tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71895499322566497622023-11-16T03:37:32.252-08:00Making Sure to LaughAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.comBlogger165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-64655843185928961132016-07-28T11:21:00.002-07:002016-07-28T11:21:43.989-07:00A New Chapter...It's been a couple months now and once school starts I know I won't have much time to blog (although I still want to try to do so regularly). I want to record my journey into my new career so that I can look back on it and see how hard I worked :)<br />
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Since May, I have accepted a position (8th grade language arts) and completed a couple different programs to ready myself for this new job: a summer seminar (two days of back to back to back methods and strategy sessions) and a fieldwork experience in summer school -- an interesting setting. Teaching summer school will be an option to me... certainly not this summer (I'll be going to school myself), but maybe down the road.<br />
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I'm now in the process of accumulating classroom decorations, organizational supplies, and practicing deep breathing exercises everytime I realize that I'm turning my life upside down and starting a job I have no idea how to do. That's not entirely true -- I have an idea... but not much of one.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2015-10/21/15/enhanced/webdr04/enhanced-buzz-2035-1445455408-17.jpg?no-auto" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2015-10/21/15/enhanced/webdr04/enhanced-buzz-2035-1445455408-17.jpg?no-auto" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2015-10/21/15/enhanced/webdr04/enhanced-buzz-2035-1445455408-17.jpg?no-auto">Dory knows the struggle is real.</a><br /></td></tr>
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For the last several months, Jerry has been working out of state, only coming home every third weekend (except for our trip to Iowa in May and a week at the beginning of this month for jury duty) -- which, I'm not going to lie, has MAJORLY SUCKED! He's still got a few more weeks, but then he should be at least within the state for, hopefully at least the next six to nine months. It has not been easy to be essentially single parenting, but I tell myself I've done the best I could. The girls are alive, somewhat happy, and I usually remember to feed them dinner.<br />
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A few major changes to the routine coming up:<br />
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I will need to get used to waking up early (and not snoozing the alarm -- my current job has me so spoiled). I actually like it when I get up early, I feel accomplished the rest of the day. But I tend to forget that feeling when the alarm goes off and I just want to hit snooze. I think for the first couple months at least I will be so excited and nervous that I'll get up super early just to check over my lesson plans and triple check to make sure everything's ready.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ct.fra.bz/ol/fz/sw/i60/2/10/11/frabz-Your-crazy-behavior-isnt-my-lesson-plan-So-sit-down-and-be-quiet-b2f57c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://ct.fra.bz/ol/fz/sw/i60/2/10/11/frabz-Your-crazy-behavior-isnt-my-lesson-plan-So-sit-down-and-be-quiet-b2f57c.jpg" height="296" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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I will need to get REALLY SERIOUS about meal planning and meal prepping. I did pretty well with this when Emily was in school -- washing/cutting fruit and veggies, making 5 PBJs and freezing them like Uncrustables, packing the entire lunch and putting it in the fridge the night before. <br />
It ran pretty smoothly -- as long as I took the time to do all the prepwork on Sunday. Mostly I just can't let myself get lazy. I'm not only going to have to prep and pack all of Emily's lunches, but my own as well (no more lunch runs to Chipotle -- sad face).<br />
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After school and weekend activities... I will be teaching STEM magnet students, which means I will have the opportunity (not necessarily obligation but there is something to be said about being a team player) to participate in Saturday events (I get paid!!) and after school meetings. I believe I will be asked to join a committee, so there will be meetings for that as well. Luckily, the girls' daycare mom is now a great friend of mine (We Heart You Patti!!) and she is super flexible and always helps out.<br />
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Right now I'm just trying to take in all of the advice and information I can get. I've been meeting with fellow teachers, getting all of my HR paperwork in order and starting to write my first few days of lesson plans (so scary). I'm excited to jump in and get started. The anticipation is what makes me nervous, so in that way I'm really glad that this happened so quickly. I thought it might take me a couple years to realize this dream of becoming a teacher and it happened in about 6 months. <br />
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I still have a long road of classes, tests, and evaluations to go, but in a few short weeks I will be standing in front of a classroom of fresh-faced (maybe) 8th graders who are wondering why I'm sweating and my face is red. Wish me luck!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/56/b9/9d/56b99d3c4924605a1b556c8d8e8cec9b.jpg">me after the first day of school</a></td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-20534163153145833872016-05-01T09:59:00.000-07:002016-05-01T09:59:39.760-07:00Dusting Off the Blog...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a full year since I've posted anything in here. That's not okay. In my defense, 2015 (or at least the latter half of it) was a very stressful & trying time for me and my little family. There wasn't much going on in Making Sure to Laugh because honestly, there wasn't much to laugh about during that time. I'm not trying to be purposefully cryptic -- this is a not a cry for attention -- but I don't really want to disclose all the details of exactly why last year was less than awesome. If you need to know more... email me, I might tell you.</div>
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MOVING ON... Here in the present, things are starting to look up and I have made some changes in my life -- one of which means a new job title starting in August. For those of you who follow me on Pinterest, you may already know what I'm talking about. I'm going to be a teacher. I'm finally stepping onto the path I feel like I should have been on since I left high school. I took the round about route -- and really I'm glad because I have a little bit more life experience to bring to the table. </div>
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For those of you who don't know what I've been up to, I applied for an alternative teacher preparation program, since I already have a bachelor's degree (not in education) and I don't have the time or money right now to go through a whole Masters' program. I've taken my first two classes and was accepted into a resident teacher program which, from my understanding is like the ultimate in on-the-job training. I'll have my own classroom and basically be a full-fledged teacher except for the fact that I don't have my certificate yet. I have two years to complete all of the requirements toward my teaching certification, but will be teaching and going to school at the same time. </div>
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It's going to be quite a change... but I'm so excited. I'm proud of myself for finally taking this step -- I was so afraid to do it because I thought it would be too hard and take too long and I really just thought it was too late to start this journey. But it's never too late! </div>
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If you're wondering... my certificate will be in secondary (grades 7-12) English language arts. YES I am very excited about getting paid to correct grammar. I can't wait to decorate bulletin boards and grade tons of essays (one of those is a lie). </div>
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I plan to blog as much as I can through this experience. Now that I'm in the program, I have several things to look forward to in the months to come, before I'm actually thrown into the deep end of a middle or high school classroom. First, I'll be participating in mock interviews in preparation for a job fair, where I'll have the opportunity to interview with principals. I'm terrified of this, actually... it's been about ten years since my last job interview! Then there's a "summer seminar" at the community college where there will be panel discussions, role playing (not sure what exactly this means...?) and hopefully, learn a lot from current teachers. There's also a fieldwork experience where we go into summer school classes to observe... Lots of exciting stuff to look forward to! (omg I just ended a sentence with a preposition -- FAIL)</div>
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So here goes nothing...wish me luck!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AcHheA0FsAEpYfDFrdvpcyqwVe4Kn0_5bVG8qiSulHl94B_yN4-_5MepL2wdzJOJXnlIokQzvverzOTUsgGMmPE/">Who wants to buy me this?</a></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-18015014010694562562015-04-24T08:05:00.000-07:002015-04-24T08:07:46.900-07:00Friday Favorites - 4.24.15<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been a hot MINUTE since I did a Friday Favorites post...</div>
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My mom got on me yesterday about my lack of posting pictures of the girls. And if mama ain't happy...</div>
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SO! Just a few favorites today.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My two <i>favorite </i>girls:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxvdGBGMhsZJdDw5psUt1_7maY2LnOFbYPyqpcNeHfmOF6iYRlWMaY9vs9wrDBHZIQgUEQDtVgh4M2zVBKoITKg9JoqnT4sFcXx66_N7MfaZA_OYsLgpGjfP85UFG7qNOKSlYFK_gOXE/s1600/IMG_4796%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxvdGBGMhsZJdDw5psUt1_7maY2LnOFbYPyqpcNeHfmOF6iYRlWMaY9vs9wrDBHZIQgUEQDtVgh4M2zVBKoITKg9JoqnT4sFcXx66_N7MfaZA_OYsLgpGjfP85UFG7qNOKSlYFK_gOXE/s1600/IMG_4796%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caroline is talking (hence the weird face), and Emily dressed herself (she's actually wearing two shirts and a dress...)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My new <i>favorite </i>TV show: </span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SIaiHVuOP1M" width="560"></iframe><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIaiHVuOP1M">Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners</a><br />
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I blew through LOST again so quickly that I'm in the final season and I don't want it to end so I refuse to watch it. Does that make any sense? Anyway, I found this Britain Channel 4 gem on YouTube and haven't looked back. I love it because it's like a Brit version of Hoarders, but with the added element of a person with OCD and over-the-top cleaning habits come in and challenge themselves and the hoarder.. and sort of try to meet in the middle as far as cleaning habits go. <br />
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I also love to pick up little bits of British slang (did you know they call their dumpsters "skips"? or that the cooktop in a British home is referred to as a "hob"? -- I didn't...) I leave a Wikipedia tab open and ready for whenever I need to look up a new term.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My <i>favorite</i> day this week:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XspdBQVBwAdXlvomX1o-6DqC7v6N3xNVOSFnxrce7Wz6vZFuY8ZzyM-mmNZmFfKcZdYD1HPqTggkJ2LpAugHwZidNxtbCM4BbBLnzJxwhFjYtfZhvNYpun8ACv1PUs4UmrkXs_OSC14/s1600/IMG_4792%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XspdBQVBwAdXlvomX1o-6DqC7v6N3xNVOSFnxrce7Wz6vZFuY8ZzyM-mmNZmFfKcZdYD1HPqTggkJ2LpAugHwZidNxtbCM4BbBLnzJxwhFjYtfZhvNYpun8ACv1PUs4UmrkXs_OSC14/s1600/IMG_4792%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
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LOOK at my beautiful flowers! -- Thank you Jerry for remembering ;)<br />
I love my job!!<br />
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And, BONUS photo of my girls from Jerry's aunt Joni who is watching them for me today:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvFNSVzPFldl_VXCusbjIbNa-OjEutX_OD83F1ZFWg_owanHT_p6HtUoI4lQvmWrkHMDpjg28mEgPxeVW2TnRbxPNOsklnNAPwUip0L3RNdZ4IJitAkd_92Tm2vOJKGJ9GvhjiUViyJg/s1600/IMG_4800%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvFNSVzPFldl_VXCusbjIbNa-OjEutX_OD83F1ZFWg_owanHT_p6HtUoI4lQvmWrkHMDpjg28mEgPxeVW2TnRbxPNOsklnNAPwUip0L3RNdZ4IJitAkd_92Tm2vOJKGJ9GvhjiUViyJg/s1600/IMG_4800%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily's backwards hat and Caroline's skirt pulled up to her armpits... #dead.<br />
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Well, I'm off to go eat my Chinese leftovers -- ooh that was another <i>favorite</i>: spending time with my beautiful sister-in-law, Jenn, and the girls getting to play with their cousins for a while. No pictures from that (we were too busy talking haha) but suffice to say... we didn't go to bed until 11 and I'm tired, so it was a great night :)<br />
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Happy FRIDAY everyone!!<br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://www.momfessionals.com/">Momfessionals</a>, et al for Friday Favorites.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-30671991263710050342015-04-21T10:38:00.000-07:002015-04-21T10:39:39.720-07:00Show & Tell Tuesday: Baby Names!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been quiet in Making Sure To Laugh land. But today, I got the urge to write in my blog. Andrea at <a href="http://www.momfessionals.com/">Momfessionals</a> has a fun prompt for her "Show & Tell Tuesday" series today: How you got your name/how you named your kids.</div>
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So here's what I know about my name: I was going to be Bryan/Brian if I was a boy. My mom liked Rachel, but apparently my dad didn't for some reason... I don't know how they arrived at Amanda, but my middle name is Marie, after my paternal grandmother. And apparently I was thisclose to being called "Myrtle Marie" -- or at least I'm told that's what my parents called me when my mom was pregnant with me. That was a close one...<br />
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My sister's middle name is Elizabeth, after my maternal grandmother. What's funny about my sister's name, Sara (not Sarah!) Elizabeth, is that after she was born & named, my dad found out he actually had an aunt Sara Elizabeth... so not planned. </div>
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When it came to naming our kids, Jerry and I started early. As in, about 5 or 6 years before we even thought about having kids. We knew we liked the name Emily. </div>
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I had a great aunt Emily, who I didn't know very well, but had really fond memories of visiting her and my mom's uncle Lou at their beach house and eating Fig Newtons :) </div>
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Jerry also has a cousin (or second cousin? first cousin once removed?... cousin) named Emily (shout out to <a href="https://emilylupitastudio.wordpress.com/">Emily Lupita Studio</a> who is having a baby TODAY!!)</div>
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For a middle name, we chose Jane, after one of Jerry's great aunts. Many, and I mean MANY of the girls in Jerry's family have Rose for their middle name, as this was his great grandma's name; so we decided to go a different route, and Emily Jane happened.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSNvrSJwqIZZSZBcMOevO2XN8TGpGIYnmrlcMR-9Zqv0sfgptSU58lVehrOItioI1zYu7TyulNVs6eNSGVZJ5dPG5OtyBO5igkXMvCLDxXQ63V23O5E7_EoJmnfQgNmgexUeeIQi_Ba8/s1600/59000_470299950324_4821138_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSNvrSJwqIZZSZBcMOevO2XN8TGpGIYnmrlcMR-9Zqv0sfgptSU58lVehrOItioI1zYu7TyulNVs6eNSGVZJ5dPG5OtyBO5igkXMvCLDxXQ63V23O5E7_EoJmnfQgNmgexUeeIQi_Ba8/s1600/59000_470299950324_4821138_n.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
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During both pregnancies, we knew if we had a boy he would be named Charles Ryan or Charles Andrew, after Jerry's uncle Charlie who passed away shortly after we were married. We found out the gender of both of our girls, as I am pretty anti-surprises... for some reason I felt like I would "know" my baby more when they were born if I knew whether it was a he or a she, and I could call him/her by his/her name :) That doesn't make any sense, I'm sure, but oh well.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgGx49y2HDx3YuNpH6zb8GabvNN73VPKiqjMS0fCIipA6FkNDEEvYeoet1EmQ3NJrxLM9HQT5q7bvgiDp50yraJ2WUXLAwGIOWdllx1SHsOHDCgTZeyQNFSV5lzQcS3Fwf0h_P5fHAIU/s1600/945631_10100147555599571_947416746_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgGx49y2HDx3YuNpH6zb8GabvNN73VPKiqjMS0fCIipA6FkNDEEvYeoet1EmQ3NJrxLM9HQT5q7bvgiDp50yraJ2WUXLAwGIOWdllx1SHsOHDCgTZeyQNFSV5lzQcS3Fwf0h_P5fHAIU/s1600/945631_10100147555599571_947416746_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We knew Emily would be a handful from the start. <br />
Somewhat difficult birth, horrible colic, did (and still does!) everything her own way.</td></tr>
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When I was pregnant with Caroline, I was sure it was a boy. When Jerry and I went into the sonogram and saw what we saw, we both couldn't believe it and were so happy. We would've loved little Charlie just as dearly as Caroline, but we both really wanted another girl :)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFsnOZwzSumfTegN-OYan_8xG9KYL4TSNoiUJP-MmaK27JPg3Jl0JkJC3t0Wq3qX0JDimefHMZDUe1KQtmOqEUR_0vshe1dnnTRwRbMN2teVnqCBNhJEyE2eq11qDwxRa476wjp2jEYE/s1600/1045048_10100181815717021_1655402772_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFsnOZwzSumfTegN-OYan_8xG9KYL4TSNoiUJP-MmaK27JPg3Jl0JkJC3t0Wq3qX0JDimefHMZDUe1KQtmOqEUR_0vshe1dnnTRwRbMN2teVnqCBNhJEyE2eq11qDwxRa476wjp2jEYE/s1600/1045048_10100181815717021_1655402772_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caroline Elizabeth</td></tr>
