so much fun! We all have about a zillion kids each, so when we get together it's bound to be epic.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>There really is nothing to compare to a good game of ball with your neighbors. I have fond memories of getting together on cool summer nights with all the Dehesa clan to play a game or two with wooden bats and sweatshirts for bases.</div></div><div>
<br /></div><div>As we took the short walk from the ball field back to the house for some root beer floats (which if I were truly sticking to tradition, I would have made the root beer from scratch) I remember walking arm in arm with my Matt, the kids running excitedly ahead, a cool breeze to blow our hair back carrying with it a hint of fall. I felt so happy and content. I will really miss this farm house and all it's country charm.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRa4VpxSfekWtlR3Np8T1dx6P-F1EqEB-Ht8GCiDxky2Vttehnn1AzPoiQ-rMZW-z6MHR43qyDoZNmFJeyin2dofqJpkRIDIHrCUB7y-alBxN6xcH8QHi24_Q07O3EIAoySkhQj5h8DYU/s1600/DSC_0599.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRa4VpxSfekWtlR3Np8T1dx6P-F1EqEB-Ht8GCiDxky2Vttehnn1AzPoiQ-rMZW-z6MHR43qyDoZNmFJeyin2dofqJpkRIDIHrCUB7y-alBxN6xcH8QHi24_Q07O3EIAoySkhQj5h8DYU/s400/DSC_0599.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648656183223209586" /></a>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNsH8I-zgfv-n1dyQEbHoL9Jk050bXVbG7Z59BFDVg40-KW6tTjRjr7_dwg2Pys8EcUAG2TV0Y7cWe56L3Y1pE4mIPiI4FlU025WpdbwGdJvvYxslV0DwniDphV1cftls8oONOqqi0ZE/s1600/DSC_0608.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNsH8I-zgfv-n1dyQEbHoL9Jk050bXVbG7Z59BFDVg40-KW6tTjRjr7_dwg2Pys8EcUAG2TV0Y7cWe56L3Y1pE4mIPiI4FlU025WpdbwGdJvvYxslV0DwniDphV1cftls8oONOqqi0ZE/s400/DSC_0608.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648656170950461058" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBu7hWfeBaoewhPlrgZ8l5Qke8E8P8ujR0PYlsXYpiF_HrtAEuHfan0DdQRTEh5zgXorKFQgniGY9oThAvPwI5Z1LCrze5M7krvJQZHO1-DU9JgnLYpPuU65rIvxuQts28Gp6FhhJj_Po/s1600/DSC_0610.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBu7hWfeBaoewhPlrgZ8l5Qke8E8P8ujR0PYlsXYpiF_HrtAEuHfan0DdQRTEh5zgXorKFQgniGY9oThAvPwI5Z1LCrze5M7krvJQZHO1-DU9JgnLYpPuU65rIvxuQts28Gp6FhhJj_Po/s400/DSC_0610.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648656168519651634" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sTmGOJnCRmfW7SZ3T-AtH3XFTsnc_1am9l6Qoaq2Tu-Bnsi9TnQdCzMMd_hiIpI102hIqE0jmmfa4RC84CLnzAJA0JEy9_RbsB92dhQNmT4BhjraMbA_j088TpnFxu3bjw69bjFroFY/s1600/DSC_0621.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sTmGOJnCRmfW7SZ3T-AtH3XFTsnc_1am9l6Qoaq2Tu-Bnsi9TnQdCzMMd_hiIpI102hIqE0jmmfa4RC84CLnzAJA0JEy9_RbsB92dhQNmT4BhjraMbA_j088TpnFxu3bjw69bjFroFY/s400/DSC_0621.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648656164948400370" /></a>
<br />Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-12837976689564748722011-06-30T22:45:00.001-07:002011-06-30T22:45:37.720-07:00Looking Back<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xgz9NkyCGfc/Tg1ctmJHKQI/AAAAAAAADMQ/XISCQ1sdFW8/s400/six-chix-comic-strip-30th.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624253448058251522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 247px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xgz9NkyCGfc/Tg1ctmJHKQI/AAAAAAAADMQ/XISCQ1sdFW8/s1600/six-chix-comic-strip-30th.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">The weather is getting hotter by the day here and for some unknown reason my box labeled “Amie’s Summer Clothes” has vanished into thin air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It probably fell off the truck somewhere between here and the old house where some bum picked it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I can just see it now as he holds up my hot pink tankini to his chest “Hey Frank!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You think this would look good on me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Anyway, wherever it is, it isn’t here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I did however come across my high school/ college bin and ended up spending much longer than I had expected sifting through its contents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Normally I close the lid the second I realize which box it is cause I know I’ll just get sucked in like the Bermuda Triangle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But my kids were in bed and my husband was off tinkering around with his motorcycle at his buddy’s so, I pulled up a 5 gallon bucket of food storage flour and had a nice walk down memory lane.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I was pleased to find as I flipped through old journals that I’d documented all the important things like the moment in time when I suddenly found out that the boy I’d loved since kindergarten was a horrific kisser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I remember it so clearly, home from college one summer, standing in the back of a dark movie theater while the credits rolled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>All my little girl fantasies of a country house with a white picket fence and 10 kids were abruptly and vigorously <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>drowned away by an unordinary amount of saliva that seemed to slosh from his mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was definitely a “don’t call me, I’ll….never call you, ever” kind of ending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">My 10 year high school reunion was this last summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I didn’t go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They’re all just pissing contests anyway and I think I had decided long ago that if I wasn’t being flown to the front doors of the school by private chopper in a sleek business suit and nervous minions fussing frantically about me then I wouldn’t go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Somehow pulling up in a minivan with 2 purses and a diaper bag slung over my shoulder, spit-up down one sleeve, just didn’t compare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Oh but I’d have the minions all right, making ME nervous, running around screaming profanities and uncouth truths.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Mommy that lady’s FAT!”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Oh Amie!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Your children are… adorable.