tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48615094000307705502024-03-04T20:40:33.009-08:00Love in the BurbsBloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-60932629928679388952015-03-05T16:32:00.002-08:002015-03-05T16:32:24.027-08:00P-M-S...OH MY GOD!Signs I'm PMSing?<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>I'm craving KFC</li>
<li>The sound of Matt chewing makes me want to throw a book at him (love ya babe)</li>
<li>My desire to put on makeup is at an all time low</li>
<li>I'm nesting...cooking wise not cleaning (pish). Like tonight I'm making homemade Italian meatloaf & homemade mac & cheese. </li>
<li>And lastly my sad stretched out yoga pants are especially tight. This one is the most depressing sign. </li>
</ol>
<div>
Tomorrow I am starting the Fit Girl's 28 Day Jumpstart. It's a fun meal plan & exercise regime with proven results. I'm excited...but also scared that my typical lack of discipline will stand in my way. I'm seriously hoping the next 28 days will fly by. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">P.S.- If anyone out there gets the 'Roseanne' reference I made in the title...then you & I should be besties. </span></div>
Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-89050243071891420372015-02-14T08:20:00.002-08:002015-02-14T08:22:38.811-08:00Why Valentine's Day Matters to UsMost of my life, I have hated V-Day. I was single all of my life up until I met my hubs...never had a boy friend, not even an inkling of one. So I usually spent this fateful chocolatey day watching romantic movies with my dear friends Ben & Jerry. Then I started dating Matt and our first few Valentine's Day together were a little rocky. Mostly because I was PMSing and was a raging biz-natch and sent myself into adult tantrums (they're a thing...trust me) over the tiniest thing. So the actual day was usually a train wreck. But when we were dating, it was easy to have every day be Valentine's Day. We went to the same school and spent almost all of our free time together, so every day we had had ample time to tell each other and show each other how much we loved the other.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Ltsq4G6AS3VuJhbUHIfEaJTj5WPLW0L3VVzEgh24JZIMhKqK-kdizPNKe5QFmyYzJg_zg12eWwJaDbB2WVuwLZED79VEifMbjVv-g1DUkUEow_YBoSnHjoHYxdgMWBD1FVwExvTiTpcj/s1600/33563_10150296014655532_4320447_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Ltsq4G6AS3VuJhbUHIfEaJTj5WPLW0L3VVzEgh24JZIMhKqK-kdizPNKe5QFmyYzJg_zg12eWwJaDbB2WVuwLZED79VEifMbjVv-g1DUkUEow_YBoSnHjoHYxdgMWBD1FVwExvTiTpcj/s1600/33563_10150296014655532_4320447_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Matt & Chelsea pre-dating</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Fast forward to married life. Valentine's Day became kind of "hard" to celebrate. Our wedding anniversary was just 2 months before, and I had the mind set that our wedding day was more important to celebrate than some silly Hallmark day. So we became lazy about it. Mostly doing our usual routine, except with some tiny Valentine's Day flair. Our lackadaisical approach to this day of love got me thinking. We really shouldn't need a specific day, especially one fueled by such rampant consumerism, to remind ourselves to show each other how much we loved the other. But this year...we kinda do need the reminder. We are so incredibly busy...well Matt is so incredibly busy...that it's been tough to show each other how much we mean to each other. He has been attending grad school twice a week, has a new position with more responsibilities at work, and is volunteering as a hospital chaplain once a week. I don't have quite as much going on, but his busyness mixed with my somewhat busyness make it hard for us to be the lovey dovey couple we were when we were dating. We have gotten into quite the routine of laziness and sometimes don't realize that we haven't had an actual conversation the entire day until we go to bed at night. So this year, and maybe for a few more, we are using this holiday to remind each other why we love the other. We don't nearly do it as much as we should, so it's almost nice to have this reminder to slow down and love on each other a bit. Valentine's Day isn't a great day per se but in our busy lives if we need this day to remind each other to slow down and get back to being all lovey with the other then I will take it. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYN3pyX9hffDmxVlGny8ByGeT0H0MteOm4Q5z1roek7OQ5NIJbfVlkeugGgVsdmkzAHXUBgP903mpwGANEASFM0kqYKk7Tu1eDgxcWMWimymrmpaTt-dJz7t9qWwmaLqLQL6L1tpHODTBy/s1600/Matt&Chelsea-Fall2014-50.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYN3pyX9hffDmxVlGny8ByGeT0H0MteOm4Q5z1roek7OQ5NIJbfVlkeugGgVsdmkzAHXUBgP903mpwGANEASFM0kqYKk7Tu1eDgxcWMWimymrmpaTt-dJz7t9qWwmaLqLQL6L1tpHODTBy/s1600/Matt&Chelsea-Fall2014-50.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Married Matt & Chelsea...older, wiser, and still crazy in love<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-63448808672442921862015-01-07T16:54:00.001-08:002015-01-07T16:54:32.996-08:00Winter is Finally Here<div style="text-align: center;">
When I say "finally", I do not mean "Yay it finally snowed and is cold enough for it to stick so I can go out and build a snowman and reenact scenes from Frozen!". Oh no no, I mean "I can finally stop holding my anxious breath because the skies have finally opened up and released white fluffy hell". Yes, I hate snow. I live in Illinois and hate snow. I hate winter really. Last year was a nightmare. When the forecast predicts that it'll be so cold that it'll be dangerous to go outside? Yeah it's time to pull a bird and fly south. This year the weather was cruel and teased us with a rather pleasant December. Now it's barely a week into January and we are covered in snow and the windchill is being predicted to be at an all time low. For those of you lucky ducks out there who live in lovely happy sunny places, windchill is the actual temperature you will be feeling the wrath of. Not the seemingly bearable temperature that gets flaunted in the forecast. Windchill will freeze your face off and make you regret getting out of bed. This snow & bone chilling cold is ruining our plans to take our pup for nightly walks, my DIY project I have planned (and am so FREAKING excited for) and it makes me want to have soup for dinner every night. I am hoping and praying that this cold snap isn't going to last 3 months like last year's did. Until we get above freezing, I am hibernating under my giant purple blanket and pretending that we live in Cali.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbkf-jOdheDNrg8NWL6xx5tLkQkY_DZU1uPq0w02bdnSTZIJdzq4wpU46-_mN-1v7eOolorouTGuA57XG11HpWfaqyqio0no8kbb8VWsrNRtgCl37pzkhzI9LGFkQqtQ8bZ60pDUVEzsh/s1600/IMG_8285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbkf-jOdheDNrg8NWL6xx5tLkQkY_DZU1uPq0w02bdnSTZIJdzq4wpU46-_mN-1v7eOolorouTGuA57XG11HpWfaqyqio0no8kbb8VWsrNRtgCl37pzkhzI9LGFkQqtQ8bZ60pDUVEzsh/s1600/IMG_8285.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frozen Hell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-45959578477961126052015-01-04T14:46:00.001-08:002015-07-18T08:07:45.190-07:00Our Sorta Staycation<div style="text-align: center;">
A while ago Mister suggested that we trek into Chicago for a weekend away to celebrate our 2 years together as married folk. I was quite surprised that he wanted to do this since we're trying to save some dough, but it turns out he had a surprise for me. I had been hinting at wanting to see Cinderella for the past year and had honestly thought they had fallen on deaf ears. Silly me for thinking so. For our anniversary I was surprised with tickets to see the show the weekend we'd be down there. Crafty Mister! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So this past Friday we headed into the city for a weekend just us two. I always forget how lucky we are to live so close to Chicago. Our hotel was fun, very modern, and had the best bed I have ever slept in. I spent more time than I should have thinking how I could steal that bed. We really had no plans as to what we'd do or where we'd eat so we walked around a bit Friday and stumbled upon Elephant & Castle. I had hands down the best butter chicken I have ever tasted. We then got lost in the South loop looking for a Target I thought I spotted. We found it...eventually. While we bought some snacks (mini bars are still crazy pricey) I fantasized that we actually lived in the City and were making a grocery run. Actually the entire time we were there I imagined that we lived downtown. I have a very strong fantasy life. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The rest of the weekend went by in a blur. Cinderella was wonderful, funny, & magical. Lots of women & young women wearing crowns. It had snowed/rained while we were in the theater so we slipped and slid over to dinner at Magianos. I was craving Italian food and at this point I did not want to risk my life to find a less touristy joint. Dinner again was amahzing, lobster mac & cheese is on my top 5 list & a dark and stormy is my new drink. Before we retired to our hotel room we checked out the giant Walgreens next door. I have a weird thing for convenience stores that look different than ones near where I live. This one had a sushi bar, fro yo station & every possible bottle of liquor you could imagine. I was in heaven. We went back to our room, watched some movies & talked about our 2015 goals. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sunday was check out day & the skies opened up and poured down a blanket of snow. It was so fun walking around the quiet city while it snowed around us. We had left the hotel early to get breakfast at our beloved Corner Bakery. The one right by our house closed when we moved to town so we took advantage of one being so close to the hotel. My heart got broken by Argo Tea since they are apparently closed on Sundays and I was denied a red velvet tea. We boarded the squeakiest train known to man and were on our way home. We both loved being away for the weekend in the city that I love, but man oh man are we glad to be in our own house with our Corgi. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22ec6va5s5Y1_XCvBWP2aqItkXFs5JPWQF83UfPk674yQ4-Kaxe1jy4biCgu19BwGoHkuDBJnjWk9WOlHTcXyfhhe917GP-lf0z2AHYOzd1cQGMm_7LuFFYB746qh_MVxbOCbNifChRKA/s1600/image1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22ec6va5s5Y1_XCvBWP2aqItkXFs5JPWQF83UfPk674yQ4-Kaxe1jy4biCgu19BwGoHkuDBJnjWk9WOlHTcXyfhhe917GP-lf0z2AHYOzd1cQGMm_7LuFFYB746qh_MVxbOCbNifChRKA/s1600/image1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butter Chicken...Om nom nom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFo0qLyTZyYBmSkfdfZi8qBRthCcRvx6Hram1AdC7aVCQ6XDEMBcnnA4qOYY-PJumMiZpjVw0D7hGzPDnOsHWSf65jFsBL64KqmxcOSI-fKXDttrScgIau9ka-ElqlU6Hqi415myL2NKNX/s1600/image3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFo0qLyTZyYBmSkfdfZi8qBRthCcRvx6Hram1AdC7aVCQ6XDEMBcnnA4qOYY-PJumMiZpjVw0D7hGzPDnOsHWSf65jFsBL64KqmxcOSI-fKXDttrScgIau9ka-ElqlU6Hqi415myL2NKNX/s1600/image3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this installation in Anthropologie! They're all wine corks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hcGsN_M7OvUiwoRE6NLr-9WUK8LIRw-Lad5Pe3luwUKiSDox8I5GrF9bhzFrH1Hg_-msxD8zNOc-s3kvylNGvl30lPFE-E391akT1af_Ua0o8XNDn2DwktkGTwsKv9mWdd_r-1Ygu5B4/s1600/image4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hcGsN_M7OvUiwoRE6NLr-9WUK8LIRw-Lad5Pe3luwUKiSDox8I5GrF9bhzFrH1Hg_-msxD8zNOc-s3kvylNGvl30lPFE-E391akT1af_Ua0o8XNDn2DwktkGTwsKv9mWdd_r-1Ygu5B4/s1600/image4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All romantic & rainy </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0jmxednskwK1EXbCXhLk0XCSIaBzll1C5dlUOoHzt7ryw6El5LJdUAuDMUaEynlob7bwNZCziehzVA74q-IrovohRL5KB4mITijbULEoFDgvOJOPpAZPzPj38kdNtDfSQR2VVtPDYoFx/s1600/image5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0jmxednskwK1EXbCXhLk0XCSIaBzll1C5dlUOoHzt7ryw6El5LJdUAuDMUaEynlob7bwNZCziehzVA74q-IrovohRL5KB4mITijbULEoFDgvOJOPpAZPzPj38kdNtDfSQR2VVtPDYoFx/s1600/image5.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to take a sneaky pic in the theater. The last time I did this I got seriously yelled at by a theater employee. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNKTn6dS4qACTZC_A18UWhYeQ65xjiNSkWawI1oMWu27szG0NXcYH7TK1DBPM8ruXqsAxNFq0Afx2mttdbumkHbVr4ha_vbyCtk5YJLIx4nVbuUh9eiU39S3KqLyKwnaMHj_jvqurNwLo/s1600/image6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNKTn6dS4qACTZC_A18UWhYeQ65xjiNSkWawI1oMWu27szG0NXcYH7TK1DBPM8ruXqsAxNFq0Afx2mttdbumkHbVr4ha_vbyCtk5YJLIx4nVbuUh9eiU39S3KqLyKwnaMHj_jvqurNwLo/s1600/image6.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMNihMtV6pX3EIEZ20hRMRAkkETxHn1nAfu_JnWcOrkX09HsFDMNx8EHs4MmRw36CHvfXPlN0Isgo7c7aUSoEjqstlfSkObhf5ryFiqDGaYgaGbclxMLrTnpEfGZ0OV4Afl1XjIf47oPV/s1600/image7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMNihMtV6pX3EIEZ20hRMRAkkETxHn1nAfu_JnWcOrkX09HsFDMNx8EHs4MmRw36CHvfXPlN0Isgo7c7aUSoEjqstlfSkObhf5ryFiqDGaYgaGbclxMLrTnpEfGZ0OV4Afl1XjIf47oPV/s1600/image7.