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Caroline's name is a mashup of a few family names. Her first name is for Jerry's grandmother Carolyn, as well as my cousin Carrie (who passed away in 2005), and since my mom's name is Karen, I just liked the "Care" sound at the beginning for all of them -- does that make any sense?! Ugh. For her midle name, we settled on Elizabeth, after my grandmother (who often called herself Batty Betty). I like to call her Betty when she is being particularly contrary or when her hair looks like this: </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpAGpJGctHyeUgSfI6mFJg7cm1qT5KXTptJ9W3gH5kV0NHNK7S3wmW_bfv7b_lIuqHlM4y3eMxip0K5-XspfuWv5RyyIfrSz99QIhxunuGY17NKD6AnzSCuYlUx8hk_NzTr8BRhnDSP0/s1600/10998045_10100606911227211_5625368098888184864_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpAGpJGctHyeUgSfI6mFJg7cm1qT5KXTptJ9W3gH5kV0NHNK7S3wmW_bfv7b_lIuqHlM4y3eMxip0K5-XspfuWv5RyyIfrSz99QIhxunuGY17NKD6AnzSCuYlUx8hk_NzTr8BRhnDSP0/s1600/10998045_10100606911227211_5625368098888184864_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is SO going in her high school yearbook.</td></tr>
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When we told my family what we were planning to name our second daughter, my dad pointed out that everyone would immediately want to sing "Sweet Caroline" to her. And that he couldn't think of the name without singing the song :) But, that's ok. I like the song; Emily used to sing it to her EVERY time she cried as a baby (which wasn't as much as Emily cried as a baby, but still enough times for it to get annoying and FAST). We still sing it with her -- she likes to do the "bum bum bums" :)</div>
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So basically, Emily is named after aunts, and Caroline is named after grandmothers -- and my cousin ;) </div>
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I love that their names (and the spellings) are sort of "old fashioned" and timeless. Some of the names people are coming up with these days are a little out there for me. Some names are really pretty and cool, but I just can't imagine anyone saying "Happy Birthday Grandma Britney!" or "Hey Uncle Viggo!" But that's just me.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>So.... tell me about your names and/or your kids' names. </i></span><i style="font-size: x-large;">I love to hear the meanings of names and the reasons they're picked! :)</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-41008745339228619152015-03-27T07:17:00.004-07:002015-03-27T07:17:36.322-07:00Friday Favorites - A Little Gratitude & A Lot of Randomness<div style="text-align: center;">
As I often like to do, I have made a post that is actually two posts in one. <br />
So get your scrolling finger ready...<br />
<h2>
Five Things I'm Grateful For (in no particular order...):</h2>
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<i>(sorry in advance for the corny-ness)</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/4f/c0/a3/4fc0a320f1595706b2830aa1daa4057f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/4f/c0/a3/4fc0a320f1595706b2830aa1daa4057f.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/407646203745844017/">SOURCE</a></td></tr>
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<b>1. My Health...</b><br />
An acquaintance of mine (a friend of a friend, I guess) has recently been dealing with surgeries resulting from a brain tumor. Just reading her story and posts on Facebook has slapped me in the face, hard. I may not be in great shape, and I may have a sore back or a headache from time to time, but I've never had to deal with something that serious, that sobering. So I'm taking a moment today (and hopefully continuing to do so often) to really be thankful for my good health.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/06/ff/77/06ff778282d32c63f6636367a89a2bb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/06/ff/77/06ff778282d32c63f6636367a89a2bb2.jpg" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/276619602086295326/">SOURCE</a></td></tr>
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<b>2. My Husband...</b><br />
Marriage isn't always roses and rainbows. In fact, it's RARELY roses & rainbows. It's a partnership, and a full-time job. We take each other for granted, not on purpose, but it's so easy to get sucked into the everyday of life (especially when you have kids) and so HARD to take a step back and really appreciate this person you vowed to spend the rest of your life with. But this partnership, this team we've built, it's very important to me. <br />
I am so grateful...beyond lucky to have this other person to do life with.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ba/75/80/ba7580cd747517133c3245f27d135ab8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ba/75/80/ba7580cd747517133c3245f27d135ab8.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/54184001741696646/">SOURCE</a></td></tr>
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<b>3. My Job(s)...</b><br />
You know, it's really easy to take a job for granted. Especially if it's one you're not especially passionate about. But my day job is something I'm very grateful for. Sure I'd love to be doing more of what I love (organizing, planning... shopping & watching TV) each day, but I recognize and appreciate the fact that if I didn't have this full time job, I wouldn't even be able to think about starting my own business. I don't make big bucks, but it helps keep us in clothes & food -- I'm helping Old Navy & Chipotle stay in business...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/31/4a/6a/314a6ac3e6206832a7de154bcb89c4d6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/31/4a/6a/314a6ac3e6206832a7de154bcb89c4d6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/54184001737526150/">SOURCE</a></td></tr>
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<b>4. My Home...</b><br />
Yeah our house is small (not tiny, but not spacious either), and it's not going to be featured in HGTV magazine anytime soon, but it's not just a house -- it's home. It's the place where as soon as we walk in the door, we are relaxed. We are lucky to live in a great neighborhood, with lots of little kids and friendly people. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/2a/d3/fc/2ad3fc457d2c82cf471a8a421b22100c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/2a/d3/fc/2ad3fc457d2c82cf471a8a421b22100c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/54184001742147272/">SOURCE</a></td></tr>
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<b>5. My Family & Friends...</b><br />
I was never the type of person that had a million friends. I have a best friend (going on 20 years of BFF-dom!), and a few neighborhood mommy friends. And I like it that way. I know that the friends I have, I can always count on them. I also am very lucky in the family department. I know some people who have really sucky family situations and they dread holidays and get-togethers because they have to "fake it". I have a really awesome family. My side, Jerry's side, and everyone in between (what does that even mean?) -- they're all badass and I love every one of them.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/46/f4/82/46f4829542a01ac8e69c6bf69a613613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/46/f4/82/46f4829542a01ac8e69c6bf69a613613.jpg" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/46/f4/82/46f4829542a01ac8e69c6bf69a613613.jpg">SOURCE</a></td></tr>
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<h2>
And Five Random Things I'm Obsessed with Lately: </h2>
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1. <b>PicMonkey.</b><br />
I love using it for editing photos and making before/after "collages" for <a href="http://aorganized.com/">achievOrganized Co.</a>, but I also love making things like this, so I feel super official on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/achievorganizedco">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/achievOrganized/">Pinterest</a> :)</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6b/d2/7a/6bd27a02801b08cfbb3015dc1ca7d911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6b/d2/7a/6bd27a02801b08cfbb3015dc1ca7d911.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And, alas, there is a typo in the last "bullet" point... I'm not perfect. Close, but not quite. ;)</td></tr>
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2. <b>Chipotle.</b> <br />
I know, I know. You guys have already heard of my love for Chipotes. But I'm going to say it again. I LOVE CHIPOTLE. And I won't stop. I can't stop.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/39/69/54/3969547e283712ba67628d0b50989e81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/39/69/54/3969547e283712ba67628d0b50989e81.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/156711262008522167/">SOURCE</a></td></tr>
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3. <b>Direct Sales.</b> <br />
NO, don't worry, I have no plans to start selling anything. BUT, lately I've been doing more shopping via direct sales. Tonight, in fact, I'm hosting a Pampered Chef party. This is actually my "second annual" spring PC party ;) Last year the weather was so nice during the evening we had both my front and back doors open for a cross breeze and it was glorious. It's 40 degrees and raining its ass off today so I'm thinking it'll be less glorious this go-round. However, I absolutely love Pampered Chef, and my consultant who drives two hours one way to do cooking shows for me :) I've also shopped at two separate Thirty-One parties recently (actually one hasn't happened yet but I already know what I want!) and a Celebrating Home party. Why am I telling you this? I dunno. I just really like the idea of supporting other women in business and I like the social aspect of the parties as well. So hug your favorite direct sales lady today :)</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/f0/fa/9e/f0fa9e7742b759ef418542af2c10ae72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/f0/fa/9e/f0fa9e7742b759ef418542af2c10ae72.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/496662665129315292/">SOURCE</a></td></tr>
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4. <b>Organize365 Podcasts</b>.<br />
I have become obsessed with Lisa Woodruff & her podcasts. I love listening to the 40 Week, 1 Whole Home Challenge episodes, and she also has a separate podcast for Professional Organizers just getting started with their businesses. If you're looking for tips on how to get organized, check out the Organize365 blog <a href="http://organize365.com/">HERE</a>. Or, you know, ask me!!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://organize365.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/podcast_250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://organize365.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/podcast_250.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://organize365.com/podcasts/">SOURCE</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">FYI: I'm not being paid to talk about Organize365.com... yet ;)</span></div>
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5.<b> LOST. </b><br />
I'm re-watching the series on Netflix for the second time. Ugh. It still gets me right in the feels, every episode... If you're a LOST skeptic, please know that once upon a time I was too. Jerry and his brother watched it when it was on TV, and I would roll my eyes and say it was dumb. But then the whole series came on Netflix a couple years ago, and I figured, why not? I'll check it out and see what all the fuss was about. WELLLLL. It sucks you in from go... It's so hard to close the window when my lunch hour is over. And then in the last few episodes (especially if you're re-watching) you start to have anxiety because you know it's going to end and you don't know what you're going to do with yourself afterwards. I liken it to a book series (remember <a href="http://makingsuretolaugh.blogspot.com/2014/04/book-recommendation-outlander.html">Outlander</a>?) -- you get so invested in the characters and feel like you know them that when the story ends, you just haven't had enough. It's never enough.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/f7/ea/f7/f7eaf79903ef8e0ba448ad4339990f7b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/f7/ea/f7/f7eaf79903ef8e0ba448ad4339990f7b.jpg" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/f7/ea/f7/f7eaf79903ef8e0ba448ad4339990f7b.jpg">SOURCE</a><br /></td></tr>
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Man, what's it called when you have word vomit over the Internet? Keyboard vomit? <br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Happy Friday, one and all! </span></i></h4>
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<i>Today's Post is Linked Up On: </i><br />
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Surprisingly, the number on the scale was 186.6. Better than I thought it would be. Last week it was 187.8, so I actually lost a pound. I know I have been seriously slacking lately, but life has gotten in the way of my fitness journey. I'm still very invested in getting fit & healthy (and losing some LBs on the way) but the motivation factor has been lacking. I've been letting myself slip, but I am determined not to backslide.</div>
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I'm giving myself some slack and trying not to get down about this little plateau time. It's what happens, and it's not like I'm baffled by why I'm not losing as much weight as I want to and not seeing results in the way my body looks. I KNOW I have been snacking too much. I KNOW I've been either skipping the gym or going in and doing 30 minutes of cardio and calling it good. I'm less frustrated because I know what I'm doing and I know I'm in control of it. </div>
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I'm trying to take it one day at a time and just work as hard as I can on staying within calories (yesterday I had two slices of pizza & pretzel M&Ms for lunch, but then I did Aqua Fit & some cardio at the gym and actually had calories left over!) and just making sure I get to the gym AND get the most out of each workout session. Weight-training is what I really need to focus on in order to trim down and get the shape I want (less rotund..) SO that's the plan. Easter candy has it's own plan...</div>
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I love an infographic -- I found this one on Pinterest & thought I'd share if anyone else needs to get back to basics and is a visual learner :)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-42607454282177121222015-03-23T07:02:00.001-07:002015-03-23T07:02:17.162-07:00Weekend Recap - I Organize a Pantry<div style="text-align: center;">
What did I do this weekend, you ask? (What's that? You didn't ask? Oh WELL)</div>
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So let's start at the beginning: Saturday morning. I took both girls to Emily's dance class, because we left directly from the studio to go to my mom's house 2 hours away. When Emily and her classmates walked into the studio, Caroline wanted to go in too. She looked so pitiful when I told her she couldn't go in. She kept going over to the door and pointing at it. So pitiful. Next fall she can go in :)</div>
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So after dance we hopped in the van and headed to Grammie's. The purpose of our trip was so that I could work onn my BFF Megan's pantry, and the girls got to spend time with some family :) We stayed at Grammie's for a bit, then Emily headed to a party with my sister and her cousin, Abby. I headed over to Meg's, and Caroline stayed with Grammie (and wasn't all that thrilled at being left by mommy & Emmy, but she got over it and played a lot of "ready, set, go!!!" with Grammie). </div>
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Here are some before pictures of Megan's pantry:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaG9kT3q0zZ5Hb58rppkd34jLGNGSNUons4Rq9RT2CMlgZzuuxq9qrs6SGp_TVoIOpvknVMmTUua3k1vxyjXqcT3YpzV12yDnrALwP9dcKi0V915GWc0hXZMO2BI6Yiaz-5c3YiaUb1Jk/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaG9kT3q0zZ5Hb58rppkd34jLGNGSNUons4Rq9RT2CMlgZzuuxq9qrs6SGp_TVoIOpvknVMmTUua3k1vxyjXqcT3YpzV12yDnrALwP9dcKi0V915GWc0hXZMO2BI6Yiaz-5c3YiaUb1Jk/s1600/1.jpg" height="400" width="297" /></a></div>
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So you can see, it's not THAT bad... The pantry is a closet under the stairs, and the shelves are super deep. This makes it hard to get to the stuff in the back, so whatever's back there gets forgotten about & eventually expires. She had some bulk snacks that were taking up a lot of space, and everything was kind of just put on a shelf where it would fit, rather than items being grouped together by category. </div>
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I wish I had thought to take "progress" photos -- her entire kitchen table was covered in food & her 18 month old son was "helping" by scattering plastic cups all over the floor and bringing me mugs... -- but I'm just glad I remembered to take before and afters. </div>
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So here's what we did. </div>
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First, we took everything out of the pantry. EVERY. THING. We put it all on the kitchen table (and a couple things on one of the counters because it wouldn't all fit). We wiped out the shelves and then started going through each item of food to see if it was expired or if she even wanted to keep it.</div>
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Then we sorted everything into categories: pasta/grains, canned food, breakfast items, baking ingredients, etc. Then we played around with how everything would fit back in the pantry, and started to get ideas about what kinds of storage solutions would work best. We made a little list and headed to Target. </div>
