tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10579669508543979932024-03-13T20:13:03.860-07:00Southern by God's GraceDeanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-63362184462765663542013-09-05T07:06:00.006-07:002013-09-05T07:06:45.375-07:00It's Been a Crazy Ride!<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">WHEW!!!!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Babies take up a lot of time, and time management is not my strong suit...ha!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Sorry I've been MIA. I've never claimed to be a blog pro. Please forgive me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Our sweet baby Kate was diagnosed with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip and was put into a brace (the Pavlik Harness) last week. It sent us all for a loop!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Right now that's where all my focus is...on helping out baby girl get her hip to develop correctly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My energy will be spent on keeping friends and family updated on her situation through a new blog just for her for a while. If you'd like to follow along...we'd love to have your prayers and support!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://hipwithit.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Getting 'Hip' With It: Baby Kate's Party in the Pavlik Harness</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">XOXO</span></div>
Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-27648835984909025642013-06-26T13:14:00.001-07:002013-06-26T13:15:29.270-07:00Introducing...Miss Kate!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My last post was at 34 weeks pregnant. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, fast forward several weeks...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">past bedrest, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">past a long labor & recovery, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and our baby girl is 2.5 weeks old!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'm totally, completely in love with <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">this</u> face!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i style="background-color: white;">Kathryn Josie Mathes</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm not going to give the long, drawn out version of my 27+ hour labor and delivery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Trust me, you don't want it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cliff notes version...which is still long. Sorry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In my 38th week, I was put on bedrest after a trip to the doctor with an atrocious, splitting headache/vomiting. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Combine that with high blood pressure, and I was being tested for pre-eclampsia. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't know if I actually had it or not...I barely had my 24-hour urine catch at the lab and hadn't had my follow-up appointment yet when my water broke.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">38 weeks & 5 days pregnant, Friday, June 7, 2013...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm on the phone with my friend Lauren when I feel my shorts get wet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I immediately knew what it was...MY WATER HAD BROKEN!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I made a phone call to Brian, and he was home very quickly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Feeling pretty calm, I showered...put make-up on...and took my time getting to the hospital. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After all, I was still having pretty painless contractions. I'd only consider them Braxton Hicks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fast forward...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm admitted to the hospital. My water had broken well before the rest of my body was ready for labor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Once again, CLIFF NOTES...this meant a very lengthy induction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After 20+ hours on the maximum dose of pitocin with no epidural, they were finally able to put one in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Don't even ASK why they weren't able to put it in before...it's not a pretty story.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After the epidural, (which didn't get rid of much pain for me...just made my legs super numb) things progressed VERY quickly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Before I knew it, I was begging the nurse to push and she was here!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Saturday, June 8, 2013 at 3:37 p.m., </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kate was born weighing 6 lbs. 14 oz. and measuring 20 inches long.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Praise the Lord!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After the doctor delivered her placenta, we realized that my waters breaking early was a huge blessing, and God was definitely looking out for our sweet baby.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The doctor made Brian take pictures of her placenta. Her cord was only attached to the very side of her placenta as opposed to the meaty middle where it should have been.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He told us that had I gone into labor first and had to have my water broken, they most likely would have ruptured her cord because of its placement. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His exact words: "Things would have gotten really scare, really fast."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have thanked the Lord every single day since she was born for protecting her thought that!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From the day she was born, she hasn't had it easy...and neither have her parents' nerves! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She had to have many, many tests run on her because they believed she was fighting an infection because her white blood count was elevated and even went up after she was born. That happens sometimes when your waters are broken for a long time before birth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her count finally went down...and then they found a heart murmur.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Monday we should have been preparing to go home with our sweet girl.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Instead, we were preparing to head straight to Shands Hospital/University of Florida in Gainesville for her to see one of the nation's top pediatric cardiologists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Needless to say, we were worried sick, and I cried the whole time my baby had an ultrasound on her heart, an EKG, and even right through the doctors speaking to us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Once again, the Lord had a watch over her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kate does have two holes in her heart. One is teeny tiny and is very common. In fact, the doctor said half of the population is walking around with the same type hole right now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The other is bigger, but they believe it will close up on it's on, or won't cause much trouble.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In other words, she shouldn't need corrective surgery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can honestly say the first few days of her life were hard for me to enjoy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Besides trying to recover from childbirth, I have never been so scared and worried in my life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's hard when you realize the thing you love most in life is incredibly fragile and her well-being is completely out of your hands.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If it weren't for our faith, we may have had a mental breakdown.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But on a much lighter note...she is a happy and healthy baby!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Despite all the tests and scares (some I didn't even bother to mention), she's absolutely perfect.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She looks like her daddy...and it seriously melts my heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The next few posts will be about our new life with her. I may even back track some. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Heck, I never blogged about the three beautiful showers our loved ones threw for us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have never been more proud of anything in my life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I look at her, I am so filled with love and thankfulness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What did we do to deserve such a sweet little soul?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We totally don't deserve her, but I'm glad the Lord doesn't give us what we deserve.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She's the biggest blessing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'll leave you with a few pictures of her birthday and the first few weeks of her life!</span></div>
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Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-10841291066097299242013-05-07T10:41:00.000-07:002013-05-07T10:41:03.467-07:00Baby Watch: 34 weeks<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>34 weeks. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Say what?!?!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In some ways I feel like I've been pregnant for 3 years...haha. For example, we've moved 3 times since I've been pregnant. (Moved apartments in Lakeland, moved temporarily back to Georgia after leaving Lakeland, and then moved to Ocala.) Things like that tend to make a pregnancy feel very, very long...haha.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But in some ways, I find it very hard to believe we are 6 weeks away from baby girl's due date! Brian and I shared a good laugh at the grocery store yesterday because when I picked up a carton of eggs, the "best by" date was June 8! We really thought that put things into perspective as to how close we are. Our eggs will ALMOST last until her due date! haha.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I just got the last of the shower pictures so a post on that is coming soon, but in the meantime, I thought we'd do a "weeks" check-in. I wanted to do this one a little differently. Instead of finding a list of questions, I wanted to talk about the things on my mind as opposed to being prompted. I feel like that gives you a much better idea of where I am and how I'm feeling! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Current loves:</b> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">putting the finishing touches on the nursery</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't even think this needs explanation. It's just so much fun! Sometimes I just wander in there and stare at her things. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">getting baby presents (duh!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Who doesn't love opening sweet, precious, baby things?! I'm dead serious when I say I love opening gifts that are practical JUST as much as adorable, monogrammed things! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">spending quality t</span>ime with Brian as a "couple" before we <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">become a "family"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is a BIG one for us right now. We are being very mindful and trying to enjoy every little activity as a couple. We're talking everything from peaceful grocery shopping, to dinner, to church, etc. For example, we went to see a movie in the theater yesterday for the first time in ages. We're trying to do things that will be a lot more complicated once Kate is here. Don't take this the wrong way...we can't WAIT for her to be here, but we just want to appreciate the simpleness before it's gone. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">childbirth classes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ok, I have to be honest. Brian and I really didn't want to take these...lol. Maybe we're naive, but sometimes I just feel like I'd rather learn as I go...haha. I mean, I read baby books out of curiosity, so I felt like I had a good knowledge base. However, when we pre-registered at our hospital, we learned that childbirth classes, baby basics, and breastfeeding classes were all completely free to us. As some of you know, this is rare, so we talked about it and finally decided it'd be a good way to pass the last month before she's due since people say the time tends to drag. (Yep, we're learning it does! haha)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, our first class was this past Thursday, and can I say we had the MOST fun! We were both surprised, but we really enjoyed it. It was fun to hang out with other pregnant couples due around the same time. We actually laughed a lot! haha. Turns out, it's a good "date night" that costs no money and doesn't revolve around food. We're glad we decided to take the classes. :)</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Current challenges:</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>*DISCLAIMER*: I really don't want these to come across as complaining! These are just currently things I'm dealing with that are well, well worth suffering for our little blessing.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">hand/feet swelling</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is something I really didn't expect to deal with. I'm not really sure why, because my hands actually swell when I eat a meal high in sodium even when I'm not pregnant. So I guess, if I'd have given it any thought, I'd have expected this. But my hands swell really, REALLY badly. Don't worry, my doctor is aware of this, and so far my blood pressure is fine. So really it's just aggravating because it's caused carpel tunnel which has caused finger numbness/tingling in my right hand. Some things that are hard when you can feel your fingers? Straightening your hair (can't tell when you're burning them), cooking, putting on jewelry, etc. So as long as this doesn't get dangerous, I just have to deal with the ugliness and aggravation of it! haha.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">morning sickness</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh yes. Say hello to the old enemy. It's baaaaack...lol. Apparently if you were one of the ones who has nausea/vomiting well into the second trimester, it can come back in late pregnancy. Well, it did...haha. And it's not fun. I struggle to function before about noon...lol. I only end up throwing up once or twice a week, but if I had a job and was working and couldn't "coax" myself into my days, I have a feeling it'd happen more often.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">fatigue</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is caused by a combination of things. There's the lack of sleep from heartburn, aches & pains, being uncomfortable, etc. Then there's the pure heaviness of carrying your very pregnant body. I'm just blessed that I'm not working and I can lay around if I feel like I need to. Trust me, not working doesn't make me feel any less fatigued. I wish it worked that way! haha. Actually, my busy days are a little better because I'm more distracted from it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">mood swings</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Worse than ever....haha. I cry over anything and everything...even commercials. I cry because I don't feel well. I cry because I'm excited about Kate. I cry because I have such an amazing husband. (I'm NOT kidding. One day I seriously sat on the couch bawling as I thanked God for him!) I cry because I miss my family. I mean...y'all. Can we say basket case?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So, that's that. We are closing in on the home stretch, and we could not be more excited. I try to look at the challenges and realized how blessed I am to have them...because it means we have a little miracle growing inside me. This whole pregnancy I'd been absolutely terrified of labor (and I mean, I'm still nervous let's be real...), but it's starting to be SO outweighed with the excitement of meeting her. Please keep our little growing family in your prayers!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Until next time...xoxo.</span></div>
Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-7254056597701129732013-04-25T16:36:00.000-07:002013-04-25T16:36:08.797-07:00Kate's Letters<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dear Baby <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta;">Kate</span></span>, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> We cannot wait for you to get here. <i>Seriously.</i> Your daddy and I still have things to do to get ready for you, but we are just so ready to meet you! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> We looked up <i><span style="color: #999999;">full moon</span></i> dates last night hoping there'd be one around your due date. No luck! The one before your due date you'd be pretty early, and the one after your due date you'd be pretty late! Let's hope there's not much truth to that whole full moon=labor thing. ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> You got the sweetest gifts at the most <b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">beautiful</span></b> baby showers this past weekend. I really need to get on it and post about it. We are so close to having everything you need, and that puts your mama at ease.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> You are so incredibly <span style="color: red;">strong</span>. Your daddy and I sit and stare as you make my belly do waves when you move.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> I also find myself wandering into your nursery just looking around and smiling. I tend to get a bit <span style="color: #9fc5e8;">weepy</span> when I think that we are less than two months away from meeting you!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> I just want you to know that all the swelling in the world, all the pain and discomfort, the tossing and turning at night, the numb hands, the nausea, the fatigue...it pales in comparison to the <b><span style="color: #351c75;">excitement</span></b> I feel when I think about meeting you. You are so, so, so loved, baby girl.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here you are a week ago...</span></div>
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Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-60345519204943776562013-04-05T10:45:00.001-07:002013-04-05T10:45:06.929-07:00Two Months in the Making (oops!)<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, oops. It's been 2 months since my last post. I see that I need to update pretty badly, because in my last update...little Kinney Hammond hadn't been born yet! Now she's almost 2 months old!</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I visited the besties (Kinney's parents Lauren and Adam) in Memphis last month, and noticed when I got home that I didn't really take any pictures with my friends! LOL. Shame on me. I was so wrapped up in this little bundle of cuteness that the love of two of my favorite people created that she stole all the camera time. Kinney is a miracle! I can't wait for Kate to meet her. :) Get a load of this precious doll! She was about 3.5 weeks old here. And she has already changed so much...you should see her beautiful newborn pictures.</span><br />
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As for me and the mister, we have officially become Floridians (driver's licenses and all), and he officially owns and operates a Chick-fil-A. (That's a whole different post in and of itself!) Brian has now been in the store five days, and our new place is slowly coming together. We're waiting on a couple pieces of new furniture to be delivered before we hang pictures and put the final touches on things.</div>
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We have finally been able to work on the nursery! Since I'm 30 weeks in 2 days, I was starting to feel a little bit behind being in my third trimester of pregnancy having -nothing- done. I can be pretty type-A personality though, so we're probably just right on time. ;)</div>
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We painted the walls a "pale" pink. I use the quotations because it turned out way more "pink" than I <strike>wanted</strike> anticipated. But it's ok. I mean, she <i>is</i> a girl, after all. ;) The handy husband (new nickname?) put together her crib, and we are currently working on a painting project to turn an old computer desk into a changing table/bookshelf/dresser/etc.<br />
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Oh, and how could I forget?! Kate's bedding came this week! I love it every bit as much as I expected to. Here's a little sneak peek!<br />
