tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53540691354999936482024-03-14T00:16:49.768-07:00Fussy Monkey BusinessUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger475125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-37332074135036288122017-10-30T05:00:00.000-07:002017-10-30T07:12:58.066-07:00Growth-Part 4<div style="text-align: center;">
If you missed </div>
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<a href="http://fussymonkeybiz.blogspot.com/2017/10/growth-part-1.html">Part 1</a></div>
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<a href="http://fussymonkeybiz.blogspot.com/2017/10/growth-part-2.html">Part 2</a></div>
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and</div>
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<a href="http://fussymonkeybiz.blogspot.com/2017/10/growth-part-3.html">Part 3, </a></div>
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click the links above to catch up.</div>
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Anger.</div>
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That's where I left off from last time.</div>
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I was determined to hit the roads again, and run.</div>
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I was determined I would keep doing the things that I loved doing. </div>
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The things that I had become so dependent upon.</div>
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The very things that I was told I should no longer do.</div>
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The things that I </div>
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NEEDED </div>
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to do, especially when stress overcame me.</div>
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The sad part is, I was looking inward, and not upward.</div>
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This has not only been a physical and emotional journey;</div>
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it's been a spiritual journey.</div>
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As long as I can remember, I have always dealt with stress by being active.</div>
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Most people think I am calm...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSLxDNXE3fQEJCyi1ypHLZ6ahOsMVRI8PW_2sExAsbBWeO9IftiL3fV7ZNtcX-7IgX9w3E27E9unHWl6qaFZ-oUjp_HNYg4o5liFUSpEs_dfCwoUu9v-X0Cig2pSoBf0uOnFKOlfJY2c/s1600/maury-povich-lie-detector-meme-5-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="210" data-original-width="400" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSLxDNXE3fQEJCyi1ypHLZ6ahOsMVRI8PW_2sExAsbBWeO9IftiL3fV7ZNtcX-7IgX9w3E27E9unHWl6qaFZ-oUjp_HNYg4o5liFUSpEs_dfCwoUu9v-X0Cig2pSoBf0uOnFKOlfJY2c/s400/maury-povich-lie-detector-meme-5-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I internalize everything, so it gives off the appearance of "calm."</div>
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My family knows that I am a nut case.</div>
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And all that bottled up energy needs somewhere to go.</div>
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When I was younger, I would go outside and shoot basketball for hours...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWLtMqSpF9LjRLdzOQh6vwkI2xfEv9ItAP7FP4wt-cMBv1kqaxrmIMUx-XG3oKiF7x-1XNgJhat5VjawugNypQsy7bB51BU10yhYGxXhvUHss_Ree-Cyb4Ywmn_kpj4wLu-3rx5vYI_w/s1600/chris-traeger-literally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="650" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWLtMqSpF9LjRLdzOQh6vwkI2xfEv9ItAP7FP4wt-cMBv1kqaxrmIMUx-XG3oKiF7x-1XNgJhat5VjawugNypQsy7bB51BU10yhYGxXhvUHss_Ree-Cyb4Ywmn_kpj4wLu-3rx5vYI_w/s400/chris-traeger-literally.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The bouncing ball used to drive my mother bonkers. :-)</div>
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When I started homeschooling, running became my outlet.</div>
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In case you weren't aware...homeschooling can be a little stressful ;-)</div>
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So, I decided I no longer had Ehlers Danlos Syndrome...for all of 1 mile.</div>
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I tried multiple times, and every time I was reminded by my body that it was no longer able to do what I wanted it to do.</div>
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The stress had no where to go, so it manifested itself through nightmares.</div>
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I got to the point where I was afraid to go to sleep because I didn't know what horrible thing I would dream of next.</div>
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Every time I started to look inward, searching for an answer to alleviate the stress, the voice of the Lord would say, "It's Me you need, not running."</div>
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Being the control freak that I am, I dug my heals in, and said, "No. That's not what I want. I need to run. That's how I will get through all of this."</div>
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I can really picture God up there in heaven, sitting back, smiling, crossing his fingers across His chest, and saying, "Okay. I'll just sit here and wait until you're ready. Because you will change your mind."</div>
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And I did.</div>
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It took several months of anger, crying, being frustrated, and finally realizing that this was not going away.</div>
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I had to get over the feeling of hopelessness.</div>
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I also had to get through the guilt.</div>
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Why would I have guilt?</div>
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Because there is a 50% chance of passing Ehlers Danlos Syndrome to your children.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAap0hG-2BkRFSq9XtfqOdG6puUpn6naWYnoohJtIIXSiw6ms6SG4ZxyHZpYijuLwgDNJ8PqAz28skze_M7dIVQSAIYv2_EYT2TogmjcJgDfTr6G6rPp1u53JwG97PU4yLX75GxisVqzs/s1600/IMG-1624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAap0hG-2BkRFSq9XtfqOdG6puUpn6naWYnoohJtIIXSiw6ms6SG4ZxyHZpYijuLwgDNJ8PqAz28skze_M7dIVQSAIYv2_EYT2TogmjcJgDfTr6G6rPp1u53JwG97PU4yLX75GxisVqzs/s640/IMG-1624.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And that little girl right there has it.</div>
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She has not been formerly diagnosed because the geneticist wanted to wait until both were 12 years old before testing them.</div>
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However, she is on the same timeline that I was on.</div>
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She is my mini-me in every way imaginable.</div>
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She and I have shed a lot of tears together over the last few months.</div>
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Fortunately, the Lord has shown me grace and given me the strength and wisdom to help her work through some of the same mental road blocks.</div>
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Little man has not shown as many signs, thankfully. </div>
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He's bendy, but doesn't seem to struggle with the other symptoms. He's got his daddy's hardiness.</div>
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So what do I do to stay strong?</div>
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I hired a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/strongholdfitnesshsv/">personal trainer</a>, who comes to my house twice a week because I ain't got time to be running all over creation.;-)</div>
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She helps motivate me and keeps me on track.</div>
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We use <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Living-Life-Fullest-Ehlers-Danlos-Syndrome/dp/1478758880/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1508855882&sr=8-2&keywords=ehlers+danlos+syndrome+books">this book</a> as our guide book.</div>
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It's super boring and slow, but it really does make a difference.</div>
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At first, I wouldn't use it because I felt it was beneath me. The exercises were too easy.</div>
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Pride sure does get in my way, doesn't it?</div>
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But, after a few weeks of using it, and staying true to the exercises, my subluxations are becoming less frequent.</div>
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Hallelu-yer.</div>
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Ehlers Danlos patience will also show signs of gluten intolerance and symptoms of Celiacs disease without being officially diagnosed.</div>
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We switched over to Paleo, and it has made a world of difference in both of us.</div>
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Joint pain and stomach pain have decreased in both of us, and we generally just feel better.</div>
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Sister is on acid reflux medicine currently, and we're hoping to get her off of that in a few weeks. </div>
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I'm also working on a supplement plan that is catered to my needs.</div>
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There are days when life is great, I'm feeling good, and the acceptance is there, and then there are days when I feel terrible, and everything hurts, and I get angry about it.</div>
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The ick days are when I have to lean extra hard on God.</div>
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And can I just say that hubby has been my rock through this whole process. He has been so patient, and kind. He has watched me battle internally this entire year.</div>
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He is there to hold me when I need a shoulder to cry on.</div>
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He is there when I need a voice of reason.</div>
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He is there to pray for me.</div>
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He is there.</div>
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No matter how awful I feel, I have him.</div>
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I have my children.</div>
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I have God.</div>
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Therefore, I want for nothing.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-16918048367707115012017-10-27T05:00:00.000-07:002017-10-27T05:00:05.612-07:00Growth- Part 3<div style="text-align: center;">
If you missed </div>
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<a href="http://fussymonkeybiz.blogspot.com/2017/10/growth-part-1.html">part 1 </a></div>
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and </div>
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<a href="http://fussymonkeybiz.blogspot.com/2017/10/growth-part-2.html">part 2, </a></div>
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you can click the links so you can catch up.</div>
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This post has been a lot harder to write than I anticipated. There have been a flood of emotions as I go back through everything I have been through over these past few months.</div>
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However, it's been interesting to think back through the journey, and see how God has been there every step of the way. </div>
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Picking up where I left off...</div>
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The physical therapists that I visited for all of my running ailments had an in-service day where they were learning how to treat a particular syndrome. </div>
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All three girls who had been working on me agreed that there was a chance this was what I was suffering from. </div>
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There is a quick test you can do to see if you qualify for further testing. It's called the <a href="https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/assessing-joint-hypermobility/">Beighton Score</a>.</div>
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If you look at the picture below, you can see the different things that are tested. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Jf-GoeFa_xjqUzKyVHvZyLkDDqRiB4QDZhwb4pxniboQW4ZRKi6Tpo-wD2ajopNWmxg_fa_dUaWsQNvV67RRSKxaJaFHqXs8jCLRxahXZxVUGzJOQiC-_15HDC0m90q94-s2NCKXxqg/s1600/Beighton-Score-2017-grfx.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="345" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Jf-GoeFa_xjqUzKyVHvZyLkDDqRiB4QDZhwb4pxniboQW4ZRKi6Tpo-wD2ajopNWmxg_fa_dUaWsQNvV67RRSKxaJaFHqXs8jCLRxahXZxVUGzJOQiC-_15HDC0m90q94-s2NCKXxqg/s640/Beighton-Score-2017-grfx.png" width="238" /></a></div>