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We found a couple square bins in the Target $1 spot, but were wholly underwhelmed by the selection (or lackthereof) of pantry organization products at Target. We ended up finding a gold mine at Marshalls. We found a couple small OXO canisters (to match the ones she was already using), a spice rack (that didn't end up working -- more on that in a minute), a suspended shelf thingy (not entirely sure what it's called), and an expandable shelf (I'm not sure what this one is called either, but it's a metal stand thing that expands and creates a shelf on top of a shelf to better utilize vertical space).</div>
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When we got back to her house (after eating some pizza & some kind of molten lava cake from Domino's that was heavenly) and started putting everything back in the pantry, using our new containers. Here are the afters:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2p8GizbdQywY5oE1TCdicwD9YOVyUHFrRigBfoMQTisqVkql_tYQgaDUjEFMjRWk1bkD44UTq4Mmks705fAH-Xljh_bmNsJJPGcpOqYt9zcQSizaYEvZLfN7bhsU7w0ILf9U32CmgK0/s1600/10561735_10100628819158541_6368203652971555810_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2p8GizbdQywY5oE1TCdicwD9YOVyUHFrRigBfoMQTisqVkql_tYQgaDUjEFMjRWk1bkD44UTq4Mmks705fAH-Xljh_bmNsJJPGcpOqYt9zcQSizaYEvZLfN7bhsU7w0ILf9U32CmgK0/s1600/10561735_10100628819158541_6368203652971555810_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Let's start on the top shelf. I used the metal expandable shelf long-ways on the right side of the top shelf. I put all of her tea bags underneath, and all breakfast-type foods on the top. Steel-cut oats & granola in the back, nuts & berries to go in the oatmeal up front, and a container (that we also got at Marshalls) for cereal.</div>
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Working to the left on the top shelf, we put all her spreads (Nutella, PB, jams & jellies) in a column, then the box of diced tomatoes for salsa, then a column of pasta sauce, and two plastic containers with grains: the rear container is all pasta noodles. The front one (from the Target $1 spot) has the quinoa, risotto rice (not the actual name for it but I don't cook so IDK it), and individual rice pouches.</div>
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On the middle shelf, (working from left to right this time), we started with a large lazy susan (she ordered it from Amazon) filled with all manner of beans, sauces & canned fruit -- organized by category, of course, not just thrown on willy-nilly ;). Behind that are the less-needed items like bread crumbs and her extra (unopened) bottle of EVOO. Moving to the center, we have her "dinner" items: taco seasoning (in a tupperware container I found in a cabinet), taco shells, mac & cheese, kid's ravioli, etc. The far right is a column of broths & soup mixes.</div>
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The bottom shelf holds ALL of their snacks. The clear plastic container holding the popcorn was already in the pantry, but I'm not sure what was in it. We just took the packages out of the box and stacked them in the container for easy access, and so she can see what's left. Then hanging shelf holds opened chips/snacks. The green bin (from Target $1 spot) holds cereal & Lara bars. Behind this stuff is her snap-top bin of baking supplies. She was cool with putting it back there because she rarely bakes. Moving right, you'll see we put some snacks in the OXO containers, and just put the bulk items behind them. When a container gets low, she can just grab the big box and fill it up. No need to haul out that big box every time :)</div>
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On the floor, we just put her wine glass boxes back (a set of placemats fit perfectly on top), as well as her Brita pitcher filters, plastic serving bowls, aprons (rolled up), and used the bowls she had in there as little go-to snack sources for Aiden. He can grab one of these and bring it to Mom or Dad to open. </div>
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Her pantry is in a "hallway" between the kitchen and what would be the formal living room or dining room (it's Aiden's playroom right now). So on the other side of the pantry door, there's this: </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStAslvGhEX7l5i2v8LPuCPbdtCEPcCCT6UYiL6nLimb_l-KhG0670W7YQc5QZJSlpkN4xyHjoIY5bMLuNathvZv33E42nEIoP3XbhI139uI0_9xOwKif0R_TuPS8CDi1rkCu2mZIM2gY/s1600/10892001_10100628818604651_8475058152315265994_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStAslvGhEX7l5i2v8LPuCPbdtCEPcCCT6UYiL6nLimb_l-KhG0670W7YQc5QZJSlpkN4xyHjoIY5bMLuNathvZv33E42nEIoP3XbhI139uI0_9xOwKif0R_TuPS8CDi1rkCu2mZIM2gY/s1600/10892001_10100628818604651_8475058152315265994_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
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Most of the stuff on the counter went into the pantry, so we really didn't do much with this area. </div>
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But here's the after: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqlva0jULFleiyeiBanfNFAGJAHEY0kNL3-d8IDd0CsQinsBdwP_swKhniHGAxFlfY0nybiiop8D6qibYCtRv2OUBUomoUHVOSbOnQKHcRDp7iOhtEICHl_of9s1F6h1rUszvPNbC-1Q/s1600/11084290_10100628819522811_9061195230662090521_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqlva0jULFleiyeiBanfNFAGJAHEY0kNL3-d8IDd0CsQinsBdwP_swKhniHGAxFlfY0nybiiop8D6qibYCtRv2OUBUomoUHVOSbOnQKHcRDp7iOhtEICHl_of9s1F6h1rUszvPNbC-1Q/s1600/11084290_10100628819522811_9061195230662090521_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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With everything put away in the pantry or cabinets below, she has easy access to her coffee maker, Vitamix, and her everyday grains, sugar & flour. The cork board will eventually be hung on the wall -- it's on her husband's honey-do list :) I gave her that black & white meal planning note pad (I found it at HomeGoods recently). </div>
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I think that's going to be the trademark "thing" for my business: giving the client a small and USEFUL gift (I want to make sure I'm not fueling their clutter fire) at the end of a project.</div>
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So that was Saturday ;)</div>
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Sunday I went to my mom's and Caroline was falling over herself to get me to pick her up (and didn't let me put her down). We measured my mom's closet (my next project!) and then headed to the mall to meet my sister, Abby & Emily (she spent the night there) for lunch and to let the girls run around in the play area. We got on the road and Emily slept the whole way home. Caroline slept for about 30 minutes of the 2 hour ride, but was quiet and content when she was awake. The weather was nice and the drive wasn't all that bad. I was glad to be home. </div>
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Jerry was working on our upstairs shower/bath all weekend, as well as doing a couple other maintenance-type chores, and when we got home he was holed up in the bathroom with the window open to let out the plumbing glue fumes escape. Something still isn't working so we are going to have to pay a plumber to come out and fix it. The girls might be getting their bath at daycare before we go home tonight (I love that they go to an in-home and I'm friends with their provider!). Hopefully we can get it figured out soon (although I kind of love our downstairs shower... it has great water pressure and stays warmer longer because the water heater is in the next room). </div>
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SOOOOO... what did you do this weekend?</div>
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These before & after photos are also going to appear on my business website,<a href="http://www.aorganized.com/"> www.aorganized.com</a>.</div>
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Check it out!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRJDLl8TKx4IskJalrYT6unE9MhpxWuhiZih4PJO6BJMjGjv_p04qA-T7t5XBKQM-A04s-MnX07UOzTLBzDfwpZs7zUuyx6qJiSdc3_CIqK5DUDpnadD5K7xo4OrhJELpFnXcLojOnHQ/s1600/Amanda+Logo+20+HaloHandwriting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRJDLl8TKx4IskJalrYT6unE9MhpxWuhiZih4PJO6BJMjGjv_p04qA-T7t5XBKQM-A04s-MnX07UOzTLBzDfwpZs7zUuyx6qJiSdc3_CIqK5DUDpnadD5K7xo4OrhJELpFnXcLojOnHQ/s1600/Amanda+Logo+20+HaloHandwriting.jpg" height="128" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-67044423484537982522015-03-18T07:16:00.002-07:002015-03-18T07:16:48.972-07:00Weigh-In Wednesday & other things...<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, it's a sad day. After weeks of little losses (and/or at least holding steady), I've gained. And kind of a lot. The number on the scale was 187.8. Last week it was a flat 186. So almost two pounds in a week. Now, I could totally lie to myself and say that it's because I've been going to the gym a few times a week and I'm putting on muscle, and I could probably get away with that lie on the Internet. But in reality, it's just not true. I have been going to the gym, but my heart hasn't been in it and I end up leaving after a quick 30 minute cardio and basically nothing else. Somewhere along the line I've lost my momentum and motivation and I desperately need to get them both back. </div>
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Yesterday it was 70 degrees and although I absolutely reveled in the sun and little bit of warmth (it was also really windy, so kind of deceiving), I was reminded that with warmer weather comes fewer layers -- those security blankets of denim & wool -- to hide the jiggle & wiggle. I was reminded of my goal to wear shorts, and an actual bathing suit, and maybe even a cute tank top or two. And I was slapped with the reality that although I've come a long way (baby), I'm still not where I need and want to be. </div>
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SOOOOOO</div>
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This week there is going to be a conscious effort... to actually log everything I eat (not log the good stuff and pretend I didn't just eat that Reese's cup) and really pay attention to the way I feel when I eat well and exercise. I actually love my little trips to the gym, but I need to find ways to make them more productive. 30 minutes on the treadmill is all well and good, but it's not enough. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6c/cc/81/6ccc81ddf397ff4d9163f88a36b65575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6c/cc/81/6ccc81ddf397ff4d9163f88a36b65575.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6c/cc/81/6ccc81ddf397ff4d9163f88a36b65575.jpg">Source</a></td></tr>
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Any and all encouragement is welcome and appreciated. </div>
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And while I don't generally like to post pictures of myself, I do want to show you all a couple of the headshots my cousin Hope took this weekend for my business website & marketing material: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Igf9zqXPUNckXl_qCYuoiMrIjAt3b0jBK1iVzN5lReElvEACCHPf0O4bahX3XkjXgB8bOGcrS_P1tANmmddKlXLx43gLHsqAjv1woJHrHfyUFH9etxBsl6i9qM8PFyA4rYHMD7zgeB0/s1600/_SBE9137flip.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Igf9zqXPUNckXl_qCYuoiMrIjAt3b0jBK1iVzN5lReElvEACCHPf0O4bahX3XkjXgB8bOGcrS_P1tANmmddKlXLx43gLHsqAjv1woJHrHfyUFH9etxBsl6i9qM8PFyA4rYHMD7zgeB0/s1600/_SBE9137flip.png" height="400" width="286" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJC5HYr7-l6Fm3wbks5CvPHgeym6Po3OC70q8I_FNG37DSJXTdGyesCy1cQk-UcXqRXb9_agww0Ins3z81OCFhSinOOX9mtrPlN367qfYTmCyrSNbsccMukBPyncTbrpQoBUuwnUOBZDU/s1600/_SBE9152flipb&w.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJC5HYr7-l6Fm3wbks5CvPHgeym6Po3OC70q8I_FNG37DSJXTdGyesCy1cQk-UcXqRXb9_agww0Ins3z81OCFhSinOOX9mtrPlN367qfYTmCyrSNbsccMukBPyncTbrpQoBUuwnUOBZDU/s1600/_SBE9152flipb&w.png" height="400" width="263" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://33.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4u6f0k8wR1rxqiduo1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://33.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4u6f0k8wR1rxqiduo1_500.gif" height="248" width="320" /></a></div>
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Check out Hope's photography business website <a href="http://www.hopelynnphotography.com/">HERE</a>.</div>
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And also....</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSaF9ZU1F_oyLu8fGs9zY3Hu7e-xVvEtUsS6Q9MgiO_-dA4zSOe7gkiRCv2mrYvixjeFAQmooPsIS7yO_OJ__8ZLlxqv1LVEZfGhui9Kbk26h_FCFixl6WytPTUBOV1RoP_68IyM_EsE/s1600/3.17.15+caroline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSaF9ZU1F_oyLu8fGs9zY3Hu7e-xVvEtUsS6Q9MgiO_-dA4zSOe7gkiRCv2mrYvixjeFAQmooPsIS7yO_OJ__8ZLlxqv1LVEZfGhui9Kbk26h_FCFixl6WytPTUBOV1RoP_68IyM_EsE/s1600/3.17.15+caroline.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at this happy girl! -- and how big she is :*(</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dV1o58bIFXYcigxLc_o7PeIm0VMVfr3Gw6G_3eDz1IBGXdoLFJG_ucZC04rXlryIN1ENy_EUa7YQ61TpC2kSrQJqtgEA8caEUtW2-eF4bhimKCQcXBNhVd5UBTSP1YmC-lz7eL0tcF0/s1600/3.17.15+girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dV1o58bIFXYcigxLc_o7PeIm0VMVfr3Gw6G_3eDz1IBGXdoLFJG_ucZC04rXlryIN1ENy_EUa7YQ61TpC2kSrQJqtgEA8caEUtW2-eF4bhimKCQcXBNhVd5UBTSP1YmC-lz7eL0tcF0/s1600/3.17.15+girls.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's all fun & games until Mom says it's time to go inside #youdthinkiwaskillingthem #whyisemilysotan</td></tr>
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So happy Wednesday.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/1e/87/a0/1e87a02644d7fbfacc1b50720fe8d128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/1e/87/a0/1e87a02644d7fbfacc1b50720fe8d128.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/1e/87/a0/1e87a02644d7fbfacc1b50720fe8d128.jpg">Source</a></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-73415239791939268232015-03-12T08:03:00.001-07:002015-03-12T08:03:50.641-07:00Something New...<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been pretty quiet on the blog here lately and I apologize if you have been looking for pictures of my kids or dying for a witty anecdote about Target or how I've eaten at Chipotle three times this week already. BUT, I've been a little busy working on this:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://aorganized.com/uploads/3/5/7/6/3576681/1426035611.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://aorganized.com/uploads/3/5/7/6/3576681/1426035611.png" height="158" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well, actually I didn't make the logo, <a href="https://emilylupitastudio.wordpress.com/">Emily Lupita</a> did :) P.S. go check out her beautiful blog & <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/emilylupitastudio">Etsy shop</a>!</td></tr>
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So I didn't create the logo, but I did create the company. I also created the website, which you can go see for yourself by clicking ----> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://aorganized.com/">HERE</a>. </span></div>
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I'm a little excited about it.... ;)</div>
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It took me a long time to decide I wanted to do it, but I recently took the plunge and just started my own professional organizing business. I love organizing spaces in my home, and organizing my time in my -- yep I'm gonna plug it again -- Erin Condren Life Planner (and if you want to save $10 on your first order, go through my referral link: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="-webkit-transition: color 450ms ease-in-out, background-color 450ms ease-in-out; background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #c41230; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: underline; transition: color 450ms ease-in-out, background-color 450ms ease-in-out; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;">https://www.erincondren.com/referral/invite/amandasmoot0903</a><br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="-webkit-transition: color 450ms ease-in-out, background-color 450ms ease-in-out; background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #c41230; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration: underline; transition: color 450ms ease-in-out, background-color 450ms ease-in-out; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><br /></a>
This blog is still going to be Making Sure To Laugh and the content (as it were) isn't going to change... I may decide in the future to start a separate blog for achievOrganized Co, but I don't have plans to do so in the immediate future. First step is to build a client base.....<br />
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So just a short post today about what I've been up to. I didn't do a Weigh-In Wednesday again this week. Not much exciting news to report -- I lost .2 lbs so I'm now down to an even 186. I need to step up my gym game so I'm off now to check Pinterest for some new workouts.<br />
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Happy almost Friday!!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-10256754697227305972015-02-27T09:53:00.001-08:002015-02-27T09:53:24.420-08:00Friday Favorites - 2.27.15<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">These are a few of my favorite things....</span></i></div>
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<b>ONE</b></div>
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It's almost March. </div>
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Guys, I am so done with February and winter in general. I'm sick of snow, ice, cold and having to wear coats & shoes. SICK of it. So I'm really looking forward to March, even though in reality it probably won't be much different....</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/a2/a1/f4/a2a1f46eb8f7eb30a2c5921a1d5e6851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/a2/a1/f4/a2a1f46eb8f7eb30a2c5921a1d5e6851.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/a2/a1/f4/a2a1f46eb8f7eb30a2c5921a1d5e6851.jpg">(SOURCE)</a></td></tr>