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I feel bad about it all for a moment, and then I look back on all these pictures of my now husband and think, who cares what my unruly children are doing, look at my husband!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If high school reunions are about keeping up with the Joneses, then my Mr. Jones totally kicks your Mr. Jones butt!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The weirdest part is feeling like all these memories happened so long ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So much has happened since then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m definitely not the same person that I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have different dreams for myself, different perspectives for sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I read back in my journals of my current 16 year old travesties and wonder why I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>thought it was “soooo unfair that my mom wouldn’t let me go to that party!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It ALL seems so trivial to me now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Then I wonder, when I’m 50 and I’m reading back in my journals from today, will I think my worries are all so trivial now too?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Will I laugh when I read about $3.75 gas prices and stresses of having small children?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Of course I will!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Cause gas is gonna be like 6 bucks a gallon by then and my babies will all be having their own babies (maybe)!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It kind of all helps put it into perspective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So I want you to think about whats happening in your life right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Things that just seem SO hard and take up SO much of your time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What are they?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And how do you think you’ll see it 20 years from now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’d love it if you feel comfortable sharing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m curious to hear.</p> <!--EndFragment-->Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-19471282563717069642011-06-04T21:44:00.000-07:002011-06-04T22:13:17.218-07:00In Training<div style="text-align: center;">Operation Smile 5k, completed! Next....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.spokanetosandpoint.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">THIS</span></a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was invited to participate in this AWESOME race by some of my 3rd and 4th Ward girlfriends. I CANNOT wait! I'm taking any and all tips for endurance running and costume ideas since I will be competing in the costume portion of the race. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our team is comprised of all young moms so our team name is "Run Like A Mother." Not as cool as my idea of "Trophy Wives," but still funny. I kinda want a costume that has to do with our name, even though the two don't have to correlate. I thought it would be funny if I got a bunch of baby dolls and strapped them all over myself while running (quintessential mom) but that would be too heavy to run a 5k in. I need something light weight and fantastic! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Any ideas?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bWg3f1BDPJRe-I6YqF801JnPXKI8i7ovuR0nZBbitPEGqrhz1XCZ1PWn63NCY3VsJ-fY2nLM8WXfPpHZwOJOwQ7VncfJbtoSBB1j8WZ6kx8lfajN-3hIAZaxnRnOv8Bm8Xnh7G9pG8U/s1600/2409395447_61bc23bd39.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bWg3f1BDPJRe-I6YqF801JnPXKI8i7ovuR0nZBbitPEGqrhz1XCZ1PWn63NCY3VsJ-fY2nLM8WXfPpHZwOJOwQ7VncfJbtoSBB1j8WZ6kx8lfajN-3hIAZaxnRnOv8Bm8Xnh7G9pG8U/s400/2409395447_61bc23bd39.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614599286157014530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-79609182469297515512011-03-07T12:41:00.000-08:002011-03-07T12:56:31.629-08:00Utah 5k<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVr0kfHkmX97AGkZkqzHusN8hCx4GTHgb3YXPZBFX9aWLXbir__HJaOOpmbUNh0rvEZ8gIJDExLEWDNQ0mV7FcifytWkAcCl3p_T2TLfh5byx2sxrhThzbQt6e-3Lpit0QHOAXL19wL88/s1600/woman_running_forest.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 269px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVr0kfHkmX97AGkZkqzHusN8hCx4GTHgb3YXPZBFX9aWLXbir__HJaOOpmbUNh0rvEZ8gIJDExLEWDNQ0mV7FcifytWkAcCl3p_T2TLfh5byx2sxrhThzbQt6e-3Lpit0QHOAXL19wL88/s400/woman_running_forest.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581444650534565554" /></a><br />The fam and I are taking a trip down to Utah at the end of this month so I did a little research online and found a nice looking 5k run happening Saturday March 26th on a trail in Provo Canyon. Looks beautiful and fun! Nothing like running outside in the brisk cool spring air! <div><br /></div><div>If you live in the area and want to join registration is inexpensive ($15) and supports a good cause. The Operation Smile 5k helps fund a program to perform surgeries on children born with cleft lips. To learn more click <a href="http://operationsmile5k.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">HERE</span></a>.<div><br /></div><div>Emily and I hope to see you on the trail!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIk1pO9G5jf4qvOwZgqfUS5TkpI3poQiJW7p7fizlQ5cH1YCo71ou37tVh2tmx8xteuODV_2Dv0pNHSIFOhq4AKiHe9yBJeNR9KDYLqHYcUnUoiqoUI7BzsCPdbmW952YdTYQW5_brx8/s1600/funny_marathon_tshirt-p2350086549099099803g1w_400-1.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIk1pO9G5jf4qvOwZgqfUS5TkpI3poQiJW7p7fizlQ5cH1YCo71ou37tVh2tmx8xteuODV_2Dv0pNHSIFOhq4AKiHe9yBJeNR9KDYLqHYcUnUoiqoUI7BzsCPdbmW952YdTYQW5_brx8/s400/funny_marathon_tshirt-p2350086549099099803g1w_400-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581444653657140274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " /></a></div></div>Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-51524819685927134902011-03-05T22:01:00.000-08:002011-03-05T22:03:29.481-08:00You HAVE to see this!<div>This is what we do to entertain ourselves on a saturday night when dad is working. Sooo funny!