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This marquee lights up my life (pun intended, sorry I had to)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2mO6FORQv1AwA5CZ7ZhhTEAMADMbbNWsXY3fGSxBy8sSnTZxkK-fYE5yH9PO3IYqhezb2TNuGPnF97V3Y7V4dUEkIFO0A7Em4qbGAY-o6C07Q8OTVGpy_nSwhR4x4b5EcouINGcYlnkZ/s1600/image9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2mO6FORQv1AwA5CZ7ZhhTEAMADMbbNWsXY3fGSxBy8sSnTZxkK-fYE5yH9PO3IYqhezb2TNuGPnF97V3Y7V4dUEkIFO0A7Em4qbGAY-o6C07Q8OTVGpy_nSwhR4x4b5EcouINGcYlnkZ/s1600/image9.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plum-Grape-Blackberry juice? Um yes please!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjWRpWUteUSy8jzmJGH7F3xl3d23x-SXsK_7bOTtT8VVtpJZDh-mbZJtAOPHKuf_GS5UHKWzuuGlAwxKwKoWBuBJ6XndzqwaQGA7uaU-9uvfZ-8g4lRP1hRr-zVdhwXkuqb1_j1MrYC9W/s1600/image10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjWRpWUteUSy8jzmJGH7F3xl3d23x-SXsK_7bOTtT8VVtpJZDh-mbZJtAOPHKuf_GS5UHKWzuuGlAwxKwKoWBuBJ6XndzqwaQGA7uaU-9uvfZ-8g4lRP1hRr-zVdhwXkuqb1_j1MrYC9W/s1600/image10.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our snowy view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5wDdJCFAAbkBxxuiL-DHKuTa47eEGrIZdMt7r-56tUm6A-vgYIP5B_HsnMzSeaVT-CcUgjAd-bhh09nZiGavqbDH9osstoa7T7xbemOqiq9h-gFyj_kDs3r7nFxwBuSxbJWxByIQs2BY/s1600/image11.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5wDdJCFAAbkBxxuiL-DHKuTa47eEGrIZdMt7r-56tUm6A-vgYIP5B_HsnMzSeaVT-CcUgjAd-bhh09nZiGavqbDH9osstoa7T7xbemOqiq9h-gFyj_kDs3r7nFxwBuSxbJWxByIQs2BY/s1600/image11.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay it's snowing and we get to walk around in it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4B4jrtHxaQ5WAJl4IvUPpDOx-5BV0XfBcLpK-IeNJB7lMqNvUOiO7fTEGzUnJhEfwXCqoHEB-KmDdQ2qFfp2vrlBHfpR2u29R5yFL8tUfYYViad3M74Ik75FDiD1_jIOLwlx-OCHLuPC9/s1600/image12.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4B4jrtHxaQ5WAJl4IvUPpDOx-5BV0XfBcLpK-IeNJB7lMqNvUOiO7fTEGzUnJhEfwXCqoHEB-KmDdQ2qFfp2vrlBHfpR2u29R5yFL8tUfYYViad3M74Ik75FDiD1_jIOLwlx-OCHLuPC9/s1600/image12.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1zeK_0qr01S4pVkT1T7f_Af2kuLVLdcI3OODJnRDrQEDPz-9E-gmmDqTKZj7RWxsfgXoFrpDhUCZ2DZgphKWPQw77W0LCOiEwQN0VVOa95Do3mS7SggVwNzes27l_AMFCGfAUCeofnHI/s1600/image13.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1zeK_0qr01S4pVkT1T7f_Af2kuLVLdcI3OODJnRDrQEDPz-9E-gmmDqTKZj7RWxsfgXoFrpDhUCZ2DZgphKWPQw77W0LCOiEwQN0VVOa95Do3mS7SggVwNzes27l_AMFCGfAUCeofnHI/s1600/image13.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My two guys who are both just as happy as I am to be home!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Spending the weekend in the city was just what the doctor ordered for us. We were really burned out and exhausted by our jobs so we loved the chance to re-charge. Stay tuned for lots more posting...the city really inspired me and seemed to have jump started my heart for creativity. </div>
Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-28196769092210355032015-01-01T14:48:00.000-08:002015-01-01T14:48:14.520-08:002015<div style="text-align: center;">
2014 ended with a very lazy bang. I had spent the entire day on our couch with a heating pad & a corgi, trying to combat serious cramps. They were so bad that I spent the morning crying and wishing away my lady parts. Mister stayed home from work to make sure that I was OK, love that sweet man. So we hung out on the couch, reading, watching TV & enjoying our Christmas candy. Dinner came around and we ventured out into the biting cold to get Portillos. We watched a terrible movie that I can't stop thinking about and remedied it by watching How I Met Your Mother (sans season 9). Mister decided he needed to clean around 11:30 and I helped as much as I could from the couch. Midnight came along & I grabbed him for a New Year kiss and we smiled thinking about what's in store for 2015. Fireworks went off somewhere outside and Watson barked at them. A few years ago when Mister & I were dating, we stayed up all night eating Chinese food and binge watching a TV show the old fashioned way. This year we were in bed closely after midnight and were just exhausted. </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORQ07n0zoGGSEWciP_EzCaXa61qyPnQpYRGLCrR5OMlyD5Vm8ExNwRH6dk1oNVfp3RetYE9np1BGqy324MDWYw5pdX8SB_Tw9YxzUugskZNmN-elqwUNnHxMRdy5MBEZ6sh60-Rw18jcr/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-01+at+9.28.13+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORQ07n0zoGGSEWciP_EzCaXa61qyPnQpYRGLCrR5OMlyD5Vm8ExNwRH6dk1oNVfp3RetYE9np1BGqy324MDWYw5pdX8SB_Tw9YxzUugskZNmN-elqwUNnHxMRdy5MBEZ6sh60-Rw18jcr/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-01+at+9.28.13+AM.png" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super Cool Drawing done by Wesley Bird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Year 2015 is going to be the year of health, more love, traveling more, worrying about money less, working out more, and maybe hopefully the year we add to our family. 2015 you are going to rock my socks. </div>
<br />Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-53347073495588059252014-12-30T15:41:00.000-08:002014-12-30T15:41:16.756-08:00Happy Anniversary House!<div style="text-align: center;">
One year ago, Mister & I bought our first home. We nervously signed the papers with our lawyers and happy danced once we had the keys to our new abode! Of course we had little time to really be excited. We had to be out of our town house by the 1st of January and we were barely ready to move out. But 2 days & a wicked winter storm later, we had all of our belongs in our new home. Our hot water wasn't working yet (when the temps are in the single digits, you want hot water) so we stayed a couple of days at my parent's house while the pipes were fixed. The first few months were scary for me. We had a lot of repairs to do that we had no idea needed to be done and some of them were pretty expensive. Mister of course is always cool as a cucumber, but I tend to freak out a lot. Each time we found out that something new had to be done, I had a meltdown. I wanted so badly to decorate our home and get it looking like our dream house. But we kept at it and we are FINALLY at the stage where we can start working on the fun parts of home repairs. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had my moments with our home where I seriously regretted purchasing our little green ranch. I guess you could say I had buyers remorse. I saw people on Facebook and the other blogs I read where families were buying beautiful homes that needed nothing done to them except to beautify it. I was jealous and yearning to put art up on the walls instead of fixing cracks in our walls. But I have grown to love our home. It's a crotchety old man, who's floors squeak and fixtures are old as dirt. But it's our home.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Anniversary little home...here's to many more!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7tqijTelcSZK4tlUdEOXUt8WWba5BKLblj2XkqqwoLxtuUMU4v7uM03aofe9pNDiUZWqSmOORs3UIFEgvQuOUiFOQJjm9kxBl3yky-pFroHmYnbKZkhtBdazHcSzZVRfmtho05xpVDv3/s1600/10686839_10154688633010532_7553018305163617961_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7tqijTelcSZK4tlUdEOXUt8WWba5BKLblj2XkqqwoLxtuUMU4v7uM03aofe9pNDiUZWqSmOORs3UIFEgvQuOUiFOQJjm9kxBl3yky-pFroHmYnbKZkhtBdazHcSzZVRfmtho05xpVDv3/s1600/10686839_10154688633010532_7553018305163617961_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-23156848096282716022014-12-29T16:11:00.002-08:002014-12-29T16:11:48.985-08:00Catching Up<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wow it has been a REALLY long time since I last wrote here. It is't even that I've been horribly busy, I just haven't felt the urge to write. But here I am after reading some of my favorite blogs and I am just itching to start again! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A lot has been going on around here at the DeBall frontier. Mister got a promotion, we moved forward with a lot of updates on our home, and my sister & I have started talking about starting a project together. I am finally at the point in our home repairs where I don't enter a room and dread all the work we need to do. I am at peace with our home. And just in time for our one year anniversary of purchasing our homestead! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Christmas has come & gone in what seems like a flash. This year Mister & I separated our Christmas gatherings between our families. So basically every other day we were with either my family or Mister's. It was nice not having to split the days up between parties and we got to spend the whole day with whoever we were with. But I am utterly exhausted and so glad to be home with nowhere to go! We have absolutly no plans for NYE except to stay home with our pup and dine on Chinese take out while binge watching our show du jur on netflix. Life is just so peaceful and easy right now, I am loving it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivj0Nwde4Ariz3nGIv17OXRU5ny_-y_YZsZgve4vVMwI7FBnsR358ZdEKtD8OLOAhtmNL6JmJruZXYb7SpPyYoCRsWFGsXhbrrb8oT7NIQhLMQszuijhjvYnb89Im9bW8iS-_MzUMu5d8e/s1600/image2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivj0Nwde4Ariz3nGIv17OXRU5ny_-y_YZsZgve4vVMwI7FBnsR358ZdEKtD8OLOAhtmNL6JmJruZXYb7SpPyYoCRsWFGsXhbrrb8oT7NIQhLMQszuijhjvYnb89Im9bW8iS-_MzUMu5d8e/s1600/image2.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Christmas lights have been absolutely enchanting. I'm not sure I ever want to take them down.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-27289322340916009792014-10-01T15:21:00.000-07:002014-10-01T15:21:45.881-07:00Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m pretty sure pumpkin spice is on a mission to take over
the world. When we went grocery shopping we saw just about every food item
flavored with pumpkin spice. Peanut butter, yogurt, cookies, trail mix, ice
cream…I’m surprised we didn’t see pumpkin milk there. I’m proud to say that
only 2 pumpkin flavored goodies made its way into our cart, and of course
pumpkin sugar cookies. Which reminds me. Ya know that warning on every cookie
dough wrapper that says do not consume raw dough? Well for 24+ years I have
thrown caution to the wind and have consumed lethal amounts of cookie dough
with no consequence. That is until last night. I had a little round pumpkin
shaped cookie dough and was super sick the rest of the night! I guess my
careless cookie dough consumption days are behind me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since mister is attending grad school 2 nights a week this
quarter, I’m trying to cram as many fall activities into our weekends. We have
several parties on the docket, trips to the world’s cutest pumpkin patch in the
works, and I’m crossing my fingers for an open weekend to drive down to Galena.
Seriously isn’t fall just the best? I have to question anyone’s sanity if they
tell me that they hate fall. The colors, the weather, the smells, everything is
just pure perfection. I hope y’all are having a good fall season so far! </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpjuBuiUuUPlZ6_J_0BQxHhjPJI1zAmXgxHlN43xJ8cmgKEorlyV_voaRf8bp50K30kddeMmdShlIVlfiJ8apbiciOJ3b-yZyg_IQexpcpeoQsAvAOko7f31hH8RVKG4Xquw4kJ8uoDRZ/s1600/IMG_7263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpjuBuiUuUPlZ6_J_0BQxHhjPJI1zAmXgxHlN43xJ8cmgKEorlyV_voaRf8bp50K30kddeMmdShlIVlfiJ8apbiciOJ3b-yZyg_IQexpcpeoQsAvAOko7f31hH8RVKG4Xquw4kJ8uoDRZ/s1600/IMG_7263.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We live very close to this beautiful recreation center. My Mom's side of the family celebrate her's and my Dad's birthdays a couple weekends ago right by this little lake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKjU6SP3-RjcO4arx_k1rmJbZpzoIKNgAg78CuRx_7qj18SGVTsCFQbFcaKPEinDXqUY5XNdjhbJyzmHwxUps6Qc4be_Ucpd4JzmgSZcmcvHy6u6carqShvcswbVLJhd1PJU0F0jKMKNJ/s1600/IMG_7299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKjU6SP3-RjcO4arx_k1rmJbZpzoIKNgAg78CuRx_7qj18SGVTsCFQbFcaKPEinDXqUY5XNdjhbJyzmHwxUps6Qc4be_Ucpd4JzmgSZcmcvHy6u6carqShvcswbVLJhd1PJU0F0jKMKNJ/s1600/IMG_7299.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin Spice Salted Carmel lattes should be illegal. This was a perfect pick me up on a tired Saturday morning.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgis7lc4b9T-VzrXf37-urz9Zas-L57DWYut9ZuZjpCdxaFhCss5vzpJuHZ2mhRcBEpot0uyoYIrIwJof0pe7hKKhrPXYotZ-Oz4XWBMfm0v9PiO49YvxRQ23lcjeBJdGB_Gl4W6So4iGl2/s1600/IMG_7303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgis7lc4b9T-VzrXf37-urz9Zas-L57DWYut9ZuZjpCdxaFhCss5vzpJuHZ2mhRcBEpot0uyoYIrIwJof0pe7hKKhrPXYotZ-Oz4XWBMfm0v9PiO49YvxRQ23lcjeBJdGB_Gl4W6So4iGl2/s1600/IMG_7303.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sunsets around here have been insane lately. I may have broken the law and risked my life to snap a pic of this one.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBXD5G4G9mxRAZQ6X02mW4oNalv15BEZWBKu5G1bQZ3wx8hbRupjxKiaUnAICMax87WSRlCffho4150gpmItbs3YgJFKfsvIOfQ9yb9ugim-bsoGtM4LCHsCg8ArWfiryVwU5uEx_QtVb/s1600/IMG_7312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBXD5G4G9mxRAZQ6X02mW4oNalv15BEZWBKu5G1bQZ3wx8hbRupjxKiaUnAICMax87WSRlCffho4150gpmItbs3YgJFKfsvIOfQ9yb9ugim-bsoGtM4LCHsCg8ArWfiryVwU5uEx_QtVb/s1600/IMG_7312.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We recently shifted our furniture around in our living room. Now our couch faces the window instead of being pushed against it. I love being able to look out our big window.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-90314202712347367082014-09-28T18:25:00.002-07:002014-09-28T18:25:55.764-07:00Kitchen Inspiration <div style="text-align: center;">