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<b>TWO</b></div>
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Getting my business started. </div>
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On Monday I told you guys how excited I was that I had just filed for my DBA (doing business as) name. I've also been working on the content for my website and drafting some forms, like my service agreement, client intake form & others. I'm so ready to get started!!</div>
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I even did some warm up organizing projects last night. I got the Skubb organizers from IKEA on Tuesday night and decided to see how they'd work in the girls' drawers. I have only done Caroline's so far, but I think they are great. Doing her drawers inspired me to move some of her other stuff around too (I'm sure Jerry will be thrilled with this -- he loves when I reorganize things and he can't find them...)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxJm-MengpJIH3pqASI8LzMo9reNOlvVMSLaerMkvtuaYA14oP3gcI8WFhJr_hGCbZ67riaS6FBFddF3ckP8hZ5bfUNtX3PaZ03KTasdj2YDRbiPE9kxdR4x2o05ROnP_OYWOIGC9rTQ/s1600/IMG_4608%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxJm-MengpJIH3pqASI8LzMo9reNOlvVMSLaerMkvtuaYA14oP3gcI8WFhJr_hGCbZ67riaS6FBFddF3ckP8hZ5bfUNtX3PaZ03KTasdj2YDRbiPE9kxdR4x2o05ROnP_OYWOIGC9rTQ/s1600/IMG_4608%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diapers & Wipers :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cD4pMKaPl6rm0RTI3gPHlXJucHu8xwScuMgSYaBuSQWCV7jbtrUA4A8e_LzHC1zpkzsBPPCuC_YzTrZdQaF3-GW1cY_nGqDnYNZrlKc7Ow59_56lklHDqT4L3y-oPqHOOTjKCS3U8ig/s1600/IMG_4606%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cD4pMKaPl6rm0RTI3gPHlXJucHu8xwScuMgSYaBuSQWCV7jbtrUA4A8e_LzHC1zpkzsBPPCuC_YzTrZdQaF3-GW1cY_nGqDnYNZrlKc7Ow59_56lklHDqT4L3y-oPqHOOTjKCS3U8ig/s1600/IMG_4606%5B1%5D.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outfits (with the pants folded inside the shirts) on the left, extra pants in the middle, long sleeve shirts next, then a couple spring outfits on the far right :)</td></tr>
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Emily's drawers are next on the list. They are a huge mess...</div>
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<b>THREE</b></div>
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Progress Over Perfection.</div>
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I didn't do a Weigh-In Wednesday post this week. I'm not sure why -- probably laziness. But it was a good weigh-in! The number was 187.2 which is my lowest so far since September. I have done pretty well the past two weeks at the gym (my thigh and triceps muscles are currently super sore) and although I've allowed myself a couple cheats (cough--chocolate chip muffin yesterday morning--cough), I'm still progressing. YIPPEEEEEEE.</div>
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<i>And that's about it. </i>Except I wanted to share a couple photos of the girls from our trip to IKEA tihs week. Emily was obsessed with these hand puppets and wanted to wear the hat too. These dress up/make believe toys were all on clearance and it kept her happy while we were there :) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilt3xUWcSjIt9x8nN1qR56UQ7ZsVT9_eDnjJIkXzQExAeeKAnMAsYxkT492qVVR8n0j-IsSdfHgkGqWKyq7975CrIo3WCb55k1PyE8EqaYLMN-ZqxFliyH6lkWTUvHvoNMci2jnfl3UkY/s1600/IMG_4591%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilt3xUWcSjIt9x8nN1qR56UQ7ZsVT9_eDnjJIkXzQExAeeKAnMAsYxkT492qVVR8n0j-IsSdfHgkGqWKyq7975CrIo3WCb55k1PyE8EqaYLMN-ZqxFliyH6lkWTUvHvoNMci2jnfl3UkY/s1600/IMG_4591%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Caroline wasn't quiet as thrilled with her hat...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8_DCgDIR609MjVAQGMtv6wUpH2wMw8yN1IT5Ssfn1it79lr1PjloMSAIbFr7Nfda4ur5JWU-2FCeiBFZn-idw10DrPAcdcGaiqmjV99utjpi6dQ-Or9eMS2BQJhEdHE1J65Dy1iS3RE/s1600/IMG_4590%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8_DCgDIR609MjVAQGMtv6wUpH2wMw8yN1IT5Ssfn1it79lr1PjloMSAIbFr7Nfda4ur5JWU-2FCeiBFZn-idw10DrPAcdcGaiqmjV99utjpi6dQ-Or9eMS2BQJhEdHE1J65Dy1iS3RE/s1600/IMG_4590%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Kind looks like she's flipping me the bird... but those cheeks!!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>What are your Friday favorites?</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-34742060853417364222015-02-23T07:20:00.001-08:002015-02-23T07:20:05.456-08:00So That Happened...<div style="text-align: center;">
Little bit of a Weekend Recap in reverse because I'm most excited about what I just did a few minutes ago (I realize it's Monday and therefore not technically the weekend, but what I just did goes along with what I did yesterday... just stay with me).</div>
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I just mailed in my application for a "Doing Business As" registration. In a few short weeks, I will hopefully get an acceptance and my business will officially be known as "<b>achievOrganized Co.</b>" </div>
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And yesterday, I filed for a sole proprietorship. WHAT??</div>
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Ok so basically for a long time I've been thinking about what I really want to be when I grow up. Well, I'm turning thirty this year and also got a bit of a reality check that my full time gig is in fact a contract and won't last forever... SO I thought about it a lot, talked to Jerry about it, did A LOT of research (I'm still doing A LOT of research) and I have decided I might as well jump off the deep end and start my own business as a Professional Organizer. </div>
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"A what", you say? "Is that even a thing?" you ask?</div>
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Yep -- A professional organizer. In this capacity I will go into people's homes and help them conquer their clutter, organize their stuff, create systems to keep themselves organized (including time management skills), etc etc etc. I'm really excited about this. It seems like such a "duh" thing, because I've always been told I'm really organized (along with a lot less flattering things regarding my anal retentiveness when it comes to ... well life) BUT anyway.</div>
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I guess I dragged my feet so long because I kept telling myself that being organized was common sense and no one is actually going to pay me to help them. But then I was watching Hoarders (I know, but stay with me) and saw that being a Professional Organizer was actually a thing. And watching that show and ones like it... as well as occasionally helping family and friends get their stuff together, made me realize that not everyone is born with the talent of being organized, getting organized, and helping others achieve that. </div>
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So now's the time. Why? I don't know. It just feels right and I don't want to wait anymore. I don't have any reason to wait. I'm not going to go out and quit my job. I actually love my job, but it doesn't really challenge me in the ways I need a career to do. I'm going to start working this business part-time, on the side, and when I want to/feel like it. Maybe one day it will be my full-time gig but I don't see a need to rush into it. I just really like the idea of getting out there and helping people. I know the feeling of that lifted weight after a project is finished and a space or system really works for you. I want to share that feeling.</div>
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Like I said before, I just registered my business name & really haven't done anything else except talk to some of my family & friends about it. I'm not 100% sure where to go with this next, except I know I'm going to start a Facebook page and maybe get some business cards :) Eventually I will be working on a website... and my real end game goal with this is to one day sit for the CPO exam to become fully certified as a professional organizer. But that will be at least a couple years away. Such an exciting time and I just can't wait to get started!!</div>
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Phew!</div>
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NOWWWWWW onto our weekend.</div>
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Saturday morning we were feeling super lazy and Emily still had a rash on her face (she woke up Friday with it and I figured it was just heat rash from sleeping because she tends to sleep in the same position -- with her comforter pulled up over her head -- for long periods of time... Not sure exactly what it was, but we are now thinking it was an allergic reaction to a new bath soap, but anyway..). So we skipped dance class just in case it was something contagious, like Fifth Disease or something, and we just hung out. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzcNjdueHxgA6Vxajg32kcOPbMaHUTzv6vza0GD2Dc7nDt3c7mnfCck_BFC5W4FxBb4834rGptjCY80frE394rvFcwPF-mfvsh4rpE0WytV4wIG-saTLyrO6l8-U0RGmranImdwHW8vc/s1600/IMG_4554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzcNjdueHxgA6Vxajg32kcOPbMaHUTzv6vza0GD2Dc7nDt3c7mnfCck_BFC5W4FxBb4834rGptjCY80frE394rvFcwPF-mfvsh4rpE0WytV4wIG-saTLyrO6l8-U0RGmranImdwHW8vc/s1600/IMG_4554.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was also faint on her left cheek and on her arms as well. Poor baby has VERY sensitive skin.</td></tr>
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Jerry had plans Saturday night and Sunday, so Saturday morning/day was all mine. I picked up Patti and we headed to Hobby Lobby. Love that place. I found a wooden bird thingy in the clearance section -- man I wish I had taken a picture of it... but it was a cute decor item and it was $3. I will try to remember to take a photo and post it later. </div>
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It started to snow while we were in Hobby Lobby and for some reason, Patti thinks I'm a horrible driver. Crazy. So she was pretty nervous the whole time but we had two more stops to make, then we headed back home on the really crappy roads. We made it back fine and I couldn't wait to get home and take my shoes off -- I didn't believe Jerry when he said it was going to snow and I had worn my tennis shoes. Well my socks were soaked by the time I got home. </div>
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The rest of the weekend was really, really low-key. We basically just did this: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hupow-TKM9Ho1qhPQc1RtLIWdcC5pKsz-a2dO67xdZazEd-MCqC2IikNkThqvXhNxW-YSnxlHFN9M4pyg3FIe71ovsklkTrjJ65pU1_mce8n0qtjc6cRzOk8YgH_opQJ9qRtLxeFbFQ/s1600/image1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hupow-TKM9Ho1qhPQc1RtLIWdcC5pKsz-a2dO67xdZazEd-MCqC2IikNkThqvXhNxW-YSnxlHFN9M4pyg3FIe71ovsklkTrjJ65pU1_mce8n0qtjc6cRzOk8YgH_opQJ9qRtLxeFbFQ/s1600/image1.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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And then this morning we did this:</div>
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Emily came out of her bedroom after saying "Mom, don't see me. I'm getting dressed really awesome."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AhMKeuVGYDdGD7q_XYWcBrieb83ZeM3nZ34g0Cp82-UjFvtyVL9yN3xiDhS6ldwW3TV9zZZ8slrjaF42TfAcOiWkghtMq2fBOBvsnBlfFW_PF82Nml2yBc_e_gvpVFd35JA2YA8Ww6s/s1600/image1+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AhMKeuVGYDdGD7q_XYWcBrieb83ZeM3nZ34g0Cp82-UjFvtyVL9yN3xiDhS6ldwW3TV9zZZ8slrjaF42TfAcOiWkghtMq2fBOBvsnBlfFW_PF82Nml2yBc_e_gvpVFd35JA2YA8Ww6s/s1600/image1+(1).JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Yep. She is pretty awesome. Caroline wasn't sure what to make of her outfit. She just wanted the flower.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqLVK7uGDDdFQWODVailHWPt1PyraL_utSH0CdcI-HDHxTAx1SSZoxRxozv-GetwTv9-LGcq92290KgTvo_tdQrIeKXVBoA8MXnexQhSUqckjLJzYELJ9LInrnuwRnavvzaUTFW5KXn8/s1600/image2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqLVK7uGDDdFQWODVailHWPt1PyraL_utSH0CdcI-HDHxTAx1SSZoxRxozv-GetwTv9-LGcq92290KgTvo_tdQrIeKXVBoA8MXnexQhSUqckjLJzYELJ9LInrnuwRnavvzaUTFW5KXn8/s1600/image2.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So yeah, it's kind of hard to see, but Emily has a cape on over top of her nightgown which she is wearing over a shirt & leggings... and completes the ensemble with her Elsa heels and Sofia crown headband. Duh.</td></tr>
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So that was my weekend (and Monday morning). Don't worry -- this blog will not turn into an "all about my business" blog. Once I create a website I will link a separate blog to that. This will continue to be my random life moments, weigh-ins & link ups, and pictures of my kids. You're welcome. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>SOOO what did y'all do this weekend?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Are you excited it's Monday? I am!</i></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-56847111043275888072015-02-18T11:09:00.001-08:002015-02-18T11:09:35.418-08:00I Don't Even Know What Day It Is<div style="text-align: center;">
I had plans. Big plans. I even wrote them down in my planner. I was going to do a weekend recap post on Monday, participate in a Show & Tell link up on Tuesday, and today I was going to post my weigh-in. Then I didn't.</div>
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Monday was a federal holiday so Jerry and I had off work. We had plans to get lunch and maybe see a movie, since the girls would be at daycare. But Emily's ear infection derailed those plans (yep -- first Caroline's ear now Emily's. So awesome). So we took Caroline to daycare and took Emily to the doctor. And ended up having a mommy-daddy-Emmy day instead of a day date. Not bad. But I got nothing done.</div>
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Then Monday night it snowed and we didn't go into work Tuesday. Again, I got nothing done.</div>
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So here I am at work on Wednesday trying to figure out if I want to bother going back and doing three separate posts. Let's put it this way: no. No I don't.</div>
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So first I'll recap our little weekend, which was actually kind of full and then at the end I'll hit you with my weigh-in; however -- spoiler alert -- it ain't good.</div>
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OUR VALENTINE'S WEEKEND:</div>
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Saturday morning started out like any other, Emily and me scrambling around to get ready for her dance class. Well, me scrambling and Emily going as slowly as possible and basically just being uncooperative. I had put together a couple bags with little goodies for the girls to open...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTu4yBY7Vy-VncuBFiGd8jK1alJyl3qGek5-s1gq8XYEsbE4emXWhZIQMRQRnzqJkiA6uDI4rn5D4CGveiMrrbdP-ZWJgUeh8A_rLMcWvKehkqRdEf99sL9b99sPcJ823wPzBPVGLT0Q/s1600/IMG_4462%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTu4yBY7Vy-VncuBFiGd8jK1alJyl3qGek5-s1gq8XYEsbE4emXWhZIQMRQRnzqJkiA6uDI4rn5D4CGveiMrrbdP-ZWJgUeh8A_rLMcWvKehkqRdEf99sL9b99sPcJ823wPzBPVGLT0Q/s1600/IMG_4462%5B1%5D.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These bags were 2 for $1.50 at Target</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-JK83i7q0_jDtsR9wDbiiFKBtNh26CeDRkeykYFJVkRtpmMKFbVOMwPPBHXO2tPMpqI7zykNWj-IMX5KCIGojMh_jQqS5aW-Z9ICbyjafP6j5_2cwgwba-dR24kBBSRyuFPI7LwOAtc/s1600/IMG_4461%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-JK83i7q0_jDtsR9wDbiiFKBtNh26CeDRkeykYFJVkRtpmMKFbVOMwPPBHXO2tPMpqI7zykNWj-IMX5KCIGojMh_jQqS5aW-Z9ICbyjafP6j5_2cwgwba-dR24kBBSRyuFPI7LwOAtc/s1600/IMG_4461%5B1%5D.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caroline's - Mini M&Ms, new pappers and stacking cup bath toy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPRT8F2v4aorXcNwDfpfUUNSXetf6oc3r2ePkGVYsvgzLGbx-xpSKMrnw1f1Yt89PjQ6UXr4lbtkjqeqH_KwI5MuroBpbW3iv7Tfy5L9POr5ZxMuGwK5T6pH_O-ceeRnFP-r7Q6QxTnI/s1600/IMG_4460%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPRT8F2v4aorXcNwDfpfUUNSXetf6oc3r2ePkGVYsvgzLGbx-xpSKMrnw1f1Yt89PjQ6UXr4lbtkjqeqH_KwI5MuroBpbW3iv7Tfy5L9POr5ZxMuGwK5T6pH_O-ceeRnFP-r7Q6QxTnI/s1600/IMG_4460%5B1%5D.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily's - Mini M&Ms, dry-erase activity tin and annoying light-up wand</td></tr>
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After dance, we came home and changed for our Kids Club Valentine's Day party. Daddy & Caroline stayed home because C was still a little under the weather. The party was fun -- crazy and crowded, but fun.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUVz5bfon-hfctQnnFlKkAqpHZFDSuVwcyxegkI9GLzwiDJ9wcTaBznv66c02ykJC9DoYKAqPn_o_XMkBtiu8mvUVYmF8u7m5M46s9ALEfgJ73fBFRu7rr3i7d_RkbFaQAPFKQCB0HbI/s1600/IMG_4490%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUVz5bfon-hfctQnnFlKkAqpHZFDSuVwcyxegkI9GLzwiDJ9wcTaBznv66c02ykJC9DoYKAqPn_o_XMkBtiu8mvUVYmF8u7m5M46s9ALEfgJ73fBFRu7rr3i7d_RkbFaQAPFKQCB0HbI/s1600/IMG_4490%5B1%5D.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily and her BFF Nora playing "pin the lips on Miss Valentine"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5tQBix20dAQXTLZt9_B6L-gTgzy7kD7yjkgjW3CHzk0wd2_GFfPa8SuQWlIoKD0FaqxQVLGWi9jzfRlLx5xOTFZp7BW_7PtlOuJqlp7SEIubxGLgnamox8RFDU6Ve_BP1CoCyQjjGgU/s1600/IMG_4477%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5tQBix20dAQXTLZt9_B6L-gTgzy7kD7yjkgjW3CHzk0wd2_GFfPa8SuQWlIoKD0FaqxQVLGWi9jzfRlLx5xOTFZp7BW_7PtlOuJqlp7SEIubxGLgnamox8RFDU6Ve_BP1CoCyQjjGgU/s1600/IMG_4477%5B1%5D.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cookie decorating station</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oIvLaS-4m9YudbfeSJarQeC0UHPGdmLQR7ObrvliqGAoMYJS2dJOZM-Ny7k633-bPYa8viqwnwTPwLorZc5Z96nIk8RcW9ox0RQ4pi3wR4GxfHF4iyJSlXVE75VyXOlaXvzTZaBBGyQ/s1600/IMG_4479%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oIvLaS-4m9YudbfeSJarQeC0UHPGdmLQR7ObrvliqGAoMYJS2dJOZM-Ny7k633-bPYa8viqwnwTPwLorZc5Z96nIk8RcW9ox0RQ4pi3wR4GxfHF4iyJSlXVE75VyXOlaXvzTZaBBGyQ/s1600/IMG_4479%5B1%5D.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crafts table</td></tr>