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I scored 9 out of 9. :-(</div>
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So that got the ball rolling in forming a diagnosis.</div>
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The physical therapists contacted my doctor, who in turn scheduled an appointment with a geneticist. I had to wait three months in order to see this particular doctor, and we had to travel 2 hours to see him.</div>
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May 8, 2017, I was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Hypermobility Type.</div>
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That day is pretty much a blur. </div>
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I was asked all sorts of random questions (or what seemed to be random) which all pointed back to this diagnosis. </div>
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I remember breaking down when he told me I had it.</div>
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I remember my sweet babies trying to comfort me because they don't like it when they see their momma cry.</div>
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I remember my sweet husband sitting there, being a rock for me. (I love that guy so much!)</div>
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Even though this was a tough day for me, it was also the answer to all of my health questions over the years.</div>
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There are 6 different strands (I think) of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. The geneticist told me not to google it because it would scare me to death...so I heeded his advice ;-)</div>
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Hypermobility Type is what I have. </div>
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There is also a spectrum for the Hypermobility type, and I am on the top end, thankfully.</div>
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Because I have been active my entire life, I have been able to "stay in place" a little better, and stay strong.</div>
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I did take a hit emotionally, though.</div>
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I now have to see a cardiologist every year to make sure that my heart looks good. </div>
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In some patients, the heart is effected. I believe the arteries can collapse due to over-elasticity.</div>
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That was very scary to hear.</div>
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However, my heart is in perfect shape.</div>
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Praise!</div>
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I have to have a bone density scan every year...something I knew would eventually come...you know, when I was O.L.D. ;-)</div>
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And thankfully my bones look great.</div>
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Another praise.</div>
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I am no longer supposed to run, due to the impact on my joints. I cannot produce collagen like a normal person, which plays an important role in building joint cartilage. Taking collagen supplements does not make it better.</div>
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Not being able to run...Knife to the gut right there. </div>
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I also am not supposed to lift weights, get on a treadmill or an elliptical machine.</div>
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I am not supposed to stretch because that makes my symptoms worse.</div>
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In order to feel like I get a deep stretch, I have to go further than a normal person which makes the joints looser.</div>
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I feel the need to stretch constantly because my body is in a state of constant tension. It's doing it's best to stay together.</div>
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So everything I have been doing over the years to stay fit and healthy were taken away from me, and that made me angry.</div>
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Two weeks after my diagnosis, I decided I no longer had Ehlers Danlos, and I was going to do what I wanted to do...and as you would have guessed, that didn't work.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-59036503946122162812017-10-25T05:00:00.000-07:002017-10-25T05:00:18.325-07:00Non-Candy Halloween Options for the Teal Pumpkin Project<div style="text-align: center;">
Are you guys finished with your Halloween preparations?</div>
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We are still in the process of getting all of our ducks in a row.</div>
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I do have our <a href="http://fussymonkeybiz.blogspot.com/2017/10/teal-pumpkin.html">non-candy treats</a> squared away, fortunately.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrPaW5ZmJFb9wwQ5g_QK3LEEcgbG9z_hyphenhyphenI3DOJDki8yWf6JG4w1w9phqBZ6Nyw3DIePm9CNycZXtMTfQkZfnBbQ54No2AG1FUdt4RK3dXTP5B5SOF_k3tFBYOndd-k9hpOyneksfkVoM/s1600/IMG-1633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrPaW5ZmJFb9wwQ5g_QK3LEEcgbG9z_hyphenhyphenI3DOJDki8yWf6JG4w1w9phqBZ6Nyw3DIePm9CNycZXtMTfQkZfnBbQ54No2AG1FUdt4RK3dXTP5B5SOF_k3tFBYOndd-k9hpOyneksfkVoM/s640/IMG-1633.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I purchased all of these items from Amazon.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwr1hgdBtMk_LXySRJJvvARXKw7Dao4wMYIkjSHrqK288z7X6z2DfgQKC6TYdZi4lR7kM_s5iuTQI1oCLzPtin55VyQZuAscj2FBXuvx02cVg8nXy3IR4m0_5nDsFaMz65IyutP7y0JY8/s1600/IMG-1630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwr1hgdBtMk_LXySRJJvvARXKw7Dao4wMYIkjSHrqK288z7X6z2DfgQKC6TYdZi4lR7kM_s5iuTQI1oCLzPtin55VyQZuAscj2FBXuvx02cVg8nXy3IR4m0_5nDsFaMz65IyutP7y0JY8/s640/IMG-1630.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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They were pretty inexpensive, and I hope they are a hit with the kiddos that come through our neighborhood.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fwhuSXN-K6NGccTsqNQuxsbUbou_RUgf-trHl3QERpi1Zc0rsmRmS7fUtDUKYUYEdiAk8hljKBNWA0FTTVgS768k1-ys3IPIeiHWNN2BYyvDYkRIS50lUqtHCfMMBGEK0pRRyhWNypI/s1600/IMG-1631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fwhuSXN-K6NGccTsqNQuxsbUbou_RUgf-trHl3QERpi1Zc0rsmRmS7fUtDUKYUYEdiAk8hljKBNWA0FTTVgS768k1-ys3IPIeiHWNN2BYyvDYkRIS50lUqtHCfMMBGEK0pRRyhWNypI/s640/IMG-1631.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Laser finger beams, sparkle rings, miniature turtle erasers, and sticky hands are what I will be giving out.</div>
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Since these are pretty small, I will probably be handing out something like Pirate Booty for the ones who are extra little (3 years old and under).</div>
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All that we have left to do is finish Sister's costume. She's decided she is going to be a zombie bride.</div>
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(insert eye roll)</div>
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I hate it. </div>
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I wanted her to be something cutesy and non-evil, but that's not what she wants.</div>
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We have to make the costume because everything online was too gory. I hate zombies. I think all of you who love The Walking Dead are a bunch of W.E.I.R.D.O.S. ;-)</div>
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How is it possible to enjoy your nightmares come to life??</div>
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My boy is going to be a pumpkin goblin.</div>
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I'm just glad he wants to participate.</div>
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He usually wears a costume long enough for pictures and rips it off due to embarassment.</div>
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We'll see how it goes this year!</div>
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I will be going as Cinderella this year, and I cannot wait to wear my dress.</div>
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Last year I went as Snow White, and can I just say it is so much fun being a princess!</div>
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Do you know how precious those little girls were when they got to meet Snow White??</div>
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I'm hoping this year will be even better.</div>
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We're still working on a costume for hubby. I believe it will involve the purple velvet sombrero we were gifted for last year's dirty Santa. Ha!</div>
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So do you dress up for Halloween?</div>
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I'd love to hear what you're going to be if you do.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-26863153502194878732017-10-23T05:00:00.000-07:002017-10-23T11:36:07.484-07:00Growth-Part 2<div style="text-align: center;">
In my last post, I left you hanging.</div>
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Sorry about that.</div>
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I hate cliff hangers. </div>
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So, I get it. </div>
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However, because there is so much to share about this journey, I felt the need to break it up into several smaller posts.</div>
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I left off where my world was about to be turned upside down.</div>
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After the races at Disney, I took a week or so off from running to allow my legs a break. When it was all said and done, I clocked over 100 miles that week between the races and all the walking in the parks.</div>
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I tried to get back into my regular running routine because I had another half marathon coming up in a month, and I needed to stay in shape for that.</div>
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But...</div>
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I.could.not.run.</div>
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My IT bands (a band that stretches from your knee all the way up to your hip) would not loosen up.This is a common injury among runners, and it's due to hip instability.</div>
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Here again, I thought I was just like everyone else.</div>
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I just needed a little physical therapy and everything would be fine.</div>
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I was not missing this next race for anything.</div>
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Hubby was running, and it was his first half marathon.</div>
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I wanted to share that with him.</div>
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And I did.</div>
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I WALKED 11 of the 13 miles because I couldn't run. </div>
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It hurt too bad.</div>
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However, it was fun, and it's a memory I will always cherish.</div>
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I realized after that race it was time to take an extended break, and really hunker down with physical therapy.</div>
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The therapists worked so hard to help me find relief.</div>
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Bless 'em.</div>
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They guided me in hip strengthening exercises, they massaged my IT bands, and they even did dry needling (which hurts like the dickens!! I almost passed out the first time).</div>
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Nothing seemed to work. </div>
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I got tired of the therapy not giving me the results I wanted, and as much as I loved the girls who were working on me, I was really tired of seeing their faces.</div>
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So I quit going.</div>
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I had other things to focus on like my <a href="http://fussymonkeybiz.blogspot.com/search?q=bachelorette+weekend">sister's wedding</a>.</div>
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The weeks turned into months, and running was no longer and option. This disturbed me greatly because running was my outlet with homeschooling. </div>
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It was imperative that I run in order to cope.</div>
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I was a much nicer person when I could run.</div>
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Also, I could eat whatever I wanted, and it not really effect my weight.</div>
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Since my coping mechanism had been postponed until a later date, I began to deal with my stress in other ways.</div>