</div><div><br /></div><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/20696244" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/20696244">best chip clip song</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user146662">azauss</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-5853284180958821042011-02-25T18:12:00.000-08:002011-02-25T19:00:49.701-08:00Credit Cards<div align="center">Every year we get a tax return, and every year the majority of it is spent on one thing...credit card debt. January resolutions always inspire us to start all over again. Re-write the budget and stick to it, gosh darn it! Every year we keep the credit cards with the excuse that we NEED them in case of emergencies. Yet, in the past 5 years that we've had them....they have NEVER been used for emergencies. Never. They always end up being used for "wants." Wants that we couldn't afford but just had to have. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Well... NO MORE! We are breaking our ties with you, you unnecessary evil! Goodbye credit cards. I'm sure I'll miss you when I've spent all my money for the month and walk past those adorable pumps in Ross. But I will console myself with the idea that future tax returns will be mine and not yours. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 313px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577815678661338722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh452jcHj9_msTkdQCx4gdlD48Jswe1Udn_ryLskhw0ezMeIZytlf9_LTTTWiK8miqeyH_purYCSeo0HuJtcx-AHWJ6wmXxKr7e65D9oZ90OWgzYGJwDGJD_3cPMoF3DS8psdOAh4tVMc8/s400/DSC_0114.JPG" />Had to post this pic with Emily in the background. She looks more upset than I do. Don't worry Emily, I'm taking drastic measures so you have money for college and a pretty white dress someday. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBJ28VdmxC_g4UPzE4hwwMJMscL3RDtMICl4LZWPAEDILhzCrfWiuho-rqaahQ6fnaGsePq3deVKpVxPOJD5UiPuMDGmUZ1aL-LBb0OK3c9sQAtZGbZsQV-PwS2litBgmWVvNjCioYCA/s1600/DSC_0116.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577815688479684738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBJ28VdmxC_g4UPzE4hwwMJMscL3RDtMICl4LZWPAEDILhzCrfWiuho-rqaahQ6fnaGsePq3deVKpVxPOJD5UiPuMDGmUZ1aL-LBb0OK3c9sQAtZGbZsQV-PwS2litBgmWVvNjCioYCA/s400/DSC_0116.JPG" /></a>Can't complain though really because there was enough leftover for me to buy something that I've wanted for years. Behold....the kitchenaid:</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">What are your plans for your tax return?<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577827044585800658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWQN0733FL9oQvGXt9KWhnrMGVn5HDrczki6hVy2PiTJD2qE8bnzsjskK5KfLFL46UTbZAHOB4EcJhbSnzQctxQkLL681ygyP5NA68IS2VyRuN63wb9uyg-oi93ukOSWJ30gy6D0Bltg/s400/sreenshot%255B1%255D.jpg" /></div>Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-70294169026900607342010-11-23T21:14:00.000-08:002010-11-23T12:53:02.418-08:00Boob-isms<div>Having children that are older this time around is pretty interesting when it comes to breast-feeding. Jake was too little when Sam was born to care. Now, they are all sorts of intruiged by this crazy concept.</div><div><br /></div><div>There's no such thing as privacy in my house so the whole blanket for modesty thing didn't last very long. They were always trying to sneak peeks like I was hiding Christmas presents under there or something. Course then after they found out EXACTLY how Emily ate, I was (and still am) peppered with questions on the subject. Like, "Why doesn't she just drink the milk out of the fridge like we do?" "She can go a whole year on just breast-milk? How? Doesn't she get hungry?" </div><div><br /></div><div>Sam just the other day during breakfast, voiced his concern that I didn't drink enough milk. Ya know, so that I would have enough in my body to feed the baby? This was before I explained to him that my body works like a cow converting food to milk. His face, after that bombshell of information sank in, was priceless. Like I was magic! Now when he comes to sit by me while feeding Emily he quietly muses to himself what she's eating. Roast and potatoes? Cereal? </div><div><br /></div>Also, tonight Jake out of the blue asked me if my breast milk comes in different flavors..... Chocolate? Strawberry? Like they see in the stores. <div><br /></div><div>I have one breast that is slightly larger than the other. When it's full of milk and the other one isn't, the size difference is pretty drastic. It's been affectionately nicknamed "The Big Gulp." </div><div><br /></div><div>This is all so new and weird for me having my kids ask such funny questions. I am the youngest of my family so I never watched my mom take care of another baby. It's hard for me to gauge how much is too much information to give siblings. I just hope they don't end up freaked out about boobs cause they know what they are used for when a baby comes. I guess a good rule of thumb in the end would be don't tell them anything I don't want anyone else to know. Cause if kids are good at one thing, it's hangn' all your dirty breast-milk stained laundry out to dry!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-31562587680936140942010-11-20T21:38:00.000-08:002010-11-20T21:39:37.762-08:00Gweneth Can SING!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: monospace, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; white-space: pre-wrap; "><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/psOCbDEvXjg?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/psOCbDEvXjg?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></span>Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-40337599614910265642010-11-16T17:23:00.000-08:002010-11-16T18:04:09.660-08:00First Letter To Emily<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9TPnTbEfQE2ics3o5Xdnzp5AASX9g2RdCog4AIPnG7m35kyjKEUoEcbl7dctQRdgg77ctYT1wBiloJRCx8CqJ7myPsyTG-A0oriEMzRYkh720LCPNyjVIvKzzT1R8S-KIOy_Ik9BALM/s1600/DSC_0073.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 382px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9TPnTbEfQE2ics3o5Xdnzp5AASX9g2RdCog4AIPnG7m35kyjKEUoEcbl7dctQRdgg77ctYT1wBiloJRCx8CqJ7myPsyTG-A0oriEMzRYkh720LCPNyjVIvKzzT1R8S-KIOy_Ik9BALM/s400/DSC_0073.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540331054705953282" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div>Emily,<div><br /></div><div>Tonight you sat with me in the kitchen in your swing while I made Alfredo for the boys. </div><div>You were not happy about the swing.</div><div>I put on some music and scooped you up.</div><div>The snow fell outside,</div><div>the noodles boiled over.</div><div>Snuggly wool socks on a hardwood floor,</div><div>I whispered in your ear how much I love you and we danced.</div><div>.....It was magical. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope we do this often as you grow older.