Our house remodel is chugging full steam ahead! Right now Mister & my Dad have been working like mad men on the outside out the house. I'm really hoping that our house will be painted by Halloween. I'm so excited to see the color, and our new doors in place, and hanging our fun door knocker, and SO many other things that go with giving your house a major face lift. EEEE!!! So much excitement over here. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anywho, while the guys are outside painting, I have been very slowly painting our cabinets and working towards updating our kitchen. Once our cabinets are 100% done, I'll be sharing my so fun story about the process. But while I'm working on bringing our cabinets into the 21st century, I can't help but to day dream about the entire finished product. I love cooking & baking and I'm just not into cooking while our kitchen is in this mode. It reminds me of when my family re-did our kitchen way back when. We had a make shift kitchen in our basement bar and I don't remember many inspired meals. Dreaming about our house in it's final stages makes me extremely happy, I can't wait to be done! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoW9V4mweU43cIJhPz-UI0waFKM-mMnznNTl4AdsWyFRPzI9luQmfbr1p34Q28lc1R7MtcOQtP1IPtuidMDGGOYS6TrKV1ulnhvKfodAh2zvSSqU4mfJPL-EKBZG8swGr6mtaOlj9Oep1U/s1600/519fcfd674c5b6653b000a2f._w.540_s.fit_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoW9V4mweU43cIJhPz-UI0waFKM-mMnznNTl4AdsWyFRPzI9luQmfbr1p34Q28lc1R7MtcOQtP1IPtuidMDGGOYS6TrKV1ulnhvKfodAh2zvSSqU4mfJPL-EKBZG8swGr6mtaOlj9Oep1U/s1600/519fcfd674c5b6653b000a2f._w.540_s.fit_.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/5-budget-kitchen-upgrades-you-can-make-this-weekend-190042#_a5y_p=1615454" target="_blank">Source</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Love the fun & unique backsplash!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCmM6pUmV5i-70URuh0lCntTosAuU4TkJplB7WLe65B9_WgcutMuE1gYFKvoB0w8SW9Pwwq9fhs97vTZJuO8ei35Zn8FH4HOKDh0m6ym8reEMMJOpWebj_mZDK0cVpPfduKOjPGO2MuKX/s1600/6a00d8358081ff69e201a73da0ec8b970d-800wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCmM6pUmV5i-70URuh0lCntTosAuU4TkJplB7WLe65B9_WgcutMuE1gYFKvoB0w8SW9Pwwq9fhs97vTZJuO8ei35Zn8FH4HOKDh0m6ym8reEMMJOpWebj_mZDK0cVpPfduKOjPGO2MuKX/s1600/6a00d8358081ff69e201a73da0ec8b970d-800wi.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2014/04/my-space-to-learn-.html" target="_blank">Source</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Everything about this kitchen is amazing. The stenciled wall, baskets on top, and the bold color of the cabinet insides! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwfwRKmTo520hTj4Qmvco_O2zE9VtKhqlRGyMjlWiiqUtkTjeykxiGCdBLVSQMC6uVu8kN6Cb9Ptm1j6qW2FIjvC4Fz-uYzY51EVkrCOuCmbJQyWiz9IZYvUNbYX_kCb-dZxz_TWyj3md/s1600/78af55b46c5c08a4751610e7b7b22382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwfwRKmTo520hTj4Qmvco_O2zE9VtKhqlRGyMjlWiiqUtkTjeykxiGCdBLVSQMC6uVu8kN6Cb9Ptm1j6qW2FIjvC4Fz-uYzY51EVkrCOuCmbJQyWiz9IZYvUNbYX_kCb-dZxz_TWyj3md/s1600/78af55b46c5c08a4751610e7b7b22382.jpg" height="320" width="223" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.lizmarieblog.com/2013/05/favorite-things-friday-21/" target="_blank">Source</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We're doing open shelving for a part of our kitchen to help open up the space. I love everything on these shelves! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFX1anh_TYQuSnIkCCQR6B8lsVLgigueMTAlJP-mYvfW25gkHKBWRgPMgwo0BVTwFzwzh__0q9qLlwuV6WSABSKp0e41JiQNChM-qokkfa1_AjsKCWqsdcEvqqE7XPrOULPMsl_UuWzPZi/s1600/white-breakfast-nook-classic-california-house-0612-mdn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFX1anh_TYQuSnIkCCQR6B8lsVLgigueMTAlJP-mYvfW25gkHKBWRgPMgwo0BVTwFzwzh__0q9qLlwuV6WSABSKp0e41JiQNChM-qokkfa1_AjsKCWqsdcEvqqE7XPrOULPMsl_UuWzPZi/s1600/white-breakfast-nook-classic-california-house-0612-mdn.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.countryliving.com/homes/beach-house-decorating-0409#slide-19" target="_blank">Source</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Instead of a dining room, we have a little nook in our kitchen. This is close to what we're hoping to do...plus a bold wallpaper on the walls to pump it up!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My Dad is helping us with a lot of updating the kitchen. Seriously I don't know where our house would be without my Dad's help. He's building us our countertop, helping with installing our open shelving, someday building our breakfast nook! The flooring also needs to be replaced and other fun updates, but I'm trying to keep calm and not freak out over how much needs to be done. Learning patience is on the top of my to-do list. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-61493183179289575902014-09-15T17:46:00.000-07:002014-09-15T17:48:34.293-07:00Fabulous Fall<div style="text-align: center;">
It's no secret that I love Fall. These days that love has turned into borderline obsession. I want everything pumpkin scented or flavored. Sweaters are slowly creeping back into my closet. I'm itching to go Fall decor crazy. It doesn't help that the usual Summery September has become an early Fall dreamland. Cool weather and moody skies seem to be here to stay! Which is just fine with me. I'm also loving it that all my favorite clothing sites seem to be on board with Fall as well! Long sleeved dresses, comfy cozy scarves, and boots are abound! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dn07KIMpAVzzD_bitzLUP_d2bhpuCKdSAiLPNe-_L2TO6fS_oX7R9NIOjSnudFC6XDHX-CAQdzeMVFHY2979vRydiV5SBIo4NFozuajp0uInGEBaB08WHEeTn9nwVx3T7-hxffvuDK3t/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-09-15+at+7.23.04+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dn07KIMpAVzzD_bitzLUP_d2bhpuCKdSAiLPNe-_L2TO6fS_oX7R9NIOjSnudFC6XDHX-CAQdzeMVFHY2979vRydiV5SBIo4NFozuajp0uInGEBaB08WHEeTn9nwVx3T7-hxffvuDK3t/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-09-15+at+7.23.04+PM.png" height="483" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/in-the-audience-dress" target="_blank">In the Audience Dress</a>//2.<a href="http://www.toms.com/women/brown-herringbone-womens-desert-wedges" target="_blank">Herringbone Desert Wedge</a>//3.<a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/joa-polka-dot-midi-skirt/3860533?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Grey&resultback=0&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-searchresults-_-1_1_A&siteId=QFGLnEolOWg-xRywDvdAAZBpOZrSPcJhcA" target="_blank">Polka Dot Midi Skirt</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">4.<a href="http://shopruche.com/fall-into-place-crochet-detail-dress.html" target="_blank">Fall into Place Crochet Dress</a>//5. <a href="http://www.target.com/p/merona-satchel-handbag-with-removable-crossbody-strap/-/A-15320695?lnk=sc_qi_detaillink" target="_blank">Merona Satchel</a>//6.<a href="http://www.toms.com/women/dark-grey-suede-womens-brogues" target="_blank">Grey Suede Brogues</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Everything about Fall fashion screams comfort. The jewel tones, the soft warm fabrics, everything is made for romps through the apple orchards or antiquing on a crisp afternoon! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-39546362540921372392014-08-09T16:52:00.001-07:002014-08-09T16:52:45.787-07:00Washington DC Continued...<div style="text-align: center;">
I think the number one thing we all were looking forward to in DC the most was seeing all the monuments. One of my girlfriends reminded us every half hour that we needed to see Lincoln and I think the next time I mentioned the Korean War Memorial, someone was going to smack me. We all practically ran to the Washington Monument. Seeing all these monuments and memorials was so amazing. They were all still so stunning to look at and of course the history behind each one was not to be forgotten. It was really so wonderful to spend some time in our Nation's Capitol with some of my favorite people. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDLXvBUUAJllUiKw-sjOf7RwtO-s0YTk8_FFUOdpTyVBAcZ4lm2AftwrBWcVhnrS8W1Tq9TWGRWsRTTj3vZ9_YgptAEqSLKyjj0ho9PsBmhgqbx-ggH2di31z13Jtu0f08F_6npMqJ4Zu/s1600/IMG_3135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDLXvBUUAJllUiKw-sjOf7RwtO-s0YTk8_FFUOdpTyVBAcZ4lm2AftwrBWcVhnrS8W1Tq9TWGRWsRTTj3vZ9_YgptAEqSLKyjj0ho9PsBmhgqbx-ggH2di31z13Jtu0f08F_6npMqJ4Zu/s1600/IMG_3135.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Washington Monument. I had a little nickname for it that I'm sure wore on Mr. a bit! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzfoKIppu76cqMvL6-loVGsRog_u1iEF2kbn9ZNEwS_Koz2UUd2N3dUtYRr4WbkIqIQUNr0CMIXXegrKNp6enbuIqSpYrb_ZFz-Z4zbBh6HOxd8NlLcJ1h64BQTkX0V_6uzaUfS_MDeqi/s1600/IMG_3142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzfoKIppu76cqMvL6-loVGsRog_u1iEF2kbn9ZNEwS_Koz2UUd2N3dUtYRr4WbkIqIQUNr0CMIXXegrKNp6enbuIqSpYrb_ZFz-Z4zbBh6HOxd8NlLcJ1h64BQTkX0V_6uzaUfS_MDeqi/s1600/IMG_3142.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WWII Memorial</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLeShFLxHXDea8WevN16BnfMA6KkDSx2YjubnCpy-TQ9b_Jo7ULOX9SkWTTCOvUXoQwZ_TGJW6A8kdPTGJSqjSm2G0_ofXT3DFBz0L2QmKGU3Ie23bJE0P4AG4KxHZI1KErd5YFNLxN-m_/s1600/IMG_3145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLeShFLxHXDea8WevN16BnfMA6KkDSx2YjubnCpy-TQ9b_Jo7ULOX9SkWTTCOvUXoQwZ_TGJW6A8kdPTGJSqjSm2G0_ofXT3DFBz0L2QmKGU3Ie23bJE0P4AG4KxHZI1KErd5YFNLxN-m_/s1600/IMG_3145.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXTjYBg37vAEcF7bgSAVbkNOcp9FNFD8yalywEKWRIWLBja3fdE8bNzLqgGqticbQxJgU9kSFIvtq24SVtEqJCIV_H1iG5xpQXGeaVTZ1ganIkSbRKtjdJLj5UiDUG5k02geKBF57Hacy/s1600/IMG_3150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXTjYBg37vAEcF7bgSAVbkNOcp9FNFD8yalywEKWRIWLBja3fdE8bNzLqgGqticbQxJgU9kSFIvtq24SVtEqJCIV_H1iG5xpQXGeaVTZ1ganIkSbRKtjdJLj5UiDUG5k02geKBF57Hacy/s1600/IMG_3150.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AmuYYjtALmd_XDYg4zPoPlG6EBaH0mCrFvsp9SjwbfB3PXOHorSNRN_mpOBvY4_jCqcu_cR4aZfMyZ3KPHBnvNyVFgfSOBQz_wGHXVujFBrZ-qpqgjDOfm_3W216Oyp9h0OumWxDiwYT/s1600/IMG_3154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AmuYYjtALmd_XDYg4zPoPlG6EBaH0mCrFvsp9SjwbfB3PXOHorSNRN_mpOBvY4_jCqcu_cR4aZfMyZ3KPHBnvNyVFgfSOBQz_wGHXVujFBrZ-qpqgjDOfm_3W216Oyp9h0OumWxDiwYT/s1600/IMG_3154.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We couldn't resist!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEDYQrtCIC0E2VqBZ5WRYDHUALhSL4zJTq0rY-c9fCMjtS-dj9FDAOrYfgAvLRxF0xJmX57wnWnsBOu_37M3a9dNiWN85-WxrGQRv9lPWkBobvt2fHZ9ypqsOmh2kNMhsALdqlcPdrhK8/s1600/IMG_3155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEDYQrtCIC0E2VqBZ5WRYDHUALhSL4zJTq0rY-c9fCMjtS-dj9FDAOrYfgAvLRxF0xJmX57wnWnsBOu_37M3a9dNiWN85-WxrGQRv9lPWkBobvt2fHZ9ypqsOmh2kNMhsALdqlcPdrhK8/s1600/IMG_3155.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfYP5RLMqOCdyVJLnt1s5WBolvp4JQd0k59ypAETMXU94w8UpvMrl6s6PmaLKQcMUmNyc7dafBTvaBD0KOgbxi3Hq7Fmu43pn-zf8TAnrP53-RPb3LHVV8mUHfzumESLf4Gsc37v-o3u-/s1600/IMG_3156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfYP5RLMqOCdyVJLnt1s5WBolvp4JQd0k59ypAETMXU94w8UpvMrl6s6PmaLKQcMUmNyc7dafBTvaBD0KOgbxi3Hq7Fmu43pn-zf8TAnrP53-RPb3LHVV8mUHfzumESLf4Gsc37v-o3u-/s1600/IMG_3156.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLfqyVCXW_E4oWV9HeDdvJItTIBSphJyf9a7PGn1zasWI4VWjrA3EHWQEJmtj7aVQjqN-4yd2oK3lGBuCTN-W_ROwwijAfGkacqcgTtiJO36O-PGjwIIsDHycGqD5HWXcI72QcS3qyrtq/s1600/IMG_3162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLfqyVCXW_E4oWV9HeDdvJItTIBSphJyf9a7PGn1zasWI4VWjrA3EHWQEJmtj7aVQjqN-4yd2oK3lGBuCTN-W_ROwwijAfGkacqcgTtiJO36O-PGjwIIsDHycGqD5HWXcI72QcS3qyrtq/s1600/IMG_3162.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lincoln Memorial</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsUBmN7r6hsHtOK69WkxhqaQhlohFOjOqamw3_s2RwDFDzQsOcPtNz5YEXXR0cBIXyICLv8EK4ZX2ka4e9VbdaSF5hqU_8Co6tm6h2bbTgNpqcMxc4JWChHbZCi4I47yotIc-MUrnELgb/s1600/IMG_3166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsUBmN7r6hsHtOK69WkxhqaQhlohFOjOqamw3_s2RwDFDzQsOcPtNz5YEXXR0cBIXyICLv8EK4ZX2ka4e9VbdaSF5hqU_8Co6tm6h2bbTgNpqcMxc4JWChHbZCi4I47yotIc-MUrnELgb/s1600/IMG_3166.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHy8FKhEL3t2eii5r_lcoQWzOzwccWFrDlA1zzS0UrkdopFiQcdQm5vUTaWE4AGK8jt1iXjAilwiMGhyphenhyphenWkayzgrOwynjNvqYdQTuck9_DlA6EHmRb4SQoecBkEeV2MsZOXf6G3NzopXuYf/s1600/IMG_3175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHy8FKhEL3t2eii5r_lcoQWzOzwccWFrDlA1zzS0UrkdopFiQcdQm5vUTaWE4AGK8jt1iXjAilwiMGhyphenhyphenWkayzgrOwynjNvqYdQTuck9_DlA6EHmRb4SQoecBkEeV2MsZOXf6G3NzopXuYf/s1600/IMG_3175.