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I ate my feelings.</div>
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And folks, when you eat your feelings, your skinny jeans become vulgar.</div>
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Just sayin'.</div>
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I started gaining weight.</div>
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I wear a lot of Matilda Jane clothing, and that stuff just stretches along with you.</div>
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You don't know how much you have gained until you go to put on your jeans, and the waistband stops at the base of your saddle bags and says loud and clear, "I ain't doin' it."</div>
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Even though I had ditched my physical therapists, they did not forget me.</div>
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I thank the Lord for their dedication and their kindness because they were able to figure out what was going on with me, and get me to the right doctor, to properly diagnose me.</div>
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Never in a million years would I have dreamed I would end up in a geneticists office.</div>
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<br />
<br />
To read Part 1, click<br />
<a href="http://fussymonkeybiz.blogspot.com/2017/10/growth-part-1.html">HERE</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-49620906065889241542017-10-18T05:00:00.000-07:002017-10-18T05:00:13.930-07:00Growth-Part 1<div style="text-align: center;">
I have made mention a few times that we switched over to Paleo for health reasons, but I never divulged why. </div>
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Over the last 5 months, I have been on a new health journey, and it has been one of the hardest things to do mentally, spiritually, and physically.</div>
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Feelings of hopelessness have been overwhelming at times. </div>
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Deep depression set in for a bit...something that I previously thought only the "mentally weak" struggled with (a prideful thought on my part).</div>
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There has been a lot of anger mixed with grief.</div>
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And my family has suffered right along with me because all of these feelings weren't staying bottled up. </div>
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So basically the five stages of grief, minus the bargaining stage because I don't bargain. </div>
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Unless it's at a thrift store or a yard sale ;-)</div>
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I finally feel like I am in the stage of acceptance. I have pulled myself up by the boot straps, and I'm no longer fighting against who I am and how I am made.</div>
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I'm just going with it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So a little history for you...</div>
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I have struggled with digestive issues as long as I can remember. </div>
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I have memories of lying in front of the toilet of our little farm house in Tennessee, clenching my stomach, and sobbing because the pain was so intense.</div>
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I was diagnosed with IBS in elementary school, after a humiliating visit to the doctor, and just went about life after that...taking Milk of Magnesia (the worst tasting over-the-counter medicine known to any child of the 80's) when my symptoms would flare.<br />
(That's me on the far right...my dress looks like it should have been wrapped around an arm chair instead of a child, HA!!)<br />
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I also struggled with other health related issues along the way, but they all seemed to be random.</div>
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I could do funny tricks with my elbows and fingers, and could gross people out with how bendy I was. Unfortunately, my "bendiness" started causing problems when playing basketball in high school.</div>
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I believe it was my freshman year when I reached in to steal a ball, that my shoulder subluxed (partial dislocation). </div>
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Super painful.</div>
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From there on out, I suffered from shoulder subluxations frequently.</div>
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My senior year, I turned my ankle, a common basketball injury, so it didn't seem out of the ordinary.</div>
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I continued to have issues throughout my years of college basketball, and when you play contact sports, you assume that injuries will be par for the course.</div>
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I wore ankle braces on both ankles, and constantly sprained them WITH the ankle braces on. </div>
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I had surgery on my shoulder as a junior in college to tighten the ligaments because the subluxations were getting so nasty that all I had to do was sneeze and my shoulder would pop out. </div>
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Gross, I know.</div>
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Fast forward a few years...</div>
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Pregnancy opened new doors to new subluxations.</div>
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I had to go to physical therapy during both pregnancies because my hips started to sublux. The physical therapists worked on tightening the muscles around my hip flexors so I could walk without falling apart.</div>
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It didn't seem too out-of-the-ordinary because I had always heard that when you're pregnant, things start to loosen and spread apart. </div>
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I thought it was normal.</div>
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And things calmed down a bit after the babies were born, thankfully.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Six years ago, I started running. </div>
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It was a great way to relieve stress, and it was helping all my joints stay in place. I was becoming stronger again, and I was feeling great.</div>
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There were injuries along the way, but I didn't care.</div>
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That was normal for me, and I just pushed through.</div>
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I ran my first half marathon in Nashville TN, and I was super proud of myself.</div>
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I didn't run the entire way because I started to struggle with my IT bands tightening up, but I finished.</div>
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I had caught the running bug, and in a sense, taken on apart of my old identity as an athlete.</div>
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I have several half marathons under my belt, and my biggest accomplishments were competing in weekend challenges where I would run or bike in multiple races over the course of two days.<br />
I keep all of my (participation) medals and trophies in my craft closet because, let's be honest, nobody cares :-D!!<br />
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<br />
The Disney Princess Half Marathon weekend will always and forever be my favorite challenge to participate in.<br />
The Glass Slipper Challenge, a10K race followed by a half marathon the next day, was what started my body's downward spiral.<br />
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Little did I know that this would be the end of running for me.<br />
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To hear more, make sure to come back.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-17913594659410935712017-10-16T05:00:00.000-07:002017-10-16T05:00:32.664-07:00Teal Pumpkin <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We have enjoyed two full weeks off from school, and it has been amazing!! A break that we definitely needed. All three of us were starting to go a little batty.</div>
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I have been able to knock out so many things on my to-do list. Things that are a little harder to tackle when we are busy with school work.</div>
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One of the tasks at hand was diving a little deeper into Paleo cooking. Sister and I struggle with intestinal and stomach issues, and Paleo seems to be a great option for us. </div>
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We are using Danielle Walker's Against All Grain Cookbooks, and we have not been disappointed. </div>
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The food has been delicious and our stomachs are much happier.</div>
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Since we have taken on this new style of eating, it has opened my eyes to the world of food intolerance and food-related allergies.</div>
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Halloween candy is definitely a big no-no for those who fall into that category.</div>
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Have you guys heard of the <a href="https://www.foodallergy.org/education-awareness/teal-pumpkin-project" target="_blank">Teal Pumpkin Project </a>. </div>
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We will be participating in it this year, and to let other families know that we are handing out non-candy alternatives, we have our very own teal pumpkin on our front porch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5myMHk-UmdyfXLTTbMwb6yRnuGTAS67qF7AnXXfjtxhhJLjUxl-HnsCEuxZ5UUwIj1KCJl9wvxJEg6eur-Z5wPLKujF32lhPnZo7Gqj-fswj52iY6aLuV5mMT_uK2DUdMwwVE6Fp_St0/s1600/IMG-1561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5myMHk-UmdyfXLTTbMwb6yRnuGTAS67qF7AnXXfjtxhhJLjUxl-HnsCEuxZ5UUwIj1KCJl9wvxJEg6eur-Z5wPLKujF32lhPnZo7Gqj-fswj52iY6aLuV5mMT_uK2DUdMwwVE6Fp_St0/s640/IMG-1561.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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This is what our little pumpkin looked like when we found him at the thrift store. He was a whopping $1.</div>
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Breakin' the bank, I tell ya.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVFtAgW1ypBA74AdeVGOGHHIO9DBmfB1Rq4Ho3egOjawI1FAp3TI4ysQwbr3Eu5WabOzWhalspF_ez6WDCOU_jn4J9GjrwlGNMXLDQtTL3lfE0gEfz6pdgQJ_t2hSuFk1rc9LIpRDdNI/s1600/IMG-1557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVFtAgW1ypBA74AdeVGOGHHIO9DBmfB1Rq4Ho3egOjawI1FAp3TI4ysQwbr3Eu5WabOzWhalspF_ez6WDCOU_jn4J9GjrwlGNMXLDQtTL3lfE0gEfz6pdgQJ_t2hSuFk1rc9LIpRDdNI/s640/IMG-1557.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Fortunately, I had turquoise paint sitting around.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVxcmsKr7rvVlqV6uY8YAp7plbaxDKmsnPULTEk68ZM8Np72xiKPY8KynIUTYaQIfwfdhVqItCGYPGfFhez1kmvNhvk1J0M9Isjjjowuh10lOVfeVr4rsmeweXcQOt6jTCcORIeZ4yzA/s1600/IMG-1559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVxcmsKr7rvVlqV6uY8YAp7plbaxDKmsnPULTEk68ZM8Np72xiKPY8KynIUTYaQIfwfdhVqItCGYPGfFhez1kmvNhvk1J0M9Isjjjowuh10lOVfeVr4rsmeweXcQOt6jTCcORIeZ4yzA/s640/IMG-1559.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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The pumpkin took two coats of paint.</div>
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While it was drying, I drank my afternoon coffee from my new coffee mug.</div>
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You can find the vinyl decal <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/550379181/hocus-pocus-vinyl-decal-car-laptop-wine" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</div>
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Can you name the movie this quote comes from??</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNvU6sfvz9OjUdcmHjqr89YT7hH5HdiZKmVD8Uvn4PLIcnU8Wl_hluDDBTFfk6G3LUxzcTia5dNg5JwxRDGuctngZjipYm-K3YoH7r7m0oY-VaVLm9J5_5FdS-lhAK62ZMsfTn3LlM5I/s1600/IMG-1560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNvU6sfvz9OjUdcmHjqr89YT7hH5HdiZKmVD8Uvn4PLIcnU8Wl_hluDDBTFfk6G3LUxzcTia5dNg5JwxRDGuctngZjipYm-K3YoH7r7m0oY-VaVLm9J5_5FdS-lhAK62ZMsfTn3LlM5I/s640/IMG-1560.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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After the pumpkin dried completely, I decided to glam it up a bit. </div>
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I used Modge Podge on the stem, and added rose gold glitter.</div>
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Perfect.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6aZYHGfS-HeXeigk4dxExb107oJfEnOMwVOqRSrNpRqbcDg_ZcdO3wmhFlf1uQGY_ObdWHtZghSzRb_gp6SEs4Fv1dAq0MygRDh0ao3VxdeUivyfLk07as-oCn1drV50Gf2a7v4X3qF0/s1600/IMG-1562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6aZYHGfS-HeXeigk4dxExb107oJfEnOMwVOqRSrNpRqbcDg_ZcdO3wmhFlf1uQGY_ObdWHtZghSzRb_gp6SEs4Fv1dAq0MygRDh0ao3VxdeUivyfLk07as-oCn1drV50Gf2a7v4X3qF0/s640/IMG-1562.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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All he needs is a little candle to make him glow :-)</div>