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After the party, I high-tailed it home to drop Emily off and head to my appointment for a massage and to get my hair done. Jerry has been dropping subtle hints that he would like me to dye my hair red (like sayind "you should dye your hair red") for the last several years -- I had it done about ten years ago and really liked it; apparently so did Jerry ;) SO for Valentine's Day this year I decided to surprise him with a new 'do: </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaudIjgSNlcPSV73EGt61RBcLIGb2RmFmC1OJHM1hKOgm_pgxjYoJSKQJ8ppBxtzy6kJ8HLEk-lDPAr97r9Ss67vuTwYVUTajDk-e2qq2-EGe_ElD9REF-iA1plpP_ctRCs715FiW3Jv4/s1600/IMG_4504%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaudIjgSNlcPSV73EGt61RBcLIGb2RmFmC1OJHM1hKOgm_pgxjYoJSKQJ8ppBxtzy6kJ8HLEk-lDPAr97r9Ss67vuTwYVUTajDk-e2qq2-EGe_ElD9REF-iA1plpP_ctRCs715FiW3Jv4/s1600/IMG_4504%5B1%5D.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxXkiHlQhlJi0itjq06U26iRFJt8BSsMNttk8wTiJCSNdacZEB2Gcd_c8GA61l5lCN5hiTjPHrh7cJJjIV2gLw4YB1AZ5JXMaeBtlb_zhmVYdtgo6pbqPl8eWCMqb0vpMXxTEVeHvkWc/s1600/IMG_4507%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxXkiHlQhlJi0itjq06U26iRFJt8BSsMNttk8wTiJCSNdacZEB2Gcd_c8GA61l5lCN5hiTjPHrh7cJJjIV2gLw4YB1AZ5JXMaeBtlb_zhmVYdtgo6pbqPl8eWCMqb0vpMXxTEVeHvkWc/s1600/IMG_4507%5B1%5D.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
It had started to snow while I was getting my hair done, so I cautiously but quickly headed home to change before our 7pm dinner reservation. We ate to our hearts' content and our bellies' contempt and then headed home with a doggy bag full of chocolate cake :) Instead of going out for a late movie we decided to rent something On Demand. We settled on Gone Girl. It was weird. I don't really have any other adjectives to describe it. Anyway...</div>
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Sunday afternoon I picked up the girls from Patti's and we braved the freezing temps and winds to go to Panera and Target ;) <br />
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We had a few dance parties:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyQr-xp-5rPNppBMLXlrkP-5j-D4HRmSIBi0FD1BMBV1-ZGb1JJ7uXp76rVQJVYMOAdUDdAJMhOONds6GbXcA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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The girls played nicely together... you know, 80% of the time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLH5YvhPgSPTf7SPHMrXHZQQfFz5NT2Pih3nCd0_E47kva4eKvhOCEt8jI8psZ1jntm9PWTxpQg_I38E4fQ-Sm-TXp8zqfRCm1yBsrUqTCXsdV5oE9RDaqabsK7V62Nv5Vbc2J9drXMs/s1600/IMG_4533%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLH5YvhPgSPTf7SPHMrXHZQQfFz5NT2Pih3nCd0_E47kva4eKvhOCEt8jI8psZ1jntm9PWTxpQg_I38E4fQ-Sm-TXp8zqfRCm1yBsrUqTCXsdV5oE9RDaqabsK7V62Nv5Vbc2J9drXMs/s1600/IMG_4533%5B1%5D.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjac-ZpetreAm6VjYW3ruPh06zhOWCf8W423aGNvEFmFQy-nBtbbnuHGKWu4hHvx6yt4f8F2qCHNU-3uLGNFmEhA-Un6THWzYnezxWMfT8RLBAcpflrydCXvzSuVT6UTI2X0lWFVwsExj4/s1600/IMG_4538%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjac-ZpetreAm6VjYW3ruPh06zhOWCf8W423aGNvEFmFQy-nBtbbnuHGKWu4hHvx6yt4f8F2qCHNU-3uLGNFmEhA-Un6THWzYnezxWMfT8RLBAcpflrydCXvzSuVT6UTI2X0lWFVwsExj4/s1600/IMG_4538%5B1%5D.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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So that was our weekend. <br />
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This morning I weight myself and really didn't want to look down at the number. Starting Saturday morning with the cherry donut holes and ending last night with the rest of the pretzel hugs I made for the Kids Club party, I basically just ate my way through the weekend; and although I just got myself a three-year membership to the gym (yeah) I didn't go even once this long, long weekend. So I was actually thrilled the number wasn't more than it was: <b><span style="font-size: large;">189.4. </span></b> That's a two pound gain. I'm ok with that. I thoroughly enjoyed myself all weekend and now I'm back on the wagon -- my standard cereal bar & banana breakfast followed by...yep! Chipotle.<br />
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The calendar says it's Wednesday...<br />
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But Caroline's hair says it's Monday:<br />
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This may or may not be my new desktop wallpaper...</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-4446926277699585802015-02-13T08:37:00.003-08:002015-02-13T08:37:22.843-08:00Friday Favorites - 2-in-1 Style<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Wednesday, everyone! Wait, what? It's not Wednesday, you say? Ohhh right.</div>
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Well as you may or may not have noticed, I didn't do my Weigh-In Wednesday post. Life (and a sick toddler) got in the way, but I'm here now. </div>
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Wednesday morning's number was in fact happy -- <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>187.8 </i></b></span>(my lowest so far since September). So that was nice. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHA9om7KXrbv5fyXgqdxwfeVsVoXX1jLoA6vFWOuWM7e37d-51KB7M-qlaTOmbypW0f9SsNL0PLXe_4LIedu6BWgBxOCZsZ4WQ3uvwj-ufmzIH6A_70_8GrIMKJTrU23xToFpbUBCenwQ/s1600/IMG_4440%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHA9om7KXrbv5fyXgqdxwfeVsVoXX1jLoA6vFWOuWM7e37d-51KB7M-qlaTOmbypW0f9SsNL0PLXe_4LIedu6BWgBxOCZsZ4WQ3uvwj-ufmzIH6A_70_8GrIMKJTrU23xToFpbUBCenwQ/s1600/IMG_4440%5B1%5D.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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And I am officially gym member. The sweet talking membership dude talked me into a "buy two years get the third free deal" - what the what?! - and after thinking about it and crunching the numbers, it just made sense. So last night I bit the bullet and pulled out the old Mastercard. </div>
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I love the fact that my gym has a pool, and the only thing it is lacking compared to my last gym is private changing rooms...Some ladies (and never the good looking ones) are a little to comfortable being naked in front of other people. Now, I have no problem with changing in the locker room, but this one lady just straight up sat on the bench and talked to her friend while being STARK NAKED and... it wasn't pretty. I still have that image burned into my head. Ugh. Well whatever... Yay for going to the gym!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now for the second half of this two part saga known as today's blog post: Friday Favorites!!</span></h4>
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<b>ONE</b></div>
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<i>Caroline woke up without a fever.</i></div>
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YES. That is my favorite thing about today (and this week) so far because early yesterday morning she had a 104.9 temp. That's not a typo. It was scary. She has an ear infection and is now on antibiotics. She woke up this morning with no fever so hallelujah. Hopefully it doesn't come back this afternoon, but I won't be surprised if it does.</div>
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<b>TWO</b></div>
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<i>Kids' Club Valentine's Day partyyyy.</i></div>
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Poor Caroline is going to have to sit out of this one, but hopefully Emily will be excited to see her friends and play games and decorate cookies at our first annual community Valentine's Day Party! I still have a few last minute things to take care of, but yesterday I finished making about a million of these: </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/AVvXsEiXvd4ZgTKq1HpyUMSbxmv4hrqDi4wMcUvW-54oyDI9CVHfXSQuLi4skWCCSqI87jCvv9xHqLhct23K5z8X-zeDARO1oMSEPOWrXUV_VpEHGeE7iCLxnajaAas290a2lZ-whpGTu5iRi9E/s1600/IMG_4445%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvd4ZgTKq1HpyUMSbxmv4hrqDi4wMcUvW-54oyDI9CVHfXSQuLi4skWCCSqI87jCvv9xHqLhct23K5z8X-zeDARO1oMSEPOWrXUV_VpEHGeE7iCLxnajaAas290a2lZ-whpGTu5iRi9E/s1600/IMG_4445%5B1%5D.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got the "recipe" <a href="http://griffithsrated.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentine-prezel-buttons.html">HERE</a>.</td></tr>
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THREE</div>
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<i>All the Etsy stickers.</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVd2PCuMK_kGYc0bG-ByU6FA1kPKlue5EJ45VN1gYNEC7XiR_FqsRB1ZkTnOiGJNABBkz8t8PmL0FJFT6MPFev3NWBSeg0I_C3_uB_HKlqr4eWfMc-kyalw7wgwd71EY_wGPaDFuEcns/s1600/IMG_4439%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVd2PCuMK_kGYc0bG-ByU6FA1kPKlue5EJ45VN1gYNEC7XiR_FqsRB1ZkTnOiGJNABBkz8t8PmL0FJFT6MPFev3NWBSeg0I_C3_uB_HKlqr4eWfMc-kyalw7wgwd71EY_wGPaDFuEcns/s1600/IMG_4439%5B1%5D.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/StickerPlanIt">StickerPlanIt</a>. The owner, Mary, is awesome and did custom colors on the ballet slippers for me! The hearts are for me to put next to hair appointments, massages, pedicures -- anything that's for ME and me only :) She threw in the dots & teardrops, as well as the bee and the gold foil bows. Love them!</td></tr>
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So remember my planner? Yeah I mean, it's not like I talk about it a lot or anything. Well anyway, there are actual Facebook groups for people who have this planner and how they organize it and themselves. Many of these people use stickers to mark important things they need to do or errands they need to run. </div>
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The planner itself came with a few sheets of functional stickers in the back (it's a common thing for planners these days apparently) but a lot of the ladies in these FB groups have Etsy shops where they sell custom functional stickers. They're a cute and easy way to track all sorts of things in your planner. Need to do laundry? There's a sticker with a picture of a washing machine. Gotta remember your kids dance class? You guessed it, stickers with ballet slippers. Why not just write these things down in your planner? Because cute. And because inside every woman is a little girl who loved to stick fuzzy kitten stickers all over her Lisa Frank trapper keeper. </div>
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I like to justify buying stickers on Etsy by reminding myself (and others...) that these are small businesses, almost all run by moms, and small business shopping helps the economy. Right? Right.</div>
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<b>FOUR</b></div>
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<i>Tights are not pants. </i></div>
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But at the gym they are. I got these from Target yesterday and wore them to do the elliptical after AquaFit last night. I love that I was able to get a smaller size (my yoga pants at home are almost falling off me -- yay!!) and they are tight and firming, without cutting off circulation. Always a win.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://scene7.targetimg1.com/is/image/Target/16358148?wid=243&hei=243" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://scene7.targetimg1.com/is/image/Target/16358148?wid=243&hei=243" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.target.com/p/yoga-leggings-mossimo-supply-co/-/A-16358148#prodSlot=_1_11">Mossimo @ Target</a></td></tr>
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<b>FIVE</b></div>
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<i>My Valentine :)</i></div>
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He sent me flowers at work.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINEOyGHqQ3_4sHRFzaC30gDlZjxHXOuGt4y3A1WFuPxoshx38UgSzUgRgrTuPbWcTMgWr71CTMNLogcwwp1n8bcT79CClAJnrWKNKSuD2a3U-NtkUf0mVTQfT1UunJn2sntpBCGbTPXM/s1600/IMG_4447%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINEOyGHqQ3_4sHRFzaC30gDlZjxHXOuGt4y3A1WFuPxoshx38UgSzUgRgrTuPbWcTMgWr71CTMNLogcwwp1n8bcT79CClAJnrWKNKSuD2a3U-NtkUf0mVTQfT1UunJn2sntpBCGbTPXM/s1600/IMG_4447%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awwwww</td></tr>
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They make my boring desk look pretty. Love my babe ;) So looking forward to my massage tomorrow and then going out and eating way too much Chinese food and probably seeing a crappy movie. I know you're jealous.</div>
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So there you have it. Two posts in one because I'm awesome like that. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Friday & Happy Valentine's Day! </span></b></div>
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Hug someone you love and eat a lot of chocolate!! :)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-287962443527180692015-02-09T07:31:00.002-08:002015-02-09T07:34:49.455-08:00Weekend Recap - Window Shopping & Chinese Foooooood<div style="text-align: center;">
Good Monday, friends!</div>
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This weekend was another low-key, not-much-going-on kind of weekend -- my favorite.</div>
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Friday night, Emily wanted peanut butter and jelly for dinner. I'll wait while you guys recover from being astonished.... Ok so I told her she could have PBJ and she asked if she could help make it. SURE KID!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih58-xer1Lg6-DBiquQMKF9MJVCyh5jBnhJCs8HnmsgZ-zskM1XVLO2EKauf6YiZ5o8x796ZuQj50HDYLJPdKu7CkM1KcnZaq-ntFWl1CzY1QTiRMUKpzTWWftH28zzgNr83I20pFHHIg/s1600/IMG_4423%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih58-xer1Lg6-DBiquQMKF9MJVCyh5jBnhJCs8HnmsgZ-zskM1XVLO2EKauf6YiZ5o8x796ZuQj50HDYLJPdKu7CkM1KcnZaq-ntFWl1CzY1QTiRMUKpzTWWftH28zzgNr83I20pFHHIg/s1600/IMG_4423%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She alternated between spreading the peanut butter on the bread and licking the knife... but it was mostly licking the knife.</td></tr>
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Saturday morning at Emily's dance class, her teacher called all the parents in to watch them do the first few 8-counts of their recital dance. I didn't bring my phone in, or I would've gotten video, but trust me when I say it was the cutest thing ever. Emily was about two counts behind, but so were a lot of the girls :) They shook their little hips and twirled around and I basically stood there with the stupidest grin on my face, trying not to cry at how big she is... I am so looking forward to the recital in May!! There will definitely be crying.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Jerry worked Saturday morning, so after dance class, the girls and I headed over to do our weekly Target run. It's funny because we almost always see at least one or two other moms/kids from dance at Target after class -- great minds, you know. So before any shopping could happen, we did this: </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-5_ZZPcBR3vOm2C1wwpPyKPG6D8_S2_a5DJDFlu4eWhDZ2Fil5s52jpnDIZd8FfjpxXjWUOpR-rxD__iKMEGGSRn43u4UFJSb35GQcKZguwnGlcSSo7_ij6lTeBG9l_0clG05Y19W_4/s1600/IMG_4425%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-5_ZZPcBR3vOm2C1wwpPyKPG6D8_S2_a5DJDFlu4eWhDZ2Fil5s52jpnDIZd8FfjpxXjWUOpR-rxD__iKMEGGSRn43u4UFJSb35GQcKZguwnGlcSSo7_ij6lTeBG9l_0clG05Y19W_4/s1600/IMG_4425%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cake pops FTW. And it kinda looks like Caroline is secretly flipping Emily off with her right hand... just me?</td></tr>
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Saturday afternoon, I snuck out with my sister-in-law for a little window shopping. It was nice to talk about adult things and not be wiping a nose for a couple hours. When I got home, Jerry and I had Chinese food and it was glorious. I love me some chicken & broccoli and pork dumplings :)</div>
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Sunday we had a nice visit with "Auntie" Megan (my best friend for going on 20 years) and her son, Aiden. Last time we saw them was before Christmas so it was really nice to have them come up for a visit. We left my girls at home -- Caroline needed a nap and Emily opted out of shopping in favor of staying home with her Daddy, sweet girl -- and went to Chipotle (gasp!) and Target (double gasp!) and then ended up at Home Goods. Aiden lasted until 3/4 of the way through Home Goods and then was DONE. So we headed back to the house and played a little more and then they were on their way :( Definitely making plans to visit more often.</div>
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Sunday afternoon was so lazy. We had breakfast for dinner and Jerry gave the girls baths (he's a keeper)... Emily let me slather her up with Johnson's bedtime lotion and I think it actually helped calm her down a little. That will be done EVERY night from now on.</div>
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We have a busy week coming up... I'm going to try to get into the gym, we have some Kids' Club V-day party prepping to do, and if I don't do some laundry soon we are going to be drying off with toilet paper after our showers...</div>
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See you back here Wednesday with -- hopefully -- a happy number on the scale!!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-33775474653103780142015-02-06T08:19:00.001-08:002015-02-06T08:19:16.920-08:00Friday Favorites -- Things & Stuff<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Friday......finalllllllly!</i></div>
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With the exception of last night (Caroline had some weird tummy trouble or something that made her scream and cry every few minutes; we didn't get much sleep), this week has been pretty awesome, albeit uneventful.</div>
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ONE</div>
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<b>Epic behead.</b></div>