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FxYekhleslKkKTTGnbc32pXw4fLIVk7ddP-ykG9r0eJpy0hZiGemJp9OTeLWOqnCvp7uzLyFjXwcyyWARYnQz18XkP0M27r0dBf7bc2WNtN1I3kVUYzgYaTpzReYa92KE8gsdFGCdbA/s400/images.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540323385220213058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 199px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>All my love,</div><div>Mom</div><div><br /></div><div>PS- The song was Will.i.am's "What I am"- courtesy of Aunt Jamie's blog.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FxYekhleslKkKTTGnbc32pXw4fLIVk7ddP-ykG9r0eJpy0hZiGemJp9OTeLWOqnCvp7uzLyFjXwcyyWARYnQz18XkP0M27r0dBf7bc2WNtN1I3kVUYzgYaTpzReYa92KE8gsdFGCdbA/s1600/images.jpeg" style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:monospace, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cyVzjoj96vs?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cyVzjoj96vs?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></span></div>Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-21039581754161042402010-09-29T15:06:00.001-07:002010-09-29T15:10:09.526-07:00ugh!30 more days. Thats all that stands between me and being able to see my toes again. Just 30 more days!!! I was so proud of myself just last week for really being cool with how pregnant I was and not wanting to rush things to get the baby out. But now....I'm just about ready to reach in there and grab her myself! I'm so ready to be DOOONNEE!<div><br /></div><div>Here are the top 10 things (not in order of importance) that I day dream about constantly:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Being able to hold her, of course.</div><div>2. Being able to walk without waddling.</div><div>3. Being under 150 lbs again.</div><div>4. Being able to run a mile! aaawww, how I long to just hop on a treadmill and RUN!</div><div>5. Waking up without back pain or leg cramps.</div><div>6. Being able to roughhouse with my boys again.</div><div>7. The first snowfall.</div><div>8. Having my family here for the baby blessing and the holidays.</div><div>9. SLEEP! Sleeping again for 8 consecutive, uninterrupted hours (although I know I've got a<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>looong time before that one comes).</div><div>10. Dressing my baby up in all her new cute outfits and doing her hair. ...I wonder if she'll <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span>have hair.</div>Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-23278115814192975182010-08-29T21:38:00.003-07:002010-08-29T21:43:09.534-07:00Saltwater Taffy<p class="MsoNormal">Today was just one of those days.<span> </span>One of those days where I woke up grumpy from lack of consistent sleep.<span> </span>One of those days where I just felt uncomfortable in my pregnant skin.<span> </span>One of those days where friends came over and my kids acted TOTALLY insane thus encouraging everyone to use condoms or practice strict abstinence.<span> </span>Just one of those days.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>Of course when these days come, which they do to all, it seems inevitably to infect everyone around you, which only makes the situation worse.<span> </span>So, by 5pm not only was I having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day….so was the rest of my family.<span> </span>My house was a mess, my kids were unruly, and my husband was grumpy because I was grumpy.<span> </span>I decided to go for a walk.<span> </span>It was raining and cold but I knew I just had to get out and get some space to gain some perspective on the situation.</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>I walked up the sidewalk and around the block which lead me to the front door of an elderly woman in my church who has an extreme case of scoliosis.<span> </span>I often stop in to see her when I have things to drop off or apples to pick form her abundant trees but today, I had nothing so, I walked on.<span></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Something inside me though told me to turn back.<span> </span>I’ve ignored these kinds of promptings before and it never ends well when I do that.<span> </span>Course when I get these feelings I immediately jump to negative conclusions like “what if I’m being prompted to go in there because she’s fallen and she can’t get up?” or “what if she’s feeling blue today and really needs someone to talk to?“ or “what if she’s being held hostage?!”<span> </span>…I have an active imagination.<span> </span>Maybe that’s good cause it made me go back and give a little knock at the front door.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>Her great granddaughter answered and I immediately saw that all of my ideas where wrong, of course.<span> </span>But I came in anyway admitting blatantly that I had no good reason for being there.<span> </span>She kindly put her television show I’d interrupted on pause and about 2 minutes into our easy conversation I realized that I was prompted to stop there not for her but, for me.<span> </span>Her house was warm and cozy with a fire crackling peacefully.<span> </span>Her smile was soft and sincere.<span> </span>And she fed me saltwater taffy while we just enjoyed each others company.</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>By the time I left 10 minutes later I was a totally different person.<span> </span>I thought as I walked home through the rain how grateful I was for the atmosphere Sis Posey kept about her and in her home.<span> </span>I thought with renewed energy about how my house was crazy right now but that it would eventually become more silent than I want it and sooner than I want it to.<span></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I went home and took the boys and the dogs for another walk in the rain with me.<span> </span>Then we had a snack and read a story out of the Friend magazine.<span> </span>We talked for several minutes about prayer and they actually sat and listened to me!<span> </span>I brushed their teeth, sang them a song and put them to bed.<span> </span>And now, my house is silent.<span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>I’m feeling keenly aware that the evening could have ended a lot differently.<span> </span>Thank goodness for a little rain, a warm fire, a kind smile and saltwater taffy.