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Who else is participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project this year?</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-31830157853037006972017-10-13T05:00:00.000-07:002017-10-13T13:49:50.171-07:00Fall/Halloween Home Tour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Good Morning Friends!</div>
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Are you guys ready for Halloween?? </div>
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Our house has been decorated, costumes have been purchased (even for myself), and the Fall baking has begun.</div>
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We are so excited for the upcoming holiday season!! </div>
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I have lots of Halloween decor, but I don't usually put out the creepy stuff until the day of Halloween because it doesn't really go with the rest of my decor. I will most likely take pictures, but I won't be blogging about it, so make sure you are following me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/castlebound_with_crystal/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. I will be sharing the pictures and videos on my "stories."</div>
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So today, you'll get to see the "non-creepy" decorations ;-)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_GgT3pMD7HukWudrEnG4Wbz4Z-8TBMKfrrBSrxTYX97_6-COL69WxxeW4hUpmxAj3AkFFnVJLVsSvdqsdnczII-RMy1aOq0eQlcyP1n0MCvGtOU8GN-mj58v4TDDnjxWoCyTJETgI2U/s1600/IMG_1568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_GgT3pMD7HukWudrEnG4Wbz4Z-8TBMKfrrBSrxTYX97_6-COL69WxxeW4hUpmxAj3AkFFnVJLVsSvdqsdnczII-RMy1aOq0eQlcyP1n0MCvGtOU8GN-mj58v4TDDnjxWoCyTJETgI2U/s640/IMG_1568.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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If you notice, my front porch isn't covered with any real pumpkins...we haven't been to the pumpkin patch yet. :-) That's on next week's agenda.</div>
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We have become a Paleo family, so gluten and processed sugars are out for us. Sister also got braces this week, so we sympathize with the non-candy families out there. This year, we will be handing out treats that are allergy friendly, hence the turquoise pumpkin.</div>
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Check back to see the process of how I transformed this little guy I picked up from the thrift store the other day. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5myMHk-UmdyfXLTTbMwb6yRnuGTAS67qF7AnXXfjtxhhJLjUxl-HnsCEuxZ5UUwIj1KCJl9wvxJEg6eur-Z5wPLKujF32lhPnZo7Gqj-fswj52iY6aLuV5mMT_uK2DUdMwwVE6Fp_St0/s1600/IMG-1561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5myMHk-UmdyfXLTTbMwb6yRnuGTAS67qF7AnXXfjtxhhJLjUxl-HnsCEuxZ5UUwIj1KCJl9wvxJEg6eur-Z5wPLKujF32lhPnZo7Gqj-fswj52iY6aLuV5mMT_uK2DUdMwwVE6Fp_St0/s640/IMG-1561.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Here's our fireplace mantel. Fairly simple, with just a few touches of Halloween.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Q8aOkyFqNOa7TdTmTotSINi8N8-J8xf4JKrEwstuHH0rBSIVfhQJ8Vt0NflsOEI-oxYzBMzQ23_6i7DgT8cSkAMn9xPUA_Tnx3LEnQnCqFO6ZwXZmiG4uNxiA71fUp5Z43Gdswjopi4/s1600/IMG-1564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Q8aOkyFqNOa7TdTmTotSINi8N8-J8xf4JKrEwstuHH0rBSIVfhQJ8Vt0NflsOEI-oxYzBMzQ23_6i7DgT8cSkAMn9xPUA_Tnx3LEnQnCqFO6ZwXZmiG4uNxiA71fUp5Z43Gdswjopi4/s640/IMG-1564.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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And my interchangeable hymnal wreath with the Halloween center. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3h_FcHheogv3ebm7F9SBoPboStjoTvYZuYgONltX_I9KSheqZ3jqEtOiJlomkZsj4_sqhjXRiodafc5FcB1gZcPHbwvmKeIXfxScBto9Gp0ykd5MGbi9PcUAwBW1iDbQ9ir1ssUTFir8/s1600/IMG-1556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3h_FcHheogv3ebm7F9SBoPboStjoTvYZuYgONltX_I9KSheqZ3jqEtOiJlomkZsj4_sqhjXRiodafc5FcB1gZcPHbwvmKeIXfxScBto9Gp0ykd5MGbi9PcUAwBW1iDbQ9ir1ssUTFir8/s640/IMG-1556.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I like to have my Fall decor carry me all the way through Thanksgiving if possible. </div>
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I found this quote on Pinterest, and loved it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLKO786vvMazg1wAygMZ9CtG6trw5p4e90TVPrZIQ4OIZnszj3SK8HiO0IZSlJftEnlPNN6WSTKkHXI85_HxrvtC2EwcMcCNAJN7Ormk86bmHQrae8jAOnzK3Rq0ccRM-9Fj2U6mk6JI/s1600/IMG_1569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLKO786vvMazg1wAygMZ9CtG6trw5p4e90TVPrZIQ4OIZnszj3SK8HiO0IZSlJftEnlPNN6WSTKkHXI85_HxrvtC2EwcMcCNAJN7Ormk86bmHQrae8jAOnzK3Rq0ccRM-9Fj2U6mk6JI/s640/IMG_1569.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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This little pumpkin sign is a new addition this year. I purchased it from <a href="http://www.handmadeutah.com/store/p569/Fall_Pumpkin.html" target="_blank">2crafty4myskirt</a>. I have been following Alese on Instagram for a few weeks now, and her signs are super cute.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5vRlSG1T1rgr0YhIZB0NIEmsX7BeXnqVKpy37i5jNX3Z1tciwe5euSi7sYujW4oEDnYa5BlQfxFUO2inPcJtNMTNUvt2SHM9QpyR8H2r8R5rXF89hC7rfGH7J39hIe9CGq9ZSvbDOsc/s1600/IMG_E1517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5vRlSG1T1rgr0YhIZB0NIEmsX7BeXnqVKpy37i5jNX3Z1tciwe5euSi7sYujW4oEDnYa5BlQfxFUO2inPcJtNMTNUvt2SHM9QpyR8H2r8R5rXF89hC7rfGH7J39hIe9CGq9ZSvbDOsc/s640/IMG_E1517.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Confession time:</div>
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I am fighting the urge to bring out all my Christmas decor. </div>
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Ridiculous, I know. </div>
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This year I will have to show some restraint because we are hosting Thanksgiving at our house. </div>
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I won't put Christmas decorations out until the day after Thanksgiving. </div>
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It's going to be so hard!! </div>
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(First world problems).<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-24754445062917116322017-10-10T06:23:00.000-07:002017-10-10T06:23:15.789-07:00I'm Still Here...Wow! Long time no see, right? I didn't realize how long it had been until I received an email about my blog a few days ago. It made me realize how much I miss blogging, and the connection to the outside world. I actually started this blog after spending 5 solid months with sick babies who caught everything imaginable, and I had not seen any adults outside of hubby and the doctor during that span of time(slight exaggeration, but it was almost that bad). I needed a way to connect with humanity, and blogging provided that connection. Here lately I have felt extremely isolated due to our season of life. A feeling I know a lot of mommas and daddys feel at one point or another when in the throes of child rearing.<br />
Our lives are so busy right now with homeschool, our Classical Conversations community, church, Taekwondo, and golf(new to us...and I love it) that I have barely been able to keep my head above water at times. That's just the stuff we have to do with the kids. Somewhere in the midst of all that I am a wife, a hair stylist (once a month), and a travel agent(which I also LOVE). There have been moments where I have literally broken down into tears with just feeling completely overwhelmed with everything that needs to get done in a day.<br />
Last night I woke up at 1:30 a.m., and could not get my mind to turn off. I could not stop thinking about all of the things I have ahead of me in the coming weeks. So many opportunities, and every one of them are blessings...but it takes time and planning for those to come about. I am at a point where I feel the need to drop a thing or two, but then there's this little thing called commitment, and there are people depending on me. It will all work out, I just need to quit putting the cart before the horse :-)<br />
We have had so many changes come about in our family this year, and I do plan on sharing them. This has been a year of spiritual and mental growth for me, and I have fought it tooth and nail the entire way. I look forward to sharing the journey that I have been on, as well as my family's journey, so I hope that you will keep checking back to see what we have been up to.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKWe4aBa_7qCYP_9hxgHA6Jl7oZ4-mutQfsq4abm1PkmMUaoX8fHCmx_RL48tEjn_Ti5TkaDTUAQ6xpDZGPyysYBF9wUphdz58GooSmClPgAzPCZdKR8voDNxqVAmXPBtbEok3nV1zVI/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKWe4aBa_7qCYP_9hxgHA6Jl7oZ4-mutQfsq4abm1PkmMUaoX8fHCmx_RL48tEjn_Ti5TkaDTUAQ6xpDZGPyysYBF9wUphdz58GooSmClPgAzPCZdKR8voDNxqVAmXPBtbEok3nV1zVI/s640/IMG_1304.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Until then... :-)</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-57784995222100765792017-01-05T09:03:00.001-08:002017-01-05T09:03:57.752-08:00Our Portion of FaithIt has literally been forever and a day since I have posted here, but I felt a tug at the heart. Most of the time this blog is dedicated to DIY and home decor. Occasionally, though, I share my faith. Today seems to be one of those days. I have had a few conversations lately that made me want to dive a little deeper into the thought of "Bearing one another's burdens." Mind you, there is nothing earth-shattering here. Just my thoughts.<br />
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We are told in Galatians 6:2, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." For most of us who follow the Christian faith, we ignore this verse. We really don't want to air our dirty laundry, or hear about someone else's...especially in this day and age when everything posted on social media portrays our "highlight reel." Granted, we probably have a select few in whom we will divulge our secrets, but for the most part we keep our problems to ourselves. When someone is brave enough to reveal their struggles, we tend to listen for just a bit, and then go on with our daily lives. If that brave soul continues to share on a regular basis, we eventually roll our eyes and run in the other direction and hide. I'm sure each of us can think of at least one person who fits that description. If you can't...you may be that person...I'm kidding!! I remember when I was younger there being certain women in the church who would come forward after the sermon (regularly), asking for prayers. After a few times, it became sort of a joke, and even annoying because it was cutting into lunch time. It was especially irritating if the preacher had been long-winded that day. Shameful, I know, but those thoughts did run through my mind. :-)<br />
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Bearing each others' burdens requires slowing down, looking up from our screens, and making eye contact, as well as soul contact. I don't believe that we are required to personally take on someone else's burden as our own. The Psalmist writes, <b>“</b>Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved<b>” (</b><span style="color: black;">Psalm 55:22</span><b>) </b>In some instances, we can help lessen the load, but other times, circumstances won't allow it. However, there are some very important things we can do. We can listen, and we can pray.<br />
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Listening to someone unload can be downright exhausting, especially when they are going through a trying time. As a hair stylist, I get to hear A LOT about someone when they are sitting in my chair. Sometimes it's good news, and then other times it's just awful, and all that person really needs is an ear to listen. Two things I have had to learn as a listener, though. 1.) I cannot make these burdens my own, and 2.) I cannot compare my life to theirs. Those are difficult lessons to learn, and ones that I haven't quite mastered. There have been several times where I have literally dropped to my knees in tears for friends or family who were suffering, asking God to lessen their load. And it can be especially frustrating when you don't see immediate results. The bible tells us that patience is a "fruit."<br />
Gal. 5:22<br />
<span class="text Gal-5-22" id="en-ESV-29168"><sup class="versenum">22 </sup>But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,<b> patience</b>, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,</span> <span class="text Gal-5-23" id="en-ESV-29169"><sup class="versenum">23 </sup>gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.</span><br />
<span class="text Gal-5-23" id="en-ESV-29169">For me, patience is a lemon...still a fruit, but sour to taste. :-) </span> <br />
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We have several examples in the bible where strong leaders were either praying intercessory prayers, or asking for them. Christ, when He was about to be led to the cross, prays for His disciples because He knows the trials they will face. Paul requested from the church at Ephesus “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the
Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and