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And here little Kate is in her belly home at 29 weeks 5 days. I feel so large and so pregnant that I can't believe we have 10 weeks left until she's due. I feel like I can't get any bigger, but I know I will...haha. As much as I despise what the extra weight has done to the rest of my body, I do love and adore my bump. There's just something about knowing it's a warm, cozy home for Kate that makes me feel warm and fuzzy. Oh, and can you please check out those sausage fingers?! They are HUGE. I cannot wear my ring. I bought fakes at Claire's for $11...<br />
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And I haven't done this in a while...so here goes nothing! :)</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>How far along</b>: 29 weeks 5 days</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Total Weight Gain/Loss</b><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">: A lot. Despite exercise and a </span><i style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">fairly</i><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> sensible diet. Most of the time. ;)</span><br /><br /><b style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Maternity clothes</b><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">: Are needed. I ordered some things online from Old Navy that I hope fit because I need something to wear to baby showers...LOL. I can't just wear yoga pants and a tee like I do every day at home. (See above pic!)</span><br /><br /><b style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Stretch marks</b><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">: No new ones that I didn't already have from the past. I'm actually thankful for my old ones at the moment because at least they are white and not as noticeable. :)</span><br /><br /><b style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Sleep</b><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">: I feel guilty because I still sleep like a baby! Apparently that's almost unheard of in the third trimester. I mean, I do get up to use the bathroom and toss and turn more than normal, but I have no trouble falling immediately back asleep...</span><br /><br /><b style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Best moment last week</b><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">: A much needed pedicure for my seriously aching feet after the move/unpacking.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Movement</b><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">: All. the. time. And she is getting SO strong... I love to just stare at my belly and watch her. :)</span><br /><br /><b style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Food cravings</b><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">: I seriously haven't had any SERIOUS cravings. I want sweets in general a lot these days. I sometimes want a coke...like a regular coke. For those of you who know me, that's weird. I'm a very big water and only water drinker...I didn't even drink diet drinks or anything pre-pregnancy. That's how I KNOW that's a pregnancy craving...lol. Oh, and cutie oranges. :)</span><br /><br /><b style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Gender</b><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">: little girl :)</span><br /><br /><b style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Labor signs</b><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">: nothing...and I hope not for a WHILE. We're not ready! We have tons to do...lol.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Belly button - in or out?</b><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> in.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">What I miss</b><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">: Honestly? Sorry to be shallow...lol...but cute clothes. I feel so homely all the time! Oh, and energy.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">What I am looking forward to</b><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">: Obviously meeting miss Kate, but before that...our baby showers. :) First one is 2 weeks from tomorrow!</span><br /><br /><b style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Milestones</b><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">: Reaching the third trimester a few weeks ago was a pretty big one!</span></span></div>
Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-63477412084000214302013-02-05T08:11:00.001-08:002013-02-05T08:11:01.622-08:00Baby Watch: Kinney!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have to take a moment to put the spotlight on some of my best friends I've ever had in my whole life, Adam & Lauren, as they await the birth of their sweet baby girl<i> </i><span style="background-color: white;"><b>this</b> week! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">In fact...baby should be here in two days!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">See that sweet little face? That's Kinney! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">(Baby Kate's Future BFF, I might add!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta;">Kinney</span></b><span style="background-color: white;">,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You are one special, loved, spoiled little girl already, and we haven't even met you yet!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Lord has blessed you with two special people that will be the best parents you could ever ask for.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You'll have your Daddy wrapped around your teeny pinky finger in no time, have no doubt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">His crazy antics will make you laugh, and I can't wait to see what he'll resort to to hear your giggle!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Your Mama will love you to pieces. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">She'll be putting some rather large bows on your head, but all will be best if you learn to accept that now! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Just trust us when we say they're precious.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">With your Mama and Daddy, there will never be a shortage of fun, laughter, love, and adventure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In fact, that's part of the reason I love them so much!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7;">Adam & Lauren</span></b>,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Good luck.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Not that you need it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have faith that you two will be spectacular parents.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And when you think you aren't, you still are.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">No one could love, cherish, and take care of Kinney as well as you two.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Please spoil her rotten.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If you don't, there are plenty of people willing to do if for you...including Brian and me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I can't wait until our memories start to include our sweet little girls!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I love, love, love y'all! All<b> <i>three</i> </b>of you!</span></div>
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Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-50858489465205744972013-01-30T09:09:00.001-08:002013-01-30T09:09:05.062-08:00Kate's Letters<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dear Baby <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: magenta;">Kate</span></span>, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> My first couple days knowing who you are have been among the most amazing of my life. I know pregnancy has made me emotional in general, but I can't think about our future with you without tears making my <b>mascara</b> run. To say that I can't wait to hold you in my arms is a complete <i>understatement</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> I'm feeling you move around a good bit...especially after I eat <span style="color: #783f04;">chocolate</span>. :) Your daddy felt you move once the other day. You must have been doing karate kicks in there! I've still yet to feel you move that strongly since. I think you were just showing off. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> Thanks for finally letting your mama feel a little better in the mornings. It's been a long time coming, my dear! Right now you're loving <span style="color: #38761d;">j</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #38761d;">alapeño peppers</span> and anything <span style="color: #cc0000;">spicy</span>. I've been adding them to everything...including my egg sandwich I just devoured about 15 minutes ago.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> We're having a hard time picking out your things because we want them to be perfect for you. For example, you have baby bedding, but you don't have a crib yet. :)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> I thought you may get a kick of out this. Above are the mints my parents received when I was born. Below is the rubber bracelet we were given when we found out that you're a <span style="color: #ea9999;">little girl</span>. The times have definitely changed! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">We love you, baby girl.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Love, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">your Mama</span></span></div>
Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-54810881576079958862013-01-29T10:13:00.001-08:002013-01-29T12:15:59.048-08:00Baby is a...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>GIRL!</b></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mo-uKlb6KXM/UQgI93Lvd1I/AAAAAAAAAg4/Jxt-K3TTfiY/s1600/gender+reveal+bow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mo-uKlb6KXM/UQgI93Lvd1I/AAAAAAAAAg4/Jxt-K3TTfiY/s400/gender+reveal+bow.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And even more importantly to us, she is <i style="font-weight: bold;">healthy</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Her anatomy scan showed no abnormalities!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We praise the Lord for this...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">because ultimately, that's all that matters.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We are please to introduce...</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Kathryn Josie Mathes</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We're calling her,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b> <span style="color: purple;">"Kate."</span></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jdIqNm38p6k/UQgI52DQWKI/AAAAAAAAAgk/D4hc9NqtTno/s1600/20+week+u:s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jdIqNm38p6k/UQgI52DQWKI/AAAAAAAAAgk/D4hc9NqtTno/s400/20+week+u:s.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Kathryn and Josie are both family names.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Kathryn is my middle name (or was before I took my maiden name), and it was my Dad's grandmother's name. Josie was Brian's grandmother's name. You may remember me talking about how much we loved her in <a href="http://deanamathes.blogspot.com/2012/02/peaks-pits-praises-prayers.html">this post</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And we're calling her Kate to give her a little something of her own. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For our gender reveal, we had purchased a plain onesie and two different iron-on appliqués from Hobby Lobby. (One was a tie and the other a pink, sequin tiara.) We sent the picture on the top left to friends and family early in the day, and as we FaceTimed/Skyped that evening, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">we help up the onesie with the tiara.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Then we posted this picture on Facebook! :)</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7pX5lfQoeyU/UQgI-wczzHI/AAAAAAAAAhM/Rek24XJJUz0/s1600/gender+reveal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7pX5lfQoeyU/UQgI-wczzHI/AAAAAAAAAhM/Rek24XJJUz0/s400/gender+reveal.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So as I mentioned, we spent yesterday evening on FaceTime/Skype with our </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">family and friends. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They're all excited to have a little girl to spoil and love.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">(As are we...DUH. As if I even needed to say so!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But before we did that yesterday evening,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> we spent the day shopping!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We held off registering for anything gender specific knowing we have sneaky friends and family, but we did BUY a few gender specific things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">On the left is our gender reveal onesie. On the right is a little onesie Brian picked our for her. When he brought it to me at the store how could I say no? It melted my heart to see her Daddy picking out clothes for her...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And in the middle is a pink, fru-fru mudpie headband/bow. I love it!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yGYwN_SMN_A/UQgI93SXdPI/AAAAAAAAAg8/6w6mbrDjb7U/s1600/baby+girl+clothes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yGYwN_SMN_A/UQgI93SXdPI/AAAAAAAAAg8/6w6mbrDjb7U/s400/baby+girl+clothes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I was personally thrilled to see that there were still a few Christmas items on clearance!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">To the left is a little onesie with a sequin snowflake. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">On the right is a 3-piece dress, tights, and hat set.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In the middle is a <b>precious</b> pair of Christmas socks. I love them...they're my favorite. :)</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9pCEKcuEsPw/UQgI8MznJhI/AAAAAAAAAgw/woiEqtc9VPk/s1600/baby+christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9pCEKcuEsPw/UQgI8MznJhI/AAAAAAAAAgw/woiEqtc9VPk/s400/baby+christmas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I've already been shopping today as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">(I know, I need to pace myself before we go broke.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But remember that fabric I said I loved for a girl? (In case you don't, I posted it below.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, I'm super excited to say that her bedding will incorporate that fabric!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I can hardly wait. I am beyond excited!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'm thinking the nursery walls will be an extremely pale pink...probably the color of the little flower shapes that form a pearl-like design on the fabric.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">White crib, obviously.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">EEEEEK!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Heo--ajgztI/UQgI57OHrnI/AAAAAAAAAgY/wddSkfaUgT4/s1600/Baby+Bedding%3f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Heo--ajgztI/UQgI57OHrnI/AAAAAAAAAgY/wddSkfaUgT4/s1600/Baby+Bedding%3f.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And thanks to a friend that tipped me off to a <a href="http://www.verabradley.com/product/Category/Mom-and-Baby/Baby-Bag/154882/defaultColorVariantId/175630/c/638/sc/643/p/154882.uts">Vera Bradley baby bag sale</a>, I've also now ordered Kate's diaper bag! This past Christmas Brian's mom gave me a wallet in the same print. It's their "Safari Sunset."</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bPyRNk6p4D8/UQgQBjAh36I/AAAAAAAAAhg/ulGUbv-rlGA/s1600/Kate's+diaper+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bPyRNk6p4D8/UQgQBjAh36I/AAAAAAAAAhg/ulGUbv-rlGA/s400/Kate's+diaper+bag.jpg" width="327" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5VTm-Egpneg/UQgI-BkgWmI/AAAAAAAAAhA/cfdWkd_5xuc/s1600/diaper+bag+print.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5VTm-Egpneg/UQgI-BkgWmI/AAAAAAAAAhA/cfdWkd_5xuc/s320/diaper+bag+print.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Brian and I would be happy either way, but now that we know our little squirt is a baby girl,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> it's exactly what we wanted. :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now I absolutely cannot wait for June.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Until next time...xoxo.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-02LlqJci79c/UQgI51v4E0I/AAAAAAAAAgc/lrJnP_0lX_M/s1600/20+weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-02LlqJci79c/UQgI51v4E0I/AAAAAAAAAgc/lrJnP_0lX_M/s400/20+weeks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">20 weeks</span></div>
Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-75778586500425356662013-01-21T09:54:00.004-08:002013-01-29T12:16:28.115-08:00Baby Obsessions<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Happy Monday, MLK Day, Inauguration Day, and anything else you may be celebrating today!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But what I'm celebrating? Being ONE WEEK away from our 20 week anatomy scan for little bitty baby Mathes! In just a week, we'll hopefully have the reassurance that little squirt is developing as he/she should...AND we'll finally know if baby is a HE or SHE!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Growing up, I always thought I'd want a girl first...100%. However, now that the time has come, I can say with complete honestly that I am 100% neutral. I would love to be so blessed to have both genders eventually if it's the Lord's plan, so this first baby gets us started either way. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Either way, I want to share some baby items that I'm just drooling over!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Gliders</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Are they necessary? I'm not sure. Could a regular rocking chair suffice? Maybe. If money was no object, I'd prefer a glider that looked more like a regular chair. But let's get real...this is our first baby! We have nothing...so we have to keep price in mind since we need to purchase everything. If we do go with a glider over a rocker, I love this one from Target.</span><br />
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<a href="http://img3.targetimg3.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/13/43/13439194_120918143000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img3.targetimg3.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/13/43/13439194_120918143000.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Nursery colors & fabrics</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I've pretty much known what we want for a boy since day one. I love navy and lime green. I'd want to incorporate chevron, strips, etc. I'm choosing not to post a picture because I don't want to reveal the actual bedding set I love unless we get it. However, for a girl, I've had a much harder time deciding what I'd want. If we have a little girl, I really hope to be able to use this fabric somehow.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mariemadelinestudio.net/images/DC5196_Rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://www.mariemadelinestudio.net/images/DC5196_Rose.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Monograms</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I can assure you he or she will have some monograms...both in the nursery and to be worn/used. Here are some things I'm currently loving from none other than Etsy.</span><br />
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<a href="http://img1.etsystatic.com/004/1/5602284/il_570xN.376638617_njx8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/004/1/5602284/il_570xN.376638617_njx8.jpg" width="246" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://img0.etsystatic.com/015/1/5602284/il_570xN.417235180_dcx7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/015/1/5602284/il_570xN.417235180_dcx7.jpg" width="292" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SouthernStyleStitche?ref=seller_info">SouthernStyleStiche</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://img0.etsystatic.com/015/0/5712860/il_570xN.417054508_cgad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/015/0/5712860/il_570xN.417054508_cgad.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://img1.etsystatic.com/001/0/5712860/il_570xN.364119985_5znj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://img1.etsystatic.com/001/0/5712860/il_570xN.364119985_5znj.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/monogrammarketplace?ref=seller_info">monogrammarketplace</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://img2.etsystatic.com/006/0/7100534/il_570xN.367332730_jcni.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://img2.etsystatic.com/006/0/7100534/il_570xN.367332730_jcni.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SassyPantsEmbroidery?page=4">SassyPantsEmbroidery</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">That's it for me today. For the next week I'll just be obsessing whether baby is a boy or girl. Do you have any guesses? Let me know in the comments! :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">xoxo</span></div>
Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-22785358764441089512013-01-15T12:04:00.001-08:002013-01-29T12:17:27.232-08:00Avoid the "Rut"<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy Tuesday!</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In efforts to make good on one of my unofficial New Year's Resolutions, I'm trying to keep this little <strike>sucker</strike> blog more up-to-date. </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was recently telling a friend how it's hard for me to blog because I feel like I have nothing to say. While I'm super excited about our sweet little life right now, I'm so beyond <i style="font-weight: bold;">not</i> busy. My "busiest" day consists of getting out of bed whenever I want (I'm lucky I wake up at 8 a.m. naturally or I'd feel super lazy), doing a little laundry, cleaning up clutter that may be sitting around, running some errands, getting my butt to the gym...and that's seriously about it. And that's a busy day. ;) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm now trying to switch my gears from being bummed about not working and my "boredom" to realizing what a blessing this is. I'm given the opportunity that most first-time mothers aren't. I get to enjoy some rest and relaxation before this little one comes and takes that all away! ;) I can't wait to have a baby to take care of, but all mothers will tell you it's exhausting. So, I'm trying to enjoy the last little bit of my life as a just a wife before I become a mother as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Still, to avoid too big of a rut, Brian and I try to do random fun things. For example, this past weekend we drove to Clearwater Beach, Florida, just because we could.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Can you believe how crowded this beach was? While it may have been 80 degrees, it is still <i>January.</i> Central Florida is not -totally- immune to all the factors of winter. I think I heard on the news that the Gulf's temperature is 62 degrees right now? Buddy, let me tell you...that water is COLD! And yes, as you can see, there were <strike>crazies</strike> people who still got in the water.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The hubs on the pier. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And I just had to snap this picture of the sailboat just beyond the jetties. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I thought it was breathtaking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And moving on...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If I'm going to make good on this promise of keeping up the blog, I'm going to have to write about what's on my mind. It may start out seeming a bit "indulgent," but our little baking baby is what's constantly on my mind at this point. I hope you don't get sick of the pregnancy/baby-related posts, because there may be a lot of them. But, hey, if you want to see something different...that's what the comment section is for. ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But bottom line, this is a blog about life from my perspective...and right now, this life is making the shift from wife-only to wife-and-mommy. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've seen the list of "pregnancy" questions on other blogs, and I think the idea is cute. So, just like we all do on Pinterest (ha), I'm stealing the idea! lol. I found this random list of questions by using "Google," so I don't really have anyone to give credit...but here goes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We'll start with a bump picture. Look, my bump is kind of funny-shaped right now. Just bear with me until it rounds out! Haha.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>18 weeks 2 days</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">How did you find out you were pregnant?</strong> I took a home pregnancy test. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">What kind of Pregnancy test did you take?</strong> EPT Early Result digital was the one I actually believed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">How many?</strong> I took several...haha. I think I needed to see that word "pregnant" on the digital test to believe it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">What were your 1st symptoms? </strong><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I didn't have any symptoms for a few weeks. Around 6 weeks the nausea kicked in some. However, around 8 weeks is when it REALLY hit me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Who did you tell first?</strong> My husband, Brian.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Who was with you when you found out? </strong> I was alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">My 1st reaction:</strong> Super excited! Disbelief. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Was your baby planned?</strong> Yep. We'd been waiting a while to start "trying" to start a family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">When was the baby conceived?</strong> late September 2012</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">How far were you when you found out?</strong> Not even 4 weeks...lol.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">How did your parents react?</strong> They were beyond excited...both sets of grandparents-to-be!</span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My baby</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Due Date:</strong> June 16, 2013 (Father's Day!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Do you know the sex? </strong> Not yet, but we are anxiously awaiting on Jan. 28th anatomy scan!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Any names? </strong> We have full names picked out for either gender. And they aren't what I'd have seen us choosing before we were pregnant. It's funny how names just feel "right" when you actually have the baby growing inside you. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Any Ultrasounds?</strong> Just one at 8 weeks so far. Our next one is the anatomy scan at 20 weeks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Have you heard the heart beat?</strong> Sure have! In the 150s last appointment. The sound is such a big reassurance!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Who do you think it will look like?</strong> Absolutely no clue! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Will the baby have siblings? </strong> Just a doggy sibling, Bella, our 3-year-old Westie. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Have you felt the baby move? </strong><span style="line-height: 22px;"> Not really sure. Over the last few days I've felt something foreign here and there that I have a suspicion may be baby. However, I haven't felt anything that I for sure KNOW is baby.</span></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Miscellaneous</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Did you have morning sickness?</strong> Yes. And it was pretty traditional "morning" sickness, or first half of the day sickness anyway...lol. It still pops in every now and then! If I drink a lot of water first thing in the morning...I'm donezo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Did you have any cravings?</strong> I've only had one craving so strong that I just HAD to have it...and that was corndogs...lol. How incredibly unhealthy! Other than that, I've really wanted watermelon and lemon-lime gatorade. But I have a feeling it's still a big early for TOO many super strong cravings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Did you have any mood swings?</strong> Oh, yes. I have like...no patience. If something annoys me, I get UPSET. Poooooor Brian....lol. (Psssh or not...who's the one getting fat for baby over here?!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Are you a high risk pregnancy?</strong> No</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Any complications?</strong> No</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Formula or Breastfeeding? </strong> I hope to be able to breastfeed. I'm going to give it my full effort!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Have you bought anything for the baby yet? </strong> Yes! We have a jogger stroller that's going to be used as an every-day stroller. It's grey and yellow...I love it. :) That's all we've purchased ourselves, but family has bought baby a good bit already...hehe. We'll do the most after finding out gender.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">When did you start to show?</strong> That depends on who you ask! I think I started to show really early because I see my tummy every day. But I'd say about 16 weeks as far as other people being able to see it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">How long could you wear your regular clothes? </strong> I still wear some of them. My old jeans/pants were tight before pregnancy due to some weight gain. However, the stretchy ones like Rock-star jeans I can still squeeze into. But if I'm being honest, it's not comfortable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Will you keep the baby’s clothes?</strong> I'll probably keep my very favorite outfits for sentimental reasons.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Home or Hospital?</strong> Hospital. Hospital, hospital, hospital. If something goes wrong I want people there who can DO something.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Natural or Medicated birth? </strong> I want the epidural. However, I'll hold off as long as we can...but who knows how long that'll be. I don't need an award!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Who will be in the delivery room with you?</strong> My husband.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Do you think you will need a C-section?</strong> I have no way of knowing this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Will you cry when you hold the baby for the 1st time? </strong> I have no idea...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">What’s the 1st thing you might say to the baby? </strong> "Hey, baby." ??? I'm not that creative...lol. I'm pretty to-the-point.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Will you let anyone video tape the birth?</strong> No way, Jose. I don't want to see that. I don't. Childbirth is a miracle for sure, but a nasty one. I'm good just being the one who feels it...lol. I don't need to see it too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Are you excited? </strong> Duh! But pretty terrified too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Who will help you with the baby after the birth?</strong> I hope my Mama!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">What is your favorite thing about being pregnant?</strong> Probably will be feeling the baby move. I'll let ya know when that happens. ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">What is the worst thing about being pregnant? </strong> Ummm....haha. To sum everything up...probably the knock your self-esteem takes when you see yourself become unattractive/large. (And it's sickening if you are a lucky preggo lady who looks amazing the whole time!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">What’s one thing you miss doing since being pregnant?</strong> Playing tennis with Brian. Serious workouts like kick-boxing, etc. I wanted some champagne at New Year's if I'm being honest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Any days you wish you were not pregnant?</strong> No.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Are you ready for a baby?</strong> Nope, not at all. Lots left to do before little one comes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Do you have insurance?</strong> Thanks goodness, yes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">How many kids do you want? </strong> 2 or 3, depending.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Do you talk to the baby? </strong> Not yet. Can baby even hear me yet?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Do you still feel attractive?</strong> No. lol. I've gained lots of weight already, and that's tough on someone who's spent YEARS of their life controlling their weight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Have you had your baby shower yet?</strong> Nope, still pretty early.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Do you like kids?</strong> I don't LOVE kids in general, but I don't dislike them either. I'm pretty neutral. Please don't think I'm a bad person for saying that...lol. I'll love our own, I promise! lol.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">How far along are you now?</strong> 18 weeks and 2 days</span></div>
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If you got through those million questions, bless your soul! :) I hope your week is stellar! Leave me a little comment letting me know you stopped by. Until next time...</div>
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xoxo</div>
Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-90486735344402133932013-01-05T08:59:00.000-08:002013-01-05T08:59:38.544-08:00Our BiG News<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In my last post, I said that we (the hubs & I) were hoping to see some of our dreams come true in 2013.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">WELL...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Meet my husband: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The first Chick-fil-A Operator-select of 2013!</span></div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rcUvH8iua-0/UOhPqvDkasI/AAAAAAAAAew/9DKOuiMMK64/s640/blogger-image-31774404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rcUvH8iua-0/UOhPqvDkasI/AAAAAAAAAew/9DKOuiMMK64/s640/blogger-image-31774404.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The above picture was taken around 7:50 a.m. on January 3rd, as a car came to pick us up from out hotel to spend the day at Chick-fil-A, Inc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">While visiting, I was able to meet many of the people Brian tells me about, so it was good to put some faces with names!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Chick-fil-A feels that when an Operator takes over a store, it's a family endeavor, so they bring the spouse in for the final interview...which I greatly appreciated and loved being a part of!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It was my first time at "home office" as Brian calls it, and it was such a great experience. I've never met so many nice, friendly, welcoming people in one place! Their HR department deserves a pat on the back for sure. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Brian saw lots of familiar faces, but I was even able to see a few! I was able to reconnect with one of the managers, Brooke, from the Chick-fil-A I worked at in high school who now works at corporate, as well as a friend from college, Amanda. Amanda was actually working on a photo shoot for some news salad items coming out. That was super cool to see!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">After we got the good news that Brian had been selected, he got to take part in some traditions!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When an Operator is selected, you get to ring the famous "bell," as seen below. Then everyone on the hall comes out to meet and congratulate the new Operator. What a fun tradition!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He was then able to sign the "Wall of Fame."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">All Operators sign it after their selection. :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1I84-U4D3Wc/UOhPsdFJHbI/AAAAAAAAAfA/yxJRtb6lDQk/s640/blogger-image-521460575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1I84-U4D3Wc/UOhPsdFJHbI/AAAAAAAAAfA/yxJRtb6lDQk/s640/blogger-image-521460575.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And afterwards, we had to take a picture on the famous "blue couch," where <i>many</i> have sat while awaiting interviews and the outcomes!</span></div>
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ubb7ELJwmzg/UOhPt2zk0FI/AAAAAAAAAfI/bfDwls9ejWU/s640/blogger-image-588747886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ubb7ELJwmzg/UOhPt2zk0FI/AAAAAAAAAfI/bfDwls9ejWU/s640/blogger-image-588747886.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If you can't tell, I am still <b>bursting</b> at the seems with excitement and pride for my hubby and our family! This is something Brian has felt called to do since he started working at Chick-fil-A in high school at the age of 15. To have been able to watch this man seek the Lord's will for our family and then so diligently pursue each different path that got us here has been an absolute and utter joy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We are so incredibly blessed to be part of the Chick-fil-A family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In case you're wondering, the store we've been selected for is Paddock Mall in <a href="http://www.ocalafl.org/">Ocala, Florida.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If you've never heard of Ocala, it's a beautiful community <i>full</i> of horse pastures and farms.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There are even a few hills! It's like a little bit of Southfork (ya know, from "Dallas") came to Central Florida. And then of course there are huge oak trees with moss (like the picture below) as well as palm trees. It's one of the few places in Central Florida not hit as hard by the economy, and it's a pretty unique community. The area is pretty famous for their natural springs as well...they're beautiful!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We should be in Ocala by late March.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">OH...yes, and back tracking a bit...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">January 2nd was mine and Brian's 3rd wedding anniversary!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We got the pleasure of celebrating in our home state in a city that now feels like home as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We ate dinner at <a href="http://www.thefeedstorerestaurant.com/">The Feed Store</a> in College Park, and enjoyed ourselves!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We were bad photo takers and only took pics of our food when it was almost gone. Oops!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I had the shrimp and grits, hubs had the pork chop with broccoli and skillet cream corn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Hope 2013 has been good to you so far!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Until next time...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">xoxo</span></div>
Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-61750195109387304922013-01-01T15:38:00.001-08:002013-01-10T17:24:45.409-08:00Farewell, 2012!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Perhaps this post is a bit late, since it's now<span style="background-color: white;"> <b>2013</b> t</span>oday. </div>
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Oh, yea, by the way...</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Still, I feel it's necessary to bid proper farewell to 2012...because it was a heck of a year!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And, yes, I know I haven't posted in like 83747937 days. Sorry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's not because I don't have the time...ha.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have no excuses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In 2013, I shall try to do better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So this is ~MY~ 2012...or at least the most memorable moments.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>January</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We moved to Atlanta with Brian's job one year ago today. It was a cold, raining New Year's Day. Little did I know how much I would love that city. I never saw myself as one to like "city" life, but I did. I loved looking out our balcony and seeing sky scrapers...yet still being in the South. I loved my ah-mazing gym. I loved the shopping (I should have listed this first), I loved being close to home, I loved the food. I mean, really...I could go on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't think I realized HOW much I loved Atlanta until we left. (See July/August)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>February</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We spent this month pretty much enjoying our new city. We had visitors and revisited some of our favorite spots as children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>March</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The highlight of March had to be the <i>Hunger Games</i> tour coming to Lenox Square Mall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My friend <a href="http://laurenashleyedwards.blogspot.com/">Lauren</a> talked me into reading the books, and I was hooked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I...like most fans...much anticipated the release date of the movie that month!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>April</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The biggest highlight of April would have to be my brother's record-breaking college baseball season. I've watched my brother and his sport since tee-ball, and as someone who never excelled at athletics myself, I always admired his abilities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He broke some school records at North Georgia College & State University even though he suffered through an injury comeback all season. I <strike>was</strike> am one proud sister!</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">May</b></div>