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There are no words.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJRv-3-DlHzJXq2Kgc4JB_UarmXTsJVz2XszQSuLAxUu-Qv7AfiksiMGcn5gFbhhA8dOEHm-5J369UCoMb1Ypk3tp93z6DcBZKUDBdh-D0PNnpN0eM4kr4yduffB2sEmpoegfYIsSBRM/s1600/IMG_4414%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJRv-3-DlHzJXq2Kgc4JB_UarmXTsJVz2XszQSuLAxUu-Qv7AfiksiMGcn5gFbhhA8dOEHm-5J369UCoMb1Ypk3tp93z6DcBZKUDBdh-D0PNnpN0eM4kr4yduffB2sEmpoegfYIsSBRM/s1600/IMG_4414%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuE5eDmSNrPEY0GxfClBBzbEjfxgdvAlb11Mialwz-9y-2Kbsy57-ae3FBQCUMM91BwMox5O8jZp7C8_A65T1Q2yBfr2Msc1xhj0RKE-B_QhbDd8mb4b8wnvSIfCgVIxkfUcRvPHCPuGM/s1600/IMG_4416%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuE5eDmSNrPEY0GxfClBBzbEjfxgdvAlb11Mialwz-9y-2Kbsy57-ae3FBQCUMM91BwMox5O8jZp7C8_A65T1Q2yBfr2Msc1xhj0RKE-B_QhbDd8mb4b8wnvSIfCgVIxkfUcRvPHCPuGM/s1600/IMG_4416%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like a bald spot, but it's just matted down in different directions. So stylish.</td></tr>
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TWO</div>
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<b>Sweet RAKs.</b></div>
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So I have been using my Erin Condren Life Planner since September, and trying to explain it to people along the way. It's not going well. But Patti (my girls' daycare mom & a sweet friend) surprised me with these goodies for my planner; even though she doesn't really get it (her words). I like to make my planner pretty (it's kind of like scrapbooking, I guess) which makes me want to use it more; which (sometimes) makes me more organized.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKt9PvDtkDrVAJiiUh-8uR_Tz2h05j2sWyQEDHLmU5PPx2VPTxBqer4ePcaP8ktRgk3PVC2wIUQ4-7mUvx5Y0Txq6Ka-AsggAWOmoheaTH4onwH58OxME5QrJ_pfEWdcZcxbbXMOmfFGg/s1600/IMG_4420%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKt9PvDtkDrVAJiiUh-8uR_Tz2h05j2sWyQEDHLmU5PPx2VPTxBqer4ePcaP8ktRgk3PVC2wIUQ4-7mUvx5Y0Txq6Ka-AsggAWOmoheaTH4onwH58OxME5QrJ_pfEWdcZcxbbXMOmfFGg/s1600/IMG_4420%5B1%5D.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have a separate IG for planner people and posted this picture in there this morning :) I like to follow other organized people and see how they lay out their weeks to get some inspiration. I know you are all shaking your heads right now, and that's ok with me :)</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Shameless referral link plug (because it's my blog): Click <a href="https://www.erincondren.com/referral/invite/amandasmoot0903">HERE</a> to get $10 off your first <a href="http://erincondren.com/">erincondren.com</a> purchase!</div>
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THREE.</div>
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<b>Basic Vanilla B*tch.</b></div>
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I know, I know...but I am loving the "new" Pixie pants from Old Navy right now. I say new in quotes because I'm pretty sure they bring these out every spring and call them new, but anyway. I bought a full-length black pair for Jerry's grandma's viewing last week and I love how they fit. Tight without showing all the cellulite, and stretchy. And I thought they were really slimming (of course I didn't take a picture). Now I want to go back and buy some in the other fun patterns & colors. </div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://www3.assets-gap.com/webcontent/0008/895/379/cn8895379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www3.assets-gap.com/webcontent/0008/895/379/cn8895379.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=5475">Source</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=5475">Source</a></td></tr>
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How cute?!</div>
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FOUR</div>
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<b>Valentine's Dayyyy.</b></div>
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I'm really excited for this Valentine's Day. Jerry and I have reservations at PF Changs (sooo fancy, I know, but we love it!) and after our Kids Club party at town hall, I am going to GET A MASSAGE. Hallelujah I need it.</div>
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I think after work today I might stop by my second home and pick up some fun treats & stuff for the girls to "open" on V-day :)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://scene7.targetimg1.com/is/image/Target/16765004?wid=480&hei=480" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://scene7.targetimg1.com/is/image/Target/16765004?wid=480&hei=480" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.target.com/p/infant-toddler-girls-i-m-with-cupid-tee-white/-/A-16765004#prodSlot=_2_5">Infant Toddler Girls I'm with Cupid Tee @ Target</a></td></tr>
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FIVE</div>
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<b>Throwbacks.</b></div>
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My aunt posted this picture on Facebook yesterday. Me, my sister, and my cousins, just chillin' in front of our grandmother's house. All so cute and innocent... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOD9hN3MAPQwu3CYgH7Us9XUQSeA1sk2eqHkCySDJE-jM9eu83EHh4wCKxWoyifKvLLR31u7SRGu4n89I-HYlzg5CvooGYIsTOaM-lWCcHJBZGcTjkNtlTf_Fpc_dib_X_CJ2Dt_3FnQ/s1600/10959887_658124174294098_4579209399729585123_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOD9hN3MAPQwu3CYgH7Us9XUQSeA1sk2eqHkCySDJE-jM9eu83EHh4wCKxWoyifKvLLR31u7SRGu4n89I-HYlzg5CvooGYIsTOaM-lWCcHJBZGcTjkNtlTf_Fpc_dib_X_CJ2Dt_3FnQ/s1600/10959887_658124174294098_4579209399729585123_n.jpg" height="297" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">(I'm bottom center)</span></td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy Almost-Weekend, you guys!!</span></i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-8978741323825917262015-02-04T09:48:00.003-08:002015-02-04T09:48:30.074-08:00Weigh-In Wednesday 2.4.15<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, then.</div>
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The number on the scale this morning was only a surprise in that it was lower than I thought it would be. For some reason I have been eating like crap lately, and haven't been for a good walk since before Christmas. Sad. </div>
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So today's weight is <b><span style="font-size: large;">188.6</span> -- </b>yes that number looks familiar; because it is the same as last Wednesday. Which is GREAT considering how poorly I've been doing, but NOT GREAT considering that I need to keep moving and lose another 25 lbs...</div>
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SO. I've been toying with the idea of joining a gym again. And I think I'm actually going to do it. The weight loss so far has been great, and I definitely feel better 32 lbs down, but my body doesn't look all that different. Still #bustedcanofbiscuits and it isn't going to get better not working out. </div>
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I plan on taking it slow, maybe doing some aqua classes with a friend, and doing some elliptical and treadmill (especially in these cold winter weeks/months), then working on some actual weight-lifting. Don't worry, I'm not working towards <i>spray-tan-and-tiny-shiny-bikini </i>muscles... just perhaps some tone to firm up the wobble to a more manageable jiggle.</div>
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And here's some pictures of my kids from last night. I love how Caroline wants to do absolutely everything Emily is doing. Like jumping on the bed...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1mBDnl9HlPK0RJxrNm3rQL7_OY7x6D4x3gtO0b-UPw9wYmCi_82jHTKIDMRp7MvgaDDDSMiPNUTd1DnoNjRwTCiKL36gsl9-Lw5V3jteuzdoDbPtHW131ZWxQaHxwYv2cM-YnoG-X2g/s1600/IMG_4398%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1mBDnl9HlPK0RJxrNm3rQL7_OY7x6D4x3gtO0b-UPw9wYmCi_82jHTKIDMRp7MvgaDDDSMiPNUTd1DnoNjRwTCiKL36gsl9-Lw5V3jteuzdoDbPtHW131ZWxQaHxwYv2cM-YnoG-X2g/s1600/IMG_4398%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caroline's face cracks me up.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2UL7I5FRatj1BiF31GqCdQsbAr8fi-GopH4pbuVsMDjTmKbEyzyGcwaZV97m5uePnN3Z4HeXMbWjxdd-LgoBF8gRgXZxuyZxiuQpV55TsYJDZ0rlvff6SVXHHyRrc-SDlkGrSiQG85s/s1600/IMG_4410%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2UL7I5FRatj1BiF31GqCdQsbAr8fi-GopH4pbuVsMDjTmKbEyzyGcwaZV97m5uePnN3Z4HeXMbWjxdd-LgoBF8gRgXZxuyZxiuQpV55TsYJDZ0rlvff6SVXHHyRrc-SDlkGrSiQG85s/s1600/IMG_4410%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kind of looks like they're praying. This time, Emily actually copied Caroline :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGR8leLTTNT79JeNKJX6mTmSiD2E3tbr_4GLgb7eIMO35xrylgTf6d0gBvo1Eh1aK-Yv1MDvwGcKySdRlsvmJqEeUV-DvLQ4FNJHUIqPTW3nwqRdSbDbMDwlntMXDMPzrj-QxEKQo08ww/s1600/IMG_4408%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGR8leLTTNT79JeNKJX6mTmSiD2E3tbr_4GLgb7eIMO35xrylgTf6d0gBvo1Eh1aK-Yv1MDvwGcKySdRlsvmJqEeUV-DvLQ4FNJHUIqPTW3nwqRdSbDbMDwlntMXDMPzrj-QxEKQo08ww/s1600/IMG_4408%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister love <3</td></tr>
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Happy Hump Day!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-752150322021615362015-02-03T06:37:00.005-08:002015-02-03T06:37:46.783-08:00Show & Tell Tuesday... My Groundhog Day<div style="text-align: center;">
Today I'm linking up with Andrea from <a href="http://www.momfessionals.com/">Momfessionals</a> for her Show & Tell Tuesday series. The topic today is a tough one: tell us about your "groundhog day" a day to repeat over and over again. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbFWVRY1VzCc7u8tPMQqiZ_toCPiS5rZpN_M7KVjYHPiEI7uRTbmfoVS9eUA7vS4RkdloExnLq_g4Ev60kleUF62aC-Ct3CiEqWB0_sndxVVTc-xdo4qqKVae0x__wXbeHFIfTwHlhSc/s1600/Show+and+Tell+-+Groundhog+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbFWVRY1VzCc7u8tPMQqiZ_toCPiS5rZpN_M7KVjYHPiEI7uRTbmfoVS9eUA7vS4RkdloExnLq_g4Ev60kleUF62aC-Ct3CiEqWB0_sndxVVTc-xdo4qqKVae0x__wXbeHFIfTwHlhSc/s1600/Show+and+Tell+-+Groundhog+Day.jpg" height="153" width="400" /></a></div>
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Well, there are so many days from my life I would want to repeat over and over (and also many I would like to forget ever happened -- but that's another post...); it would be better if I could have a "groundhog week" and take different days from my life to relive over and over. </div>
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BUT that's not what the prompt says, so I chose one specific day...</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">July 12, 2014</span></b></div>
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On this day, tons of family & friends came over for a birthday party. But not just any birthday party. Caroline's 1st!! And Emily's 4th!! </div>
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You all know how much I wish I could press Pause on life sometimes because my girls are just growing too too fast. In a few short months, these same girls will be TWO and FIVE. NO. nonononono no no. But yes. </div>
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So if I had to pick a day, it would be that day where we were surrounded by (most) of our family and the four of us Smoots celebrated two very special birthdays.</div>
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Any day that includes family, Jerry, my girls, and cupcakes is a day I would relive on repeat. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">How about you? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">What would your "groundhog day" look like?</span></div>
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<i>And let's not talk about that stupid <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2015/02/02/groundhog-day-2015-punxsutawney-phil-sees-shadow-predicts-six-more-weeks-of-winter/">Phil and his 6 more weeks of winter</a>.</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-75219721020234011382015-02-02T08:39:00.000-08:002015-02-02T08:39:36.091-08:00I Actually Kind of Like Mondays...<div style="text-align: center;">
This weekend we had fun :) Friday afternoon/evening was not fun, though. Emily was pushing her boundaries HARD and mama was frustrated and over it. Saturday morning was better. She was actually pretty well behaved the rest of the weekend. </div>
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Saturday, Jerry went to his grandma's funeral and I took both girls to Emily's dance class. It was freezing and windy, so that was fun. After dance, we did our weekly Target run (also tons of fun with both girls...) and grabbed some Chick Fil A to take home. Except after we got our food, I remembered I was supposed to pick up a prescription; so we went back to Target and our food got cold. Sweet.</div>
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Saturday afternoon, Jerry (or someone who looked an awful lot like him) came home and told me to go out and have a couple hours to myself. So where did I go? Walmart. I have been wanting to start doing puzzles (I know, so exciting) and so I went and got a card table and a puzzle. I figured I'd just go for it an start with a 1000 piece puzzle with a repeating pattern of vintage Froot Loops ads. </div>
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Sure. After Walmart I hung out with friends (while doing a different puzzle at their house), ate junk and drank Mango-ritas... that's my kind of #turntup Saturday night.</div>
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Sunday morning we had a play date with Emily's best friend Nora. She is the sweetest little kid and they always have such fun together. They were so well behaved and sweet together. Complimenting each other on their play-doh skills and taking turns being the "mommy" and the "sweetheart". So fun. Next time we are hoping to up the ante and have a sleepover!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwcboiDEk0MMkumFcHkEE0DoSm7-A_AUybgXs_rgnGXjrgiBN6yKqI4jtzZ76BnQmlwFkiM4fa08Z7Zs35-Rcdfms2O8G8EYVmr6osEi3C2YDKaEBzDWxURtoTCduw8PBQZ1SPqeTo8k/s1600/IMG_4376%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwcboiDEk0MMkumFcHkEE0DoSm7-A_AUybgXs_rgnGXjrgiBN6yKqI4jtzZ76BnQmlwFkiM4fa08Z7Zs35-Rcdfms2O8G8EYVmr6osEi3C2YDKaEBzDWxURtoTCduw8PBQZ1SPqeTo8k/s1600/IMG_4376%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a picture of Emily from the playdate (I don't like to post pictures of other people's kids). They played "dress up" in nightgowns and necklaces. And put these little plastic Minnie Mouse bows in their hair. </td></tr>
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Sunday afternoon we met Jerry's brother & sister-in-law and the kids at the roller skating rink for a little family Sunday Funday. I did not fall, which was such a win in my book. Emily did great on her little Fisher Price princess roller skates and refused to leave the floor for a good hour. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a great shot, but she was talking to the girl behind the shoe counter :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again, such great photography prowess on my part... they had these little contraptions made from PVC with wheels to give the kids something to hold onto and Emily loved it. She didn't want me to touch it. After a while, she didn't even need it :)</td></tr>
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Caroline hung out in the stroller a bit...</div>
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...then got up and danced to the sweet roller rink music. The video I got is actually horrible. She was dancing the entire time except for whenever I had my phone out to video her (of course) but you can kind of see her little sassy 'tude and when she sticks her belly out I die. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxtGbXvCnvYS7xE4wOM3dYdX5KNdebSa__2EmEyQK0GJseai9PFHYp32QtKwMVeI0_9ttH2wT5uiW0AjVtqLg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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After skating, we took our sore muscles and blistered feet over to our favorite Mexican restaurant and had quesadillas and lots of chips :)</div>
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We were all exhausted when we got home, so bath and bed time were somewhat easier than usual. Then after the girls were in bed, Jerry and I went down to watch the second half of the SuperBowl (which I couldn't have cared less about since the Packers were out and I don't really like either team). I worked on my puzzle and rolled my eyes at Bill Belichick and Tom Brady's interviews. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAk_J5lAdt-_ilOSJZ4qXllBb6ZnocJc1R8ebmdQjiO8prHc8UH10u7zhFAGjXeN1X8B7nlmrhTs2UaXlqcDx4znuxZAAVWP-QwRUhDZo0dsifxH8BVSLTxemwPY55BcmwQGSqN-ZEoo/s1600/IMG_4379%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAk_J5lAdt-_ilOSJZ4qXllBb6ZnocJc1R8ebmdQjiO8prHc8UH10u7zhFAGjXeN1X8B7nlmrhTs2UaXlqcDx4znuxZAAVWP-QwRUhDZo0dsifxH8BVSLTxemwPY55BcmwQGSqN-ZEoo/s1600/IMG_4379%5B1%5D.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was a great weekend. I was ready to come to work, though. Nice and quiet :)</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Monday, friends!</span></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-80776791421374352112015-01-28T08:25:00.004-08:002015-01-28T08:25:38.281-08:00Weigh-In Wednesday - 1.28.14<div style="text-align: center;">
I won't make you wait for the number today. </div>
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Stepping on the scale this morning I was very happy to see:</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">188.6</span></b></div>
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Very happy indeed.</div>
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I did nothing really different this past week except on Friday I ate nothing... I don't really thing that's what put me under 190, and it certainly wasn't by choice. #effyoutummybug</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Here's what is working for me: </i></span></div>
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1. <b>Chipotle</b>. This is my go-to lunch, just ask my co-workers :) I love the chicken burrito bowl and I really love the fact that I know exactly how many calories it is and it fills me up for a long time. I thought I would be getting sick of Chipotle by now, but so far sooooo good!</div>