supplication for all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given
to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the
gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains” (Ephesians 6:18-20).<br />
We must pray for those who are burdened, but have the understanding that everything is done in God's time.<br />
I mentioned earlier that we cannot compare our lives to the ones for whom we are praying. It's really hard when we see others who seem to be doing more than us. Who seem to be killing it in God's kingdom. Who are completely on fire for God's cause. And when they become burdened, it causes us to take a moments pause and reevaluate our own lives. Maybe even bring about guilt in what we see as our own shortcomings as a Christian. Why aren't we doing more for the kingdom? Should we be doing this or that to bring more souls to Christ? However, in that moment, we must realize everyone has been given a "measure of faith" by God.<br />
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Romans 12 says:<br />
<span class="text Rom-12-3"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.</span> <span class="text Rom-12-4" id="en-ESV-28234"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>For as in one body we have many members,<sup class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-28234e" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-28234e" title="See footnote e">e</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom+12&version=ESV#fen-ESV-28234e" title="See footnote e">e</a>]</sup> and the members do not all have the same function,</span> <span class="text Rom-12-5" id="en-ESV-28235"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.</span> <span class="text Rom-12-6" id="en-ESV-28236"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;</span> <span class="text Rom-12-7" id="en-ESV-28237"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;</span> <span class="text Rom-12-8" id="en-ESV-28238"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads,<sup class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-28238f" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-28238f" title="See footnote f">f</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom+12&version=ESV#fen-ESV-28238f" title="See footnote f">f</a>]</sup> with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.</span><br />
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<span class="text Rom-12-8" id="en-ESV-28238">We do not all have the "same function" or the same "gifts." We are all wired differently, and it's 100% ok. We should focus on the gifts that God has given us and make the most of them. Comparison and guilt kill joy, and they cause us to focus inward instead of outward. How can it be possible to help those who are burdened if we are dwelling on what we perceive to be our shortcomings? </span><br />
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<span class="text Rom-12-8" id="en-ESV-28238">All in all, the only way I have found it possible to "bear another's burdens" is to lie those burdens at the feet of Jesus and wait patiently, while holding the hand of the one who is burdened. </span><br />
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<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-7675237800707821952016-06-14T08:04:00.000-07:002016-06-14T08:04:33.176-07:00Laundry Room Renovation-Part 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Life has been SO FULL these past few weeks! We were in a whirlwind of activity surrounding my sister's wedding, with all of the preparation that is involved with that. I am happy to announce she is happily married, and I couldn't be happier for her. The wedding was beautiful, and my sister was absolutely gorgeous! She looked like a princess, and I am pretty sure her face hurt by the end of the day because she never stopped smiling. She and her hubby went on a cruise for their honeymoon to Cozumel, and I really missed our daily texts. It was kind of sad. </div>
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As soon as we got her married off, we dove head first into VBS preparation. Why is VBS so exhausting?!? A friend and I were in charge of decorating the preschool areas. There was lots of crafting and painting involved, and the kids loved being at the church building playing hide and seek. </div>
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(Pictures to follow soon!)</div>
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And then there is school. We are getting to it when we can, but there are only so many hours in the day. </div>
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So, we have been extremely busy.</div>
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And there hasn't been a lot of time to dedicate to our laundry room, or laundry for that matter!</div>
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I will say that it is almost completely finished. All of the painting and caulking is finished. There are a few places that need some touch up paint, but that will have to wait a little bit longer. We are also adding new lighting. I am SUPER pumped about the lighting. It's going to add so much character to the space. </div>
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Y'all are going to love it!!</div>
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So here are some pictures of the progress.</div>
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Hubby cut wooden slats like he did for the <a href="http://fussymonkeybiz.blogspot.com/2013/08/half-bath-makeover.html" target="_blank">half bath walls</a>. It was so much cheaper to make our own than to buy the pre made slats we used in the<a href="http://fussymonkeybiz.blogspot.com/2013/04/cottage-style-kids-bathroom.html" target="_blank"> kids bathroom</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuclxGrUYnuKl43FlOC9AsDAY7fMr2yrkEBQ5u2gqxs0fM8mAsCskFqEYVeVugdTCMQz6aIuZHx7N8rpUWzFnnyPF9K8mgQ-2kX-xkkcn9bFtmJ_i0pSTFBpfvhtvvBZOdBXtJ7Zkb7k/s1600/Laundry+Room-Ship+Lap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuclxGrUYnuKl43FlOC9AsDAY7fMr2yrkEBQ5u2gqxs0fM8mAsCskFqEYVeVugdTCMQz6aIuZHx7N8rpUWzFnnyPF9K8mgQ-2kX-xkkcn9bFtmJ_i0pSTFBpfvhtvvBZOdBXtJ7Zkb7k/s640/Laundry+Room-Ship+Lap.jpg" width="428" /> </a></div>
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We painted the wainscotting a bright white to lighten the room up because there are no windows to allow natural light in. We ended up with what looks like faux ship lap. That was totally unintentional. I have never really been a huge fan of the white ship lap look. I know, I know...all of you Joanna Gaines followers are probably ready to burn me at the stake...just kidding. </div>
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(I really do love that show, by the way, and it's fun to see someone on TV of whom I have a lot in common with).</div>
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Anyway, it has grown on me, and I really do like it, but if we get tired of the white, then we can paint over it....some day....in the very DISTANT future!!</div>
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(The walls are "Gravity" by Valspar.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AnesSZxMOd-6ZkPwsMTaunaQUqqEZyLNE0n5odVEGe5sNK6S59Qak5P4RBMBS0K_70ReHh3AR36FfD02GgSOvDqpbEQkWmiCAGXKwJ51NGHrYlxWeq_1SBkTLGi4H0HxebnGtwxCB-E/s1600/Laundry+Room+progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AnesSZxMOd-6ZkPwsMTaunaQUqqEZyLNE0n5odVEGe5sNK6S59Qak5P4RBMBS0K_70ReHh3AR36FfD02GgSOvDqpbEQkWmiCAGXKwJ51NGHrYlxWeq_1SBkTLGi4H0HxebnGtwxCB-E/s640/Laundry+Room+progress.jpg" width="428" /> </a></div>
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See that florescent light? It's going bye bye, and I CANNOT WAIT for the new fixture to come to life. It's so exciting!!</div>
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I'll give you a little hint...</div>
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Barn Wood, and Pulleys.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXhm3MxImONB5IBwYfO_ynEzwJyU07QIxmryznNs_clpVlIHKxctOS6HI-IM0lKLiAtHs9WXixE__yeU-yxdnD766Z2YVQ1cyapBNfwsnHJbcGKCKvIBkVBJSIqYTRpxhRYjcuJyposM/s1600/Laundry+Room+paint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXhm3MxImONB5IBwYfO_ynEzwJyU07QIxmryznNs_clpVlIHKxctOS6HI-IM0lKLiAtHs9WXixE__yeU-yxdnD766Z2YVQ1cyapBNfwsnHJbcGKCKvIBkVBJSIqYTRpxhRYjcuJyposM/s640/Laundry+Room+paint.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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I have to find a few decorative items to soften the space up because it's very stark in the laundry room right now. I tried an antique store, and once again was reminded of how cheap I am. And the prices weren't really that bad. I am just a thrift store girl at heart. The prices are so much better at thrift stores and I am so grateful that we have some amazing little gems down here. </div>
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I'll be sharing the lighting progress when we get a few minutes to breathe.</div>
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If you missed the first few posts about our laundry room progress, click the links below to see how things have been moving along. </div>
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<a href="http://fussymonkeybiz.blogspot.com/2016/04/laundry-room-renovation-part-1-again.html" target="_blank">Laundry Room Renovation-Part 1</a></div>
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<a href="http://fussymonkeybiz.blogspot.com/2016/04/laundry-room-renovation-part-2.html" target="_blank">Laundry Room Renovation-Part 2</a></div>
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<a href="http://fussymonkeybiz.blogspot.com/2016/04/laundry-room-renovation-part-3.html" target="_blank">Laundry Room Renovation-Part 3</a> </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-71202492323062282312016-05-23T09:00:00.000-07:002016-05-23T09:00:00.159-07:00Bachelorette Weekend-Part 2<div style="text-align: center;">
Y'all, there is nothing worse than going hungry on vacation.</div>
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It just ruins the whole experience. You can't focus on the fun because all you can think about is what you're not eating at any given time.</div>
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I had that happen, once. At Disney World. </div>
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One Word:</div>
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HANGRY</div>
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It won't happen again...if I can help it. </div>
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I can assure you that we didn't go hungry during my sister's bachelorette weekend getaway. </div>
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If anything, we were full as ticks the whole time. </div>
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Saturday morning, I prepared a big ole country breakfast so we could have plenty of fuel to tackle the day's activities.</div>
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I saw on Pinterest where people are serving Biscuit Bars at weddings, and I thought that was such a cute idea.</div>
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A super easy breakfast, that will fill anyone up. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7et79bZddisfYmmfBk8UnzKbyGkmv6UAmzjJAVO2Bvqwf4o4pRmOS93EmjplraXz_1laJxaIzzU3tI37jOF0Q11vPxgKQ90d3VBrmOKWP2EBtUI5gryE_chq5-dePNBJIZ0lAiOpukUg/s1600/bachelorette+weekend-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7et79bZddisfYmmfBk8UnzKbyGkmv6UAmzjJAVO2Bvqwf4o4pRmOS93EmjplraXz_1laJxaIzzU3tI37jOF0Q11vPxgKQ90d3VBrmOKWP2EBtUI5gryE_chq5-dePNBJIZ0lAiOpukUg/s640/bachelorette+weekend-11.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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Now, I am a gluten free girl, and it kind of hurt my feelings to know that I wouldn't be eating any biscuits. I love me a biscuit, especially with gravy.</div>
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Biscuit and gravy makes this country girl's heart sing...along with a side of grits. </div>
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Lip smackin' deliciousness. </div>
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There are days when I crave a good biscuit, and will cave in and eat it,</div>
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but friends, I wasn't willing to deal with all of the issues I encounter after indulging.</div>
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So, I watched my sister and her friends eat the biscuits.</div>
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I felt like Captain Barbossa offering Miss Swan the apple. </div>
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:-)</div>
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Hopefully I didn't look this creepy offering them their food. HA!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtx8O4wqh_dEpxR98yOTAPAHAjQmQX451BHw8uQw49LSlBu51WP6AHUkTtS6beav1uK5P2naxrq60F-6afwj-yLlGCRwRhaGEYgRl55-B7bZSrl5gSdOErE8DHFQqtFez7vNzGUFG1pM/s1600/Barbossa_Apple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtx8O4wqh_dEpxR98yOTAPAHAjQmQX451BHw8uQw49LSlBu51WP6AHUkTtS6beav1uK5P2naxrq60F-6afwj-yLlGCRwRhaGEYgRl55-B7bZSrl5gSdOErE8DHFQqtFez7vNzGUFG1pM/s640/Barbossa_Apple.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On the menu:</div>
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Buttermilk Biscuits</div>