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In May we took a trip to St. Louis, Missouri, with our <b>dearest</b> friends.</div>
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We love taking couple trips with Adam & Lauren. Our friendships are easy and natural, we're ourselves, and it doesn't matter what we do...we always have fun.</div>
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Lauren planned our trip like a travel agent champ, and we stayed in the perfect hotel downtown and hit all the major sites!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>June</b></span></div>
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A girl's trip to Nashville, Tennessee, for the Tim McGraw & Kenny Chesney "Boys of Summer" tour was the BEST way to start the summer! A family vacation to St. Augustine, Florida, didn't hurt either. ;)</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>July</b></span></div>
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We find out we're moving to Lakeland, Florida, come August. This made July and August a little tough, but we managed to scrape in some fun! Wedding showers, Bachelorette fun, and my birthday made things a little easier this month!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OqYcrVlj48w/UONkcxW1k0I/AAAAAAAAAdg/6Wd3wREIlNw/s640/blogger-image--822862561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OqYcrVlj48w/UONkcxW1k0I/AAAAAAAAAdg/6Wd3wREIlNw/s320/blogger-image--822862561.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A birthday Tennis outfit! (One of mine & Brian's favorite things to do together!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6zbX_5vdCmI/UONkd0KOB6I/AAAAAAAAAdo/vnBGJR4kaIg/s640/blogger-image-371083729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6zbX_5vdCmI/UONkd0KOB6I/AAAAAAAAAdo/vnBGJR4kaIg/s320/blogger-image-371083729.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday shirt from my brother, Blake, since we were moving to Florida. :)<br />
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">August</b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">And we officially live in Florida. However, we were still back and forth to Georgia bit! My friend Kristen got married, and we had my college roommate and long-time friend Sallie's Bachelorette weekend!</span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ox_0e_Ke2L4/T99g5fbeYbI/AAAAAAAAABk/S8GV9nebKfI/s1600/Lakeland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ox_0e_Ke2L4/T99g5fbeYbI/AAAAAAAAABk/S8GV9nebKfI/s320/Lakeland.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> Downtown Lakeland</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-18sarFPGeSM/UONmp0tZ9RI/AAAAAAAAAeA/cR_EqWaGYps/s640/blogger-image-1848851011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-18sarFPGeSM/UONmp0tZ9RI/AAAAAAAAAeA/cR_EqWaGYps/s320/blogger-image-1848851011.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Pete Beach, FL</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bMoP0MAvFMM/UONmo6W_h4I/AAAAAAAAAd4/Vs7tOYL1Ujc/s640/blogger-image-379497100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bMoP0MAvFMM/UONmo6W_h4I/AAAAAAAAAd4/Vs7tOYL1Ujc/s320/blogger-image-379497100.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treasure Island Beach, FL<br />
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Kristen got married!!<br />
<a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/226106_615934121972_1786128470_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/226106_615934121972_1786128470_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Sallie's Bachelorette weekend<br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>September</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Once again, made the trek back to Georgia for Sallie's wedding!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Then again later that month for Brian's mom's surprise 50th birthday party. She had no idea we would be there in addition to Brian's brother Kevin who came all the way from Boston!</span><br />
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<a href="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/418913_618306323062_2007265861_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/418913_618306323062_2007265861_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>October</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">One of the perks of living half an hour from Orlando? People come on vacation and it's easy to meet up! I got to see some sweet friends and former co-workers this month...one who stayed with me in Lakeland, and two more at Disney World. But the number ONE highlight this month-finding out we're expecting our first child!</span></span><br />
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0WIUYdg_FQ4/UO9pnf6_75I/AAAAAAAAAfY/gOfobsx9F-M/s640/blogger-image--1595241375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0WIUYdg_FQ4/UO9pnf6_75I/AAAAAAAAAfY/gOfobsx9F-M/s320/blogger-image--1595241375.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><a href="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/311112_623671037132_1296358895_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/311112_623671037132_1296358895_n.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>November</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We got to see baby Mathes for the first time at our 8 week ultrasound! And...I'm not the only one having a little baby! My friend Lauren is <i>also</i> having a baby...due this coming February! In November I got the pleasure of attending two of her baby showers. My parents also came down to Florida for Thanksgiving, but no pics of that. :(</span></span><a href="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/14456_632236711452_1876825696_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/14456_632236711452_1876825696_n.jpg" width="272" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/550764_911973775479_1516245873_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/550764_911973775479_1516245873_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>December</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Christmas is </span><i style="font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;">always</i><span style="font-size: small;"> my favorite time of year, but this year was extra special. We announced that we're expecting! We told close friends and family by Christmas card, and then of course nothing is really happening until it's "Facebook official." We had a blast sharing our joy with everyone and watching our friends and family get excited too! We were also able to go home for Christmas. It was crazy knowing that next Christmas we'll be celebrating with a 6-month-old baby! :)</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><a href="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/182307_632447374282_1626364183_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/182307_632447374282_1626364183_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<a href="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/313639_632237345182_1952418339_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/313639_632237345182_1952418339_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span>Our Facebook Announcement: "Not a mini-moo...but a mini-Mathes coming June 2013!"<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><br />
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</span>The Christmas mantle at my parents' house.<br />
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Incredibly sad to be leaving Georgia the day after Christmas.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">That's all she wrote, folks!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">2013 has a LOT to live up to, hope this year's up to the task!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Some of our dreams are "scheduled" (ha) to come true this year...and we'll become a </span><b style="font-size: medium;">family</b><span style="font-size: small;"> instead of just a </span><i style="font-size: medium;">couple</i><span style="font-size: small;"> this year!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We should have several spurts of </span><u style="font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">BIG</u><span style="font-size: small;"> news in the next few weeks to come.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">What's the next step for us?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Will baby Mathes be a HE or a SHE?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Stay Tuned!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wishing you and yours a VERY happy and healthy 2013!<br />
Make it amazing.<br />
xoxo</span></span></td></tr>
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Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-52554803599463491822012-02-28T12:53:00.002-08:002012-05-15T11:26:38.675-07:00Peaks, Pits, Praises, & Prayers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I recently stumbled upon this picture of a journal while surfing the pins of those I follow on <a href="https://pinterest.com/deanakhmathes/">Pinterest</a>. It reads "peaks, pits, praises, prayers."</span></div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OtEOfBL5-Ek/T00ra5ESzbI/AAAAAAAAAao/JW04HmavTR8/s320/Journal+PPPP.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Immediately, I loved the prompt for</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><strike>journaling</strike></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> blogging, and I wish I could give the original creator credit. However, I don't have a clue where this picture came from. (Which, might I add, is horrible Pinterest etiquette.) I couldn't help but re-pin though, so I'd remember to use it. Still, props to whoever came up with this clever title...whoever you are!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I've decided to evaluate 2012 so far (all two months of it) using these guidelines.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;"><b><u>peak</u></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">our move to Atlanta</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's been quite the adventure, and we've loved every second!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In fact, we love it so much, we're hoping to end up here permanently...eventually. :)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6eAX2iWYpHM/T00vNMVKFvI/AAAAAAAAAaw/CU47OC8cFvk/s1600/IMG_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6eAX2iWYpHM/T00vNMVKFvI/AAAAAAAAAaw/CU47OC8cFvk/s320/IMG_0273.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revisiting the World of Coca-Cola for the first time in YEARS with our friends Sallie & Brett</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KCJ8Pw1xsU0/T00vRLhbn-I/AAAAAAAAAa4/X164VH_ZCBk/s1600/IMG_0397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KCJ8Pw1xsU0/T00vRLhbn-I/AAAAAAAAAa4/X164VH_ZCBk/s320/IMG_0397.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stroll in Piedmont Park</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;"><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">pit</span></u></b></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">the death of Brian's grandmother, </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Josie Smith, a.k.a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Nanaw"</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've been without grandparents since I was 15 years old, </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and his grandmother was like my own. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For the few years I knew her, she was so good to us.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Nanaw" was one of the godliest women I've ever known.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Lt2pVdBesQ/T00z7jN1cNI/AAAAAAAAAbA/VjLkWhE43GA/s1600/246685_507883655972_105100070_30404353_477881_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Lt2pVdBesQ/T00z7jN1cNI/AAAAAAAAAbA/VjLkWhE43GA/s320/246685_507883655972_105100070_30404353_477881_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Us with Nanaw at Mine & Brian's engagement party, February 2009</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rViylblILrk/T00z8lHylCI/AAAAAAAAAbI/av17TKhWcoc/s1600/248439_542362934222_105100070_31032023_1243499_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rViylblILrk/T00z8lHylCI/AAAAAAAAAbI/av17TKhWcoc/s320/248439_542362934222_105100070_31032023_1243499_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brian and Nanaw at his Dad's 50th birthday party</td></tr>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;"><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">praise</span></u></b></span></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">that Brian's career move kept us close to family</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Not only are we just a little over an hour away from Macon, </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">where we both spent most of our lives, </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but we're also even closer to my brother, Blake, who's attending</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">North Georgia College & State University on a baseball scholarship.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's his senior year, so the fact that I've been able to attend his</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">baseball games has meant the world to the "big sis" in me!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n50lWoXJNEo/T003IPGNKyI/AAAAAAAAAbY/uGKSEMdWL1k/s1600/247490_542362989112_105100070_31032032_728300_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n50lWoXJNEo/T003IPGNKyI/AAAAAAAAAbY/uGKSEMdWL1k/s320/247490_542362989112_105100070_31032032_728300_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture was taken after Blake pitched a 9-inning shutout in 2011.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xPWEjjkkCuE/T003KaZESGI/AAAAAAAAAbg/Wf9m8k1BVX8/s1600/397030_3114594434124_1542345427_2798428_1574088344_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xPWEjjkkCuE/T003KaZESGI/AAAAAAAAAbg/Wf9m8k1BVX8/s320/397030_3114594434124_1542345427_2798428_1574088344_n.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blake is in the bottom right corner.</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;"><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">prayer</span></u></b></span></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">that the recent abundance of time on my hands </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">would go to God's glory</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(because idle hands are the devil's playground!)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Being a (for the most part) "stay at home wife" </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">has been <strike>tough on</strike>, <strike>difficult for,</strike> a <i>challenge</i> for me.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Some women who work jobs they loathe would probably </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">roll their eyes wishing they could do the same.</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">However, I left working a job as a News Producer </span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">that I <i style="font-weight: bold;">loved </i>to support </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Brian in his career endeavors.</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And I've struggled with having "purpose" since then.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
But there's absolutely no doubt (now) that this is what God has for me.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
Being a "stay at home wife" is my purpose...right now.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
And although he loves it, Brian is in the middle of the most</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
time-demanding, stressful part of his career that he probably ever will be.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
God has called me to be there for my man, so I will be.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
My prayer is that while we're in this part of our lives, </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
Brian never has to do laundry, never has to clean, never has to cook, etc.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
My prayer is that when he comes home, it's a place of rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
God has challenged me to be the best wife, friend, and care-taker I can be.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
He's also blessed me with plenty of time to do it...haha.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
But it's not easy (believe it or not), and it gets boring. And lonely.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
So I'm still in prayer, and would ask you to be as well. :)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, there ya have it. My biggest peak, pit, praise, and prayer or 2012 so far.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How about you?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">XOXO</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." </span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">Philippians 4:8</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Times;">
</div>Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-64063039990478001752012-01-23T16:14:00.000-08:002012-01-23T16:17:53.429-08:00Welcome to Atlanta!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>We made the move!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-noZRfuAQ03Q/Tx34pZMMLcI/AAAAAAAAAag/7NaYaj_59d4/s1600/atlanta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-noZRfuAQ03Q/Tx34pZMMLcI/AAAAAAAAAag/7NaYaj_59d4/s400/atlanta.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Well, we've been here since January 1, and we are finally pretty settled in our new place! I know my way around, and we have established a sense of normalcy, so that's good. Chick-fil-A wanted Brian really close to the store where he's an Interim Manager, which is in Lenox Square Mall in the Buckhead District of Atlanta.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L-yWpyfWuuM/Tx3uKqLnWYI/AAAAAAAAAYw/2TdnZiq-KLg/s1600/Lenox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L-yWpyfWuuM/Tx3uKqLnWYI/AAAAAAAAAYw/2TdnZiq-KLg/s320/Lenox.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lenox Square Mall<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">So they put us about a half mile away in a nice apartment complex, Post Alexander.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kaeV92vsrkQ/Tx3rY4aXO_I/AAAAAAAAAYg/AkUJ7aO3F9s/s1600/Post+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kaeV92vsrkQ/Tx3rY4aXO_I/AAAAAAAAAYg/AkUJ7aO3F9s/s1600/Post+Logo.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AlfzNx0mzlI/Tx3rdUnfAsI/AAAAAAAAAYo/1bHC3tbi15o/s1600/Post+Alexander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AlfzNx0mzlI/Tx3rdUnfAsI/AAAAAAAAAYo/1bHC3tbi15o/s400/Post+Alexander.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RrnX172zj3Y/Tx3mzfpMZMI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/k1KBALfAHdA/s1600/IMG_0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RrnX172zj3Y/Tx3mzfpMZMI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/k1KBALfAHdA/s400/IMG_0134.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0FO1C885mw/Tx3m3pjlUiI/AAAAAAAAAXY/3YQoZhnDmkQ/s1600/IMG_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0FO1C885mw/Tx3m3pjlUiI/AAAAAAAAAXY/3YQoZhnDmkQ/s400/IMG_0132.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balcony<br />
(I'll try to show you a better picture of the view on a day when it's not so foggy!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gSNvXLkUgYw/Tx3m6poRaNI/AAAAAAAAAXg/hoPGtOggOAQ/s1600/IMG_0133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gSNvXLkUgYw/Tx3m6poRaNI/AAAAAAAAAXg/hoPGtOggOAQ/s400/IMG_0133.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining Area <br />