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2. <b>MyFitnessPal</b>. One of the main reasons I've been so good at tracking is the fact that the app shows your "streak" -- how many days in a row you have tracked your calories. And because I'm a perfectionist, I like to make sure I track (at least something) each day so that number doesn't go back down to 0. Right now my streak is 149 days!!</div>
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3. <b>Pinterest</b>. I love how easy it is to get motivation and information on the Internet. I have a board called Motivation & Mindset that helps me stay focused on my end game. I like to pin inspirational quotes and facts, but I also like seeing other people's before & after photos and stories. Sometimes I forget to check that board, but whenever I do look at it (and my exercise board<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/amsmoot/operation-scarlett-johansson/"> Operation Scarlett Johansson</a>) I am reminded of what I'm working towards and my resolve to change is strengthened!</div>
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4. <b>My Jeans</b>. I told you all how I bought two pairs of size 12 jeans a couple weeks ago. I wore a pair yesterday and it just felt so great. Not necessarily the size, but just knowing that I'm making progress. I felt the same way a couple months ago when I bought my 14s. So excited to need smaller pants! :) It just makes you want to keep going and going. I am still very nervous about trying shorts on in the coming months, but one of my goals was to wear shorts this summer, so it's going to happen. </div>
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5. <b>Friends & Family</b>. I think it's really important to let people know when you decide to make a change like this. I used to think, "let me keep it a secret and then they'll all be blown away when I drop 50 pounds". But then I never dropped 50 lbs and no one was blown away. HOWEVER, this time around did all but shout it from the rooftops. I told everyone my goal and the support has been so helpful & awesome. My co-workers understand and don't give me a hard time for eating at my desk when they are going to Five Guys (and they've stopped bringing me their extra fries, which they would still be doing if I didn't tell them about my weight-loss goals). It feels really good when someone notices that you've lost weight and to know they are rooting for you. So here's a big SHOUT OUT to all my friends and family who have been so supportive -- and who I know will continue to be!! :) -- I couldn't have made it to 30+ pounds down without you all. Here's to 20 or 30 more!!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And now it's lunchtime!</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-74363754700326382212015-01-26T10:11:00.003-08:002015-01-26T10:11:53.468-08:00Weekend Update: Sick of Being Sick<div style="text-align: center;">
I should've bought stock in Lysol wipes and Purell. #truespeak</div>
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I don't want to relive the details of this week, and I can guarantee you don't want to read about them. Suffice to say, this week was sick. And not in any kind of good way. </div>
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Our niece and nephew were here starting last Sunday. Starting in the wee hours of Monday morning, everyone in our house began to pass around a stomach bug, on top of most of us already having head colds/runny noses/coughs. Ugh. But I think (and sincerely hope) that everyone is on the upswing and life as we know it can resume this week.</div>
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So our weekend was basically headline-free; except yesterday, since no one was puking and nobody had a fever and EVERYBODY needed to get out of the house, we took the gang to the mall to pick out a new pair of shoes for Caroline (her first real walking shoes).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBDo_Q6ZIqLrwzE9rpMg2bfwQdE27RNw-nOdOkOgI8HwD_wD-F7jKNtk1fuGfmuogumgCXShSyBc6iD1ACOxTPB9Umhe36m_Bnpno5h9NDh6Mg_EdTmwE7nDZYjC98JmOlfIG_S-CS48/s1600/IMG_4336%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBDo_Q6ZIqLrwzE9rpMg2bfwQdE27RNw-nOdOkOgI8HwD_wD-F7jKNtk1fuGfmuogumgCXShSyBc6iD1ACOxTPB9Umhe36m_Bnpno5h9NDh6Mg_EdTmwE7nDZYjC98JmOlfIG_S-CS48/s1600/IMG_4336%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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At times we were feeling good enough to play dress up:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvFUwLL33tsHn0V3XMwiM6VFA13mGdXonXIqZUxPp2NycKUo6i1IL00kYvk9YWC1JeK_SAHVgMJaWcuzZBJBJkwl18sBK0K0_IDpkroFiFbm33oQ0oe58c2p6uhvx45_m1VKbpLNz0so/s1600/IMG_4338%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvFUwLL33tsHn0V3XMwiM6VFA13mGdXonXIqZUxPp2NycKUo6i1IL00kYvk9YWC1JeK_SAHVgMJaWcuzZBJBJkwl18sBK0K0_IDpkroFiFbm33oQ0oe58c2p6uhvx45_m1VKbpLNz0so/s1600/IMG_4338%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vg7PHCbLQIVgmo37bCWuVyQdaSkS7EKqOHoqtFeG-ZAQXX1EvSIqg94CaRFYTR4vL1K3zrP2mmtUzPGUOrngQariuCyM6IhVn9REJrOeH6S4MV2UYfrnceR18FUe-T12ujFsK5VMUs0/s1600/IMG_4337%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vg7PHCbLQIVgmo37bCWuVyQdaSkS7EKqOHoqtFeG-ZAQXX1EvSIqg94CaRFYTR4vL1K3zrP2mmtUzPGUOrngQariuCyM6IhVn9REJrOeH6S4MV2UYfrnceR18FUe-T12ujFsK5VMUs0/s1600/IMG_4337%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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And Caroline says: <i>"Oh my goodness! Mommy is still sucking at taking more pictures!"</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOQfzXvga7exIQ1qNi_U62a1ewJf0z73WhmeJeUzp_W2berNrzWu7GVDZKUTbD36isImqsPOmc5uoOZsBlcSiPMBlbwhFJSXuHCgyQl2w_nBshWTvGVqtrouOB___zbIEL0o95MPQVvs/s1600/IMG_4321%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOQfzXvga7exIQ1qNi_U62a1ewJf0z73WhmeJeUzp_W2berNrzWu7GVDZKUTbD36isImqsPOmc5uoOZsBlcSiPMBlbwhFJSXuHCgyQl2w_nBshWTvGVqtrouOB___zbIEL0o95MPQVvs/s1600/IMG_4321%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Let me leave you with some images of people having some awesome Mondays:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/520658406893296503/">Source</a>)</td></tr>
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Man I hate when I get two lemons in my Starburst pack!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-56508459669182552602015-01-16T06:22:00.001-08:002015-01-16T06:22:04.710-08:00Friday Favorites - 1.16.15<div style="text-align: center;">
Today is going to be quick. </div>
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Wednesday was my favorite day this week. My scale was nice :) </div>
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<a href="http://makingsuretolaugh.blogspot.com/2015/01/weigh-in-wednesday-respectable-milestone.html">HERE</a>'s that post if you missed it.</div>
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I took this picture this week. Emily had made a "camera" out of her Tinker Toys and she insisted I take a picture of the three of them. Thought it was worth it to get an actual picture too. The lighting is horrible and I was rushed. It's SO blurry -- and even more so because I had to crop out Jerry's socks -- BUT I love it. Emily's actually looking/smiling and Caroline's face... well.</div>
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<a href="http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b521/amsmoot3/6c8b30d4-bffd-4992-8209-0774b4c526aa_zps78024d2b.jpg?t=1421330844" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b521/amsmoot3/6c8b30d4-bffd-4992-8209-0774b4c526aa_zps78024d2b.jpg?t=1421330844" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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I took this one last night. Jerry was working and I had used up all my patience at bath time, so I gave them their tablets and let them play a little before bed. #bestmomever</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b521/amsmoot3/607758c7-2f55-4f02-b680-c6d128f52205_zps7b68457d.jpg?t=1421331082" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b521/amsmoot3/607758c7-2f55-4f02-b680-c6d128f52205_zps7b68457d.jpg?t=1421331082" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caroline is usually the little ham, but she was too busy to even say "Cheeeee". <br />Emily completely ignored me as always.</td></tr>
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Tomorrow morning Emily has dance and then we are hosting a meeting of our community kids club to plan a Valentine's Day party :) After that, I plan on doing very little. Except definitely watch some football. I'm hoping our Packers can pull off a miracle against Seattle, but I'm prepared for the worst... </div>
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(then it will be look-forward-to-baseball time!!)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Happy Weekend, everyone!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">I'm linking up with <a href="http://www.momfessionals.com/">Momfessionals</a> & friends for Friday Favorites. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekxl5WpwmXts71dcCcZfKK_o7Qe81CEwPxR-eZUto9pkW-xS5201IgQ1qNB4E4lf1VVbvVzm9CDEGoi5fNcSFpIJnTw5cKfbtOtcMFpLJBF2RFf8fXeEdFACNs39mY1M2c-_I7xcEU-c/s1600/fridayfavorites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekxl5WpwmXts71dcCcZfKK_o7Qe81CEwPxR-eZUto9pkW-xS5201IgQ1qNB4E4lf1VVbvVzm9CDEGoi5fNcSFpIJnTw5cKfbtOtcMFpLJBF2RFf8fXeEdFACNs39mY1M2c-_I7xcEU-c/s1600/fridayfavorites.jpg" height="171" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-85667952946447347252015-01-14T09:30:00.000-08:002015-01-14T09:30:36.152-08:00Weigh-In Wednesday: A Respectable Milestone<div style="text-align: center;">
Woo to the freaking Hoo!!</div>
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Today I got on the scale and the numbers before me were........</div>
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wait for it...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">190.4</span></span></h3>
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Guys. You. GUYS. That is 30 lbs down from my starting weight. </div>
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THIRTY P-O-U-N-D-S. </div>
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I'm a little excited.</div>
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And kind of surprised. I feel like I haven't been doing that well -- not tracking my dinners as avidly (is that word?) and snacking here and there -- so I was kind of preparing myself for a gain, or at the very least, no change from last week's 193. But no sir/ma'am.<b> 190.4.</b> It feels so good to type that. This is exactly what I needed to give me another little boost. </div>
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Last week I noticed my size 14 Target Levis were getting a little baggy in the butt, so when I left work on Friday I stopped by my old jeans standby, Old Navy. I started looking at the Sweetheart style (what I usually buy) but the Flirts were on sale. Like $15 a pair. So I decided I'd try them in a size 12. Again, preparing myself for not even being able to get them over my ankles, I was SHOCKED when all I had to do was a little jumping and sucking to get them on and buttoned. </div>
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Please God excuse my horrible hair, but look! Size 12s!! Yes I know there is a sizable muffin top but I. Do. Not. Care. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">apparently size 12 jeans make your feet complete disappear. magic I tell you.</td></tr>
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Now, I tried on a regular length pair and a pair of longs because I like to wear the longer ones with boots (which I still haven't found yet, but I was planning ahead). Both pairs I tried on were dark and they fit fine, so I went back out to see if they had the regular length ones in a lighter color (you know, for everyday as opposed to "fancy" dark jeans). They did, and they were on sale too so I bought them and went home to show Jerry. WELL. The lighter size 12Rs apparently aren't the EXACT same size as the darker ones. They took a lot more jumping and squatting to get into. But I didn't take them back because I KNOW they will fit perfectly soon. </div>
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And hopefully not long after they do, they will start to be loose in the butt just like the 14s (which is why I'm glad they were only $15 a pair!). </div>
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So excited about being able to change my "pounds lost" to 30. And my pounds to go to 25. I now have LESS weight to lose than I have already lost. That makes no sense. But you know what I mean. YIPPPEEEEEE. </div>
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Now on to those last 25 -- and hopefully some kind of strength training and firming to cure the "busted can of biscuits" feelings. :)</div>
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Here are some words of wisdom I use to keep me motivated; and you can too!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<a href="http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/photo-gallery/34775602/image/34791352/How-Ill-Healthy-My-Kids">SOURCE</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/54184001742119430/">SOURCE</a>)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<a href="http://midwesternmoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Closer.jpg">SOURCE</a>)</td></tr>
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Maybe if I keep posting quotes & memes my mom won't realize there aren't any pictures of the girls in this post. Clearly my 2015 goal of taking more pictures is going swimmingly....</div>
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<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c0/92/e6/c092e65dea681e2fb4149972d5edd5c7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c0/92/e6/c092e65dea681e2fb4149972d5edd5c7.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Have a great day!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">FYI - I wasn't paid by either Target or Old Navy to talk about their jeans. I just like giving you details.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-10964626736038835562015-01-12T07:51:00.004-08:002015-01-12T07:59:08.669-08:00Weekend Update - Consignment Woes, New Friend Fun & Epic Laziness<div style="text-align: center;">
Let's see... what did we do this weekend? Not much -- and it was glorious.</div>
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Friday night Jerry went to a Chive fundraising event. The girls and I ate pizza and watched TV. SOOO glamorous!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8fKQDcd4ETtaq8ynWPdB-epo-g36-w84de-2MmmvMOLcvZPJEwX1vzXYEd6FukhkYXx34xh4JZ1zuqOWUme_BBodepnQNv3n94DOx7e91qw6QEOaTZvi0zPrW2QqeZds6Epdq7vqn3A/s1600/IMG_4156%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8fKQDcd4ETtaq8ynWPdB-epo-g36-w84de-2MmmvMOLcvZPJEwX1vzXYEd6FukhkYXx34xh4JZ1zuqOWUme_BBodepnQNv3n94DOx7e91qw6QEOaTZvi0zPrW2QqeZds6Epdq7vqn3A/s1600/IMG_4156%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caroline knows how to party. PS like my new rug?? ;)</td></tr>
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Saturday, Emily and I got up and went to her first dance class of the new year. She hasn't been since a couple weeks before Christmas and it was really hard to get back into the groove. Her class is from 9:00 to 9:45 and we made it there at 9:15. Mom fail. Whatever. <br />
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After that, Emily and I went over to Once Upon a Child with two bins: one clothes (that I had washed and very neatly folded the night before -- after picking the best of the best to sell and donating the rest), and one toys. I was disappointed when I returned to pick the bins up that they had only taken like two pieces of clothing, yet the bin was completely ransacked-looking. The girl told me they weren't buying any clothes sized 0-18mos right now because they were so overstocked on those sizes. Ugh. So I'll have to fold them neatly, AGAIN, and try back in a couple months.</div>
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A little later, Emily and I met up with some neighbors that we met while trick or treating this year -- the lady's daughter was dressed as Princess Anna so naturally Emily had to go talk to her and then we ended up finishing out our trick or treat route with them :) The girls played, then we had a yummy Chick-Fil-A lunch, then the girls played some more, then we had frozen yogurt. The girls did NOT want to leave each other, which was very cute. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sxqoHtXIGDX-ZpiQaSwBW7D0fQC20aVLXSjth3dqK15rIqpXQIL2lGFvkFOFVPJOCg3RQ-6Mgwl6ggRCdOSXe37Ve9PvNiHjvJgrmRFoYzz3WOCyFjQkIj_JLFxYxKvGnnDCAmdF3zk/s1600/IMG_4158%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sxqoHtXIGDX-ZpiQaSwBW7D0fQC20aVLXSjth3dqK15rIqpXQIL2lGFvkFOFVPJOCg3RQ-6Mgwl6ggRCdOSXe37Ve9PvNiHjvJgrmRFoYzz3WOCyFjQkIj_JLFxYxKvGnnDCAmdF3zk/s1600/IMG_4158%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing a game together in the little family lounge area at the mall. So sweet!</td></tr>
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The rest of the weekend was spent watching play-off games (GO PACK!) and basically moving from our beds or the couch as little as possible (like only when we were hungry). </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/08/funny-ecards_n_1866012.html">Mmm Lasagna tho</a></td></tr>
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Sunday afternoon, I went to a memorial service for Jerry's stepmom's mother. It was a beautiful service. I had only met her mom a few times, but the way her family and friends talked about her, I know she was someone very special. I hope the family now has some closure and I'm glad I was able to be there to support them. </div>
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One notable thing that happened this weekend: Caroline learned how to climb up on the couch by herself. This is her right before she pulled herself all the way up and sat there with the proudest look on her face -- and then proceeded to jump on the couch... gee, I wonder where she learned that?!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlAmhmwA29NSbVRM0pTWuh7uUYycrlmj2mFAHt5SLs72ZFGGr92oTsrRINRhV9vYavarm7xWmwQlTx55t11j_FNLtsF2shHAFSA8FVmZItw-S7Bv57n2LmSzfEoVs0ktNXct2hBma89s/s1600/IMG_4198%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlAmhmwA29NSbVRM0pTWuh7uUYycrlmj2mFAHt5SLs72ZFGGr92oTsrRINRhV9vYavarm7xWmwQlTx55t11j_FNLtsF2shHAFSA8FVmZItw-S7Bv57n2LmSzfEoVs0ktNXct2hBma89s/s1600/IMG_4198%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"EERRRRRGGGGHHHHH I will get on this couch!!"</td></tr>