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Assorted Jams</div>
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Bacon</div>
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Sausage</div>
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Country Ham</div>
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Smoked Gouda Cheese Grits (per request of the Bride)</div>
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Fruit</div>
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Orange Juice</div>
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Coffee</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAN0OxcmVCVoQVV0C0LO6RFY4WoXCEkOUj9udVevnzWY5yreV1kJYqQDmZOQOuNlmzjLRf-PjqbYWNSS6HTqcmOiQtqYKTc2j_25TR_LquWkxPI36NxObvkSRf0w5SdafneSVKclkxm4/s1600/bacheloretter+weekend-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAN0OxcmVCVoQVV0C0LO6RFY4WoXCEkOUj9udVevnzWY5yreV1kJYqQDmZOQOuNlmzjLRf-PjqbYWNSS6HTqcmOiQtqYKTc2j_25TR_LquWkxPI36NxObvkSRf0w5SdafneSVKclkxm4/s640/bacheloretter+weekend-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I think everyone's favorite dish was the Smoked Gouda Cheese Grits.</div>
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I will share the recipe in another post.</div>
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They were truly divine.</div>
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Once we were full, we went for pedicures.</div>
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That was an experience I won't soon forget.</div>
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I made sure to find a place that had excellent ratings. The place I picked had a 4.9 star rating out of 5, and there were hundreds of awesome reviews.</div>
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I thought we were set. </div>
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We must have gone on an off day...</div>
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One girl had her legs slapped numerous times with steaming hot towels wrapped around them. Imagine 6 girls all turning, leaning forward and looking to see what the commotion was all about..at the same time. It's not every day you hear somebody being slapped while getting their pedicure. My little guy told me hated me, then tried to flirt with me, and then didn't give me a massage. Booooo! Another girl sat in her chair for what seemed like days because her person was new, and was slower than molasses. She was the first to sit down and the last of the 7 to get up.</div>
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It was an adventure, and something to laugh about for years to come. </div>
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We hit the outlet mall in Pigeon Forge, and later that evening, we went to the Dixie Stampede.</div>
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When it first started, the spoiled part of me thought, "this doesn't hold a candle to Disney." Once the show started rolling, it turned out to be really fun.</div>
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My favorite part was when a man came out in a chicken suit dancing, and I laughed so hard I thought my food was going to hit reverse.</div>
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I had tears rolling out of my eyes.</div>
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It was truly a good time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQrCqlqpKKC4rHqONtxVYSi-hu8h0m1adOE0Sh0UAzDFeQuY2HBQJ0Q43IgI46tdhqg96KMmBpxcmxOkAvcZwHWkKLFQWZLGdylSTAZKrfqi6ym2Gabc-7uuP-b606wGYsu9Sf2HyQ6c/s1600/Dixie+Stampede.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQrCqlqpKKC4rHqONtxVYSi-hu8h0m1adOE0Sh0UAzDFeQuY2HBQJ0Q43IgI46tdhqg96KMmBpxcmxOkAvcZwHWkKLFQWZLGdylSTAZKrfqi6ym2Gabc-7uuP-b606wGYsu9Sf2HyQ6c/s640/Dixie+Stampede.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These girls made this weekend a blast!</div>
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I have one more post to share about this weekend. I'll share the welcome bags I made for the girls, and all the loot that was inside.</div>
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Stay Tuned!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-35868352389700834652016-05-19T09:25:00.000-07:002016-05-19T09:25:46.689-07:00Bachelorette Weekend-Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My sister is getting married in just a few short weeks, and I am so excited for her. </div>
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Last weekend, I got to host a super fun, completely exhausting bachelorette weekend for my sister and 5 of her closest friends. </div>
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I was a little nervous planning this weekend because I know nothing of bachelorette gatherings, and when you search Pinterest for anything related to that subject, you will find that most of it is down right raunchy.</div>
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Homey don't play 'dat. </div>
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I am so glad I had months to plan this getaway because I was able to find inspiration from so many areas, and I was able to keep it clean and tasteful.</div>
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(You can check out my<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/FussyMonkeyBiz/engagement-party/" target="_blank"> Engagement Party Pinterest Board</a> to see where I got a lot of my ideas).</div>
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Saying that my sister is a HUGE Vanderbilt fan is the understatement of the year. Just a few examples of her obsession: she buys season passes to all home games (no matter the sport, no matter how awful they are), just about everything she owns is black or gold, the wedding colors are black and gold, and the wedding is at Vanderbilt. She is such a huge Vandy fan that when she has children, they may be in danger of being named something like Commodore or Anchor. ;-) I kid, I kid...sort of. :-) </div>
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Since the colors for her wedding are black and gold, I wanted to keep with that theme. Fortunately these colors are really popular right now, so it made it extremely easy to find the perfect accessories for our weekend getaway. </div>
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I hunted high and low on Etsy for an invitation, and this is <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/219020259/new-orleans-weekend-bachelorette?ref=shop_home_feat_4" target="_blank">the one</a> I went with. It's so pretty, and I love anything that sparkles. The shop owner was great to work with, and the turn around was really fast.</div>
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The glitter and the icons on the bottom of the invite were what sold me. </div>
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We stayed in an amazing cabin on a lake. It was a very peaceful area. Unfortunately for our neighbors, we made it a little less peaceful!</div>
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There was an incident that involved a car alarm and loud cackling of 7 hens that disrupted any semblance of tranquility. </div>
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EVERYTHING echos across a lake :-)</div>
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Our menu for Friday night was a Taco bar and Ice Cream Sundae/Float bar.</div>
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I brought a lot of stuff from home because I didn't know what would be furnished at the cabin. </div>
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The coke glasses were a Dollar Tree purchase and went home with my sister. The candy jars were also a DT purchase. </div>
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This chalkboard frame came from the dollar section at Target. </div>
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I used a picture from Etsy as inspiration to draw the sundae and quote on the board. Don't you just love chalkboards? I think I could sit and draw on a chalkboard all day long.</div>
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The glitter boxes, straws, chalkboard picks and ice cream cups are from Hobby Lobby. </div>
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I borrowed the Coca-Cola crate from a friend. There was actually a Pepsi crate at the cabin. One of the girls said she was so glad that I didn't put the Coca-Cola bottles in the Pepsi crate; she would've been mad if I had...obviously she was joking :-)</div>
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Aren't these little chalkboard picks so cute? You will most likely see these used in every upcoming party I host. LOVE!</div>
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We were able to eat dinner out on the covered porch. It was kind of chilly, so it seemed to keep the little bugs away thankfully.</div>
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The views were spectacular.</div>
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I found the burlap place mats at Hobby Lobby on sale, and I embroidered the W's on them. They went home with my sister after the weekend was over as well.</div>
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I had so much fun getting to spend time with this great group of girls. Learning more about each and everyone of them.</div>
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I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. </div>
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I love a good laugh, y'all.</div>
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In my next post, I will share what we did on Saturday, so make sure to check back!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-69550464442521291482016-05-18T15:36:00.000-07:002016-05-18T15:36:05.776-07:00Old Sewing Machine Table turned Outdoor Planter<br />
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Hey Y'all! I am back after a two'ish week break. I needed to focus on healing.</div>
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I developed shingles, and let me tell you...that's stuff is NO JOKE! </div>
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Thankfully, it's passed, and I have learned so much about myself and how I handle stress (actually how I don't handle it.)</div>
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I am taking baby steps, and learning to say no, and learning to just breathe. </div>
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It's SOOO hard y'all!</div>
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Anytime I am on the mend from an illness, I always have the urge to get up and do something. I don't do well sitting still, but sometimes life knocks you down and you have to listen to your body.</div>
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I had plenty of time to dream up different projects with all of that sitting I was doing with those nasty shingles.</div>
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So as soon as I was feeling up to it, I was out in the garage tearin' things up.</div>
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I had an old empty sewing machine table sitting in my attic that was given to me by one of my mother's friends. I knew I could do something with it, but I just didn't know what.</div>
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So it sat in the attic for more than a year.</div>
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Hubby kept trying to make me get rid of it because it was taking up space, but I refused. </div>
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I am so glad I didn't throw it out.</div>
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I finally came up with a fun way to repurpose the table.</div>
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I turned it into an outdoor planter.</div>
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This was its original state.</div>
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Sans sewing machine.</div>
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I used the wood from the stand my porch swing used to hang from, and created a box to slide inside the table. Building the box took 40 forevers! </div>
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I went with my tried and true Krylon red. This was the first time for me to use this all-in-one paint and I LOVE it. It was super easy to use!</div>
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I made sure to drill a few holes in the bottom of the planter for drainage.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EZX4kJidN2NRbviFUDRRXbwk0hKiThWlGSOdr6lAA29Yvz2QMmM85-vQnmqZgtLi3TYfPujdZEmQEAvwI8n3O1LofUrRydfTkBSVV9gUseUxxcT6NkvCPp4HkDQZcoHPoPPaq6eDB0s/s1600/sewing+machine+planter-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EZX4kJidN2NRbviFUDRRXbwk0hKiThWlGSOdr6lAA29Yvz2QMmM85-vQnmqZgtLi3TYfPujdZEmQEAvwI8n3O1LofUrRydfTkBSVV9gUseUxxcT6NkvCPp4HkDQZcoHPoPPaq6eDB0s/s640/sewing+machine+planter-5.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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I also roughed up the top with my orbital sander, just to knock off the sheen.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24VJ0YgyJN7QzrQeYJIOWbpYc-jAZ957vz_52q7TfFnaifseTIOHUD_WrYtysNYIMXXTjgvekiDXrpZyxF9C0qUkoOuHyZj9lj9yZubj_j__0skydkJzWD9vgb2ilc3i0XxbzRY2SlO4/s1600/sewing+machine+planter-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24VJ0YgyJN7QzrQeYJIOWbpYc-jAZ957vz_52q7TfFnaifseTIOHUD_WrYtysNYIMXXTjgvekiDXrpZyxF9C0qUkoOuHyZj9lj9yZubj_j__0skydkJzWD9vgb2ilc3i0XxbzRY2SlO4/s640/sewing+machine+planter-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Two coats of spray paint, and she was ready for assembly.</div>