(And doorway to laundry room behind the double doors. The guest bedroom is to the right, guest bath to the left)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V1LNRplV02I/Tx3nGLerNLI/AAAAAAAAAXo/MnO6-og9M9Q/s1600/IMG_0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V1LNRplV02I/Tx3nGLerNLI/AAAAAAAAAXo/MnO6-og9M9Q/s400/IMG_0135.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aq4sWBkA0cU/Tx3nIbcQNEI/AAAAAAAAAXw/lHpCyiajpXI/s1600/IMG_0136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aq4sWBkA0cU/Tx3nIbcQNEI/AAAAAAAAAXw/lHpCyiajpXI/s400/IMG_0136.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--6prCelkzDY/Tx3nP2Slp2I/AAAAAAAAAX4/IhjVH3G69bg/s1600/IMG_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--6prCelkzDY/Tx3nP2Slp2I/AAAAAAAAAX4/IhjVH3G69bg/s400/IMG_0143.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master Bedroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IZlPUhXPCTM/Tx3nSCv4-SI/AAAAAAAAAYA/FGCfxN3BGLk/s1600/IMG_0144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IZlPUhXPCTM/Tx3nSCv4-SI/AAAAAAAAAYA/FGCfxN3BGLk/s400/IMG_0144.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master Bedroom (sorry about blurriness)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mxDgY1ol2P0/Tx3nYmLjrmI/AAAAAAAAAYI/kg8FRJejnNE/s1600/IMG_0147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mxDgY1ol2P0/Tx3nYmLjrmI/AAAAAAAAAYI/kg8FRJejnNE/s400/IMG_0147.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master Bath</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d5XS_PwtXtM/Tx3nabhFB6I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/Y9yINIV3A_0/s1600/IMG_0149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d5XS_PwtXtM/Tx3nabhFB6I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/Y9yINIV3A_0/s400/IMG_0149.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guest Bath</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-m4hBJjOrK1I/Tx3phF7O0pI/AAAAAAAAAYY/IUbDjkexp84/s640/blogger-image--474115890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-m4hBJjOrK1I/Tx3phF7O0pI/AAAAAAAAAYY/IUbDjkexp84/s640/blogger-image--474115890.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guest Bedroom (had to take on the phone)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">So, that's a short tour of our living situation right now! We're enjoying it and we're very happy here. We've had several visitors so far, and have had a blast showing them around. Our latest visitors we took to the World of Coca-Cola. We hadn't been since they re-did the museum and moved it next to the Georgia Aquarium. We topped off the night with family-style Italian dining at Maggiano's! (yummmm)</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Is0hPP-eIcA/Tx3wGBFQ-DI/AAAAAAAAAY4/hgOW6Rwk-fc/s1600/IMG_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Is0hPP-eIcA/Tx3wGBFQ-DI/AAAAAAAAAY4/hgOW6Rwk-fc/s400/IMG_0273.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qOJZazekH70/Tx3wMSY2R9I/AAAAAAAAAZA/plUDDSt-85k/s1600/IMG_0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qOJZazekH70/Tx3wMSY2R9I/AAAAAAAAAZA/plUDDSt-85k/s400/IMG_0275.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cOXcKOXB_pE/Tx3wgraysFI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/agIiOxdE5T0/s1600/IMG_0288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cOXcKOXB_pE/Tx3wgraysFI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/agIiOxdE5T0/s400/IMG_0288.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"> (American Idol couch from Season 5)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Pz9927CN1U/Tx3wV_0R_SI/AAAAAAAAAZI/2_QqcZuiXYw/s1600/IMG_0283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Pz9927CN1U/Tx3wV_0R_SI/AAAAAAAAAZI/2_QqcZuiXYw/s320/IMG_0283.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">(The vault that <i>supposedly</i> holds Coca-Cola's "secret recipe.")</div><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H85HzMq1AkY/Tx3wjxmpi9I/AAAAAAAAAZY/B9CPcNyz5NE/s1600/IMG_0291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H85HzMq1AkY/Tx3wjxmpi9I/AAAAAAAAAZY/B9CPcNyz5NE/s400/IMG_0291.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>And just for the fun of it, I'll leave you with a few of our other favorite spots since we moved to Atlanta.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gzbku-_mDSw/Tx31laKC3AI/AAAAAAAAAZg/zNkpKNqSpEg/s1600/amc+fork+and+screen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gzbku-_mDSw/Tx31laKC3AI/AAAAAAAAAZg/zNkpKNqSpEg/s320/amc+fork+and+screen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beauty and the Beast 3-D was our first movie seen here. :)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yDnOwOuQX20/Tx31nx7r9hI/AAAAAAAAAZo/5qUkhxMKpD8/s1600/buckhead+church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yDnOwOuQX20/Tx31nx7r9hI/AAAAAAAAAZo/5qUkhxMKpD8/s400/buckhead+church.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We have the privilege of having Andy Stanley as a pastor, as least while we're here.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mpfuUUYowlQ/Tx31olz2XyI/AAAAAAAAAZw/MfwVc0GvASI/s1600/Buckhead+Station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mpfuUUYowlQ/Tx31olz2XyI/AAAAAAAAAZw/MfwVc0GvASI/s400/Buckhead+Station.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Buckhead Station: It's right around the corner and has a few of my favorite stores.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bzZVau2jLD8/Tx31o7Pr78I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/U17rSzZeffs/s1600/farm+burger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bzZVau2jLD8/Tx31o7Pr78I/AAAAAAAAAZ4/U17rSzZeffs/s400/farm+burger.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Grass-fed beef, build-your-own burgers, and sweet potato fries make this a winner for us!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UNS1BhVBvtA/Tx31paEoxnI/AAAAAAAAAaA/TDF7dyGBNMk/s1600/pf+changs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UNS1BhVBvtA/Tx31paEoxnI/AAAAAAAAAaA/TDF7dyGBNMk/s400/pf+changs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Huge chain...we know...but we've never lived close enough to take advantage. YUM.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HM5YxoEdU0M/Tx31poaoEdI/AAAAAAAAAaI/_V1SFO753bM/s1600/pinkberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HM5YxoEdU0M/Tx31poaoEdI/AAAAAAAAAaI/_V1SFO753bM/s400/pinkberry.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> It's no <a href="http://www.laberryfrozenyogurt.com/">La Berry</a>, but it's not bad. ;)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kCJvC1Hfw14/Tx31pwOmrBI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/XJSmWSlvQB4/s1600/seasons+52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kCJvC1Hfw14/Tx31pwOmrBI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/XJSmWSlvQB4/s320/seasons+52.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Seasons 52: A different menu every season, with 52 weeks of seasonal specials. Awesome.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gce65OXQe6Q/Tx31qbnhQjI/AAAAAAAAAaY/C_4Q4GK-qks/s1600/urban+active.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gce65OXQe6Q/Tx31qbnhQjI/AAAAAAAAAaY/C_4Q4GK-qks/s400/urban+active.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">This gym is like two tenths of a mile from us and has the best rates and classes of anywhere I found.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>That's just a few of our new favorites!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Have places that are must-sees, must-eats, must-do's, must visits, etc. from the Atlanta area?</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>We may have tried them and been less than impressed, but maybe not! Leave me your comments about your favorite places in Atlanta.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Until next time...</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>XOXOXO</b></span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-1073510117396856852012-01-17T11:51:00.000-08:002012-01-23T15:06:32.728-08:00ZUMBA! Yourself Into Shape!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ln_YZTjbyFA/TxW7Q0Mo7CI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/MN0iBB4ruqk/s1600/Zumba+Party.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ln_YZTjbyFA/TxW7Q0Mo7CI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/MN0iBB4ruqk/s400/Zumba+Party.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gll6pilymdU/TxW6tfbGyhI/AAAAAAAAAWI/cnnJHy5umno/s1600/ZUMBA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gll6pilymdU/TxW6tfbGyhI/AAAAAAAAAWI/cnnJHy5umno/s400/ZUMBA.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Unless you've been living under a rock, there's absolutely NO way you haven't heard of it. It's probably the biggest workout craze since...well...I don't even know what to compare it to. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've been meaning to write about this forever, but it's one of those topics that I could go on and on about, so the task of condensing my thoughts is just a bit daunting.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm one of those people who goes through health phases. I'll run every day for a few months, then I'll do home workout videos for a few months, then I'll eat strictly healthy for a while...but all of that gets old after a while...at least for me. And see the thing is, a healthy lifestyle is about finding what works <i>for you...</i>because it won't be the same for everyone. For example, I'm not willing to give up all sweets. Giving up sweets would seriously ruin my quality of life! haha. On the other hand, I can totally give up breads. If I never had another roll, biscuit, muffin, etc...I would be just fine. I'm also not willing to stick to a workout routine that bores me. And that's where Zumba comes into play!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mEB-LSFtrvY/TxW_npRYHlI/AAAAAAAAAWY/neyKM54Na0I/s1600/Perez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mEB-LSFtrvY/TxW_npRYHlI/AAAAAAAAAWY/neyKM54Na0I/s1600/Perez.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beto Perez</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Beto Perez is the founder of Zumba. You can learn all the ins-and-outs of Zumba <a href="http://www.zumba.com/about/">here</a>, but basically it's easy-to-follow Latin-style "dancing" (I use the term loosely because it still has an aerobics feel to it). It burns lots of calories, makes you sweat like crazy, but it's STILL FUN!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My first few classes I was a bit skeptical. Why? Because I have never been a very good dancer, and I had a little trouble following the steps. But after a few classes with each instructor, the moves started to come a bit more naturally, and I felt myself exerting more energy...causing me to sweat like crazy! I found that once you learn the moves a little bit, you can put more "umph" into them and control your own intensity. And now that I've been doing it for a while, I find that's even a lot easier to pick up on new routines because the rhythms are very similar! I even have more confidence to get up on the dance floor when I'm out places too. :-D</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And, yes, Zumba will help you manage your weight. Especially if you do it often like I did/do. But it will also improve your cardio fitness tremendously! Most classes are 45 minutes to an hour long, which is manageable because the instructors are typically very purposeful about sticking a few lower intensity songs in there to help you catch your breath after higher intensity songs!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Zumba has helped me strengthen my core as well. Many of the movements in Zumba involve moving or shaking the hips, and you wouldn't believe the core workout there! haha. And of course, if you want to build even more strength, there's Zumba Toning.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hs86U-WShK8/TxXEa-tO7mI/AAAAAAAAAWg/4U0Od2ksieI/s1600/Zumba-Toning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="82" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hs86U-WShK8/TxXEa-tO7mI/AAAAAAAAAWg/4U0Od2ksieI/s320/Zumba-Toning.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aVFPHGd__I8/TxXEeiTvLsI/AAAAAAAAAWw/YN_9Omp1-P0/s1600/Zumba+sticks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aVFPHGd__I8/TxXEeiTvLsI/AAAAAAAAAWw/YN_9Omp1-P0/s200/Zumba+sticks.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Cia21eJSSo/TxXEdMx8JJI/AAAAAAAAAWo/bWuoeAtjRFw/s1600/zumba+sticks+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Cia21eJSSo/TxXEdMx8JJI/AAAAAAAAAWo/bWuoeAtjRFw/s320/zumba+sticks+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Zumba toning uses the same Latin-style music, rhythms, and moves, but adds light weight with "toning sticks." The purple sticks on the top are 2.5 lbs. each and the lime green sticks on the bottom are 1.5 lbs each. Seems extremely light, right? Wrong. After using these for an hour, I can <b>promise </b>you that you'll feel like you got your workout! haha. In fact, Zumba toning is the <i>only </i>class that I have ever taken and seen my body -really- change. I now have muscles! Who knew? ;)</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>So how do you get started?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can go to <a href="http://www.zumba.com/">zumba.com</a> and look up class locations and times in your area. You can even search by facility! If you live in the Atlanta-area, the best classes I've found are at <a href="http://www.urbanactive.com/locations/buckhead-georgia/">Urban Active-Buckhead</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">However, if you live in the Macon-area, you're in luck. Those classes are my favorite! Here are a few you may be interested in. All of these instructors are absolutely FABULOUS. There's -at least- one opportunity every day to Zumba in Macon. These are classes I have personally been to and know for a fact they're awesome. Most of them are $6.00 or $7.00 per class, if you're not a member of the gym. It's even cheaper for members.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>MONDAY</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ZUMBA! with <a href="http://www.facebook.com/fitnesswithjasmine?sk=info">Jasmine Peschel</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mondays at 6:30 p.m.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Wellness Center (Northside Dr., Macon)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>TUESDAY</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ZUMBA! with <a href="https://www.zumba.com/en-US/profiles/76225/stephanie-huff/">Stephanie Huff</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Body Evolution (Spring St., Macon)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>WEDNESDAY</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ZUMBA! with <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Zumba-Loving-Carol-C-Johnson/143180862388734">Carol Johnson</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Wellness Center (Northside Dr., Macon)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ZUMBA Toning! with <a href="http://www.facebook.com/fitnesswithjasmine?sk=info">Jasmine Peschel</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Wellness Center (Northside Dr., Macon)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>THURSDAY</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ZUMBA! with <a href="https://www.zumba.com/en-US/profiles/76225/stephanie-huff/">Stephanie Huff</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Body Evolution (Spring St., Macon)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>FRIDAY</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ZUMBA! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(instructors vary, but I promise they're all great!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fridays at 4:00 p.m.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Wellness Center (Northside Dr., Macon)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>SATURDAY</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ZUMBA! with <a href="http://www.facebook.com/fitnesswithjasmine?sk=info">Jasmine Peschel</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Saturdays at 10:00 a.m.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">North Macon Park (North Macon Park Dr.)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>SUNDAY</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ZUMBA! </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(instructors vary, but I promise they're all great!)</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sundays at 3:00 p.m.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Wellness Center (Northside Dr., Macon)</span></span></div><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yes, you can get the DVD Zumba workouts, and I was recently given Zumba for the Wii for Christmas (which is so fun!), but I still believe the class setting is the best. There's just something about a room full of people having fun and keeping you accountable.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I absolutely love Zumba and have no problem sticking to it as a workout routine, even on the laziest of days. I always feel better after the class than I did before.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If my love of Zumba isn't enough to convince you, try and see for yourself! I know everyone's different and you may feel completely opposite, but that's totally ok</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Until next time... </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">XXOOXXOO</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div>Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-72112126130799915912012-01-12T10:29:00.000-08:002012-01-12T10:29:12.724-08:00What I Wore...Thursday?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b style="color: #a64d79;">What I Wore <strike>Wednesday</strike> Thursday...</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b style="color: #a64d79;"><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So as I was looking through my iPhone photos the other day, I found these oh-so-fabulous (ha!) pictures still on the camera roll. I apparently took these photos sometime in November before we started packing to move and everything got so hectic...and then never posted!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, forgive me for not knowing the dates or where I was wearing these outfits, but I've written the details nonetheless. :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uzun908KZsU/TsPxUEdXrHI/AAAAAAAAAR4/obcGdUcTcoA/s640/blogger-image-1907399645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uzun908KZsU/TsPxUEdXrHI/AAAAAAAAAR4/obcGdUcTcoA/s640/blogger-image-1907399645.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a221a; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Light orange-"ish" and gray striped tunic: </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a221a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b><a href="http://www.shopdressup.com/" style="color: #33aaff; text-decoration: underline;">Dress Up</a> Boutique </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a221a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">(Dahlonega, GA)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a221a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>Brown sleeveless sweater cardigan: Gap Outlet</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a221a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>Black leggings: Forever 21</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a221a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Brown flat boots: Target</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a221a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Bangles: Charming Charlie</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a221a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rn3StuKSY2g/TsPxUhabjQI/AAAAAAAAASA/XH1eAV726s0/s640/blogger-image--538397863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rn3StuKSY2g/TsPxUhabjQI/AAAAAAAAASA/XH1eAV726s0/s640/blogger-image--538397863.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a221a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><b>3/4 sleeve ivory shirt: Target</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a221a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>Denim skinnies: Old Navy</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a221a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>Brown & camel houndstooth scarf: </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a221a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><b><a href="http://www.shopdressup.com/" style="color: #33aaff; text-decoration: underline;">Dress Up</a> Boutique </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a221a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;">(Dahlonega, GA)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a221a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Flat, camel-colored boots: Old Navy</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a221a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pvzjr2XwHjE/TsPxVRpGrxI/AAAAAAAAASI/AH4vhYbvt58/s640/blogger-image--584233666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pvzjr2XwHjE/TsPxVRpGrxI/AAAAAAAAASI/AH4vhYbvt58/s640/blogger-image--584233666.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a221a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xQjKWKL0H5o/TsPxWUE3WiI/AAAAAAAAASY/a94fFeOfhlo/s640/blogger-image--1067516029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xQjKWKL0H5o/TsPxWUE3WiI/AAAAAAAAASY/a94fFeOfhlo/s640/blogger-image--1067516029.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a221a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Black skinnies: Old Navy</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a221a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Brown flat boots: Target</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a221a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Printed tunic: Kohl's </b>(ELLE)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a221a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Bangles: Charming Charlie</b></span></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L6ON2D4y_EY/TsPxV5R0ToI/AAAAAAAAASQ/gJrWvsKEf8M/s640/blogger-image-1984661885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L6ON2D4y_EY/TsPxV5R0ToI/AAAAAAAAASQ/gJrWvsKEf8M/s640/blogger-image-1984661885.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Denim skinnies: Old Navy</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Brown flat boots: Target</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Gray-ish tank: New York & Co.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Oatmeal zip-front cardigan: Banana Republic</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2a221a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div>Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-5342758048288744162012-01-11T06:53:00.000-08:002012-01-11T06:53:27.494-08:00Mini French Dip Sandwiches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #bf9000; font-size: x-large;">Mini French Dip Sandwiches...