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I love how she was looking at me with that determined face, and not asking for help. <br />
So big girl #uglycrying</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So what did you all do this weekend? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anything fun?</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Are you a Cowboys fan? Sorryyyyyy.....</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Stolen from a friend's FB feed - don't know the original source)</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-73644690029289054392015-01-09T07:23:00.002-08:002015-01-09T07:28:18.536-08:00Friday Favorites - Top 5 Pins of the Week<div style="text-align: center;">
Since there's not much going on in my life right now -- not that I'm not busy, it's just boring busy at the moment -- I decided to round up a few favorites from my activity on Pinterest this week. I'm still waiting for that job to open up where all I do is browse Pinterest and pin all the things. Until then, I'll just share a few of my favorite things that I added to my boards this week. </div>
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<i>Don't worry I won't judge -- I won't know! -- if you just scroll down to see the pictures of my kids you know are that the bottom. </i> </div>
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<b>-ONE-</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/54184001742757875/">Mossimo Jessica suede strappy boot in cognac</a></td></tr>
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I need a new pair of boot-cut jeans boots. And I have a Target gift card from Christmas burning a hole in my pocket. These might be a winner.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/54184001742758623/">Ribbon & Twine Wooden Letter "wreath"</a></td></tr>
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This is actually a really old pin that I came across and thought I already had it pinned, but I couldn't find it. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">The image doesn't even show up on the original linked blog post <a href="http://thefrugalhomemaker.com/2011/10/11/day-11-wreaths/">HERE</a> -- but it's originally from Etsy, I believe.</span> </div>
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After taking down my Christmas wreath, my front door is looking awfully bare. I'm not sure I have the patience to wrap all that twine around a letter S, and I'm kind of over burlap, but I like the idea. I might be able to just paint one... either way it's giving me some inspiration -- and the desire to go to Michaels.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://homeketeers.com/love-bug-magnets-valentines-kidstoddlers-craft/">Original Source</a></td></tr>
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My neighborhood kids club is meeting soon to plan a Valentine's Day party for the kids. I'm pinning all kinds of ideas for activities and treats for this little event. I love these little magnet clothes pins and they seem really easy to make.</div>
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<b>-FOUR-</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.themeasuredmom.com/ready-for-kindergarten-checklist/">Source Link</a></td></tr>
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Emily starts kindergarten this year. I know it's still seven or eight months away, but I am the type of person that needs to mentally prepare for these types of things (wait til you get to #5 below). So I've started pinning all kinds of tips for getting your child ready to go to kindergarten, and other sites that list things she should know/be able to do when she starts school.</div>
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<b>-FIVE-</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/wilderness-lodge-resort/">Source Link</a></td></tr>
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Like I said before, I like to mentally prepare myself for things REAAAALLLLYYYY far in advance. It's kind of fun -- I like to live vicariously through Pinterest boards sometimes. So we have talked about taking the girls to Disneyworld. Right now they are 4.5 and 18 months old. I know there are tons and tons of fun things to do at Disney for kids those ages, BUT since it's such an expensive trip (and I intend to really "do it up") I wanted to wait until they were a little older to really appreciate (and hopefully remember) the whole experience. Our target ages are 9 and 6. Yep, that's 4 years away -- plenty of time to SAVE UP for what will probably be the biggest trip we take as a family for a long time. So while we're saving, I'm also dreaming -- and pinning. </div>
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As promised... a couple pictures of the girls. These were from yesterday, when we were getting all our cold weather gear on to brave the single digits.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5abXcbF0EpKIRJm4LDYhFCwrAwblA6x9i1E_Td9X3hZlrkMUKDF0sxnI25KLt9A6X_RnZe83wLSBEjdaX_12_sZIKloTcBpYfFAOhVBYBar5NYLbFWbIyIW_6tZMM4ZgllZQxYqcNeE/s1600/IMG_4143%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5abXcbF0EpKIRJm4LDYhFCwrAwblA6x9i1E_Td9X3hZlrkMUKDF0sxnI25KLt9A6X_RnZe83wLSBEjdaX_12_sZIKloTcBpYfFAOhVBYBar5NYLbFWbIyIW_6tZMM4ZgllZQxYqcNeE/s1600/IMG_4143%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super blurry because she thought it was funny to run away from me while I was trying to take her picture; but look how cute, all bundled up :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkY1ZhwJuwgprPP68QYR3RkjuJUbrE4t4JxN2McVrVQZS3_SBXHPtqy1tMAjjFEA6k0NxNx7ei-zMx-wGRzwM4SdvsRS5nsGqr-XRdEJw-4THztdgFW_KngoZeZLn87nyjui-EyX29T0I/s1600/IMG_4146%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkY1ZhwJuwgprPP68QYR3RkjuJUbrE4t4JxN2McVrVQZS3_SBXHPtqy1tMAjjFEA6k0NxNx7ei-zMx-wGRzwM4SdvsRS5nsGqr-XRdEJw-4THztdgFW_KngoZeZLn87nyjui-EyX29T0I/s1600/IMG_4146%5B1%5D.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then, of course, my model. Who is supposed to be getting her coat, hat & mittens on... </td></tr>
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They were both happy and smiling because there was still snow on the ground.</div>
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And I was all:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/3f/2b/5a/3f2b5a421cb05c940a872646c84b9686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/3f/2b/5a/3f2b5a421cb05c940a872646c84b9686.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/295759900503684100/">Source</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/136445063685799317/">Source</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/00/bb/17/00bb175a62a4facf9ef8267d0611ffcf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/00/bb/17/00bb175a62a4facf9ef8267d0611ffcf.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/540080180286741758/">Source</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Today I'm linking up with <a href="http://www.momfessionals.com/">Momfessionals </a>for Friday Favorites, </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUrQk1zBYC25OQ8JRSZ5MYkd8EO-aN7oiYZnYPPcJ6HEAoqnKOyxJ3ASmloDMVOeGyOGaLC-JrJppUhimd1PTCyvGXcfQbeCltBXfAkCLTc4NCIQPBzrnUJXYCGxZFt3uzA4AiRVVxck/s1600/fridayfavorites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUrQk1zBYC25OQ8JRSZ5MYkd8EO-aN7oiYZnYPPcJ6HEAoqnKOyxJ3ASmloDMVOeGyOGaLC-JrJppUhimd1PTCyvGXcfQbeCltBXfAkCLTc4NCIQPBzrnUJXYCGxZFt3uzA4AiRVVxck/s1600/fridayfavorites.jpg" height="171" width="200" /></a></div>
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</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;">and with <a href="http://www.hellohappinessblog.com/">Hello! Happiness</a> (et al) for Five on Friday</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.the-good-life-blog.com/search/label/FIVE%20on%20Friday" rel="nofollow"> <img alt="THE GOOD LIFE BLOG" src="http://i1351.photobucket.com/albums/p782/thegoodlifeblog/5onFridayLogo-Final-forblogsidemenu_edited-1_zps7fcf6068.jpg" height="200" width="200" /> </a> <br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy Weekend!!!</span></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7189549932256649762.post-64185237284505971262015-01-07T11:49:00.002-08:002015-01-07T11:49:49.446-08:00Weigh-In Wednesday 1.7.15 & Some Other Randomness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Since Wednesday, September 3, 2014 (the day my gynecologist said I was "obese") I have been weighing myself every Wednesday morning and recording my weight. I'm not shy about how much I weigh. I used to be, but now it's like, who cares? And since I'm losing weight, it's just a number right now. Anyway, so I started at 220 lbs. Not the most I've ever weighed, but definitely the most ever while not growing another human life inside my belly. </div>
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So I didn't lose all 70 lbs I gained with Emily. I lost some, but nowhere near what I should have. I was better at reigning myself in from the Five Guys and DQ while pregnant with Caroline, and only gained about 25, but still... It wasn't healthy; and while I know it could be a lot worse, my doc throwing out the word "obese" hit me right in the gut (the flabby, stretch-marked gut). I made a decision that day to finally change it. I think because she said something to me about showing my daughters how to care about my body or something -- right in the feels, man. I never want my girls to worry about their weight, or have a single negative thought about the way they look. So I dusted off the old <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/logout">MyFitnessPal</a> app on my phone, and the rest is history. Well, not really. </div>
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I've lost 28 lbs since September, which I think is AWESOME. What's even more awesome is that I didn't gain it all back at Christmas... that being said, I haven't been breaking any weight-loss records the last few weeks either. My major goal for this weight-loss/healthy life journey was to wear a bathing suit and shorts by my 30th birthday (which is a quick 8 months away now). I'm still on track, but in 2015 I really need to step it up and crack down and get on the ball and whatever other cliche is associated with really, really getting serious about my goals.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i2.wp.com/www.thegirlcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/DM-Dont-give-up-what-you-want.png?resize=580%2C386" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i2.wp.com/www.thegirlcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/DM-Dont-give-up-what-you-want.png?resize=580%2C386" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thegirlcreative.com/31-days-weight-loss-motivation-printable-day-2/">Source</a></td></tr>
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Part of fulfilling that goal, and another from <a href="http://makingsuretolaugh.blogspot.com/2015/01/show-tell-tuesday-2015-goals-and.html">my list</a>, is posting a weekly weigh-in for tracking and accountability purposes (and also to fish for compliments on how great I'm doing....you think I'm kidding).</div>
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SOOOO. Today is the first official weigh-in of 2015. Drum roll...</div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>193 lbs!</i></span></div>
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Ok so I told you I started at 220. I made a list of monthly goal weights so that I didn't feel overwhelmed with my end-goal (which I decided should be about 165 - for my height, the range is 143 - 163 lbs, but I think I would look emaciated at anything less than 160). Here's that chart: </div>
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End of December...... 195 lbs <i>(acheived! 12/31 weight was 192!!)</i></div>
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End of March 2015...... 180 lbs</div>
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End of June 2015...... 170 lbs</div>
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End of August/September...... 160-165 lbs</div>
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In my planner (remember that ridiculously expensive one I've talked about a few times? <a href="http://friday%20favorites%20-%2011.7.14/">yep that one</a>), I am tracking my fitness two ways. First, in each Wednesday morning box, I have a sticker (included in the planner), and every Wednesday morning, I weigh myself and write on the sticker with a Sharpie so that it stands out. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b521/amsmoot3/874fd55d-9446-47ff-9007-056d2164677a_zps7b771d40.jpg?t=1420571813" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b521/amsmoot3/874fd55d-9446-47ff-9007-056d2164677a_zps7b771d40.jpg?t=1420571813" height="387" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple weeks old, but you get the idea.</td></tr>
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Then at the end of each month, I record that weight, along with my current BMI and waist:height ratio in one of the notes pages in the back of the planner.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b521/amsmoot3/IMG_41371_zps78c1a022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b521/amsmoot3/IMG_41371_zps78c1a022.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I keep forgetting to bring a tape measure to work (where I look up my BMI and W:H ratio), so I'm behind on recording that stat.</td></tr>
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I kept tracking in MyFitnessPal all through the holidays, but I definitely cheated and didn't track ALL of the cookies and other crap I ate; I really just wanted to keep my streak going (it tells you how many days you've tracked). But as of today (after last night's dinner, which I'll get to in a second) I'm back on track. Had my regular breakfast of a Special K bar and banana, and my favorite lunch (Chipotle #duh). I did get a small pack of pretzel M&Ms, but I tracked them and still have enough calories left for a yummy spaghetti dinner. YAY.</div>
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Yesterday was Jerry's dad's birthday and we all went out to a local seafood/steak place for dinner. Emily was a complete jerk the entire time. Refusing to sit in her chair and not eating more than a few bites of the dinner SHE PICKED OUT. She asked for a cheese quesadilla and green beans. She actually ate more green beans than quesadilla.... I'm going to give you a minute to re-read that. Yep. #whoknows. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmGF8YvxENj9S2x8Bk7em1cwh1kPJBfrFDblfsc77_nxiKM-HLPeYiHCKCns4Uugy9nVDAnqEn8dySPQZe0nvmBPTb4UTB2V9N7zjIbtXEoQyKhla0FVpdZWyG6-gMHhARUG8apyBAus/s1600/IMG_4114%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmGF8YvxENj9S2x8Bk7em1cwh1kPJBfrFDblfsc77_nxiKM-HLPeYiHCKCns4Uugy9nVDAnqEn8dySPQZe0nvmBPTb4UTB2V9N7zjIbtXEoQyKhla0FVpdZWyG6-gMHhARUG8apyBAus/s1600/IMG_4114%5B1%5D.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Probably about to leap out of her chair again to dance or run away from the table. <br />#nexttimetwohighchairs</td></tr>
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She kept getting out of her seat to dance in the space between ours and the next table. She asked me 437829057 times if she could have dessert after I told her the first time she asked that she didn't eat all of her dinner, therefore, NO.</div>
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I thought we would be OK because I brought both tablets for the girls to play with, but neither one really wanted anything to do with them. Weird. Whatever though. We had a tasty dinner and got to spend a little time with Pop-pop & Mom-mom :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCmQKoDQKNsj2fyi0DR836vqR04bjMuNbhUk3_GhOgK9QTEDa0XEAYR7ByIpzGnAUXRP3OqIDJ2gEaomzwX36dZ3QgnYBmqA5oRxal9L23r8W3FQmScPIS53yFAMSK0zyn0NshYYw76s/s1600/IMG_4117%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCmQKoDQKNsj2fyi0DR836vqR04bjMuNbhUk3_GhOgK9QTEDa0XEAYR7ByIpzGnAUXRP3OqIDJ2gEaomzwX36dZ3QgnYBmqA5oRxal9L23r8W3FQmScPIS53yFAMSK0zyn0NshYYw76s/s1600/IMG_4117%5B1%5D.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hB2RjN78ksqFeg085kuseK2Wb15nyltvkA4SE6hGzGbhvJ6VkaDvz11_ddAfhBLnBy-4nW6RoiJ1-v9cjFp_ljvwlbNyVLm27CljUCdNJ4JszIKfHC0pLy1VSi_cA07AblzKjeuVdxs/s1600/IMG_4135%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hB2RjN78ksqFeg085kuseK2Wb15nyltvkA4SE6hGzGbhvJ6VkaDvz11_ddAfhBLnBy-4nW6RoiJ1-v9cjFp_ljvwlbNyVLm27CljUCdNJ4JszIKfHC0pLy1VSi_cA07AblzKjeuVdxs/s1600/IMG_4135%5B1%5D.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the best one we got of all of us. I guess I didn't have my flash set to "auto" and the waitress took the pic for us. I felt a little bad for the table behind us...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16Es7TOQcxNZndA7oLJAoyXNR0NWJgU-OHOZXTZpSzjrKIzOwSxMVyeJYsxP-RwI-sueUW6g554BxiuDJr-szU8kQd_bOb4qD7-CS2_LdO5MRwQrYINDnfUulPJfoH8mz34VF70Ew-Ss/s1600/IMG_4127%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16Es7TOQcxNZndA7oLJAoyXNR0NWJgU-OHOZXTZpSzjrKIzOwSxMVyeJYsxP-RwI-sueUW6g554BxiuDJr-szU8kQd_bOb4qD7-CS2_LdO5MRwQrYINDnfUulPJfoH8mz34VF70Ew-Ss/s1600/IMG_4127%5B1%5D.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gee, I wonder where she's learning attitude from??<br /></td></tr>
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And on that note, friends, I leave you. Check back each Wednesday to see my weight-loss progress. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/90/60/2b/90602b63800d0fb13210c9034e3b5788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/90/60/2b/90602b63800d0fb13210c9034e3b5788.jpg" width="356" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Thank God I've never seen a Chipotle commercial.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">I'm not getting paid by Erin Condren, MyFitnessPal, Special K, M&Ms, Five Guys, or Dairy Queen to talk about them here. But man wouldn't that be nice?</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01129245693352920432noreply@blogger.com1