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I used the plastic that Lowe's gives you for your car to protect the floor mats as my liner for the planter. Dual purpose, and it was free!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUt6U7pPSQVQrn9ZIqLZXxeUGt4Sdklnn7e_FkZ8X5oOYCgDZ-Dzfz6uh_bLGpxt7RqS8FAW5049oEPlTVJ1HlP4HzNSujOa7dTtEAY7ZgJqt-NjY2oHeUMbCDNsE4D4_8DluCXtLOw8/s1600/sewing+machine+planter-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUt6U7pPSQVQrn9ZIqLZXxeUGt4Sdklnn7e_FkZ8X5oOYCgDZ-Dzfz6uh_bLGpxt7RqS8FAW5049oEPlTVJ1HlP4HzNSujOa7dTtEAY7ZgJqt-NjY2oHeUMbCDNsE4D4_8DluCXtLOw8/s640/sewing+machine+planter-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I had some leftover dirt from some previous plantings, and it was just enough. Lucky me!</div>
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I also poked holes through the plastic for drainage.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1b6DLAGRgspWBmzQCE0XfTk8Vz4cmV2fdQ68w1JyajXB2iQ2UCIY_mV7ufTq4AK3AsIs0eMpQcxvvl_xasvXQRfNhornbhUD4_F81excmA2omDNKfd_dRPR00_PkMbQheEOrwZhrKiwM/s1600/sewing+machine+planter-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1b6DLAGRgspWBmzQCE0XfTk8Vz4cmV2fdQ68w1JyajXB2iQ2UCIY_mV7ufTq4AK3AsIs0eMpQcxvvl_xasvXQRfNhornbhUD4_F81excmA2omDNKfd_dRPR00_PkMbQheEOrwZhrKiwM/s640/sewing+machine+planter-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I made sure to get shade tolerant plants, since they would be under a covered porch. I always seem to ignore the suggestions on those little plant tags. </div>
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You know what? Those people from the plant stores kind of know what they're talking about, so I chose to listen this time :-)</div>
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I love the varying heights of the plants.</div>
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I can't wait until they fill in a little more. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVANuIz1bfrfrHElamLBLKriHR_2bhpxwOXNWwqvs6MekbNAvJQycocxGmpbqYKsmZwTtktWmAq38XxaXvuShB_mTue8LG_9YLKQk0b9PvggIIF-1i6W1K9-7oDxyPQINxwkgA1VhVSo/s1600/sewing+machine+planter-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVANuIz1bfrfrHElamLBLKriHR_2bhpxwOXNWwqvs6MekbNAvJQycocxGmpbqYKsmZwTtktWmAq38XxaXvuShB_mTue8LG_9YLKQk0b9PvggIIF-1i6W1K9-7oDxyPQINxwkgA1VhVSo/s640/sewing+machine+planter-9.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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This was an inexpensive build, and I was only out the cost of spray paint and the plants.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFq4292TThTWrVeTgJ0Y_ee2xvX_tqxAQx-BI0m6c7-LlaXtGzvjqq93hyphenhyphenxNZjzKiQgQRJvBcB3FNieSP8eInqDdRX-vdBWP0PClyvhannR0WpPk2LIDCDYWXaAjs41lig1A6mFgnTPQ/s1600/sewing+machine+planter-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFq4292TThTWrVeTgJ0Y_ee2xvX_tqxAQx-BI0m6c7-LlaXtGzvjqq93hyphenhyphenxNZjzKiQgQRJvBcB3FNieSP8eInqDdRX-vdBWP0PClyvhannR0WpPk2LIDCDYWXaAjs41lig1A6mFgnTPQ/s640/sewing+machine+planter-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am so thankful for days when I can create what I imagined. It's so fun! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1I4O_RVnHvQLYF7zSlV15WkpTACPg_LRgvrBozpMSun5m9I5JNd7NLakf0XNZLqd8XGIB8zj0bNcYVXWRNce49-Tte7rEKDwE7sLIedOxgUCJIyHmD2635G4lSZ5rL7ausiv_u6JpEc/s1600/sewing+machine+planter-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1I4O_RVnHvQLYF7zSlV15WkpTACPg_LRgvrBozpMSun5m9I5JNd7NLakf0XNZLqd8XGIB8zj0bNcYVXWRNce49-Tte7rEKDwE7sLIedOxgUCJIyHmD2635G4lSZ5rL7ausiv_u6JpEc/s640/sewing+machine+planter-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, who's ready to make their own? I would love to see pictures if you decide to recreate this piece!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7ltqQwtTOOA-x6kmQqX0K41OglXJXUFNPEvFpo8fVyHYk0aieoS9j8T3-PcwrWGjIOVJIAvZIOH98kofORQWX2wt8Tm-iejyHdIMhnhyphenhyphenSzUYpOJGHZaFOk8XkvU08tPheoLpwB1JAYc/s1600/sewing+machine+planter-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7ltqQwtTOOA-x6kmQqX0K41OglXJXUFNPEvFpo8fVyHYk0aieoS9j8T3-PcwrWGjIOVJIAvZIOH98kofORQWX2wt8Tm-iejyHdIMhnhyphenhyphenSzUYpOJGHZaFOk8XkvU08tPheoLpwB1JAYc/s640/sewing+machine+planter-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-25484485485316876452016-04-29T08:00:00.000-07:002016-04-29T08:00:25.770-07:00American Girl Doll House Inspiration<div style="text-align: center;">
Raise your hand if you have a daughter who is obsessed with American Girl Dolls.</div>
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Sister LOVES A.G. dolls, and I will have to admit, I really like them too.</div>
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The dolls were first released in 1986 (when I was 5), and have been going strong ever since.</div>
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I had friends growing up who had them, and I always wanted <a href="http://www.americangirl.com/shop/dolls/samantha" target="_blank">Samantha. </a></div>
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However, the dolls are very expensive, and always have been, so I never got to own one.</div>
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I survived, obviously.</div>
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Anyway, Sister fell in love with the dolls, and we started with the Target brand of Our Generation dolls. We weren't investing in something that expensive if she wasn't going to play with them. </div>
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She did play with the dolls, and really didn't notice that they weren't the real deal. She did get frustrated with the hair though. That's the biggest difference between the cheap dolls and the real dolls. The hair is WAY better with the real American Girl line.</div>
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After realizing that she truly would play with these dolls, we stepped into the real world of American Girl with a Bitty Baby. </div>
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<a href="http://fussymonkeybiz.blogspot.com/2012/12/18-doll-bed-quilt-pillow-and-mattress.html" target="_blank">Bitty Baby</a> is so precious. </div>
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I miss those days (sniff). </div>
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For those that don't know, <a href="http://www.americangirl.com/shop/EndecaSearchFromProductDisplayViewAG?productIndex=0&parameterID=4294967282&ntk=productSearch&currentPage=0&langId=-1&inDimSearch=0&itemsPage=12&catalogId=10051&pageView=grid&sortBy=1&urlLangId=-1&categoryId=&urlRequestType=Base&storeId=10151&criteria=Bitty%20Baby" target="_blank">Bitty Baby</a> is the line geared towards the younger girls. </div>
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We graduated from Bitty Baby and now Sister has two American girl dolls.</div>
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At first, we had all of the kids' toys upstairs, including the dolls because I don't like seeing toys strewn all over the house.</div>
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However, one of our lovely guests decided that Isabelle needed a trim last year, (grrr) so all of the A.G. stuff is in Sister's room for safe keeping.</div>
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Which has created a bit of a storage issue, as seen below.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tazXAnjHsA-C1ob-aS3KVZdWbJ66vGwnhtavtidydnMIYXsguicuaepAdhcAsvZ3ByolXqiFL9h-QwCxYzD3Ko7XFgTBTb2iYFGBQWp32gm1mbWX1yDFQ6juVVmCJd6SajaG5ZUQdUE/s1600/American+Girl+storage-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tazXAnjHsA-C1ob-aS3KVZdWbJ66vGwnhtavtidydnMIYXsguicuaepAdhcAsvZ3ByolXqiFL9h-QwCxYzD3Ko7XFgTBTb2iYFGBQWp32gm1mbWX1yDFQ6juVVmCJd6SajaG5ZUQdUE/s640/American+Girl+storage-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBIVaGLodnRu_xINpvNds4Ffl9CAr4rzleuH_k16uitrOiFHsJIx1KiCrlp_m2TZg_lSWa0fHoGm9HpC43JMw0JDGbxeGtOhCkwqwJvTNR44-J6GZoCTTov8Vj3ceRyVn8ePP7a5IQe0/s1600/American+Girl+Storage-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBIVaGLodnRu_xINpvNds4Ffl9CAr4rzleuH_k16uitrOiFHsJIx1KiCrlp_m2TZg_lSWa0fHoGm9HpC43JMw0JDGbxeGtOhCkwqwJvTNR44-J6GZoCTTov8Vj3ceRyVn8ePP7a5IQe0/s640/American+Girl+Storage-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpYuDfz9tB17dUYcEXyBNF-VuPtQfR4BKYNZS3SKIxiqpMMDV4QB_rn5lqWiUbfhNH-dMbTgMqDXMAOwZmht3STKhHNr53iFj1FTyT55UKF_hgrmTRIGmcxqXYNxA_i2WfQFC-F_NQ60/s1600/American+Girl+storage-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpYuDfz9tB17dUYcEXyBNF-VuPtQfR4BKYNZS3SKIxiqpMMDV4QB_rn5lqWiUbfhNH-dMbTgMqDXMAOwZmht3STKhHNr53iFj1FTyT55UKF_hgrmTRIGmcxqXYNxA_i2WfQFC-F_NQ60/s640/American+Girl+storage-3.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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There isn't a good way to store everything she has, so it's tucked away in little pockets everywhere in her room which is driving me bananas!</div>
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I needed a solution! </div>
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I knew that<a href="http://www.ana-white.com/" target="_blank"> Ana White</a> would have some plans for a doll house. I have used her website for plans before. We built a <a href="http://fussymonkeybiz.blogspot.com/2010/03/dollhouse-bookshelf.html" target="_blank">dollhouse bookshelf </a>which is currently being used as a Barbie house, and I built a <a href="http://fussymonkeybiz.blogspot.com/2013/07/handmade-see-saw-made-by-me.html" target="_blank">see saw</a> for the kids.</div>
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Her instructions are easy to follow, and there are PICTURES!</div>
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This particular build is massive, and it has pocket screws (which I don't know how to do), so hubby is going to have to help me build this one.</div>
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He just doesn't know it yet!</div>
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I'm thinking this will be a great project this summer after we finish the <a href="http://fussymonkeybiz.blogspot.com/2016/04/laundry-room-renovation-part-3.html" target="_blank">laundry room</a> and get through some of the yard work.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghD53m05C5NGZUbxqIvRwntSDXH3a9PBtyHWIiziuBnk_IGchbhrw8jB6twkWPUKtClAlieUY1KYpqUDJsm7T-u8m3CntEciyQloM_7bQZb1sdb3a5KFUNKDXfZxHp984lqfUQERA1ClE/s1600/American+Girl+Dollhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghD53m05C5NGZUbxqIvRwntSDXH3a9PBtyHWIiziuBnk_IGchbhrw8jB6twkWPUKtClAlieUY1KYpqUDJsm7T-u8m3CntEciyQloM_7bQZb1sdb3a5KFUNKDXfZxHp984lqfUQERA1ClE/s640/American+Girl+Dollhouse.jpg" width="584" /> </a></div>
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I found this picture under the brag posts from <a href="http://www.ana-white.com/2016/03/DIY_furniture/our-daughters-7th-birthday-gift" target="_blank">Ana White's website</a>. Isn't this adorable? Someone took a tremendous amount of time in making this dollhouse special. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAZ4fhvM9yJDrbjtYA5wOvSx8K_vCpLZeJbmJb5YT8X4R3-xPxux42bbRzQy0YXmb44wAMQbQuKut-kX3OkPHrr__HNKp8uVrXKfZTqHWo0letNxGPw6-1WUOtGn5myTTKx34byxiD8Q/s1600/American+Girl+Dollhouse+complete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAZ4fhvM9yJDrbjtYA5wOvSx8K_vCpLZeJbmJb5YT8X4R3-xPxux42bbRzQy0YXmb44wAMQbQuKut-kX3OkPHrr__HNKp8uVrXKfZTqHWo0letNxGPw6-1WUOtGn5myTTKx34byxiD8Q/s640/American+Girl+Dollhouse+complete.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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People are so creative when it comes to making doll house accessories! I love this little <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/96606021/18-doll-furniture-american-girl-sized" target="_blank">living room set.</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAo5ZxJ_yQujMm96CLew_EnVVG3LOysQ8777F5omP_nfDtRNoajfXgNErpnsFiUvcWsr2nI4nTRLy_nkfmQKHTUWdufrtCAeh_mTPrRRBv7V6Ffxi7a3a7dPvJrzhjT055Xc64mNxSWI/s1600/American+Girl+furniture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAo5ZxJ_yQujMm96CLew_EnVVG3LOysQ8777F5omP_nfDtRNoajfXgNErpnsFiUvcWsr2nI4nTRLy_nkfmQKHTUWdufrtCAeh_mTPrRRBv7V6Ffxi7a3a7dPvJrzhjT055Xc64mNxSWI/s640/American+Girl+furniture.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And there are some really crafty mommas out there.</div>
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Look at this amazing <a href="http://www.americangirlideas.com/american-girl-washing-machine/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook" target="_blank">washing machine</a> made out of a baby wipes container! So clever!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKn6Jhe3Mor1YMewdfKdyuSCC-KE87RplmMnDqAbmvG3hXLQCQnW9G9skPx1x67KpCtkI2FM64RO8P58y1xvJkzz0As30qs461N4YB6FLLuOknVG2Gjw-itqPUggLg_XeCxraQiFqrSpE/s1600/American-Girl-Washing-Machine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKn6Jhe3Mor1YMewdfKdyuSCC-KE87RplmMnDqAbmvG3hXLQCQnW9G9skPx1x67KpCtkI2FM64RO8P58y1xvJkzz0As30qs461N4YB6FLLuOknVG2Gjw-itqPUggLg_XeCxraQiFqrSpE/s640/American-Girl-Washing-Machine.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I can't wait to get started with this project! Hopefully Sister's room will look a little more organized once we complete it. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-77215300548682260282016-04-28T08:07:00.000-07:002016-04-28T08:07:45.758-07:00Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Donuts<div style="text-align: center;">