</b>are so unbelievably easy! In fact, they really don't even need a blog. But still, I'd like to share this simplicity and goodness with you! :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Let me just be the first to say, these aren't healthy. I got the recipe for this on <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a>, which originally came from a blog called <a href="http://www.mamalovesfood.com/2012/01/french-dip-crescents-with-easy-au-jus.html">Mama Loves Food</a>. It just had the hubster's name written ALL over it. So, if you're being health conscious, just watch your portions and you'll still be fine.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Also, just as a warning, I'm a total cheater. Not only did I buy pre-sliced cheese and roast beef (although I selected the natural kind with no preservatives), I also didn't make my own Au Jus! (gasp!) I bought the starter mix where all you do is add water, stir, and wait for it to boil. I believe it taste better for no other reason than it was much, much easier. However, if you do not prefer to take any shortcuts, you can buy blocked cheese and get the deli to slice you up some fresh roast beef. <a href="http://www.mamalovesfood.com/2012/01/easy-au-jus-how-to-make-simple-au-jus.html">Also, Mama Loves Food has an "easy" recipe for Au Jus Gravy.</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You'll need...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lnc66eQbwwE/Tw2bXAPqB3I/AAAAAAAAAV4/Ya3J2icEvcQ/s1600/French+Dips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lnc66eQbwwE/Tw2bXAPqB3I/AAAAAAAAAV4/Ya3J2icEvcQ/s400/French+Dips.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Ingredients:</u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">2 pkgs Crescent Rolls (8 count)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Roast Beef (about 1 lb. or a little less)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1 pkg Provolone Cheese (or Swiss if you prefer)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Horseradish Sauce</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Au Jus Gravy Mix</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Directions:</u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">(Preheat oven to 375 degrees)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1. Unroll crescent rolls and separate into the cut triangles.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">2. Spread horseradish sauce to taste on triangles.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">3. Add roast beef and cheese, and then roll up the crescents.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">4. Bake 11-13 minutes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>5. Au Jus Gravy: </b>follow directions on back of pkg</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g8-x5xYYolU/Tw2VC27elqI/AAAAAAAAAVI/K3K9jj0oIH0/s640/blogger-image--1355193093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g8-x5xYYolU/Tw2VC27elqI/AAAAAAAAAVI/K3K9jj0oIH0/s320/blogger-image--1355193093.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-l1RwBv14pGw/Tw2VCWGp1fI/AAAAAAAAAVA/FuFo2VLSRlM/s640/blogger-image--2052321882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-l1RwBv14pGw/Tw2VCWGp1fI/AAAAAAAAAVA/FuFo2VLSRlM/s320/blogger-image--2052321882.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-B603-dIgHhY/Tw2VDs3CPPI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/K5MFGsy45Ls/s640/blogger-image--1913509591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-B603-dIgHhY/Tw2VDs3CPPI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/K5MFGsy45Ls/s400/blogger-image--1913509591.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I served our Mini French Dip Sandwiches with...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5h65scTJX5k/Tw2g-ynkpUI/AAAAAAAAAWA/eQzTk8TW1XY/s1600/Peas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5h65scTJX5k/Tw2g-ynkpUI/AAAAAAAAAWA/eQzTk8TW1XY/s1600/Peas.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Yep, that's right. Our side dish came out of a can. It's the only way Brian will eat English peas! They are seriously one of his favorite foods. Needless to say, it was the easiest dinner in the world...AND he's already said he wants them again soon. They really were awesome. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EGtEvRuKfuU/Tw2VM4lTZUI/AAAAAAAAAVw/P5JaqEmTLSE/s640/blogger-image-1669102207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EGtEvRuKfuU/Tw2VM4lTZUI/AAAAAAAAAVw/P5JaqEmTLSE/s640/blogger-image-1669102207.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3Vm3XLWf46o/Tw2VL2V9f6I/AAAAAAAAAVg/qqGKMFY1LIk/s640/blogger-image--6129447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3Vm3XLWf46o/Tw2VL2V9f6I/AAAAAAAAAVg/qqGKMFY1LIk/s640/blogger-image--6129447.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">(Told you he enjoyed them!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Let me know if you decide to try! :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Until next time...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">XXOO!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-939309938906640222012-01-10T12:01:00.000-08:002012-01-10T12:01:00.315-08:00A Blog a Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">WOW. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Has is really been than long since my last post?</span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, rather than apologize for my lack of blogging during the past several months (because seriously, that <i>could</i> take all day), I'm just going to tell you what I'm going to do about it. I know that today is Tuesday, but for the rest of this week, I promise to blog every day. Seriously, every day.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">See, the fact is...I have tons to say to you guys since it's been so long since my last update. I think my problem has been that I've had SO MUCH to say...I just really haven't known where to start.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">How about </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>the holiday season?</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>NOVEMBER</b></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>We kicked off our holiday season with a trip to Athens for the UGA vs. Kentucky game. It definitely wasn't he Dawgs' best game, but they still won! It was somewhat of a "Thanksgiving" weekend with Brian's family, since his brother and sister-in-law live in Boston and wouldn't be home on the actual holiday.</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o1WKOnUokPA/TwyE9s9awEI/AAAAAAAAAS4/2PIt_gydzJI/s1600/IMG_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o1WKOnUokPA/TwyE9s9awEI/AAAAAAAAAS4/2PIt_gydzJI/s400/IMG_0102.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right that'd be Brian's Dad and Brother (Mr. Pat & Kevin), Brian, Me, and Kevin's sister -in-law Julia and wife Allison.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lGYmuVMLnHs/TwyFAhVgA7I/AAAAAAAAATA/_lxsz4rTc5s/s1600/IMG_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lGYmuVMLnHs/TwyFAhVgA7I/AAAAAAAAATA/_lxsz4rTc5s/s400/IMG_0142.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UCWGhYJJwro/TwyFFHeVtBI/AAAAAAAAATI/Fy6HhYXwzko/s1600/IMG_0110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UCWGhYJJwro/TwyFFHeVtBI/AAAAAAAAATI/Fy6HhYXwzko/s400/IMG_0110.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>On the actual day of Thanksgiving, we were all set to be at Brian's grandmother's house for his family's gathering. Unfortunately, due to health issues, his grandmother was in the hospital for Thanksgiving and the gathering was cancelled. She wasn't out very long before she was put right back in, so please keep her in your prayers!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b></b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XVFLG0y_4_Y/TwyHU7ORPiI/AAAAAAAAATQ/va55DMpSCgc/s1600/P5070602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XVFLG0y_4_Y/TwyHU7ORPiI/AAAAAAAAATQ/va55DMpSCgc/s400/P5070602.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love you, Nanow!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b>DECEMBER</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b>December was a month of transition for Brian and me. We moved out of our apartment (our least was up) to prepare to move wherever his job sent us. The entire month of December, we lived with Brian's parents, all the while waiting on that phone call. We were incredibly blessed...as my parents-in-law let us completely take over the second level of their home. Our families have made the move very easy on us! </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b>My last day as a News Producer at WGXA-TV/NewsCentral (FOX 24 & ABC 16) in Macon officially ended December 9th. It was bittersweet because I left a job in the field of my passion to further Brian's. I must say, it's been worth it 20 times over. :) That month marked the end for several members of the NewsCentral team besides myself, including two reporters Larry & Linnie.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b>Winding down my work days...</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fCloqmaV_TE/TwyLAS19aaI/AAAAAAAAATo/CGbBLXqA5_I/s1600/388620_563791057092_105100807_31194046_1551140889_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fCloqmaV_TE/TwyLAS19aaI/AAAAAAAAATo/CGbBLXqA5_I/s400/388620_563791057092_105100807_31194046_1551140889_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b>Linnie's (in the red, third from the left, back row) "Last Hoorah" at Fabrik!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b>All the NewsCentral girls</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mCtZMhVhDFs/TwyMfYjrgQI/AAAAAAAAATw/vTvVmvPiK9Y/s1600/392699_562714185152_105100070_31189340_1512180550_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mCtZMhVhDFs/TwyMfYjrgQI/AAAAAAAAATw/vTvVmvPiK9Y/s400/392699_562714185152_105100070_31189340_1512180550_n.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b>My "un-official" last day, Larry's actual last day! (right) Black Friday took on a whole new meaning. :)</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b>NewsCentral anchor Mario Ramirez, me, Meteorologist Tyler Southard, and Reporter Larry Spruill.</b></span></div></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IYnNVxPryUE/TwyNR7ulRkI/AAAAAAAAAT4/gjwLj4dO2Ig/s1600/PC090780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="373" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IYnNVxPryUE/TwyNR7ulRkI/AAAAAAAAAT4/gjwLj4dO2Ig/s400/PC090780.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>NewsCentral Reporter Johanna Torres and me on my actually last day. (Tear!)</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mNqlVAqq6DM/TwyOI9FqRYI/AAAAAAAAAUA/cOP-X3IG7B4/s1600/PB260766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mNqlVAqq6DM/TwyOI9FqRYI/AAAAAAAAAUA/cOP-X3IG7B4/s400/PB260766.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>A news team Christmas party! (more to come on another Christmas party later!)</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>My fellow producer Amber Jones is to the left of me. :)</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>I have such fond memories of my co-workers. I already miss them immensely! One of them is visiting this weekend, and I'm so excited that I can hardly stand it.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>"For unto you is born this day <span style="font-weight: bold;">in the city of David</span> a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b>Since we'd been at Brian's parents' home the whole month of December, we spent the week of Christmas at my parents' house to get some quality time with them as well. Christmas was absolutely wonderful to say the least. My mom's birthday is on Christmas Eve, so we had all sorts of celebrations going on. :) Christmas Eve is my favorite of all the holiday season. Even at my age, it's still magical. I'm getting teary-eyed now just thinking about it! :)</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b>We attended the Christmas Eve service at our church, as is tradition. This year I sang my absolute favorite Christmas song of all time at the service. It was special to share the wonderful message that I hold dear to my heart with everyone else. It may not be Christmas Eve anymore, but you should still check out <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7D-DH9aT3bs">"A Baby Changes Everything" by Faith Hill</a> if you haven't already. :) Here are a few pictures from that night.</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ce7hh7A5J3o/TwyRPiBobaI/AAAAAAAAAUI/sWfGS_kj_Xs/s1600/IMG_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ce7hh7A5J3o/TwyRPiBobaI/AAAAAAAAAUI/sWfGS_kj_Xs/s400/IMG_0007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-30HITWSRX94/TwyRUjZwH2I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/QZLtplLg1sY/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-30HITWSRX94/TwyRUjZwH2I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/QZLtplLg1sY/s400/IMG_0010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>(Blake, my brother, on the right)</b></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JKo8nWR_HWg/TwyRcxIt-JI/AAAAAAAAAUY/L_NiPvg0NPc/s1600/IMG_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JKo8nWR_HWg/TwyRcxIt-JI/AAAAAAAAAUY/L_NiPvg0NPc/s400/IMG_0038.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>The family at Mom's birthday dinner</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o-VwV7ETqmY/TwyRh6e69wI/AAAAAAAAAUg/5lUQWYFYYFE/s1600/IMG_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o-VwV7ETqmY/TwyRh6e69wI/AAAAAAAAAUg/5lUQWYFYYFE/s400/IMG_0048.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b>About to open our present piles! :)</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b>Christmas day was just as wonderful as Christmas Eve too! We woke up early and ate brunch with Brian's parents. Since his brother and sister-in-law were at home in Boston, we opened presents with them over iChat (similar to Skype for you non-Mac friends).</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Qe8EljBXL0/TwyS1-Sr4NI/AAAAAAAAAUo/rDUtazLnGpY/s1600/IMG_0880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Qe8EljBXL0/TwyS1-Sr4NI/AAAAAAAAAUo/rDUtazLnGpY/s400/IMG_0880.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6LU_G3HqNFY/TwyS64gSQCI/AAAAAAAAAUw/knTF-f0RRvc/s1600/IMG_0882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6LU_G3HqNFY/TwyS64gSQCI/AAAAAAAAAUw/knTF-f0RRvc/s400/IMG_0882.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>JANUARY</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Happy New Year!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>So, Brian and I have never been too big into the New Year's Eve festivities. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>In fact, he had to commute to Atlanta that day for his first day of work as an Interim Manager at the Lenox Square Mall Chick-fil-A. (Proud wifey, yes, I am! Just not getting ahead of myself. Saving that for a whole other blog post!) </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>We spent New Year's Eve packing and watching Dick Clark (bless his little heart), since we had to move on New Year's Day! </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>I really can't think of a better way to spend the first day of 2012 than the adventure of moving our lives to Northeast Atlanta. We are so happy here! It's so close to home, but it's also a much different world than Macon. We live in the city, not a suburb...so it's been lots of fun so far! All one week and a half of it. ;)</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Later this week, I'll have to be sure to update with pictures of our new apartment and Brian's store. :)</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>But for now...</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RsTA-j080Eg/TwyWhUeqWQI/AAAAAAAAAU4/X36N8MNWFX0/s1600/Happy-New-Year-Quotes.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RsTA-j080Eg/TwyWhUeqWQI/AAAAAAAAAU4/X36N8MNWFX0/s320/Happy-New-Year-Quotes.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b>(Please forgive me for quoting Oprah!)</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b>XOXO</b></span></span></div></div>Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-19816664786396221582011-11-11T22:21:00.000-08:002011-11-11T22:21:05.966-08:00Cranberry Apple Crunch--So Much Better Than Cranberry Sauce!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">Cranberry Apple Crunch...</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">NOT your average holiday cranberry <strike>goop </strike> "sauce." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On your marks...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Get set...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Go, holiday season!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Whether we are ready for it or not, it doesn't matter...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The holiday season is <i>here!</i> It's time to get to work on fulfilling those Christmas lists, transforming your home into a cozy seasonal atmosphere, preparing Thanksgiving menus, starting the fire place, dreaming of a "White Christmas," etc., etc., etc.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Any formally-fat person (and even most forever-skinny people) LOVES the holidays because of<i> </i><b style="font-style: italic;">food! </b>I mean, let's face it--you can have family time any time of the year if you'd like. We give gifts for many occasions. Men sit around a TV to watch football most Saturdays all fall and winter. We should be thankful all the time. We should remember that God sent his son to earth to die for us all the time...and we also celebrate this at Easter. The thing that <i>really </i>sets the holidays--or at least Thanksgiving--a part from other times of the year is the menu!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Let me just tell you I <b>LOVE </b>dressing, turkey, green beans, corn casserole, pumpkin pie, and all of that jazz, but the one thing I don't like is cranberry sauce (...or sweet potatoes, but that doesn't fit this posts' purpose haha). However, this dish turned my tastes around! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm not really sure where this recipe originated. It came from my Dad's side of the family when I was about ten years old. (I know that because I had many a years of that gelatin, cranberry nastiness put on my plate before then.) My mom got the recipe from my Dad's aunt that year, and we've been eating it ever since!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So if you're like me and you think that canned stuff is totally disgusting, you might want to give this a try! It's the PERFECT alternative to cranberry sauce. Take it to your family Thanksgiving and/or Christmas this year, and I promise you your family will be thoroughly impressed! The best party? It's oh-so-simple.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm cheating a bit here and showing you the finished product before even listing the ingredients. If you'll notice, the "casserole" (for lack of a better word) should be shallow in your baking dish. You want it shallow so you have a good ratio of of cranberry and apple to that yummy topping! :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><ol style="font-family: Times;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Cranberry Apple Crunch</div></td></tr>
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<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Ingredients:</u></b></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 cups peeled & chopped apples <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(typically 3 or 4 small to medium apples. I use Granny Smith.)</i></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 can <u>whole berry</u> cranberry sauce</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/3 cup white sugar <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(I use Splenda with fiber and it's just as good.)</i></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2/3 cup brown sugar <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(I use Splenda brown sugar blend. If you do the same, you'll only need 1/3 cup since it's twice as concentrated as regular brown sugar.)</i></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 cup oatmeal</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/3 cup flour</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/2 cup chopped pecans</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 stick of margarine <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(I use "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter.")</span></i></span></li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EHx6tBWQcfU/Tr4OX5uGh6I/AAAAAAAAARw/C3_rTFBi9jg/s1600/Cranberry+Apple+Crunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EHx6tBWQcfU/Tr4OX5uGh6I/AAAAAAAAARw/C3_rTFBi9jg/s400/Cranberry+Apple+Crunch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"></span></div><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Directions:</u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Combine chopped apples, cranberry sauce, white sugar, and 1/3 c. brown sugar into large bowl. Mix together. Spread evenly into casserole dish. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(**Note: If using Splenda brown sugar blend, use only 1/6 c. brown sugar...which is half as much.)</i></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Combine oatmeal, chopped pecans, flour, and 1/3 c. brown sugar in medium-sized bowl. Mix together. Spoon topping mixture on top of cranberry/apple mixture. Spread evenly.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cut up a stick of margarine, placing pieces evenly on top of oatmeal mixture.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes.</span></li>
</ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Well, it's as simple as that! You have the easiest, most delicious alternative to that nasty cranberry goop people try to pass off as a side dish! :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Let me know if you try it or plan to try it! I'd love to know what you think...even if you hate it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Also, I'd love to know what your "different" alternatives to traditional Thanksgiving sides are. Please share if you have awesome recipes! Don't hesitate to comment and follow. I'd love to know what you think!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-57726198623706589252011-10-16T20:22:00.000-07:002011-10-16T20:22:03.220-07:00Cards for Kody--1 Thessalonians 5:11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>"There are two ways to journey through life. You can march...or you can dance."</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Those are the words than caught my eye as I stood on the card aisle of the grocery story last week. I couldn't imagine more perfect words for the purpose. I wiped the tears that had begun to well up in my eyes and progressed to the check-out counter.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You see, as a member of "the media," it's easy to become desensitized to the stories that air on a daily basis. We see horrible and wonderful stories come and go through the air waves and headlines, so for the sake of not becoming jaded, we're forced to somewhat block emotional attachment. However, in my few short years of being a News Producer, there are a few horrible <i>and </i>wonderful stories that clung to my soul.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Of course, the true producer comes out in me. I'm going to share the most <i>timely</i> of those stories with you right now. :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><b>Kody's Story...</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kody Lucas is a Central Georgian living with a brain tumor; a stage three </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anaplastic Astrocytoma brain tumor, to be exact. When diagnosed, doctors gave Kody two years to live. It's now been four years, and Kody even graduated from high school--a day he didn't think he'd see.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As if that isn't a remarkable miracle in and of itself, that's not the reason I want to share his story. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I want to share Kody's story because of the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>960</b></span><i><b> lives he's saved.</b></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">I was first introduced to Kody through a story by one of our reporters, <a href="http://www.newscentralga.com/inside/fox-24-team/93778414.html">Michelle Quesada</a>. I was immediately inspired by Kody's spirit. While he had the most remarkable survivor and fighter tale, it was never his focus. Michelle's story detailed how blood transfusions help Kody gain strength while in the hospital fighting against cancer. That's where Kody discovered a calling: to hold annual blood drives.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Every year since his diagnosis, the teenage boy (now 19-years-old) has chosen to celebrate each year--that could easily be his last--by holding a birthday blood drive bash.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Kody's impact over the last three years?</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">960 lives saved</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Over 40 gallons of blood donated</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Now comes the more solemn news...</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">On October 13, we reported that hospice recently entered Kody's life. The news brought tears to my eyes because of the inspiration Kody and his story have been to so many people...including myself.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Kody's family reached out to our station and let us know that there is one thing that helps get him out of bed each morning--<i style="font-weight: bold;">greeting cards. </i>Not</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"> "get well" cards, but "thinking of you" cards are what brings a priceless smile to his face.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">So they asked that we air an address for people to write to Kody, and of course, we did. I've already sent my card to Kody. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>Here it is below:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JtddVCqbNMs/TpuHmT4vawI/AAAAAAAAAMo/k-JOUO1wSgs/s640/blogger-image--810223556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JtddVCqbNMs/TpuHmT4vawI/AAAAAAAAAMo/k-JOUO1wSgs/s320/blogger-image--810223556.jpg" width="238" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cxJOueb_FyM/TpuHl92YJ7I/AAAAAAAAAMg/sYarFdF9oPo/s640/blogger-image-2052734706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cxJOueb_FyM/TpuHl92YJ7I/AAAAAAAAAMg/sYarFdF9oPo/s320/blogger-image-2052734706.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>It was perfect.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I realized that if I could bring a smile to the teenager's face just by letting him know that his story mattered to me, I'd do it a hundred times over.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've never even met Kody Lucas in person, and if it weren't for our reporter Michelle following his story, I'd have never heard his story. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But I can promise you one thing: it's one <i>I'll never forget.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>So I have a request...</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Please send Kody a card of your own!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Could there be anything more simple to put a smile on someone's face?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's the address. Please spread the word. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Let's make sure Kody's mailbox is full to capacity every day of the rest of his life!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-20EWTEXC8kE/TpuHnW2xKZI/AAAAAAAAAMw/ZsMN87LxC9k/s640/blogger-image--486687473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-20EWTEXC8kE/TpuHnW2xKZI/AAAAAAAAAMw/ZsMN87LxC9k/s400/blogger-image--486687473.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1 Thessalonians 5:11a</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><u>Meet Kody Lucas:</u></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.newscentralga.com/news/local/Houston-County-Senior-Shares-Survival-Success-122622604.html">Kody Lucas: Houston Co. Senior Shares Survival Success</a></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.newscentralga.com/news/local/Family-First-3rd-Annual-Kody-Lucas-Blood-Drive-123122478.html">Kody Plans Annual Blood Drive</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.newscentralga.com/news/local/Kody-Lucas-Recognized-by-Red-Cross-126360233.html">American Red Cross Recognizes Kody Lucas</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.newscentralga.com/news/Family-First-Kody-Lucas-Helps-Save-Lives-126399418.html">Kody Lucas Helps Save Lives</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.newscentralga.com/news/local/Cards-for-Cancer-Patient-Kody-Lucas--131834633.html"><b>Cards for Cancer Patient Kody Lucas</b></a></div>Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-1308177353816579052011-10-10T23:36:00.000-07:002011-10-10T23:38:24.076-07:00Tried and True--Products I love!<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">We all (as least us girls) have products that we used once, and never, ever looked back. I mean there are <i>so many </i>brand names, etc. to choose from, once you find one that works...by all means...stick with it! These are what I call</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Tried and True</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is hopefully the first in a series of "my favorites" type blogs. You may read them and just find out a little bit more about me, but I have hopes that maybe you'll take something away with you and find it useful!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So without further ado, I'm sharing some of my all-time favorite products. In no particular order...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Maybelline's "Falsies" Mascara</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.maybelline.com/Uploads/Images/2010/11/volum-express-falsies-washable_detail-shot_132311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://www.maybelline.com/Uploads/Images/2010/11/volum-express-falsies-washable_detail-shot_132311.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have short--and rather thin for that matter--eyelashes. This mascara has absolutely done wonders for me! This mascara is great for those who love the "big lash" look. I get it in "Blackest Black." I've used MAC's "Falsies" type mascara and didn't like it at all. I've even tried other mascaras recommended by friends since I found "Falsies," and nothing compared. I know mascara is a <i>huge </i>"to each his own" type of product, but if you're like me and just aren't gifted in the lash area...give it a try!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Jergens "natural GLOW" Face Moisturizer</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.walgreens.com/dbimagecache/01910013821_450x450_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img.walgreens.com/dbimagecache/01910013821_450x450_a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's hard to describe why I love this face lotion other than it just plain works well. It's also available in "medium to dark" tones, which I use most often. However, since I've cut back on tanning (*sigh*), my skin isn't the color it used to be! I put this on in the morning and at night after I was my face. It's not the least bit oily and it has SPF already in it. I don't use it so much for the color as the even tone. If you have freckles, etc...this really helps even out the tone of your face so that you can wear makeup less often! (And who doesn't love that?!) It also goes well <i>under</i> makeup. I find that a lot of moisturizers get oily under makeup, but this one really doesn't. I'm definitely sticking with this one!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Essie Nail Polish in "Bordeaux"</span></b> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-59BNT_v5AWE/TpPPpIkUQtI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/FFMIgdRIH-U/s640/blogger-image--396806368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-59BNT_v5AWE/TpPPpIkUQtI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/FFMIgdRIH-U/s320/blogger-image--396806368.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pretty sure this gorgeous red will forever be my "go to" color. This is a new favorite that I discover a few months ago. While the deep, wine red is definitely more of a fall/winter color, I may just sport it year round! I really do love it that much. This picture (nor the one on their website) doesn't do the color justice. It's a much deeper red than it appears in the picture. I love essie nail polish because it stays on so long. Even OPI comes of my nails really easily. It's also SO incredibly glossy that I never use a top coat. In fact, a top coat actually <i>dulls </i>the color.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Victoria's Secret PINK Supersoft Body Lotion</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>in "fresh & clean" and "fresh & fierce"</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.victoriassecret.com/product/prodpri2/V292929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://media.victoriassecret.com/product/prodpri2/V292929.jpg" width="147" /></a><a href="http://media.victoriassecret.com/product/prodpri2/V320301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://media.victoriassecret.com/product/prodpri2/V320301.jpg" width="148" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><a href="http://media.victoriassecret.com/product/prodpri2/V292929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ok, so let me just say that I <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">love</u> Victoria's Secret anything and everything. This line of lotions is the softest lotion I have ever used. Period. My all-time favorite scent is the one of the left in the pink bottle. However, a few months ago I tried their news scent, in the zebra print bottle, and fell in love with is as well! Now I just switch between the two. These scents are exactly what they say...fresh! The smell is a light, girly scent. I use this lotion literally every single day. If they ever discontinue either one I'll be heartbroken! :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Victoria's Secret Yoga Pants</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.victoriassecret.com/product/prodpri2/V324224_N42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media.victoriassecret.com/product/prodpri2/V324224_N42.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I warned you that I love Victoria's Secret! :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anyway, these are by far the absolute BEST exercise pants ever. I don't do yoga, I do ZUMBA! (A topic for another blog!) My point is...these pants can be used for anything active or just lounging/errand running. Even though they are tight, the material is very forgiving! I've tried on many other brands of yoga pants--from Nike to Wal-mart--and they aren't even the same. The other brands are unflattering on me. These pants stay in place, they're comfy, and they're more figure-flattering than other brand names of the same. When these babies go on sale...I snatch them up!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>MAC "Studio Fix" Foundation and Powder</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.maccosmetics.com/images/products/spp/M6JC17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.maccosmetics.com/images/products/spp/M6JC17.jpg" width="168" /></a><a href="http://www.maccosmetics.com/images/products/spp/M51021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.maccosmetics.com/images/products/spp/M51021.jpg" width="168" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This makeup is amazing. There's not even much more to say about it. It covers well, it stays on all day pretty much, and the bottles/compacts themselves last <i>forever</i>. Because I'm not a huge fan of spending money, I used drug store face makeup for the longest time. It wasn't until my friend <a href="http://laurenashleyedwards.blogspot.com/">Lauren</a> told me how much she loved MAC foundation that I gave it a try. She was right! It's awesome! I actually love most anything MAC has to offer now. They're lipsticks and eyeshadows are fab too, however this face makeup is "tried and true" for me!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Nature's Own "Double Fiber Wheat" Bread</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Hey, who said these products would be just beauty?!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://naturesownbread.com/Global/images/Products/naturesown/wheatDoubleFiber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://naturesownbread.com/Global/images/Products/naturesown/wheatDoubleFiber.jpg" width="186" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I eat an extremely high-fiber diet. (If you're curious why, see my <a href="http://deanamathes.blogspot.com/search/label/25%20Things">25 Things</a> post, numbers 4 and 5.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As for why this is the only sandwich bread I'll eat, the nutrition label totally speaks for itself.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Per 1 slice of bread: 50 calories, .05 grams of fat (not trans or saturated), no cholesterol, 135 mg sodium, 13 grams of carbs, 5 grams of fiber, less than 1 gram of sugar, 3 grams of protein.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Enough said.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Eggland's Best Farm Fresh Eggs</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.egglandsbest.com/Libraries/Page%20Banners%202/Varieties2-Banner.sflb" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://www.egglandsbest.com/Libraries/Page%20Banners%202/Varieties2-Banner.sflb" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yes, Eggland's Best eggs <i>are </i>more expensive than the others. (Look for coupons) However, there is a reason. The chickens that these eggs come from are fed a highly nutritious diet. My Mom's doctor first recommended these eggs to her because of her cholesterol levels. After I educated myself, I started buying these and never turned back. This is coming from someone that absolutely loves eggs. I eat eggs ALMOST every single day. Here's why I love Eggland's Best:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. They have slightly less fat than ordinary eggs.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. They contain over double the amount of Omega 3's</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. They contain less cholesterol</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. They contain way more Vitamin A, D, B2, B12, and E as well as other minerals. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. They genuinely taste better!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Matrix's Biolage Color Care Shampoo & Conditioner</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.matrix.com/images/products/biolage/colorcaretherapie/color_care_shampoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.matrix.com/images/products/biolage/colorcaretherapie/color_care_shampoo.jpg" width="77" /></a><a href="http://www.matrix.com/images/products/biolage/colorcaretherapie/color_care_conditioner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.matrix.com/images/products/biolage/colorcaretherapie/color_care_conditioner.jpg" width="77" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Besides the fact that this stuff smells amazing, it keeps color brilliant and gives a silky shine! It makes me hair super manageable and healthy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Revlon Colorstay 12 Hour Eyeshadow</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Not in these colors though.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.revlon.com/~/media/Images/Revlon/Products/Eyes/P_Eyes_EyeShadow_ColorStay12Hours.ashx" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images.revlon.com/~/media/Images/Revlon/Products/Eyes/P_Eyes_EyeShadow_ColorStay12Hours.ashx" width="165" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Revlon says this eyeshadow lasts 12 hours, and if it doesn't, it's pretty darn close! I have this eyeshadow "quad" in several different hue packs. I really like that you can just do a one-stop-shop and get 4 colors that go nicely with each other. You don't have to spend a fortune, you get 4 colors, and it lasts all day! It's an all around "win" situation.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Well, that does it for my <b style="color: #6fa8dc;">Tried and True</b> products. (For now, at least!) What do you think? Have you tried any of these products and loved or hated them? What are some of your favorite products? Let me know...maybe you'll land me a new favorite! :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div>Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-13623475704882700252011-10-03T22:56:00.000-07:002011-10-03T22:56:20.873-07:00Cheeseburger Rollup (Husband's Favorite!)<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">Cheeseburger Rollup...</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's been so long since I found this recipe that I don't even remember how I stumbled across it (as usual). Now that I have a blog, I've begun to pay more attention to that sort of thing so I can give credit--the type of thing I just didn't think of before. But I will say, some other person came up with this recipe...it's definitely not my original. ;)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anyway, this is one of my my husband Brian's absolute <b style="color: red;">favorite </b>meals that I make. The best part? It's -so- easy! It's a win-win situation for us both.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>So without further ado...</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Ingredients:</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