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jDniRYMQ94jeD6a6m5oQ2Vjx19t-I9bVCSHSXk1QUbNE0xgofQQap4Ns3KFY-l5pIp87LnNj7nHABOjy2m0WppI2NhObaIKW4wnrAEH-WhkDxzWEbdztWxJOS9sKihuM3LwiNy1Y9JiB/s1600/IMG_3194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jDniRYMQ94jeD6a6m5oQ2Vjx19t-I9bVCSHSXk1QUbNE0xgofQQap4Ns3KFY-l5pIp87LnNj7nHABOjy2m0WppI2NhObaIKW4wnrAEH-WhkDxzWEbdztWxJOS9sKihuM3LwiNy1Y9JiB/s1600/IMG_3194.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korean War Memorial</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8bmqMyrqYiPnaxW2jz8mbPAqxEe7a8dPeQOwOSG71beKZlOprtQ83PuLbj4XGGkstWsp6YKETEC0V-2pg64DN1vv2t0BvRQDdTq2scsg3SuwAmS90cTMUSYsmqJT_O1a8aHucxnRAJ-9/s1600/IMG_3202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8bmqMyrqYiPnaxW2jz8mbPAqxEe7a8dPeQOwOSG71beKZlOprtQ83PuLbj4XGGkstWsp6YKETEC0V-2pg64DN1vv2t0BvRQDdTq2scsg3SuwAmS90cTMUSYsmqJT_O1a8aHucxnRAJ-9/s1600/IMG_3202.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiCgWevEx5475U1HquLBmuJepAvnIi48l2D609KcIFxKaMv8Nshoaw4W6TVCGsVXWyu5lQulGjCSrFW9XhGH4GshK5mVkQ60OtnDNb_mqDqheo08lPbGH4C2IteKHcUmzWMZsA6XDPGGA/s1600/IMG_3205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiCgWevEx5475U1HquLBmuJepAvnIi48l2D609KcIFxKaMv8Nshoaw4W6TVCGsVXWyu5lQulGjCSrFW9XhGH4GshK5mVkQ60OtnDNb_mqDqheo08lPbGH4C2IteKHcUmzWMZsA6XDPGGA/s1600/IMG_3205.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We all loved DC and by the end of the night we were exhausted. We spent 10 hours in DC and walked over 26,000 steps. We ended the night with a walk past the White House and people watching in the park. DC was wonderful, but honestly Delaware was so much fun! Can't wait to share more on our trip. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfhAwb_eLuE7yuZTYHWLiiy4Ce5O9XfVlbMVtcWnx3_Ug5zXP2mb4SLiWw0ikdDLyES2cENvUM2PieXuk02tLZucctIQY2YOK9Xzsaw7AsrSto9DpjdBNOEkVMGvXDuhvwmukWmd5bfrs/s1600/IMG_6649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfhAwb_eLuE7yuZTYHWLiiy4Ce5O9XfVlbMVtcWnx3_Ug5zXP2mb4SLiWw0ikdDLyES2cENvUM2PieXuk02tLZucctIQY2YOK9Xzsaw7AsrSto9DpjdBNOEkVMGvXDuhvwmukWmd5bfrs/s1600/IMG_6649.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-52715149242239037002014-08-06T15:27:00.001-07:002014-08-06T15:27:18.077-07:00Summer SunHow is it that it's already August!? I feel like the Summer just began and now it's ending. I feel like there's so much left to do before it gets too cold. We haven't walked to our local ice cream store nearly enough, we haven't enjoyed enough cocktails at my favorite pub, we haven't visited any of the beaches nearby (we have 2 beaches that are less than 5 minutes from our house!!) and I haven't gotten nearly as much done to the house as I'd like to. Our final summer task before Mister goes back to school is to paint the exterior of our home. I am obsessed with the paint color we've picked out but I'm less excited about the amount of work that has to go into getting our little home painted. BUT I can't wait to see how our home will look. No more peeling dark green and nasty dirty doors. Finally our house will have the makeover it deserves. I am planning on tackling our kitchen as much as I can when mister goes off to school again. I am hoping to have it completed by Christmas time. Here's hoping...<br />
<br />
On a more personal front, I am back on the weight loss wagon and am trying desperately to lose weight. Starting a family is in our not too distant future and I want to get my body and my health in tip top shape before we start trying to add to our brood. It is not easy to lose weight though and even though this is not news to me, it's still hard to grasp. I'll do a 30 minute work out and expect a fit body when I wake up, which is duh not practical but that's how my crazy brain works. I'm trying to kick sugar out of my diet but I have a crazy sweet tooth and I go crazy if I don't have chocolate. Remember in the movie Elf when Buddy the Elf lists all the food groups and it's all candy? Yeah same here. Me & Buddy would be besties. But I keep trying and I'm hoping I can get my brain and stomach on the same wave length!<br />
<br />
That's pretty much all for now...stay tuned for a few more stories about our vacation to the East Coast! I'm still reminiscing and miss being there so much!Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-90081074402963631312014-07-28T08:00:00.000-07:002014-08-06T15:27:37.975-07:00Summer Vacation-Washington D.C.<div style="text-align: center;">
In the middle of July mister & I drove to Delaware to see a very good friend of ours. Aaron was the first friend I made in college and he soon became the best friend of my hubs. He even stood up in our wedding as one of the best men. When we graduated college and our wedding was over, Aaron headed back to the East Coast and we all missed him like crazy. Last year our group of friends was reunited when Aaron came back for a mutual friend's wedding. This year we all decided it was our turn to make the trip. So we left on a Wednesday morning for Greenwood, DE and made it out there very early Thursday morning. The rest of our group (the first girlfriends I made in college) were flying into D.C. Thursday afternoon, so we decided to make a day out of it. The guys were the only ones who had ever been to D.C. so we played mega tourists. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As soon as we found a parking spot, one of our friends declared her craving for BBQ so we scouted out a fun place to eat. Hill Country BBQ did not disappoint. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjecll0E3jrAuu0C-TvsZdfbVjpunMLYIqEs6wJqvsEK7B2XwTLoBa2zHLQkqQ4wh_KTFaKVZ17f7TIPEhX9BmrNYMSVmwwBpLDtV6Iwws6cQkanxDCzZHwQ7-YqNGDLAQ8Bp-01SWt_s2/s1600/IMG_6572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjecll0E3jrAuu0C-TvsZdfbVjpunMLYIqEs6wJqvsEK7B2XwTLoBa2zHLQkqQ4wh_KTFaKVZ17f7TIPEhX9BmrNYMSVmwwBpLDtV6Iwws6cQkanxDCzZHwQ7-YqNGDLAQ8Bp-01SWt_s2/s1600/IMG_6572.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm on board with any restaurant that serves sweet tea in ball jars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
We then set out for the Smithsonian Museums. I'm a huge history buff so I was beyond excited for the American History museum. Well it didn't really live up to my expectations, but some of the exhibits were very interesting and kinda fun. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-8U0_Tithyv_0b-ob5uXe5ezbCRd6736Cv7wyzaagBeSkY9UKuOkqPAfo7mgHl_mwgxQC6EYR4Z2WxUjTAn6dIQmRDMhpYpb4XcmLZ9MzuAoI7aiuZUHvRtSrOYu4z075ADO_KcogfrM/s1600/IMG_6576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-8U0_Tithyv_0b-ob5uXe5ezbCRd6736Cv7wyzaagBeSkY9UKuOkqPAfo7mgHl_mwgxQC6EYR4Z2WxUjTAn6dIQmRDMhpYpb4XcmLZ9MzuAoI7aiuZUHvRtSrOYu4z075ADO_KcogfrM/s1600/IMG_6576.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dorothy's Ruby Slippers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqoOSith6BpwQos_SNt-GGnv1WHjP1xNoEwZQbecCfNb612bFAPFBWyqu4eHIRHV6qYTum6V55HyFaMaVrBZi-hjwWcDZYPflnP05cVBoYOKTAjiNzRcuzPltVJHnAol5QTM-W75Ny2fG/s1600/IMG_6580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqoOSith6BpwQos_SNt-GGnv1WHjP1xNoEwZQbecCfNb612bFAPFBWyqu4eHIRHV6qYTum6V55HyFaMaVrBZi-hjwWcDZYPflnP05cVBoYOKTAjiNzRcuzPltVJHnAol5QTM-W75Ny2fG/s1600/IMG_6580.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Piggy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9CI5PyMq2yPEb1JtOWZ8R507xcQLVp8uqSHDkvv4r1pglrhXfTupV2v_-332yafaP7PdF6RR6yrfksNaVVMTOV772V0U1tpAQzsT7Fm1GkWixxY1v1YyJ6Db_fllgLqCDGf9MVDeT5Bo/s1600/IMG_6585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9CI5PyMq2yPEb1JtOWZ8R507xcQLVp8uqSHDkvv4r1pglrhXfTupV2v_-332yafaP7PdF6RR6yrfksNaVVMTOV772V0U1tpAQzsT7Fm1GkWixxY1v1YyJ6Db_fllgLqCDGf9MVDeT5Bo/s1600/IMG_6585.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George Washington's Suit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UrhwLA0gGLy4HXKjmIZDvNDcwRGNHGZ05LH_irRBUyr66YJK4Kx4sX_jx7OAY2IkGdtjQajns21AxMrfIEz9ElGvOQUWwcFBX1yZqmVFIFaed9GPaebGf7Zmzz3xAmET-sUS4CZ1gdOM/s1600/IMG_6591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UrhwLA0gGLy4HXKjmIZDvNDcwRGNHGZ05LH_irRBUyr66YJK4Kx4sX_jx7OAY2IkGdtjQajns21AxMrfIEz9ElGvOQUWwcFBX1yZqmVFIFaed9GPaebGf7Zmzz3xAmET-sUS4CZ1gdOM/s1600/IMG_6591.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WWII Propaganda </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStH7VRqe-VKPjcxb3T6yHBaWBXXVw3B_0Wrz08DNhNeSUrlyuCRw4hS1NIh6MB7bl7P03jOBy-NBd1chV0HAIaPE8PYjAQd-aSSWhyphenhyphen2zVWZHSHkK43Dobl8g6LqB-Idw_cnnOPezq6HjC/s1600/IMG_6615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjStH7VRqe-VKPjcxb3T6yHBaWBXXVw3B_0Wrz08DNhNeSUrlyuCRw4hS1NIh6MB7bl7P03jOBy-NBd1chV0HAIaPE8PYjAQd-aSSWhyphenhyphen2zVWZHSHkK43Dobl8g6LqB-Idw_cnnOPezq6HjC/s1600/IMG_6615.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Ladies Exhibit </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6QHNxdOZpUaND0gJFjhH6g-bexTt0HisjsmyOCBK1dUvv-Y9-NuXJlww5N9HnDcbe8ZOuuWgJ4KPH21mtzIUQxqy3ruRACQfqhD1KcOXRZOhSCtaMxsmghs-awSpiowy7vrCdnS_E4ZR/s1600/IMG_6598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6QHNxdOZpUaND0gJFjhH6g-bexTt0HisjsmyOCBK1dUvv-Y9-NuXJlww5N9HnDcbe8ZOuuWgJ4KPH21mtzIUQxqy3ruRACQfqhD1KcOXRZOhSCtaMxsmghs-awSpiowy7vrCdnS_E4ZR/s1600/IMG_6598.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jackie O's dress that she wore to a State dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After the American History Museum we walked next door to the Museum of Natural History. This one we all loved. It was so fun walking through the animal exhibits and getting introduced to new animals that seem to be roaming the Earth. The girls especially enjoyed the Jewel & Gemstones exhibit. The Hope Diamond is absolutely exquisite and I found my next birthday gift from the Mister. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswPaY901-O7k6HoadBzoVp8yhHi1T3Acm1UMhwtxS9I_JQggd8pxB-uR6rbY4SLqfrEuPxKgLAoPrVJF_OrkfbrES52joEfht4ZdT2pcfcxsPWxaQAeKez5MAYaI_BBvEcB-MtfOaino7/s1600/IMG_3058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswPaY901-O7k6HoadBzoVp8yhHi1T3Acm1UMhwtxS9I_JQggd8pxB-uR6rbY4SLqfrEuPxKgLAoPrVJF_OrkfbrES52joEfht4ZdT2pcfcxsPWxaQAeKez5MAYaI_BBvEcB-MtfOaino7/s1600/IMG_3058.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-iW3TSmhUAokC8thNwORAeU68_UnctA5wScTTiH50zV5jytLzcVy6HHTyBdhXEThM8fm_ej7onnVRckBBPupNug6TBq1upqBloVj5Es4gwpt090_k7Qg8k_p1sqvwsul5r_NgnAEhGza/s1600/IMG_3077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-iW3TSmhUAokC8thNwORAeU68_UnctA5wScTTiH50zV5jytLzcVy6HHTyBdhXEThM8fm_ej7onnVRckBBPupNug6TBq1upqBloVj5Es4gwpt090_k7Qg8k_p1sqvwsul5r_NgnAEhGza/s1600/IMG_3077.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikizw_COLoor4kHb_4oLGFujkvEkrFXVAQvdGna5q83XWiyW2k3rH9W8YsxzkYRpVy2KsNyEhvpgIbQzY0y_TTn8Xl6RHuKB71hSLDIygFkkPvCCDNdC9c9qn6rtHp33d71rvgA2AYmwaS/s1600/IMG_3111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikizw_COLoor4kHb_4oLGFujkvEkrFXVAQvdGna5q83XWiyW2k3rH9W8YsxzkYRpVy2KsNyEhvpgIbQzY0y_TTn8Xl6RHuKB71hSLDIygFkkPvCCDNdC9c9qn6rtHp33d71rvgA2AYmwaS/s1600/IMG_3111.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our wonderful friend Aaron </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTxxmne07fWxxIFvSpooIfdd0vTMaR2x2ivLKfBGBczIR5Z9sHN0vIyfodp4S12hg7GyTA0B9SioM4tkgdLvygleaVqyW3vAKa4SqIj59IBouLyqhPlP4M3PJ4FqNvbLm85vxiFGWHkMs/s1600/IMG_3115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTxxmne07fWxxIFvSpooIfdd0vTMaR2x2ivLKfBGBczIR5Z9sHN0vIyfodp4S12hg7GyTA0B9SioM4tkgdLvygleaVqyW3vAKa4SqIj59IBouLyqhPlP4M3PJ4FqNvbLm85vxiFGWHkMs/s1600/IMG_3115.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and and the ladies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjnQ9r1fFWV6wVEFsYS2vKYjVvLSJfzLushdXV8geuKHg0bXibVKKvUAKK_AyUC5RaZjnGH60tnM4Sz-tODzy6I56ZkaYz4WO6Oah3VBXNkutm33l0GX3RXopR-KkngkgErZK2reW7ECQ/s1600/IMG_3083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjnQ9r1fFWV6wVEFsYS2vKYjVvLSJfzLushdXV8geuKHg0bXibVKKvUAKK_AyUC5RaZjnGH60tnM4Sz-tODzy6I56ZkaYz4WO6Oah3VBXNkutm33l0GX3RXopR-KkngkgErZK2reW7ECQ/s1600/IMG_3083.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How beautiful is the lobby for the museum?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3Z6ijmmUrvM9menswPlgwJ55Zwrz4YAlgK4xGIbMWT4pYINHGPWWz_DJWaWGKlGqgszxD-FxMJo4KObPBDgsUiD4D1a2fJ6jatKThsy7Sib6IjreuTrvh5JrOD3SNajRyOEi2HG7l8cC/s1600/IMG_6626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3Z6ijmmUrvM9menswPlgwJ55Zwrz4YAlgK4xGIbMWT4pYINHGPWWz_DJWaWGKlGqgszxD-FxMJo4KObPBDgsUiD4D1a2fJ6jatKThsy7Sib6IjreuTrvh5JrOD3SNajRyOEi2HG7l8cC/s1600/IMG_6626.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful emerald ring, my next birthday gift!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ogo8hNxHdNWu1CFoptT8i1jLn70x3bQSAVRSCDCLqsqUBgdGnJk90IzOaIt3knpAljkYq8a3hyphenhyphenv3DemtPIcaXxU1cgcSGT5RNvDVRFcAzIvVmCoaThl1VcLloN5KeJcUpT_uBU4xs5bX/s1600/IMG_6639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ogo8hNxHdNWu1CFoptT8i1jLn70x3bQSAVRSCDCLqsqUBgdGnJk90IzOaIt3knpAljkYq8a3hyphenhyphenv3DemtPIcaXxU1cgcSGT5RNvDVRFcAzIvVmCoaThl1VcLloN5KeJcUpT_uBU4xs5bX/s1600/IMG_6639.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BrgHTTLIMnZx530OIK-AoHkqyIdAptCc33Fwe00yB960aoy4rrQr0yU_kClhR0TgsF5XvvHGNd99XaMDKxfjZsK6sp-GgmLmW_S4Fz8KIUh61pDmO72BaWS7WkOjrT5v6JRsTxDARsUO/s1600/IMG_3087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BrgHTTLIMnZx530OIK-AoHkqyIdAptCc33Fwe00yB960aoy4rrQr0yU_kClhR0TgsF5XvvHGNd99XaMDKxfjZsK6sp-GgmLmW_S4Fz8KIUh61pDmO72BaWS7WkOjrT5v6JRsTxDARsUO/s1600/IMG_3087.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hope Diamond was such a stunner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After the museums, we proceeded to walk our feet off trying to see as many monuments as possible...but more on that next time!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-8823206965009955052014-07-24T19:57:00.000-07:002014-07-24T19:57:05.145-07:00Living Room Overhaul <div style="text-align: center;">