</o:p></p>Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-6142896828365554452010-08-07T15:59:00.000-07:002010-08-07T18:50:28.687-07:00Bragging Rights<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div>My hubs is always teasing me about what a penny pincher I am. It can be bad sometimes, I'll admit. I'm like the lady you see bargaining down the poor Tijuana kids selling Chicklets Gum. ....alright, so you've never seen that unless you've been shopping in Mexico with me. <div><br /></div><div>I actually remember on a summer trip once to Mexico, with some collage friends, bargaining with a dirty middle-aged man about a swimsuit. I distinctly remember, after haggling for a good 20 minutes, saying "Common! You're cutting off my right arm here!" He looked at me with the most disgusted, insulted face like I'd mocked his one armed crippled child. I felt bad and immediately left the shop. That may have been taking it a little too far considering we were only discussing a difference of $10 or so. <div><br /></div><div>I can't help it though! Garage sales especially. Once you've found your very first awesome garage sale deal, it's addicting. You never want to pay full price for anything ever again. Besides, certain baby equipment is essential and EXPENSIVE! .....Maybe this is why my friends want to throw a shower for me, cause they are afraid my baby will end up sleeping on used, soiled garage sale sheets. :) I normally only go for equipment though ...and from wholesome looking non-crackheads. <div><br /></div><div>You should see some of the great things I've scored so far this season! It's turning out to be the ONLY good thing I've noticed about being pregnant in the summer. </div><div><br /></div><div>Take for instance these 4 items:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKslsw5-Pfwqyi7PtL0qgo3ToAmLT4wscalFHVbpgYIHpim3jXI1PjZDAPUSX9nX8OfNmHatPZSQU976c_osyefvBG9ShpNkWbwVP2-zHOdRmN7bV5FuGFdi-yQTgr8ufetMn1BLu2zok/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKslsw5-Pfwqyi7PtL0qgo3ToAmLT4wscalFHVbpgYIHpim3jXI1PjZDAPUSX9nX8OfNmHatPZSQU976c_osyefvBG9ShpNkWbwVP2-zHOdRmN7bV5FuGFdi-yQTgr8ufetMn1BLu2zok/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502807086382988082" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Simple Wooden Snap Assemble Crib</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bought New: $115</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">I paid: $10</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Comforter and bumper homemade which also saved a few extra $$....and don't worry, sheets bought new from Target.)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SQefo4-XLrCpKisg6RAlqlnavjFJ4tnMTO2gXoAEDeTbcr5p25_MomTjsoXa_oetYhoumf0QjqgMCEoXzvonmprJgAO-5LZTAMr6KmHZ34Ldij2_6mlIiQaum-9Qi5mrKse_ErAvOYo/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 335px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SQefo4-XLrCpKisg6RAlqlnavjFJ4tnMTO2gXoAEDeTbcr5p25_MomTjsoXa_oetYhoumf0QjqgMCEoXzvonmprJgAO-5LZTAMr6KmHZ34Ldij2_6mlIiQaum-9Qi5mrKse_ErAvOYo/s400/DSC_0007.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502807077362476306" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Pink Baby Bouncer with Vibrating Seat </div><div style="text-align: center;">Bought New: $19.99</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">I paid: $7</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKXKNAtyQiE2G9_QsgG3cCt2ED2jZ00nrLqh1CkXLdaGAmgvtztEznT2T4qSfv0mRTAElSf36mHvfSbSrdXRlrs0BRnT4hee1MtvSJJConPYmhPU8nLbswW4kbVyuDsh8HpsosUDfOP0/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 378px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKXKNAtyQiE2G9_QsgG3cCt2ED2jZ00nrLqh1CkXLdaGAmgvtztEznT2T4qSfv0mRTAElSf36mHvfSbSrdXRlrs0BRnT4hee1MtvSJJConPYmhPU8nLbswW4kbVyuDsh8HpsosUDfOP0/s400/DSC_0001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502807068149500242" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Fisher Price Take Along Swing</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bought New: $70</div><div><div style="text-align: center;">I Paid: $10</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFrXqNtGtJ-BPbk8HSyqnYyYHwGnXI7sRl3t6-g3c8w6Siqk0D8BfKdYnayZX2VlMJYCCbr1AN7S_sl7GdS3_-gBsh8HhZSpRaMmCskgHsy-z3Yl3TEQ1L4AMPMgQddm86PnZL8K0Y04/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFrXqNtGtJ-BPbk8HSyqnYyYHwGnXI7sRl3t6-g3c8w6Siqk0D8BfKdYnayZX2VlMJYCCbr1AN7S_sl7GdS3_-gBsh8HhZSpRaMmCskgHsy-z3Yl3TEQ1L4AMPMgQddm86PnZL8K0Y04/s400/DSC_0006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502807101003796002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 348px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Graco Infant Car Seat</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bought New: $89.99</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">I Paid: $1 ...ONE DOLLAR!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">That car seat was definitely one of the best deals I've found. Granted it's the wrong color but it had zero stains and came with a base. If it really ends up bothering me that it's blue I'll just get a new cover. The lady just didn't want to put it back in storage and I was happy to help her out. :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">New is definitely best but when you're a growing family on a budget, used is sometimes your only option. If you start early though and bide your time you can find almost as good as new items. I love hearing about steals that other people have gotten so why don't you share one of you best!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-21658937040174563072010-08-03T21:36:00.000-07:002010-08-03T21:50:39.612-07:00Infuriated<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Tonight I'm sitting on my couch watching the tube. Nothing good is on so I do what everyone does…keep watching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I flip to America’s Got Talent where there seemed to be an abnormal influx of old people on the show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I mean like 75 yrs and up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Genuine time-fighters that all the sudden saw Susan Boyle, went to their closet, dusted off the old belly-dancing outfit and decided it was time to follow their life long dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You think I’m kidding but believe me people…there are just some things that can’t be unseen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It really wasn’t too bad at first, until a woman by the name of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Mary Ellen came on the stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Let me just start off by saying that there could be a 10 year old boy hiding under all that make-up and hair and we would not be the wiser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Ascetics and personal hygiene aside though, her actual “talent”….. I don’t want to be mean here but …I’d rather dig my own eardrums out with a spoon than EVER listen to her again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You think I’m being harsh but just you wait….. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Courier;mso-bidi-font-family:Courier;"><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q2T2lSsXHDI&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q2T2lSsXHDI&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> I’m just literally dumfounded as to exactly when during that ….thing……that those idiotic judges sat back and said “yeah, ya know, I think this woman should represent the kind of talent that America has.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Makes me actually NOT proud to be an American.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Not really because the judges cut her waaaaay too much slack but because Americans actually voted for her to stay!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She made it to the third round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>THE THIRD ROUND!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> And who knows how much longer if America, and her pacemaker, allows it! </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I shut off the TV in a huff and came straight to my computer to rally the troops!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This madness must stop!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m staging a march on their set in Hollywood tonight where we will put a stop to this misrepresentation of our nation!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> …This is the part where I remember I can’t go cause I’m broke…and super prego. In fact I’m probably only feeling so enraged about this because of some crazy pregnancy hormone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Blame it on the belly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">But really, for all our sakes America, before we go digging for that long lost twirling baton or old pair of tap shoes, lets just take a moment to realize that maybe some dreams aren’t meant to come true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>….aaaaand should be buried deep underground, close to the earth’s core, never to be discovered...ever.</p> <!--EndFragment-->Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-73333897331600864872010-08-01T21:28:00.000-07:002010-08-01T22:01:13.355-07:00Forgiveness: My Burden Was Made LightYou know I always love to post the latest and greatest from LDS.org. Lately when I do though only half the video is visible, so click this link instead: <div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/mormonmessages?v=E7zwQ_7q-fU"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Forgiveness: My Burden Was Made Light</span></a></div>Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-65216814638453909612010-07-27T20:08:00.000-07:002010-07-28T12:30:18.370-07:00Never Again<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Matt and I spent the past week and a good chunk of change on a trip to California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I distinctly remember thinking to myself as I bought the tickets a few weeks prior “oh, I am so spoiled!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Getting to go to Vegas and Disneyland and the beaches of San Diego!” But oh boy, did I get that backwards!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By the time I got back I was ready to kiss the cow dunged Montana ground!</div> <p class="MsoNormal">We started out by landing in Vegas where it was 115 degrees. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It felt <b>exactly</b> like walking into an oven. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Now, imagine that….and then imagine that almost 7 months pregers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sooooo ....not.... enjoyable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Every second spent in between air-conditioned buildings was absolute HELL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Literally!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If I had to imagine what temperature hell would be, it would be 115 Vegas heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I don’t know how people work/live there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I guess most of the people might as well get used to it since that whole place is gonna burn come Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Anyway, once we got in the rental car and got outta there the trip got better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We spent the night in LA gearing up for a full day of Disneyland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Oh and now would be a good time to mention that, as you know, we’ve been endeavoring to sell our house to get into a better neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>HA!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Driving down the NICE part of LA made my place look like suburbia heaven!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Bars on all the windows, children running amuck taking candy from gagsters parked on porches getting high and yelling in Spanish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Matt kept on almost losing it driving around down there and I had to keep reminding him to stop eye-balling the black people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I try not to be racist but I was literally afraid of getting shot for no good reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">At one point I told Matt I had to pee and he pulled into a liquor store parking lot that had bars encasing the whole store except the entrance where there was a nice group of thugs hanging out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I looked over and him with a face that said “really?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In his defense, he realized it wasn’t a good idea about the same time I opened my mouth to question his sanity.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Moving on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ll skip over Disneyland saying only that it really wasn’t as magical as I remember…or as big.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was hot, long and CROWED.