1 lb. lean ground beef</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">4 strips bacon, chopped</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1 small onion, chopped </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(I only use 2/3 a small onion)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1 (8 oz.) package Velveeta cheese, cut into cubes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1 (13.8 oz.) package refrigerated pizza crust</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IlzkUBLkArA/ToqX3ejblQI/AAAAAAAAAIo/PbCikI_dQbc/s1600/Cheeseburger+Rollup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IlzkUBLkArA/ToqX3ejblQI/AAAAAAAAAIo/PbCikI_dQbc/s400/Cheeseburger+Rollup.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Directions:</u></b> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">2. Brown ground beef, bacon, and onions together in large skillet. Drain.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">3. Once drained, add cubes of Velveeta to skillet mixture and melt. Once melted, remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0TBz31QFcp0/ToqardrEwhI/AAAAAAAAAIs/vi5V9eqeUKs/s640/blogger-image--872989268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0TBz31QFcp0/ToqardrEwhI/AAAAAAAAAIs/vi5V9eqeUKs/s640/blogger-image--872989268.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ground beef, chopped bacon, and chopped onion already browned and drained with Velveeta added and melted. <br />
It's cooling.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">4. Unroll pizza dough onto<i> </i>baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Press into 15 x 8 rectangle and top with skillet mixture. Roll up, starting with one long side. Rearrange as necessary so that the roll is seam-side down.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yw5d8a6-wsk/Toqar2W3OfI/AAAAAAAAAIw/9ZwMVz0IwLA/s640/blogger-image--636267670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yw5d8a6-wsk/Toqar2W3OfI/AAAAAAAAAIw/9ZwMVz0IwLA/s640/blogger-image--636267670.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got a bit of a tear in mine, so I had to pinch it and mend it back together! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QAmeAtR6Z1c/Toqb3iktVGI/AAAAAAAAAJA/REh6qnxSIOY/s640/blogger-image-1139708800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QAmeAtR6Z1c/Toqb3iktVGI/AAAAAAAAAJA/REh6qnxSIOY/s400/blogger-image-1139708800.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Topping unrolled crust dough with cooled skillet mixture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2Xva1TPKraM/Toqb2wETMYI/AAAAAAAAAI8/V8ooZsHnMas/s640/blogger-image-70815334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2Xva1TPKraM/Toqb2wETMYI/AAAAAAAAAI8/V8ooZsHnMas/s400/blogger-image-70815334.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carefully and evenly spreading mixture on dough.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-x_yH9mTwF50/Toqb1RqESgI/AAAAAAAAAI0/55UYHITdxqQ/s640/blogger-image-467035332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-x_yH9mTwF50/Toqb1RqESgI/AAAAAAAAAI0/55UYHITdxqQ/s400/blogger-image-467035332.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolling up from the long side.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EXcGoTximKk/Toqb1-iQMAI/AAAAAAAAAI4/5WZ8U6Nzf8s/s640/blogger-image-1777902151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EXcGoTximKk/Toqb1-iQMAI/AAAAAAAAAI4/5WZ8U6Nzf8s/s400/blogger-image-1777902151.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roll seam-side down on lightly-greased baking sheet ready to be backed! Yes, the tear looks bad.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">5. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pX2narfQyXE/ToqeV-jfo5I/AAAAAAAAAJE/a3iSgJ3J8KE/s640/blogger-image--1794699884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pX2narfQyXE/ToqeV-jfo5I/AAAAAAAAAJE/a3iSgJ3J8KE/s640/blogger-image--1794699884.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished product!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gt-CjvuFTds/ToqeWkO2_SI/AAAAAAAAAJI/4AGm6ZTR8X4/s640/blogger-image--460246468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gt-CjvuFTds/ToqeWkO2_SI/AAAAAAAAAJI/4AGm6ZTR8X4/s640/blogger-image--460246468.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside view</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ok, so it's not the fanciest meal...and it's <i>certainly</i> not pretty, but Brian can seriously eat half of this roll in one sitting! In fact, I'm pretty sure he did. :) Let me know if you make it or plan to make it. Also, be sure to let me know what the men in your life (or just you) think of it! :) (But let's face it, this meal has MAN written <i>all</i> over it!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Share some of your boyfriend's/husband's/father's/brother's/grandpa's favorite recipes with me in the comments section! I trying to cook up new recipes for my man. :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Be sure to follow and keep coming back. (Top right above the "About Me" section.)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Until next time! XOXO</span></div>Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-9451901374446949672011-09-26T09:09:00.000-07:002011-09-26T09:54:51.129-07:00How to: Customized Decorative Stand<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: xx-large;">We all have talents... </b>but "crafting" was never one of mine! Even as an adult, I have a hard time coloring inside the lines! :) With that said though... I REALLY do <i style="font-weight: bold;">enjoy</i> craft projects. So it occurred to me lately that although I don't have a knack for it and it doesn't come to me naturally, there's no reason I can't get better at it! I mean, practice makes perfect, right? :) So my goal is to at least <i>try </i>craft projects that I'm interested in. I mean, what is there to lose? (Except for valuable things like time and money...ha!) As long as I keep the projects inexpensive, it's going to be a go from here on out! I personally am very satisfied with the results of this experience.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is an original idea, but I must say it's been derived from ideas like this <a href="http://jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-make-your-own-tiered-serving.html">DIY serving platter (by fellow blogger Jamie Cooks it Up)</a> that I found through <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a>.</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love these <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="color: #3d85c6;">decorative stands</b> </span>because they were cheap, easy, and customized! I went to my local thrift store and dug around until I found the exact plates/chargers and bases that I wanted. I then went to Wal-mart and got spray paint colors of my choice and Gorilla glue! Here are my supplies and what I started with, as well as what it looked like when they were glued.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sks25ni6ki4/TnobbKBz9iI/AAAAAAAAAEE/CLeSOTYfJuA/s1600/Stands+supplies+%2526+glued+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sks25ni6ki4/TnobbKBz9iI/AAAAAAAAAEE/CLeSOTYfJuA/s320/Stands+supplies+%2526+glued+collage.jpg" width="272" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I paired the smooth charger with the smooth base (I think the bases were supposed to be chunky candle sticks), and the textured charger with the textured base. I chose a green color for my living room to go with my color scheme. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I then "Gorilla glued" the chargers and bases together. After they were completely dry, I spray painted!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> This is the end results below! (I don't like the red and green together because it reminds of of Christmas, so that stuff is just there until I can get something else.)</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KPGIE1CQYJg/Tnobfj2cMmI/AAAAAAAAAEI/VUttpRjWQtM/s1600/Green+Stand+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KPGIE1CQYJg/Tnobfj2cMmI/AAAAAAAAAEI/VUttpRjWQtM/s320/Green+Stand+collage.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z9Z9ChjvBS0/ToCcsbdF-9I/AAAAAAAAAE0/5jQjC5osvdo/s640/blogger-image-798583837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z9Z9ChjvBS0/ToCcsbdF-9I/AAAAAAAAAE0/5jQjC5osvdo/s320/blogger-image-798583837.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have these randoms on the green right now until I get different stuff to go on. Probably several different size candles is what I'll end up doing.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--90tYIcsP6A/ToChDpJcXrI/AAAAAAAAAE8/5XtLFhiMrx4/s640/blogger-image-297151804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--90tYIcsP6A/ToChDpJcXrI/AAAAAAAAAE8/5XtLFhiMrx4/s320/blogger-image-297151804.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The top of the bronze. I like that it has a textured rim as opposed to the smooth rim of the green!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8bTMLW2pQ2U/ToChEbU7JdI/AAAAAAAAAFA/-UcsfMHXj-c/s640/blogger-image-976024536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8bTMLW2pQ2U/ToChEbU7JdI/AAAAAAAAAFA/-UcsfMHXj-c/s320/blogger-image-976024536.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Finished product of the bronze.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0BQqnuwSgVk/ToCctYcAXKI/AAAAAAAAAE4/S2krXU5KqD0/s640/blogger-image--764606951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0BQqnuwSgVk/ToCctYcAXKI/AAAAAAAAAE4/S2krXU5KqD0/s320/blogger-image--764606951.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The bronze is in our bedroom right now and is currently serving as my jewelry catch-all! :)<br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>What do you think? Let me know!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">As for the next project... that's still undecided. However, I'm thinking about doing something with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><b>Hodge Podge!</b></span></span></div>Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-68182915750669185432011-09-23T23:00:00.000-07:002011-09-24T11:42:03.281-07:00It's Fall, Y'all!--Pumpkin Ooey Gooey Butter Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Happy Fall, Y'all!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KsddPOCPJeU/Tn1gsn-P3_I/AAAAAAAAAEo/tI9obZyPtwk/s1600/Fall+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KsddPOCPJeU/Tn1gsn-P3_I/AAAAAAAAAEo/tI9obZyPtwk/s320/Fall+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">I honestly don't know if I have ever been so excited to see fall in my entire life! This has been an unusually hot summer, even for Georgia, and I'm definitely ready for cool (not cold) weather.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Just today, I wore a light scarf, jeans, and boots...and it was still in the mid 80's today. But I can't help it--I've caught fall fever!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Tomorrow morning my church is having a ladies' event called "Taste of the Forest," (since we're Pine Forest Baptist Church--cute, right?) where you bring a food item to share plus the recipe to go in a church-wide cookbook. Well, I don't have many "original" recipes...but I'm pretty good at following them. :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">I've gone with a variation of Paula Deen's, "Ooey Gooey Butter Cake." It's PUMPKIN! I absolutely adore spiced, pumpkin-flavored anything, and I figured what better way to celebrate the beginning of my favorite season? :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;"><b>What you'll need...</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ELDraMmvis/Tn1pSMNI9LI/AAAAAAAAAEs/6TDyPBQ5lJ4/s1600/Ingredients+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ELDraMmvis/Tn1pSMNI9LI/AAAAAAAAAEs/6TDyPBQ5lJ4/s320/Ingredients+Collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1 (18 1/4 oz.) box yellow cake mix<br />
1 (15 oz.) can of pumpkin<br />
4 eggs<br />
1 (8 oz.) pkg cream cheese<br />
2 sticks of butter<br />
1 (16 oz.) box of powdered sugar<br />
1 tsp. vanilla extract<br />
1 tsp. cinnamon<br />
1 tsp. nutmeg<br />
**(I use additional cinnamon to taste, along with some all spice, ginger, and cloves because I like pumpkin good and spiced. You can also just use pumpkin pie spice if you like a spices on the mild side.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><u>Cake:</u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">cake mix</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">1 egg</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">1 stick of butter, melted</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">In large bowl, combine the entire package of cake mix, 1 egg, and one stick of butter melted and beat with electric hand mixer until well-blended. Pat mixture into a lightly greased 13 x 9 baking dish/pan.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><u>Filling:</u></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">cream cheese</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">pumpkin</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">3 eggs</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">1 stick of butter, melted</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">vanilla extract</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">powdered sugar</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;">spices</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">In a large bowl, beat pumpkin and cream cheese until smooth with an electric hand mixer. Beat in eggs, butter, and vanilla. Add powdered sugar and spices and mix well. Spread evenly over cake mixture.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><b>Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Once the temperature is reached, bake 40 to 50 minutes. Be careful not to overcook...the center should still be "gooey."</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Kh2lLe6Uhrg/Tn1tiox53NI/AAAAAAAAAEw/kaZigYU7NJM/s640/blogger-image--188286928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Kh2lLe6Uhrg/Tn1tiox53NI/AAAAAAAAAEw/kaZigYU7NJM/s640/blogger-image--188286928.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished "Pumpkin Ooey Gooey Butter Cake"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Don't ya like how a the left corner is gone?! haha. I had never made it, so I had to make sure it was tasty enough to 1.) take to "Taste of the Forest" and have put in a cookbook and 2.) share with y'all!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><b>Verdict:</b> <strike>Tasty</strike>, <strike>DELICIOUS</strike>, <b>SCRUMPTIOUS!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">I've always liked pumpkin pie, and this "takes the cake" over that any day! However, as you can see from the entire box of powdered sugar and 2 sticks of butter, it won't exactly shrink your waste line. But it's all good; we Southern folk' can handle a little extra butter now and then. ;)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">I hope y'all have a wonderful weekend of fall fun! Until next time!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;"><a href="http://www.justquotes.org/"><img src="http://www.justquotes.org/images/autumn-quotes-11.jpg" /></a></span></div>Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1057966950854397993.post-18519776028294131932011-09-18T18:28:00.000-07:002011-09-18T18:28:44.364-07:00Chicken & Dumplings (embarrassingly easy...I promise!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Chicken and Dumplings...</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It sounds daunting, I know! But it really, really doesn't have to be. I fully believe that it's alright to take short cuts as long as you aren't a professional chef! But in my opinion, these are better than -any- others I have had. However, this is my <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-size: large;">Mom's recipe</span></b> that I've grown up on, so I guess there's a chance it's just personal preference. However, as EASY as these are...you won't be out anything to try them for yourself and see! They're the ultimate comfort food for fall and winter.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><b>Here's what you'll need...</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-D6sR2l0nGFU/TnaQ7Ulhp4I/AAAAAAAAAD8/SkQaFq7BMLg/s640/blogger-image--527809059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-D6sR2l0nGFU/TnaQ7Ulhp4I/AAAAAAAAAD8/SkQaFq7BMLg/s400/blogger-image--527809059.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">32 oz. box of Chicken Broth </span>(you decide if you want low sodium or not)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 can of Cream of Chicken soup </span>(regular soup size can, unsure of the ounces)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 package <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">**</span>Mary Hill frozen dumplings </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">only use Mary Hill, other frozen dumplings aren't near as good. I know for a fact I've found them at Publix and Kroger...never tried anywhere else.</span>)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">Raw chicken (not pictured) </b>(I use 1 pkg. boneless thighs, but you can also use a small chicken. I don't suggest using all chicken breast because the flavor isn't as good. If anything, mix dark and white meat. Also, DO NOT use cooked chicken... you'll be very disappointed.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Black pepper to taste (I put a lot!)</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">**</span>Garlic salt/power to taste</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span>(<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">If you use low sodium broth, use garlic salt. If you use regular broth and soup, use garlic powder</span>)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Directions:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. Put your chicken on to boil. (Yes, boil, and only boil.) Fill up a large pot with enough water to cover the chicken (although the chicken isn't in there yet) and bring to a boil. When at a rapid boil, turn water to medium and add chicken. Keep temperature right below or at a low boil until chicken is done. Cooking time varies, but you can't "over cook" boiled chicken, so longer is better than not enough. Mine cooked for about 40 minutes I think, but it probably didn't need that long. As long as the internal chicken temperature reaches 165 degrees for 15 seconds, you're good. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Don't season the chicken water with anything at all. Only boil in water, not chicken broth. If you add anything, it'll be too salty.</span><span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. In a separate large pot, pour entire box of chicken broth and bring to a boil. When it reaches a boil, turn the stove setting to "low." Add each dumpling to the broth individually. When you're done adding the dumplings, give it a gentle stir.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. Add cream of chicken soup, garlic salt or powder, and black pepper and give it another gentle stir. Cover and cook for about 25 minutes, or until tender.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. When chicken is done, remove from water and cut into bite-size pieces. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Don't throw away the water! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. Add chicken to dumplings and gently stir until mixed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6. This part has to be done by "eye balling." Depending on how "wet" or "liquid" your dumplings are, you'll want to add some of the water the chicken was cooked in. Usually, anywhere from 1 to 3 ladles full. I used two, but depending on your tastes, you could us more or less.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">7. ENJOY! Goes well with green beans, collards, or mustard greens. However, it's great as one-dish meal!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Should look something like this...</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0mZr3lSVlww/TnaQ735OzcI/AAAAAAAAAEA/1gSQrtjUgho/s640/blogger-image--1974478095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0mZr3lSVlww/TnaQ735OzcI/AAAAAAAAAEA/1gSQrtjUgho/s640/blogger-image--1974478095.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I didn't take any step-by-step pictures, and the dumplings kind of broke when I put them in the container for leftovers, but you can hopefully tell how tasty they look!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's certainly not homemade dumplings and the recipe is embarrassingly easy (see, I told you!), but no one will know how easy it is. It truly doesn't taste like it or I wouldn't be sharing the recipe! I prefer this recipe to homemade dumplings, but that's my personal taste. Please, please try them and let me know what you think! (Even if you don't like them!) And if you're scared of boiling chicken, just trust me and do it. Also, if you typically dislike dark meat, I promise you'll like it in this recipe! However, you can use half white meat and half dark meat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have fun eating your comfort food, and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">H</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">P</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">P</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">y</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">F</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">L</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">L</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Y</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">'a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">L</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">L!</span></div>Deanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15205118116660336398noreply@blogger.com18