At first this post was titled, "Living Room Makeover". And then I thought back on how our living room looked when we first moved in, and makeover simply didn't seem strong enough. The wooden floors were stained, the trim chewed up by the previous owner's dog, the walls were cracked and painted the worst color of green. Just take a look for yourself...</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIc-EIVYuJfT1xCQqS7ezRkHQ0_uSEhkfMU16vGKTFeCR_uaa7OcokgTazf6djxk9RR7-JXzzk2cqYMRjBpV_KhGSVIiB9wuftOGmcY1Mr89729vhXif0Lrzg_YvaElhyWYGg5jqBwrfbQ/s1600/IMG_3007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIc-EIVYuJfT1xCQqS7ezRkHQ0_uSEhkfMU16vGKTFeCR_uaa7OcokgTazf6djxk9RR7-JXzzk2cqYMRjBpV_KhGSVIiB9wuftOGmcY1Mr89729vhXif0Lrzg_YvaElhyWYGg5jqBwrfbQ/s1600/IMG_3007.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hardwood floors looked awful.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AscawZK48FF-HkSnElTevqn1fvA_Ym26-VjCEeQhLK0wo-1Vcg3jyXT-03-lWhajLBMpAi_GDScKTJZNLMYfd0Ct_prdQH-AfXioFNwB4Vf5I14Bnne5Q4V_GV9J2t8SGJa6DHzc_Ibg/s1600/IMG_3010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AscawZK48FF-HkSnElTevqn1fvA_Ym26-VjCEeQhLK0wo-1Vcg3jyXT-03-lWhajLBMpAi_GDScKTJZNLMYfd0Ct_prdQH-AfXioFNwB4Vf5I14Bnne5Q4V_GV9J2t8SGJa6DHzc_Ibg/s1600/IMG_3010.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every wall had a crack in it and the window treatments were destroyed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToVNHkV2vio4KOY9GWzDriW7kAZlaADCNq9s80bATq2A4O_XOTXzlBB0PUNLLEnjqT8ix3dfeUb1oYsU4Jhs-EXguDqtTFqv7Gavd2KyC1cUzEC685FAybiD4-Bh8PrZu1AUxbsvZJss-/s1600/IMG_5001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToVNHkV2vio4KOY9GWzDriW7kAZlaADCNq9s80bATq2A4O_XOTXzlBB0PUNLLEnjqT8ix3dfeUb1oYsU4Jhs-EXguDqtTFqv7Gavd2KyC1cUzEC685FAybiD4-Bh8PrZu1AUxbsvZJss-/s1600/IMG_5001.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not necessarily living room related, but I can't resist that corgi tush.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49GgEZC9uefIFiIgjoodJ_9eCX17S_FoGf_Yt-4voLVipJOc_lM-aLpX9q_jwylA-E7eJqJ2zYZCK5GA4b9nT54v0qsZLnpPl_jQ-q7qx7NUaov8FbkSY0W75guHbw1EgOgAJkXRiUn3q/s1600/IMG_2998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49GgEZC9uefIFiIgjoodJ_9eCX17S_FoGf_Yt-4voLVipJOc_lM-aLpX9q_jwylA-E7eJqJ2zYZCK5GA4b9nT54v0qsZLnpPl_jQ-q7qx7NUaov8FbkSY0W75guHbw1EgOgAJkXRiUn3q/s1600/IMG_2998.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prepping for it's overhaul </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOKlq0qyitTmStk8Qe6AczBZ30SgvcjHh1E4Rrw50sSbfbILiIbaFj6_Z-xnqSVIUmYdp7cN4IDL3Xp8y5RWuRTa-nQVnL55h9H8egkhatD1Rd9DUQfTIab6aJfvEJ_bh46r-9VA8YZ3T/s1600/IMG_3009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOKlq0qyitTmStk8Qe6AczBZ30SgvcjHh1E4Rrw50sSbfbILiIbaFj6_Z-xnqSVIUmYdp7cN4IDL3Xp8y5RWuRTa-nQVnL55h9H8egkhatD1Rd9DUQfTIab6aJfvEJ_bh46r-9VA8YZ3T/s1600/IMG_3009.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our big bay window (and it gives me the chills seeing all that snow!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We spent the first month of living here camping out in the basement. While we were down there, Mister & my Dad sanded and stained the living room and two upstairs bedrooms. We settled on a dark dark color to give the spaces upstairs a classy vibe. Now that the Corgi has made the house his own, I'm slightly regretting the dark color. White dog hair kinda clashes with hardwood. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We then decided that we needed to paint the walls. Walking through the front door and seeing that green was just depressing. I knew that I wanted the showcase shades of blue & darker green in the living room, so I figured that grey would be the best neutral to shlep on the walls. After painting everything upstairs, we lived with a pair of lounge chairs as our sole furniture for another week or so in the living room. My desperate hunt for an emerald velvet couch kept our furniture purchasing in limbo. I finally gave up my search and settled on a sandstone grey furniture. We actually got a great deal from Ashley Furniture on a 6 piece set. Seriously if you're on a budget, this is the place to go. </div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Once the furniture was in place we settled on that being enough for the time being. Mister had grad school work up to his eyeballs and I was being the supportive wife and suffering alongside him (i.e. binge watching Gossip Girl on Netflix). Finally when the weather improved and the quarter ended for school, we picked up where we left off and got back to work. Trim was installed, new window treatments hung, and we spent an entire weekend hanging art, pictures, and fun doo dads. Our living space still has a lot of work that needs to be done. Outlets need to be replaced, the tile by our front door needs to be torn out, the front door needs to be replaced, and I know I'm not done decorating. But for now, our little house is starting to feel more & more like a home. Take a peek at our "after" pictures of the overhaul. </div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7sF69xVjA4QPacWw51bQUw3FVGP7Nc4Nu-CKK2pMf5ROFoCd4a_PA84_7yICehwpDTF2Z5ioAhxhyFAHxoq4m8KMDB0OMyJzfsTOXMzBSkNVtVgCEM-yrnuSiFLjv4We8G6zUMsZVSXE/s1600/IMG_6043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7sF69xVjA4QPacWw51bQUw3FVGP7Nc4Nu-CKK2pMf5ROFoCd4a_PA84_7yICehwpDTF2Z5ioAhxhyFAHxoq4m8KMDB0OMyJzfsTOXMzBSkNVtVgCEM-yrnuSiFLjv4We8G6zUMsZVSXE/s1600/IMG_6043.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay! The piles of snow have been replaced with sunshine and happy green trees!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbs47OsO2eFgsH0Vz1w7RGoxS1hVsTQzFNOYpr4A8EFwYOCpklqE78x4VG_NWspNSjoayKzYG2bhnYADY7uBUkmk9MXwoceStQuXf-Q7Na0A8wi_yFRyvTV4kCkzmciQZo8n6B1ObQhee/s1600/IMG_6045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbs47OsO2eFgsH0Vz1w7RGoxS1hVsTQzFNOYpr4A8EFwYOCpklqE78x4VG_NWspNSjoayKzYG2bhnYADY7uBUkmk9MXwoceStQuXf-Q7Na0A8wi_yFRyvTV4kCkzmciQZo8n6B1ObQhee/s1600/IMG_6045.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long gone are the wooden blinds and in their place are lovely curtains.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXz-YcgQ3y9La463TNryhmpPEkY405JT_DgOnAo2VYXRpoSNHH2QCFrcECkGUk2zzUTyQ9g6GVb86-rrYstfWQda2Zea-vTMAfbhxqxIp-X9uxm7j4aVRBJY97MQxV09g7oT-um_EHDLZ/s1600/IMG_6047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXz-YcgQ3y9La463TNryhmpPEkY405JT_DgOnAo2VYXRpoSNHH2QCFrcECkGUk2zzUTyQ9g6GVb86-rrYstfWQda2Zea-vTMAfbhxqxIp-X9uxm7j4aVRBJY97MQxV09g7oT-um_EHDLZ/s1600/IMG_6047.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging to the right of our TV is a drawing done by one of our favorite people, Aaron. He drew it for a class and was kind enough to give it to me when we were in school.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQpxk9L5wmgPL4JVO6YYwj3vFgotcELPB3-ap-3nv-GGV6ZoPS4QqQ48wRaBJR-kCQqXYZCA-iPliDpb6XI3madNyhkIwKJevTkwWGSB-8Xs06e-2R7mz4nIMFy6q5C2GeOydIdbv3SPz/s1600/IMG_6050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQpxk9L5wmgPL4JVO6YYwj3vFgotcELPB3-ap-3nv-GGV6ZoPS4QqQ48wRaBJR-kCQqXYZCA-iPliDpb6XI3madNyhkIwKJevTkwWGSB-8Xs06e-2R7mz4nIMFy6q5C2GeOydIdbv3SPz/s1600/IMG_6050.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gallery wall that I'm obsessed with. I'm already planning on how I'll rearrange things in place for the Holidays! P.S.-the horizontal painting was done by my Great Nana. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcb0SyoTazZeSZAKxzhOlsh00tATQslrx3TuuR7PQ2p_MnMSfb3xj_kK0bvfQgkAYgCoVxg3RGRXyi8ty59w_Z0MbIva7vdOFIM4R4KymUpaNip3ROW16LFGyozWnaPdXz0XQHQvZYwAcr/s1600/IMG_6051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcb0SyoTazZeSZAKxzhOlsh00tATQslrx3TuuR7PQ2p_MnMSfb3xj_kK0bvfQgkAYgCoVxg3RGRXyi8ty59w_Z0MbIva7vdOFIM4R4KymUpaNip3ROW16LFGyozWnaPdXz0XQHQvZYwAcr/s1600/IMG_6051.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found this old record player in my Nana & Papa's attic. It is the most loved piece of furniture that there ever was.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WXvW2RBMZpmN3Z3wXVdUB0JF3rkevZ_pEj6EJAFtXepEEKQwwOxj4lKDfHQ66ehtE0CWcObdC-pJQmYtR8kkIkrnFEbSH_fOUExedYiDpG3DoCmgWFQKb1Jk94sKWkJ2a1mR4cBjUbQM/s1600/IMG_6052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WXvW2RBMZpmN3Z3wXVdUB0JF3rkevZ_pEj6EJAFtXepEEKQwwOxj4lKDfHQ66ehtE0CWcObdC-pJQmYtR8kkIkrnFEbSH_fOUExedYiDpG3DoCmgWFQKb1Jk94sKWkJ2a1mR4cBjUbQM/s1600/IMG_6052.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the front door. That rug has one corner out the door.<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Obviously we need an overhead light or fan in place of that hole in the ceiling, but for now we are loving this space. We spend almost all of our time here so it makes sense that this was the first room that we tackle. Next up is the kitchen! I cannot wait to go hog wild in there!<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-87832486592444120272014-03-04T15:48:00.001-08:002014-03-04T15:48:43.896-08:00Let it Go, Let it GOOOO!Ok is that song stuck in anyone else's head? Ever since John Travolta butchered Idina Menzel's name during the Oscar's, I haven't been able to stop belting out that Disney power ballad. Let's just say Mr. is ready for me to 'Let it Go'.<br />
<br />
Anywho...lent is tomorrow and we're preparing for it like every other red blooded American, by gorging ourselves on junk food. Growing up I never really celebrated Lent. It wasn't really encouraged by my parents when I was young and when I got older I considered giving up TV or candy for the duration, but I never followed through. This year, Mr. and I are very determined to give up quite a few things until April 17th. I've been working more & more on my relationship with God and my commitment to my religion and I feel more connected to this season of Lent than any other year. So tonight we are feasting upon hamburgers, onion rings, ice cream, beer, and little sugar do dads that are left over from Valentine's day. I didn't even have a full lunch in preparation for tonight. Tonight is going to be such a pig fest because we are really going all out for Lent and we wanted to eat a little of everything that we're giving up. That's right, we're giving up fast food, sugar, meat, and alcohol. It'll be quite the little experience since right now my diet consists mostly of the above food groups.<br />
<br />
Now a little news on the blog front. Lately I have been feeling immense guilt over not posting that frequently. I have so many ideas for this blog and right now I feel like my brain is so scattered that I can't put even one idea into motion. So I am taking a long break from blogging. I'll be taking blog classes, maybe a photography class, improving the design of this blog, and improving content. I'm hoping to be back in May, so please be patient and bear with me! I promise when I come back this will be a new and improved blog. In the mean time, please visit the blogs that I read and inspire me!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.hollywoodhousewife.com/" target="_blank">Hollywood Housewife</a><br />
<a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/" target="_blank">A Beautiful Mess</a><br />
<a href="http://www.signeroo.com/" target="_blank">Signeroo</a><br />
<a href="http://www.kendieveryday.com/" target="_blank">Kendi Everyday</a><br />
<a href="http://www.kaylee-daily.com/" target="_blank">Kaylee Daily </a>Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-11638732656088465142014-02-09T13:31:00.001-08:002014-02-09T13:38:33.982-08:00Lovey Dovey<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<div style="margin: 0 auto; width: 600px;">