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think the kids had a great time which is what we were aiming for but I’ve never had to see my husband exercise so much self control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He HATES crowds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Great thing we decided to go during peak season when everyone and their Mexican mama would be there!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I will say that things really did get a lot better once we got to San Diego. I really enjoyed being able to spend so much time with family that I hadn’t seen in so long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It honestly made the whole trip worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The only thing I love more than hanging with the Zauss/Madsen side is watching my husband and kids enjoying their company just as much as I do. We also 100% loved the beaches. Especially the tide pools over at La Jolla. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Unfortunately we had to leave things on a sour note by spending our last night in Vegas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Bla.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Back to Hades in the ghetto Excalibur hotel that we thought would be fun but ended up smelling like cigarettes wherever you went and whose pool closes at 7pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What kind of hotel closes it’s pool at 7pm???? We ended up drowning our sorrows eating waaaaay too much at the Caesar’s Palace Buffet, the most delicious and most expensive buffet I’ve EVER had. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Every glutinous bite was worth it though.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sooooo, other than those little tid bits and the fact that the water from the tap everywhere we went tasted like it’d been poured though Juan’s dirty field-worked sock first, that was our trip in a nutshell!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I came back more grateful than I’d ever been to live next to the hud in Helena, Mt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At least when I drive down the road I have 100 times more likelihood of seeing this:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmlP0V7waNuYiFZ8YZ9L843Uc-74N56BPPXKpe_vFCmH6YFPLsKtRY9s6yDGOoZZLXBiZXkK6ZRQV_mQ5uRwKgKQpoIUUfaSzbP5WlM4eVsde11ITXrceL3EU9NX35u3GSPITc4NqMmk/s1600/CAMPING+078.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOmlP0V7waNuYiFZ8YZ9L843Uc-74N56BPPXKpe_vFCmH6YFPLsKtRY9s6yDGOoZZLXBiZXkK6ZRQV_mQ5uRwKgKQpoIUUfaSzbP5WlM4eVsde11ITXrceL3EU9NX35u3GSPITc4NqMmk/s400/CAMPING+078.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498789016312239106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Instead of this:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1qMfJm_p5dfczCw3USJj-IqbZ3yPEizAutFcSTQrUV6Lu2gtgO3oIsy_VZG9sKCIx7II00byq7Z6vU0sRqs23YzY1Jn87jIrEamU82PHEoTD_kThIGWK4WmNzP26DYOHtC_Or3fM71E/s1600/tootoed-mexican-1.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1qMfJm_p5dfczCw3USJj-IqbZ3yPEizAutFcSTQrUV6Lu2gtgO3oIsy_VZG9sKCIx7II00byq7Z6vU0sRqs23YzY1Jn87jIrEamU82PHEoTD_kThIGWK4WmNzP26DYOHtC_Or3fM71E/s400/tootoed-mexican-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498789007159950082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 222px; " /></a>Course, you know that 10 years down the road, I'm going to forget all this and take the exact same trip NOT pregnant and completely enjoy myself. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">ps- I know I just cracked a whole bunch on Mexicans just now but I must add that I had the best rolled tacos while I was down there. I'd almost drive through LA again to get more....almost. </p> <!--EndFragment-->Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-40564213439725382362010-07-02T09:19:00.000-07:002010-07-02T09:28:30.365-07:00What a Great Reminder<div>After finally consenting that the idea of traveling all the way from montana to california by car was not a good one while 7 months pregnant, I was so sad last night. Sad that I would miss out on the family reunion, sad to miss the beach, sad that my kids would not experience Disneyland ("yet" I said). But I must say that not for one minute did I feel resentful for the reason why. I love this little girl and these other things can wait. I'd rather secure her health and safety first. Disneyland will still be there tomorrow. </div><div><br /></div><div>I felt even better this morning as I thought about this and saw this new Mormon Message about mothers. Totally cried.<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WbYLKVgwztY&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WbYLKVgwztY&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></div>Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-74495609894338767362010-06-24T17:39:00.000-07:002010-06-24T18:15:55.556-07:00Good Crack<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Summer is in full swing, finally, and it only took us one full day in the 80s (after complaining for 3 weeks about the rain) for us to start complaining that it is sooooo hot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have never been pregnant in the summertime and let me tell you, Matt’s not coming anywhere near me with massage oils and Barry White between the months of November to June ever again!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Just kidding, he’s not that cheesy…no massage oils.</div> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>We decided recently to put our house on the market, which only adds to my insanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Matt promised it wouldn’t be that bad (as I look at him with that “you don’t know what your talking about” face).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But, I agreed to it after a good round of Garth Brooks who sings incessantly of not taking the easy road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>….That and statutory rape (“That Summer”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Anyway, our awesome realtor also is super flexible and promised to let us out of the whole shebang the moment I start to feel like I can’t take it, or the baby is too close to coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>Speaking of baby, my poor little feet aren’t used to carrying around so much weight in this blistering heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My toes look like little sausages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It hasn’t spread to my ankles yet, thankfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Every night after dinner though I’m just done done done with the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I turn on the sprinkler for the kids in the backyard and watch them from my bedroom window with the fan on, feet propped up, and ice on top and bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Bliss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>It all makes for a very short-tempered mama though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Today I had to literally bite my tongue to keep from telling some fat stranger lady not to lean over my fence to pet my dogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It really bothers me when people I don’t know try and get friendly with my security system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Course, it doesn’t help that my dogs go from rabid barking to tail wagging poodles in a slit second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Traitors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My tongue still hurts.