<div style="position: relative;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/valentines_day/set?.embedder=2561350&.svc=blogger&id=112984448" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Valentines Day" border="0" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/hIgiPCrePCyznOc3o1AFjQ/cid/112984448/id/_iVcgdGR4xGFwmzrmu7EJQ/size/c600x484.jpg" force="1" height="484" title="Valentines Day" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shopruche.com/sweetest-love-sweater-in-gray.html" target="_blank">Sweetest Love Sweater</a>//<a href="http://shopruche.com/sparkling-champagne-heels.html" target="_blank">Sparkling Champagne Heels</a>//<a href="http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/paint-it-the-truth-dress" target="_blank">Paint it the Truth Dress</a>//<a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-candle/30144430.jsp?cm_sp=Grid-_-30144430-_-Regular_11" target="_blank">Lulu Candle</a>//<a href="http://www.baublebar.com/antoinette-collar.html" target="_blank">Antoinette Collar</a>//<a href="http://riflepaperco.com/item/Over_the_Moon_Card/275/c5" target="_blank">Valentine's Day Card</a>//<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pushing-Daisies-Complete-Second-Seasons/dp/B0024FABCG" target="_blank">Pushing Daisies DVD</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">Valentines day is just around the corner! Well actually it's charging full force at us...I can't believe we're almost halfway through February. Mr. and I aren't huge on Valentine's day and I was actually never into the holiday. Mr. was my first love and first boyfriend so I went a pretty long time without having a Valentine. My luke warm feelings towards V-day didn't change when I got married, but we still like to give each other small gifts on the day and do something out of the ordinary. I know that Pushing Daisies on DVD is number one on my wish list, but here are a few other things that I just adore!</span><br />
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0 auto; width: 600px;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-88879416439212050762014-01-28T13:17:00.000-08:002014-01-28T13:17:25.579-08:00Scenes from my iPhone <div style="text-align: center;">
Just a few snapshots of our life through the lens of my iPhone. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0ahNcHa4n8YrP0tIsxTOCFKn52MhgppbjPqEOk6coB8UFb1y4A0WMfJWXx4RZ0PkbMcQwflyh9quyV9qaLQXHOl6kfLBqfDQkypraPHTX61VQThAPVfEpHT835YNuWU0gCFk5TDkIfh-/s1600/IMG_4833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0ahNcHa4n8YrP0tIsxTOCFKn52MhgppbjPqEOk6coB8UFb1y4A0WMfJWXx4RZ0PkbMcQwflyh9quyV9qaLQXHOl6kfLBqfDQkypraPHTX61VQThAPVfEpHT835YNuWU0gCFk5TDkIfh-/s1600/IMG_4833.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We spent a few days at my parents house to wait out a snowstorm. Loved spending time with the princess.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RkSnbhbu8eVTktXH71Ru0ixNfVH0bTw6rtcjHG5dxaRHukPMi9DOfPmJw09Irwp8B6Vmg_-_uFfWG1Hhplvvp1yF1lYaxOuUscoGo9ebh1pC9UO3UM9VlnUFAgPrBm5o7P2nvqFUGf1t/s1600/IMG_4849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RkSnbhbu8eVTktXH71Ru0ixNfVH0bTw6rtcjHG5dxaRHukPMi9DOfPmJw09Irwp8B6Vmg_-_uFfWG1Hhplvvp1yF1lYaxOuUscoGo9ebh1pC9UO3UM9VlnUFAgPrBm5o7P2nvqFUGf1t/s1600/IMG_4849.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sunsets here have been insane lately. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttIHQF28nNQVopqrwfY6VOto0d2cqlfyfx_LEhgRIwj0H5ZUpwIXQn8y_SHSD0KpJwXRdsSPFnMZ_fm50_Nr8HAFtbTrqQx6kFlOmNaHY6RnyR4l5731rJC0n_a5dyQqhYeIYsdrDQX9K/s1600/IMG_4859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttIHQF28nNQVopqrwfY6VOto0d2cqlfyfx_LEhgRIwj0H5ZUpwIXQn8y_SHSD0KpJwXRdsSPFnMZ_fm50_Nr8HAFtbTrqQx6kFlOmNaHY6RnyR4l5731rJC0n_a5dyQqhYeIYsdrDQX9K/s1600/IMG_4859.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While Mr. & my Dad picked up supplies, my Mom & I did some light shopping.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItiJgIfOy10FmDjoGBucAtrIEbHrCvmDQnzCDMOhcTyoZflWIe199VHC7u7IJpupc67VRxIdB1fgalyk5L8MHnC4CcWcM7a-QaVakK88OaaA90Ooh_9isC66h2emx2aKZbIf90JVTaW9S/s1600/IMG_4869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItiJgIfOy10FmDjoGBucAtrIEbHrCvmDQnzCDMOhcTyoZflWIe199VHC7u7IJpupc67VRxIdB1fgalyk5L8MHnC4CcWcM7a-QaVakK88OaaA90Ooh_9isC66h2emx2aKZbIf90JVTaW9S/s1600/IMG_4869.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catching up with a dear friend. Rockin friendship with this one since '05!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MUFrTsdDqE5fDR3EyMzVn_r7SehCmxBjRUi_9gPYxpwJ4nDSZZFOGsFN_aTtdYWsYXG_dboVWg1DSACaHvvZ3GqF8iIj8CTHNrp41yc4Vy6MVzqrLBmc5JOkR_x30oDb9CvLf1yz4Hc0/s1600/IMG_4888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MUFrTsdDqE5fDR3EyMzVn_r7SehCmxBjRUi_9gPYxpwJ4nDSZZFOGsFN_aTtdYWsYXG_dboVWg1DSACaHvvZ3GqF8iIj8CTHNrp41yc4Vy6MVzqrLBmc5JOkR_x30oDb9CvLf1yz4Hc0/s1600/IMG_4888.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watson & I have been obsessively watching Downton Abbey.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcfZsNANqS5j4vM2p70JL8LVG5f-1p2FqTIbTrggRiGEqg-21Ggu2_SgPVvF_MSGSCpL31YoHSD_2B2h__jZVQ7LllL_fcpvn6WBkWFuGiFDtDE12F0TV3QCtSTdeLJeEeQnwhq_Arx1_/s1600/IMG_4939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcfZsNANqS5j4vM2p70JL8LVG5f-1p2FqTIbTrggRiGEqg-21Ggu2_SgPVvF_MSGSCpL31YoHSD_2B2h__jZVQ7LllL_fcpvn6WBkWFuGiFDtDE12F0TV3QCtSTdeLJeEeQnwhq_Arx1_/s1600/IMG_4939.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone discovered our window ledge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBVucUtBHVvHP7rzaMIhuGqa6OHlC2xcViUhieHnb29w6IpsVESCmLcXByGpxS9seZfWvx0o50W_xLbXIwIHyUxlbQE5seuxt68LLhEOwov7_kbOVO8FSzJe9HTy4m1YVWgsgYYxOn5WW/s1600/IMG_4943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBVucUtBHVvHP7rzaMIhuGqa6OHlC2xcViUhieHnb29w6IpsVESCmLcXByGpxS9seZfWvx0o50W_xLbXIwIHyUxlbQE5seuxt68LLhEOwov7_kbOVO8FSzJe9HTy4m1YVWgsgYYxOn5WW/s1600/IMG_4943.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making big decisions in home decor and color schemes! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFIsvnRmhIMNuvAjU_h_nqK5CxSkxFM_L8KoilBRPj3s56bfCuJbmd31GnBS6BEpLZaMs7_gjWlk3JMv5r31Szy4FfG-0yuXdKbCzjPjGDSR_dsQbKSlBokNFfvNHKKSZayQzH1jWihce/s1600/IMG_4961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFIsvnRmhIMNuvAjU_h_nqK5CxSkxFM_L8KoilBRPj3s56bfCuJbmd31GnBS6BEpLZaMs7_gjWlk3JMv5r31Szy4FfG-0yuXdKbCzjPjGDSR_dsQbKSlBokNFfvNHKKSZayQzH1jWihce/s1600/IMG_4961.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My blogger idol replied to a tweet I sent her! My night was made.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibYwMSEwCX1ziI2PMcgSAeT0nRSYFCyaeLKxb319tb92-NwMxTnzhQLH0iGM90p7euDMzqyb3nxzdP2GUSQgv6AcbDm0qnimwH4irXcMBbv0MnIYXJBMAA08h9EnJ0ZvEB21LzkaAwiOE/s1600/IMG_4973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibYwMSEwCX1ziI2PMcgSAeT0nRSYFCyaeLKxb319tb92-NwMxTnzhQLH0iGM90p7euDMzqyb3nxzdP2GUSQgv6AcbDm0qnimwH4irXcMBbv0MnIYXJBMAA08h9EnJ0ZvEB21LzkaAwiOE/s1600/IMG_4973.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Golden Globes hangout was a success! We can't really call it a party since it's usually only 3 of us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-FEeaVgJwivS-3NqhC4DZBTlxAMNEJg6gfGpqPd6M1gGOuPamkYGEE40qxqZuDozAA_Nm-asAB7zz1bQQWawk47G998KrKSEQQPtZaMoUXqGO7uUNY9i5DMmFBlXiM2RGMz91QPr1hQq/s1600/IMG_5001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-FEeaVgJwivS-3NqhC4DZBTlxAMNEJg6gfGpqPd6M1gGOuPamkYGEE40qxqZuDozAA_Nm-asAB7zz1bQQWawk47G998KrKSEQQPtZaMoUXqGO7uUNY9i5DMmFBlXiM2RGMz91QPr1hQq/s1600/IMG_5001.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a weirdo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNhup18ZB-2LIAmOht1PVeUKaOu3o_sfXMWkQIl5VVO6yZ6yEUfuHLA6rJv9BA2XWk8go3ZYLib_ul4b5oO7ojjYzLm83xuLcK0TwvRQ01N2KE0UM9WZ-dsmpOaD-SCBaxTrYhCVR9suW/s1600/IMG_5007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNhup18ZB-2LIAmOht1PVeUKaOu3o_sfXMWkQIl5VVO6yZ6yEUfuHLA6rJv9BA2XWk8go3ZYLib_ul4b5oO7ojjYzLm83xuLcK0TwvRQ01N2KE0UM9WZ-dsmpOaD-SCBaxTrYhCVR9suW/s1600/IMG_5007.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from where I'm sitting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-34303201597946323972014-01-17T09:36:00.002-08:002014-01-17T11:08:40.293-08:00A Few Things So I think I am adding, "don't make blog promises" on my 2014 resolution list. Here I am 17 days into January and this blog doesn't look any different. I know I know. The last time I wrote here I said that I'd be working on tweaking the format and design of this blog. But it turns out moving, repairing, & decorating an old house can be a time suck. Anyway! Here are a few things that are going on around here.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We have been furiously working on the house. Every spare minute of time that we have, we are using to fix up our home. These are all things we wanted to get done before we moved in, but our closing date was messed up and now we're camping in the basement while we do the repairs. So far we've removed wallpaper, fixed the plumping, repaired outlets, fixed cracks in the walls (and ceilings) and updated the sink hardware. We also installed our glorious fridge which I sometimes stare at lovingly because I am in love with it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My Dad & Mr. have been doing the repairs most of the time. I am not efficient in pipe replacement so instead I browse HGTV magazines and swoon over my Domino decorating book. I'm a very indecisive person so settling on decorating ideas and color schemes for rooms is actually pretty hard! I was the same way with settling on wedding details. I don't want to settle on an idea and then find one I like more later on! But I've pretty much decided on the living room & kitchen. All that's left is the master & office. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We are re-finishing our floors this weekend and the next weekend we are painting the upstairs. We have a ton left to do but from here on out it's mostly cosmetic and fun stuff now. I'm hoping that by the time my birthday comes around (end of May) the house will be completed and we can move onto landscaping! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
Also…the song "Africa" by Toto is stuck in my head and I can't stop singing it. I blame this clip…</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/S9F86cAoi3o?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
PS- Who else is excited that Jimmy is moving to the Tonight Show?! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-28636685205943254642013-12-18T11:08:00.001-08:002013-12-18T11:18:39.434-08:00Christmas Time is Here<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<div style="margin: 0 auto; width: 450px;">
<div style="position: relative;">
Ok so Christmas time is seriously here. I can't believe that next week is Christmas. This time last year Mr. & I were hanging out at Universal Studios in Florida. Oh to be back in Orlando. Mr. & I have the next three days off of work so we'll be doing a lot of last minute shopping tomorrow, mostly because I keep forgetting Christmas is so darn close. I usually hate hate hate shopping at malls and crowded stores, but since we'll be shopping in the afternoon on a weekday, I'm hoping the masses will be at school & work.<br />
<br />
I had already given my Christmas lists to Mr. & my parents a few weeks ago. But if there was a Santa for grownups, then these would be the items I'd writing to the North Pole for.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/christmas_wishlist/set?.embedder=2561350&.svc=blogger&id=107413627" target="_blank"><img alt="Christmas Wishlist" border="0" force="1" height="290" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/z9SCaGOHOYg7EkkBcDl79g/cid/107413627/id/PHgLQhVo4xGIk8N1GdwLkg/size/c600x436.jpg" title="Christmas Wishlist" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
1.<a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/clothes-sweaters/30626709.jsp?color=004&cm_mmc=CJ-_-Affiliates-_-Polyvore-_-11292623&utm_medium=Polyvore&utm_source=AFFILIATES&utm_content=Polyvore" target="_blank">Tarnby Pullover by Anthropologie</a> // 2.<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/126874485/his-and-hers-mug-set?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_query=his+%26+her+mugs&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=his+" target="_blank">His & Her mugs </a>//<br />3.<a href="http://www.baublebar.com/aztec-gem-bib.html?publisherId=2845&clickId=791237672" target="_blank">Bib Necklace by Bauble Bar</a> // 4.<a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/shoes-heels/30457808.jsp?color=069&cm_mmc=CJ-_-Affiliates-_-Polyvore-_-11292623&utm_medium=Polyvore&utm_source=AFFILIATES&utm_content=Polyvore" target="_blank"> Jeffery Campbell Heels</a> //<br />5. <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-candle/30271928.jsp?cm_sp=Grid-_-30271928-_-Large_12" target="_blank">Capri Candle </a> // 6. <a href="http://www.urbandecay.com/urban-decay/eye-makeup/naked3/409.html" target="_blank">Naked 3 Palette </a></div>
</div>
Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-75312420913927759562013-12-16T17:46:00.001-08:002013-12-16T17:46:28.023-08:00Year One <div class="MsoNormal">
When Mr. & I were engaged, people kept telling us to
savor the moments we had as an engaged couple. That our first year of marriage
would fly by and before we’d know it, we’d be celebrating our first wedding
anniversary. I just smiled and nodded because I didn’t think the year could go
by that fast. After all, the days leading up to our wedding seemed to drag on.
But here I am, on our first wedding anniversary and I can’t believe how fast
time has gone. Yesterday I stood up as a bridesmaid in my cousin’s wedding and
I found myself crying at times, just going back and thinking about our day. How
nervous and excited I was to see Mr. for our first look. How wonderful and
light I felt as I walked down the aisle to, “I see the Light” from Tangled. To
the overfilled feeling I felt in my heart & soul as Mr. recited his vows to
me and me to him. As my cousin’s Dad gave his speech to the couple, I was
reminded of my Dad’s sweet speech to us. And as I watched her & her husband
dance together to their first song, I was immediately taken back to our first
dance. The night was constant reminders of our wedding day just one year ago
and I was so happy to have my husband by my side the entire time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our first year was far from easy. I tried going into
marriage with as little expectations as possible, but it wasn’t easy. I figured
getting married would solve all the problems we had as a dating couple. It
definitely didn’t. We still fought, sometimes a lot. We still nit-picked each
other, sometimes over the dumbest things. We disagreed over how to spend our
time, money, and even where we’d tithe. But even through all the arguments,
fights, and silent treatments, I remembered our vows to each other. That no
matter what happened in our marriage that we would continue to fight for us and
for the love we had for each other. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nearly every person I talked to before we got married told
me that the first year of marriage would be the hardest. I figured that would
be the case, but I had no idea how hard our first year would end up being. We
spent the first month of marriage with both of us unemployed. Granted the
endless amount of time we had to spend together was amazing. But underneath it
all was the constant fear of upcoming bills and payments to be made. Matt &
I finally got full time jobs, and just as we got comfortable in our new roles
as working folk, I left my job. I had faith that I would soon find a new one,
but there were times when I kicked myself for leaving a job without one lined
up. So for a month I remained mostly unemployed, only working part time at a
retail store. I finally found a new job (which I love) and things started to
fall into place again. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well one month into my new job and 5 months into our
marriage, Mr. got very sick. He remained ill for a few weeks with a fever and
pains in his back & chest. We finally went to the doctor to see why he
wasn’t getting better. At our physician we discovered that his heart was
beating too fast, too fast even for her to measure. We were sent to the ER for
more tests, and after an endless amount of blood draws & x-rays we finally
found out that Mr. had a sack of fluid attached his heart and it immediately
needed to be removed. So off to surgery he went. I don’t remember ever being as
scared as I was in that moment. I was only 22 and married for 5 months and my
husband had just been whisked away for heart surgery. Well long story short, he
made it through surgery, we spent several days in the cardio ICU, and weeks
(and more tests) later we were told that he had a virus that caused the fluid
build-up. Despite all the madness he’s fine now and will have to see a cardiologist
once a year for the rest of his life, but he’s recovered and that’s all I can
ask for. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well that would have been more than enough excitement for
one year. But a couple months after Matt’s surgery we were in a serious car
accident. We were out showing my parents a house we were interested and on our
way back to my parent’s house a woman hit us nearly head on. She was on our
phone and we couldn’t get out of her way in time. As soon as the air bags
deployed, I blacked out for a moment. The next thing I remembered was running
out of the car as fast as I could. I sat on the side of the road screaming in
pain and yelling for anyone who could come to my aide. Thankfully my parents
were driving behind us and could help Mr. call 911 and then help me. I ended up
spending the day in the hospital with bruises covering my body, swollen
fingers, cuts, and a banged up knee. My car was totaled and it took me a couple
of months to totally heal up. But again, I am so glad that I am totally fine,
Mr. was barely scratched and my car was replaced.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And of course y’all know about our house-hunting ordeal. It’s
been ongoing and we’re finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. <o:p></o:p></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>776</o:Words>
<o:Characters>4429</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Judson University </o:Company>
<o:Lines>36</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>10</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>5195</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2013 was a wild year for us, and strangely I wouldn’t trade
it for anything. Between Matt’s surgery, our accident, and our stints of
unemployment, we have learned to be more grateful for what we have. We slow
down and enjoy the quiet moments we have together. Year number one was crazy…here’s
hoping year number 2 is a little less on the wild side!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cGgg5GJ_BTp9MHFsFDoRDNBHPEsxWVI3sZkDdYpUkXLNss5f9y3LV57rMjkKHJ0xV8RXxhNiAHLb9juDtqY1R5djoTuzdR9LOvWXp70HGxjxGaClfKYlVMlWzdp0xdGyGMNNwlCpxNy1/s1600/M&C+DeBall-342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cGgg5GJ_BTp9MHFsFDoRDNBHPEsxWVI3sZkDdYpUkXLNss5f9y3LV57rMjkKHJ0xV8RXxhNiAHLb9juDtqY1R5djoTuzdR9LOvWXp70HGxjxGaClfKYlVMlWzdp0xdGyGMNNwlCpxNy1/s320/M&C+DeBall-342.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-81614677941118042412013-12-13T08:37:00.003-08:002013-12-13T14:11:49.020-08:00That's all I Have to Say About That<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wrote and re-wrote stories and tips about our reception
venue and our florist. But honestly I just didn’t know what to say about either
one of them. Both vendors were wonderful and listened to my vision, but I just
don’t have any tips or advice that aren't totally obvious. So here’s a little
run down about what made our vendors perfect to us.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our reception venue was at a restaurant/brewery that my
parents love. It has a beautiful party room that got as close as possible to my
concept of a rustic winter celebration. I mean you can’t go wrong with floor to
ceiling windows, large wooden beams, and paintings of fox’s covering the walls.
They took my idea of mini versions of our favorite comfort foods as appetizers
and just ran with it. As they waited for the party to start, our guests were
able to enjoy mini mac & cheese, tomato bisque shooters with grilled
cheese, tiny cheeseburgers, mini tacos, and shot glasses with fries &
ketchup. We had a hot chocolate bar set up for our friends & family to warm
themselves up with. Our dinner was a pasta & salad bar with every fixing
you could imagine. Granted, my tight dress coupled with every person coming up
to us to congratulate us made it near impossible for me to eat anything. But I
didn’t care. I was too excited to leave for our Disney honeymoon! My only
grievance with our venue was the cake. The package that we took advantage of
included a cake, but the budget left very little wiggle room for design. The cake
wasn’t at the top of my list of concerns, so it ended up being a white cake
sprayed with edible glitter. I brought faux purple flowers and pinecones to add
a little oomph to it. Mr. & I had a great time, and one year later we still
have guests from our wedding telling us that it was the best wedding they have
ever been to. If you’re looking for a beautiful and creative venue for your
reception, the Onion Pub is just the place. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our florist was just as great. I always knew who I’d use as
our florist, but we went to a different florist that we had heard wonderful
things about. Remember Franc from ‘Father of the Bride’? Yeah that was the
florist. Even though he was truly an amazing designer, he took my ideas of
sweet & simple and turned it into giant trees lining our aisle with candles
hanging from the branches. No thank you. So we used an even more local florist
who I had actually worked for when I was 16. She sat down with us numerous
times and went through every single picture I had and helped me create my dream
bouquet. My Mom’s side of the family are all crazy about gardening and flowers,
myself included, so I knew the flowers would be one of the most important
things to me. My florist created a stunning arrangement for me, and followed my
wish for each bridesmaid to carry a different white bloom. She even hunted down
white peonies (my favorite flower) for my bouquet; despite the fact that
peonies are wildly out of season during the winter. Our ceremony décor was
simple and no fuss but she turned our simple idea into a fairy land. We gave her
10 lanterns (the movie ‘Tangled’ was an underlying theme of the wedding) and
she attached them to hooks, and then put them in galvanized containers filled
with fake snow. Fake snow covered the chapel’s aisle. It was like walking down
the streets of London during a snowfall. For our reception we gave her a ton of
little bottles and mason jars and she filled them all with purple wildflowers. She
did an awesome job of mixing our old books, tree slices, and white birds
throughout the flowers on the tables. It was wonderful. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I really don’t have any tips or pieces of advice to give in
regards to the florist or reception venue. Just remember your vision and what
you want for your wedding, and don’t let anyone talk you out of it or change
your mind. It’s your vision and dream for a reason. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well I had intended to write a lot more about our wedding
planning process. We were engaged for a year and a half and were planning up
until the last possible moment. But we are currently packing up our house to move
and the time to write just wasn’t there! I’ll be sharing a little summary of
our first year of marriage on Monday and since I have time off next week, I’m
hoping I’ll get to share some of our honeymoon too! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJMJ1k9gONDnHs4BQz5n4N-h7BmLzO_SBN-y9rXNjS4WzF7DQqDRe-_St9eq7yXlIhBELCAPqpJNtvRlJ-Ey1LutS8789Mu_DJqu4emKvRcZPAm-e_lykLJJiLrhEuRjSBlvNVUOghN_R/s1600/flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJMJ1k9gONDnHs4BQz5n4N-h7BmLzO_SBN-y9rXNjS4WzF7DQqDRe-_St9eq7yXlIhBELCAPqpJNtvRlJ-Ey1LutS8789Mu_DJqu4emKvRcZPAm-e_lykLJJiLrhEuRjSBlvNVUOghN_R/s320/flowers.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">My something blue was a pin my Papa received. He passed away earlier that year and I needed him with me in some way.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNOFDzaZ4ZKn8ZTV3uJ_2zflJ7IUPCi0NmTNwQIxfUvf1sTi0gti7-6MHJxP6c2QHIsyMpT8uRA85J6pT4-jDJLnLIxosbg7CTMLf8lf8V3HFgHuN0E2V1OhAQifdRgLsg1Q4PAJBJdzV/s1600/image+(3).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNOFDzaZ4ZKn8ZTV3uJ_2zflJ7IUPCi0NmTNwQIxfUvf1sTi0gti7-6MHJxP6c2QHIsyMpT8uRA85J6pT4-jDJLnLIxosbg7CTMLf8lf8V3HFgHuN0E2V1OhAQifdRgLsg1Q4PAJBJdzV/s320/image+(3).jpeg" height="213" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoT6l_SMxIThrfWM79ndbIqPahJc9Uh1cgoZUxmjAaoQFksvVaMAhbH9z0wYJmdC64INkMxaEbwO4VZ96I4MBqvfDqyfEQnZtFOeHvrkQjjtk6VnZRmWOtGEnalGJi6UHxvHGNtbhjx0O/s1600/image+(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoT6l_SMxIThrfWM79ndbIqPahJc9Uh1cgoZUxmjAaoQFksvVaMAhbH9z0wYJmdC64INkMxaEbwO4VZ96I4MBqvfDqyfEQnZtFOeHvrkQjjtk6VnZRmWOtGEnalGJi6UHxvHGNtbhjx0O/s320/image+(2).jpeg" height="320" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfBxHYZhKe3rtAqXq4fywWt1IJTMS75nYmf__P1zS3YkHRsGSeZm3FlXwO4aVZG1tSR7CPt7-HcTBhPTa1ZMhciMM9y08hY-x8pnpmYBSqZXm8egYAtGPHdv2L-tvQ4bt3yug7tAsxfQS/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfBxHYZhKe3rtAqXq4fywWt1IJTMS75nYmf__P1zS3YkHRsGSeZm3FlXwO4aVZG1tSR7CPt7-HcTBhPTa1ZMhciMM9y08hY-x8pnpmYBSqZXm8egYAtGPHdv2L-tvQ4bt3yug7tAsxfQS/s320/image.jpeg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ox_XbhXoK2_D7bHrEtCUL4K1MZrLGBg9XJC7dnnRL57ccjXv3-gs5fQCuOlDMNtdULwCOkH0Bfili1R4D7TiL9mK4l_O-WzKhDsst99jdgSG6VHd_BC_ELp45uPoBk0tmExmllI_4t4N/s1600/image+(4).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ox_XbhXoK2_D7bHrEtCUL4K1MZrLGBg9XJC7dnnRL57ccjXv3-gs5fQCuOlDMNtdULwCOkH0Bfili1R4D7TiL9mK4l_O-WzKhDsst99jdgSG6VHd_BC_ELp45uPoBk0tmExmllI_4t4N/s320/image+(4).jpeg" height="320" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIf5fQGj9BpFyIzspFBzxlTokKdm2PgLf0LhReiSRVJmQUT-bpWG5xugACnHfqB7IrLRCo889ocIPXA8XfbM4YHuCGdYuWHEGPVqJNh29wPmL2qFBqEtheBJCX8hW8fwdN3y1-LCuwh0q/s1600/image+(5).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIf5fQGj9BpFyIzspFBzxlTokKdm2PgLf0LhReiSRVJmQUT-bpWG5xugACnHfqB7IrLRCo889ocIPXA8XfbM4YHuCGdYuWHEGPVqJNh29wPmL2qFBqEtheBJCX8hW8fwdN3y1-LCuwh0q/s320/image+(5).jpeg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GNQ3DLXJZceQGGr1ulERbhA4iNmnD-HdUcpC_xAkpuiMzZu6Cld2LetMIHhoSn-AhOPa-89dWwKzFNiGmDds8mTluD2Cl6Ry5WVXN-_Rv-bFpP67u5RlsCgRLODjxqfc2lXOo_PfZisc/s1600/image+(6).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GNQ3DLXJZceQGGr1ulERbhA4iNmnD-HdUcpC_xAkpuiMzZu6Cld2LetMIHhoSn-AhOPa-89dWwKzFNiGmDds8mTluD2Cl6Ry5WVXN-_Rv-bFpP67u5RlsCgRLODjxqfc2lXOo_PfZisc/s320/image+(6).jpeg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreyRQsVjr8-nwaawO3bJQMmvNR-UBc3DUJX6SSUNnYxIXy_aCrWg90gLNnKnGcfHes4czxyk5qfVwtoDDZBZa9FkEH9phsXoEg9UAUh-miU9zIoXgoSNx1IRzimvWM-0i2fNgsQFvCrOf/s1600/image+(7).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreyRQsVjr8-nwaawO3bJQMmvNR-UBc3DUJX6SSUNnYxIXy_aCrWg90gLNnKnGcfHes4czxyk5qfVwtoDDZBZa9FkEH9phsXoEg9UAUh-miU9zIoXgoSNx1IRzimvWM-0i2fNgsQFvCrOf/s320/image+(7).jpeg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LX9Jgt8RQOBJM8i5gS2uOKJC5kwFzX3Ds6v_SFY-Q9q5ufn5IJXXgrqBufNZynNWETR8Fc2_jd5WbtvosgxTzfFELhnP4I60rtSJ18hm_Otu7d4gTNwM95Pu86wYeR_zP9Tmx_pY-HJr/s1600/image+(8).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LX9Jgt8RQOBJM8i5gS2uOKJC5kwFzX3Ds6v_SFY-Q9q5ufn5IJXXgrqBufNZynNWETR8Fc2_jd5WbtvosgxTzfFELhnP4I60rtSJ18hm_Otu7d4gTNwM95Pu86wYeR_zP9Tmx_pY-HJr/s320/image+(8).jpeg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-8985596211898366852013-12-10T19:22:00.001-08:002013-12-10T19:23:00.734-08:00The Dress<div class="MsoNormal">
Not unlike all aspects of my life…my wedding dress hunt was
not without drama. I went dress shopping for the first time about a month after