</o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>There are highlights though like popsicles, cold showers and this picture I snapped of Jake getting out of the back of the bike buggy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> N</span>othing like a little bit of good crack to make you smile. </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP87vt7SLDuaGxiwBFWISECQEQiWGf5ukDkOONAVES_LlJJHESFV0vaIGBVSCN2OG39fZE0WkEwPxwShlYVllBbxtmTQ26zbEOc00f61z17-s_XrCu3iiZ2eJOMSBKvCy6SjYFBWIequQ/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP87vt7SLDuaGxiwBFWISECQEQiWGf5ukDkOONAVES_LlJJHESFV0vaIGBVSCN2OG39fZE0WkEwPxwShlYVllBbxtmTQ26zbEOc00f61z17-s_XrCu3iiZ2eJOMSBKvCy6SjYFBWIequQ/s400/DSC_0003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486504852393118386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a>(Lets not even begin to discuss how the "grass is greener on the other side" phrase rings painfully true in this particular shot. Two dogs make it impossible to have anything nice.)</p><p class="MsoNormal">Only moments before, both boys where squeezed into that tiny space of which I’ve only been able to fit about 3 gallons of milk.<span> Sammy looks like he's been hot boxn' the back of that buggy.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildT1UR0knyZeOvnxkEzsv2dBTl9ZrSm8bf-HqY-6H3fCc07CZU7BZqCxtc9m3EtO074WA2oX-feRa3oTfL_rEnP6Givd_rEwmICeQhHSIRQIWA3_dQGDy8SqJTKIt6Kg9gTnAkOuvzSk/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildT1UR0knyZeOvnxkEzsv2dBTl9ZrSm8bf-HqY-6H3fCc07CZU7BZqCxtc9m3EtO074WA2oX-feRa3oTfL_rEnP6Givd_rEwmICeQhHSIRQIWA3_dQGDy8SqJTKIt6Kg9gTnAkOuvzSk/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486513084967112194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <!--EndFragment-->Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8801392125658134557.post-2702695330607675262010-06-10T16:04:00.000-07:002010-06-10T16:31:19.948-07:00Make Yogurt in a Crockpot!Not kidding people! I got this idea from my friend<a href="http://simplydeliciouscooking.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"> Adele's website</span></a>. Thanks Adele, your cooking site continutes to inspire! However, when I went to find the link again, I couldn't but <a href="http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/10/you-can-make-yogurt-in-your-crockpot.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">HERE</span></a> is one similar, so click on that for the actual instructions. It's a great idea and it tastes oh so good!<div><br /></div><div>Here are some of the pics from my own process to prove that it actually worked! </div><div><br /></div><div>You can actually eat it the way it come out of the crockpot but it's a bit soupy. Not bad, just a little. But I like my yogurt really thick (like the thick style yoplait) so I used Adelle's suggestion of disposable coffee strainers. They only had small ones available so I had to do about 8 of these cups simultaneously. I used simple paperclips to keep it suspended. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkZSnwWx-netv2L0Yv3i16L0O3Rgoy_YM16JwniN2I280-_ECq_wGR8xX93i5MNfTg4t7APTglaUkQEh-SvJHuaaIBAQ1x7TFQRVsiDMIpBpvtqXoLw3AN36eubtIGEyQvup56P1x7FQ/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 324px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkZSnwWx-netv2L0Yv3i16L0O3Rgoy_YM16JwniN2I280-_ECq_wGR8xX93i5MNfTg4t7APTglaUkQEh-SvJHuaaIBAQ1x7TFQRVsiDMIpBpvtqXoLw3AN36eubtIGEyQvup56P1x7FQ/s400/DSC_0006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481286766314348226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQR9GF7PGw4l9MleTQtXxglsqSC0C4KiAQFdD2oSa2itBTnAM6xxpi6lqWUAr-ZeQET0su7yQqKwgz9QHGyu8HUqu_sj_VmjnV6rtUkXPVOh-ENB09C79VQzsaKg5to5l2CISQwMm3T0/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 384px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQR9GF7PGw4l9MleTQtXxglsqSC0C4KiAQFdD2oSa2itBTnAM6xxpi6lqWUAr-ZeQET0su7yQqKwgz9QHGyu8HUqu_sj_VmjnV6rtUkXPVOh-ENB09C79VQzsaKg5to5l2CISQwMm3T0/s400/DSC_0005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481286757398029570" /></a>About 5 hours later....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0w9IqL2dASp2_YzyovqX0jVbrthySjs18peIkt0ltmEBBhdCVc3HWrYnapTEuZRXR2SuKOrijLK2klhyphenhyphen1tOVy0rGMuOYE9ZHEO1QmNWkLQyhMIwsTvDpKQjZFL4dkzkjv1Xr8qJCLlU8/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0w9IqL2dASp2_YzyovqX0jVbrthySjs18peIkt0ltmEBBhdCVc3HWrYnapTEuZRXR2SuKOrijLK2klhyphenhyphen1tOVy0rGMuOYE9ZHEO1QmNWkLQyhMIwsTvDpKQjZFL4dkzkjv1Xr8qJCLlU8/s400/DSC_0001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481286749670393330" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRBrAZ8F579dj7gXkDQmIbgMk0H0jLcQ1_6N_xNFdigZ62smFlbE7TCXHV750TU_-2bBTxDHy3H2xE3XbTXTB2GsnuxgUkX01HullrLRXB9S0MIaX-vx1vfnn5oteMsf0x5_2vh00zzg/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRBrAZ8F579dj7gXkDQmIbgMk0H0jLcQ1_6N_xNFdigZ62smFlbE7TCXHV750TU_-2bBTxDHy3H2xE3XbTXTB2GsnuxgUkX01HullrLRXB9S0MIaX-vx1vfnn5oteMsf0x5_2vh00zzg/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481286738552426306" /></a>Because I like it so thick, the cost in comparison to store bought was about the same: about 36 ounces for $3. Except for the fact that the homemade kind was smoother and creamier. Better quality all around. But if you like it a little thinner then you could really save some money. <div><br /></div><div>This morning I enjoyed it with fresh strawberries, bananas and a little bit of maple syrup (which gives it that great maple flavor of brown sugar without the graininess). I was totally amazed. The average person can make yogurt!<br /><br /></div>Aimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03904068549698424997noreply@blogger.com1