I got engaged. A dress I loved was on super duper sale and I just had to try it
on. I ended up trying on four dresses before I tried on a Kate Middelton
lookalike dress that they had. I meant to try it on as a total joke to the people with me,
but when I walked out everyone started to cry. I started to cry, my mom cried,
my sister cried and my cousin cried. The women working told me how beautiful I
looked. I figured if this dress got that kind of reaction it must be it. So
I pulled the trigger and bought it! I
didn’t even try on the dress we went there for. Well long story short, I got
the dress and realized that I hated it. I no longer had wedding dress rose colored glasses
on and the dress had lost its shimmer. I ended up exchanging it for another dress.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well the devil known as Pinterest (just kidding pin pin, I
will always love you) struck. I kept seeing these gorgeous gowns online and my
heart sunk more and more. The second dress I got simply was not it. After many stressed filled nights thinking I was stuck with a dress I hated, a Godsend came
into my life. A good friend of my Aunt’s is a dressmaker and I was able to
contact her and commission her to create my dream dress. I wanted something
form fitting with lace and sparkle with a touch of fairy princess. The final
result was amazing. It was everything I could want in a wedding dress. It was
comfortable, it fit me to a tee, and was plain old stunning. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even though my dress story has a happy ending, I still have
some tips for future brides for when you go dress shopping. Each bride is different so
these tips won’t apply to everyone, but they’re tips that I wish I had
followed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Wait a bit before you go shopping. Don’t jump out the
moment you get engaged and go shopping. You’ll be on engagement high and every
dress will seem to be “the dress”. Just enjoy being engaged for a while! </li>
<li>Do not buy the first dress you try on. Or in my case, the
fourth. Even if the first dress you put on ends up being the dress for you,
make sure you sleep on it. Odds are it will still be there the next day, week,
or month and if you still love it after you are able to think about it, then go
back and scoop it up!</li>
<li>Make appointments at multiple stores. I went to the most
generic bridal shop and I still regret that. I didn’t get the star treatment
that you may get at other salons. I didn’t feel like a bride who was shopping
for her wedding dress, but just another customer they wanted to make a sale on.</li>
<li>Do not let Pinterest work on your mind! Seeing fellow
brides pin pictures of stunning dresses kept me doubting my own dress. Even
after I had my dream one made, I was still longing for a different dress.</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your wedding dress is supposed to be the most important
dress you will ever wear. You’ll be in it all day, sitting, walking, and
dancing so you want to make sure it’s something you’ll love to wear for 8+ hours! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpToSB0PtNgy3jXgKYMRL3hhQTIZtUJdtptJN_XftTY9CFXfQ60thkrvlurQaDJtUdrPI8eIgEQ_IZOMb7mf1_xL3MihWeSliYNpXJsFGLk5eGOVfQbEfFiiSqPmDCJbhfDy8DFexjIC0b/s1600/M&C+DeBall-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpToSB0PtNgy3jXgKYMRL3hhQTIZtUJdtptJN_XftTY9CFXfQ60thkrvlurQaDJtUdrPI8eIgEQ_IZOMb7mf1_xL3MihWeSliYNpXJsFGLk5eGOVfQbEfFiiSqPmDCJbhfDy8DFexjIC0b/s320/M&C+DeBall-26.jpg" width="206" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBofWa4YWTp3TxLY6NE5osmJIVtSOg87u4OppkiLWA9fW03BKxnInprnUELoKbR1_bUvrbBwDDsNpwdH6SsJaKnBM4Awz0k_CUkrUsxvnOO5Py5TUAOZSMev0cY00OfZeYo4wC9YxQh5j/s1600/M&C+DeBall-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBofWa4YWTp3TxLY6NE5osmJIVtSOg87u4OppkiLWA9fW03BKxnInprnUELoKbR1_bUvrbBwDDsNpwdH6SsJaKnBM4Awz0k_CUkrUsxvnOO5Py5TUAOZSMev0cY00OfZeYo4wC9YxQh5j/s320/M&C+DeBall-17.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1NCy6WNDpAyTJBUwuX7-NaP_VC_pepOfWWa__cU94EC92N0FW8-jGGPViliPuIdOfc43MLRAwkS_TePJKETm_8kBTov5omjE6_6dlfj8w4VZfUKSZYf99eA6nc2QFdPAjUpojLiSWxsm/s1600/M&C+DeBall-53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1NCy6WNDpAyTJBUwuX7-NaP_VC_pepOfWWa__cU94EC92N0FW8-jGGPViliPuIdOfc43MLRAwkS_TePJKETm_8kBTov5omjE6_6dlfj8w4VZfUKSZYf99eA6nc2QFdPAjUpojLiSWxsm/s320/M&C+DeBall-53.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pH92f7ZR4QGlJ86F7qnUtYgyGBN0Xndy9Orf0oI8nYew06u_41YGIXjn-kt8ZVdf0gZsMphdrxrrDcEVTcZG2Pnkw3n9tM1OrpGjrsFKetSY0_yHYG_vzx4JAxx1MTirFp8Q7sEQ_2Mn/s1600/M&C+DeBall-239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pH92f7ZR4QGlJ86F7qnUtYgyGBN0Xndy9Orf0oI8nYew06u_41YGIXjn-kt8ZVdf0gZsMphdrxrrDcEVTcZG2Pnkw3n9tM1OrpGjrsFKetSY0_yHYG_vzx4JAxx1MTirFp8Q7sEQ_2Mn/s320/M&C+DeBall-239.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGFe-KL4oDftJgFR9cgkqJTo7LIIjKNRXEHAP1q4qeFop0rHiOAMo7r7rMH_6PeMOEuEAD-Cq9n27V-KTICFZixDvilrGd6MfON9dPWmvFzE2IqLsclW3i4Bj9E3XgnjuLbYdFDqkCQ_G/s1600/M&C+DeBall-906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGFe-KL4oDftJgFR9cgkqJTo7LIIjKNRXEHAP1q4qeFop0rHiOAMo7r7rMH_6PeMOEuEAD-Cq9n27V-KTICFZixDvilrGd6MfON9dPWmvFzE2IqLsclW3i4Bj9E3XgnjuLbYdFDqkCQ_G/s320/M&C+DeBall-906.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-53313682651400463722013-12-08T16:49:00.003-08:002013-12-08T16:50:04.185-08:00The Photographer<div class="MsoNormal">
I am going to get my most sage piece of advice out of the
way here. In regards to hiring a photographer for your big day there is one
word that you need to remember. Research! Research photographers until you are
blue in the face. Just when you think you have done your homework and that
you’re ready to pull the trigger, make sure you do the extra credit because
trust me you want the person in charge of capturing your perfect day to be the
perfect fit for you and your significant other. I thought I had done my
homework. I studied websites, contacted photographers, set up meetings, and
scoured their online reviews. Even after all that groundwork, we ended up
hiring people we knew from school because they appeared to do great work for a
very small fee. I waited with excitement for our wedding pictures to come in
the mail. I was so thrilled to be able to relive our happy day through the
pictures they took. Boy oh boy was I disappointed! As I clicked through the
pictures I started taking notes on what I would end up having to fix myself.
Pictures were too bright, group shots weren’t centered, and there were quite a
few unflattering shots of guests that I have stored away in my blackmail
folder. Moments that were meaningful to me (that I had asked be captured) were nowhere
to be found. I didn’t have a picture with my Mom, my Nana, or my Grandma. Our
first kiss as man & wife was taken in a blurry black & white shot. Our
sparkler send off was summed up in 4 pictures, with one usable picture of us.
Our ceremony and reception décor was barely documented. Pictures of my family
at the reception were not taken. But we did get 500 images of our guests
dancing. Folks I love ya, but I do not need 45 pictures of y’all doing the
electric slide. I think there are maybe 20 pictures of Mr. and I as a couple.
Now the people we used as our photographers are as wonderful as can be and when
they took our wedding pictures they were still a fledgling business and amateur
photographers. So I can place some of the blame on me. I simply did not do my
research. A year later they have improved brilliantly and are taking great
pictures. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that doesn’t change the
fact that I still have 10 images taken above me while I put my dress on,
leaving me with very lovely aerial images of my décolletage. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So future brides here are several pieces of advice I have in
regards to your photographer. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>RESEARCH! I cannot say that enough. Read over the
website, find reviews or testimonies by past clients, look through past events
that they did. See if you can, find pictures that were taken during the same
season of your big day. Our photographers had zero images taken inside during
the wintertime so I had no idea what their experience was in taking those types
of shots.</li>
<li>Consider your budget. Decide
how much you want to spend on your photographer. If you want an amazing
photographer who charge buco bucks, then simply cut the budget in a different
area of your wedding. To me the venue was the most important aspect of our day
so that’s where the majority of our budget went. I can’t imagine having our
reception anywhere else so I can’t say that if I could I would change it.</li>
<li>Do not make an emotional
decision! This may not be relevant for any other brides, but looking back I
know that our choice to go with our photographer was 60% emotional. We were
getting married during the most stressful year of my life. I was graduating
college, Mr. was entering grad school, I was working 3 jobs, and my family was
experiencing a terrible year of personal loss. The photographer was one of the
last vendors that we hired and when we did, I was so stressed out about many
things that I just wanted to be able to check that off our list.</li>
</ul>
Looking back on our wedding there are a couple of things
that I wish I could change. And our choice of photographer is the main one.
Please future brides do your homework, collect info on many photographers, and
make sure you take the time to make a thought out decision on whom to hire.
Pictures will be a great token to look back on your big day, and you want them
to be as spectacular as can be!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-90016507109277759252013-12-07T23:30:00.001-08:002013-12-07T23:30:34.042-08:0012-16-12<div class="MsoNormal">
In 8 days it’ll be the Mr.’s and my one-year wedding
anniversary. I really have had a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact
that it’s been nearly a year since we tied the knot. I feel like it was just
yesterday that me and a couple of my bridesmaids were settled in watching ‘The
Holiday’, too excited to fall asleep. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I started planning my wedding when I was around 7 years old.
Since then I had been collecting pictures and ideas for my perfect day. When we
started planning our wedding I started to realize it wouldn’t be the day I had
always imagined. Plans changed and ideas morphed until our wedding day turned
into something we both loved. Now I don’t consider myself a wedding expert by
any means, but spending a year and a half planning a wedding I’d like to think
I have a couple of nuggets to share with future brides. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>171</o:Words>
<o:Characters>978</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Judson University </o:Company>
<o:Lines>8</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>2</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>1147</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each day leading up to our anniversary I’ll be sharing
tidbits about different facets of planning a wedding. The photographer, the
flowers, the venue, and the dress. I hope to then share some of wedding day and
our honeymoon. I absolutely adored our wedding day and I can’t wait to share
some of my advice! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitagGTGg44itlO-0Ko2fT1Qfc1_c0cr3oHr7Myxt_w8HpLFSlelZx8D2i0lr7W2VdEL_eic9xjxSB4cH4e2LwxGvTcP_2i6o7eFsIBtTZc5d3WJpXkzk_GJ6FYV4ty3TGHimFFu7ID8-93/s1600/M&C+DeBall-348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitagGTGg44itlO-0Ko2fT1Qfc1_c0cr3oHr7Myxt_w8HpLFSlelZx8D2i0lr7W2VdEL_eic9xjxSB4cH4e2LwxGvTcP_2i6o7eFsIBtTZc5d3WJpXkzk_GJ6FYV4ty3TGHimFFu7ID8-93/s320/M&C+DeBall-348.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4861509400030770550.post-68775446121402686152013-11-14T19:08:00.001-08:002013-11-14T19:08:55.706-08:00Home Sweet Home! As you know, the Mr. and I have been searching for a home. For me it has been a stressful and agonizing time. I don't deal well with uncertanity and not knowing where we were going to live next is as uncertain as you can get. We struggled with the people we first started working with, but once we aligned ourselves with the right people our home search became much easier and less stressful.<br />
<br />
During our search we saw some homes that were totally updated and everything we'd want from a future home. But they were almost always at the top of our budget and far away from everything we do and love. We also saw some fixer uppers. But they were extreme fixer uppers that would cost way too much money to get to a livable state. Nothing we saw got us excited about moving.<br />
<br />
Well a couple of weeks ago we scheduled tours for two homes in our ideal town. One home was a small house that was way below our budget. The other one appeared to be perfect, but on the high end of our budget. As soon as we stepped into the first small house, we fell in love. There is not one room in the house that doesn't need updating. And despite of that, we still fell in love with every room we walked through. The entire time we were searching for homes, I knew I'd get a feeling about the place. A feeling that made me feel like I had stepped into my home. We both got that feeling when we stepped into that little ranch. Giddy with excitement, we barely wanted to see the next house and knew that it couldn't compare to the one we just saw (it didn't). Well this post is already longer than I intended, so long story short, we placed a bid on the home and nearly a week later, our bid was accepted! Since then we've been signing papers and contracts like crazy and are working hard on getting a closing date. Since the house is not being sold by a seller but instead a bank we can technically close as soon as we have all our inspections and contracts completed. In the mean time, I'm having a blast pinning remodeling ideas and scooping up every home magazine I can find! As soon as we're in the home I'll be posting about our remodeling progress and design ideas. I can't wait to share everything with you!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWA0eJMmBxe3lNaUfE18JN2cth4CTsEONPKn9i8xkvBlFoyNJVANDOK6tk6BAlWe0ZKA4WuNNNue65l-I-uN5Bh4r03dQXGGsvNLM3yt8nBDrnUcGcQ0Je716a7Sv4Q5cKuf802BbTkhqZ/s1600/photo-8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWA0eJMmBxe3lNaUfE18JN2cth4CTsEONPKn9i8xkvBlFoyNJVANDOK6tk6BAlWe0ZKA4WuNNNue65l-I-uN5Bh4r03dQXGGsvNLM3yt8nBDrnUcGcQ0Je716a7Sv4Q5cKuf802BbTkhqZ/s320/photo-8.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01766851902497830526noreply@blogger.com0