Ever since I had my gall bladder removed, I have had issues with gluten. I have no idea why, but I have. I also can't eat things that are high in fat without severe stomach issues. My diet is high in fat, but it's the good kinds of fats that you find in things like avocados or olive oil. </div>
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Even though I have these digestive issues, I haven't quite been able to quit bacon...because, well let's face it, bacon is DE-LUSH-US! </div>
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I miss being able to eat a good piece of bread, or cake, or a cookie, or a DONUT!</div>
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I truly miss donuts, friends. </div>
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Being gluten free really has it's sad moments, but because it's become such an issue with so many people, there are tons of options out there for weirdos like me. Or as Jim Gaffigan refers to us: terrorists :-) (that guy is so funny!)</div>
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Recently, I started doing a good portion of our grocery shopping at Aldi.</div>
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I used to be really afraid of Aldi because their tomatoes used to last for 4 weeks, and their cucumbers can be the size of a small football at times, and that's just not natural.</div>
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But times are changing and they have started offering a large selection of organic items AND gluten free items.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXkHFFSOcw4TVbghRc4k77aotfEawaSF6Tla_6SOUqs2VHY-RWVc9hjxtzAbBBLvhw04aO6HTbfrCPrrNwrMeJKSoccL3tpJizJ_QhWydHGtT6rCEH9gcS58HrAj2vbKMvo1QmhjRyQY/s1600/Gluten+free+donuts-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXkHFFSOcw4TVbghRc4k77aotfEawaSF6Tla_6SOUqs2VHY-RWVc9hjxtzAbBBLvhw04aO6HTbfrCPrrNwrMeJKSoccL3tpJizJ_QhWydHGtT6rCEH9gcS58HrAj2vbKMvo1QmhjRyQY/s640/Gluten+free+donuts-4.jpg" width="428" /> </a></div>
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Gluten free items are so expensive, but at Aldi, they are much cheaper. </div>
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Most of their gluten free items are the "live G free" brand. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkxyidkhWY3gs8nL0ZWtK7ow1xavSYsaRyK7CuHOxEbRveoEoC5O-Lf40-mZA-aBunNp3y1Pbx_0ThASxhwuZrNYKRjuRCk1O0Az8K4o7f5kgK6rGS6wHunbKYpgETBpOXxIHmBeqSUY/s1600/Gluten+free+donuts-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkxyidkhWY3gs8nL0ZWtK7ow1xavSYsaRyK7CuHOxEbRveoEoC5O-Lf40-mZA-aBunNp3y1Pbx_0ThASxhwuZrNYKRjuRCk1O0Az8K4o7f5kgK6rGS6wHunbKYpgETBpOXxIHmBeqSUY/s640/Gluten+free+donuts-1.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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Most gluten free baking mixes are really grainy, and when you bake whatever it is you're baking, it always turns out dry and hard.</div>
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Friends, not this brand. It's almost like eating the real deal.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkIHfZLx0rJcOf-uNnonSDU_kW9ReBiaTdavLWqFrALF9UruZJdOTi1UhKz78v5OKkZsNDCegsUR0gxhEtL44Cil2aLA_1j0tvF1IHVKEibD8aTvNEmOiFFcucvElLh6VZzPuRBx0ytI/s1600/Gluten+free+donuts-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkIHfZLx0rJcOf-uNnonSDU_kW9ReBiaTdavLWqFrALF9UruZJdOTi1UhKz78v5OKkZsNDCegsUR0gxhEtL44Cil2aLA_1j0tvF1IHVKEibD8aTvNEmOiFFcucvElLh6VZzPuRBx0ytI/s640/Gluten+free+donuts-2.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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So, I decided to pull out my donut maker </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HPLO0R6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00HPLO0R6&linkCode=as2&tag=fussmonkbus01-20&linkId=7BTDCHMZ4DIFFTAR"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00HPLO0R6&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=fussmonkbus01-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=fussmonkbus01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00HPLO0R6" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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and see if this mix would make some good donuts.<br />
I followed the waffle instructions and I also made substitutions.<br />
For regular milk, I subbed with coconut milk, and for the oil I used coconut oil instead of the vegetable oil. <br />
I made a few donuts for me that were plain because I can't eat chocolate. I developed a nice little allergy to chocolate (I have my father to thank for that one...he suffers from the same issue).<br />
For the kids, I added a few<br />
Enjoy Life Mini Chocolate chips<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BNQFZCI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00BNQFZCI&linkCode=as2&tag=fussmonkbus01-20&linkId=PWFDXEZOWVYYKTHL"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00BNQFZCI&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=fussmonkbus01-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=fussmonkbus01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00BNQFZCI" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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The mix worked perfectly in the donut maker and the kids thought they were delicious! <br />
So we have a winner!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVEJ3g3mLsE6rFmsQ6BwWRfWVZmfSAxj2YoqMm0vmZzLAA2tyUQDPUKwu9vb5mEfMSuhq9_hQhtw0Ydf3PpNePDkpvCqc1radCW-CdSsWUCA6KePwbFEGN9to8hPktP1xkPL0q-TQjmw/s1600/Gluten+free+donuts-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuVEJ3g3mLsE6rFmsQ6BwWRfWVZmfSAxj2YoqMm0vmZzLAA2tyUQDPUKwu9vb5mEfMSuhq9_hQhtw0Ydf3PpNePDkpvCqc1radCW-CdSsWUCA6KePwbFEGN9to8hPktP1xkPL0q-TQjmw/s640/Gluten+free+donuts-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now we have a nice go-to treat for special occasions.<br />
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*This post contains affiliate links.* </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-48955641842614022302016-04-27T12:29:00.000-07:002016-04-27T12:35:58.870-07:00Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend(Part 1) 10K Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hey Friends!</div>
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I am finally getting around to posting about my experience at my first <a href="http://www.rundisney.com/princess-half-marathon/" target="_blank">runDisney</a> event, the Princess Half Marathon weekend.</div>
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The Princess Half Marathon races had been on my bucket list for about 2 years, but I could never remember to register for them until 4 months after registration opened...which is too late because the whole weekend sells out in hours. Crazy, I know.</div>
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So, January of last year, I decided to start planning a surprise Disney vacation for the family with this particular race weekend in mind. </div>
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I wanted to participate in the Glass Slipper Challenge (10K and Half Marathon), and I was so excited to see that the half was scheduled on my 35th birthday.</div>
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Happy Birthday to ME! </div>
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I was a nervous wreck on registration day because the runDisney site and Active.com froze 5 minutes before registration opened. </div>
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Thankfully, I was part of a Facebook group that had the direct link posted immediately at 12 p.m. EST, and I was able to register in 2 minutes. </div>
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After a near nervous break down, and $330 later (budget buster, I tell ya), I was able to breathe a sigh of relief.</div>
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I spent the rest of the year saving money towards the trip, and working on my training, making sure that my body was ready for the back to back races.</div>
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That was the easy part.</div>
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The part I wasn't ready for was the getting up 2 days in a row at 3:00 a.m. EST...which is 2 a.m. here.</div>
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B.R.U.T.A.L.</div>
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The picture below is me trying to act like I am happy, when really, I am questioning why on Earth did I sign up for this torture.</div>
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It was chilly and I was sleepy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Xr6TvCS-qUnc5BhRTIAcMhGXgCmbv1BXzUdZ1PY6QFvom21OESJRvubLpc8OSsRbsXAthkjjgT6bC0updO9zmXv4zy5WF5l_fv2RYnOgKBNNmjNEdL-TPcumUPcq95KddEBqopuwTIw/s1600/Princess+Half+Marathon-10K.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Xr6TvCS-qUnc5BhRTIAcMhGXgCmbv1BXzUdZ1PY6QFvom21OESJRvubLpc8OSsRbsXAthkjjgT6bC0updO9zmXv4zy5WF5l_fv2RYnOgKBNNmjNEdL-TPcumUPcq95KddEBqopuwTIw/s640/Princess+Half+Marathon-10K.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The 10K started at 5:30 a.m. </div>
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RunDisney wanted all runners on the bus by 4 a.m. to ensure that everyone was at the start line on time. The bus ride was short for me because I was staying at Port Orleans Riverside, and Epcot was a quick 10 minute ride away. After arriving, you had to stop at the tables for bag check. I didn't have a bag, so I was good to walk on through.</div>
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I got my picture taken in front of the PHM flag, and made my way to where all the action was. </div>
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There was a fun little dance party near the start line, and there were several people dancing and having a good time. I didn't join in because I was alone, and I didn't have the courage to jump right in on my own. :-) </div>
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We lined up in our corrals around 5:00'ish, waited a bit, and then we were moved to the start line. I was in corral A, so my group got to go first.</div>
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The start of the 10K was really underwhelming compared to the big production of the Half Marathon start line.</div>
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Fairy Godmother had a few words to say and then she counted down.</div>
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There were fireworks. </div>
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But the fireworks were kind of like a little baby sneeze. </div>
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Just a spurt.</div>
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They do that for each corral, so that was pretty cool.</div>
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I will say I prefer the fireworks over the shot guns they use here in Alabama!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBMpNSNM3dYblRQByEuOaD4ViW_6IjVs4-QC8D06SJ1i-MGC5k_JwoIodZqti6P0RHI-FdoirDq2DruMMzw_yOX4C0NkXW3wpEwFQzkzU7ORQYaYGB0jgs034sYRJTlfxX6DSb2thZfE/s1600/Princess+Half+Marathon-10-k+Start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBMpNSNM3dYblRQByEuOaD4ViW_6IjVs4-QC8D06SJ1i-MGC5k_JwoIodZqti6P0RHI-FdoirDq2DruMMzw_yOX4C0NkXW3wpEwFQzkzU7ORQYaYGB0jgs034sYRJTlfxX6DSb2thZfE/s640/Princess+Half+Marathon-10-k+Start.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The race went by fast, and there were just a few character stops. There are only 6 miles to fit characters in, so there isn't the ability to have that many.</div>
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This was the only stop I made. I figured I would never see these two in the parks, so I stopped for a quick pic and moved on. If I hadn't made this pit stop, I would have gotten a PR, but I wasn't there for PR's. I was there to have a good time!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2CkV7oKsAHsqbSqFXOCpgDbZXjafLDHKSuzL-jx75kIUboD_7g7SpXgLiMCvvtwJY05HrywhopPaygvmvQVNksVspDXMDFEIjXTHQq08iqLrMM9zjeEVwrEu74v5iUxZMwPJ4jHBAxw/s1600/Princess+Half+Marathon-cogsworth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2CkV7oKsAHsqbSqFXOCpgDbZXjafLDHKSuzL-jx75kIUboD_7g7SpXgLiMCvvtwJY05HrywhopPaygvmvQVNksVspDXMDFEIjXTHQq08iqLrMM9zjeEVwrEu74v5iUxZMwPJ4jHBAxw/s640/Princess+Half+Marathon-cogsworth.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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At the finish, we were handed our medals, and a box of goodies. Then you had the ability to take pictures with different princesses. I chose to take one with Aurora. She's one of S.R.'s favorites.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUDamfumvhA4tqfcdzPfbq-NswKdFpVmJUaqLbj0-pwcpyjMvw2LbrNk8hGChYy-294-RIud4ISZInzROBZ2oYdonMEybyDDm4Zrt1SSMBzJGUiX6Ac4bO6pXjxh7KKA_2M4DIcYAzA8/s1600/Princess+Half+Marathon-10-k+Finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUDamfumvhA4tqfcdzPfbq-NswKdFpVmJUaqLbj0-pwcpyjMvw2LbrNk8hGChYy-294-RIud4ISZInzROBZ2oYdonMEybyDDm4Zrt1SSMBzJGUiX6Ac4bO6pXjxh7KKA_2M4DIcYAzA8/s640/Princess+Half+Marathon-10-k+Finish.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And here's the box of goodies they give you along with a Mylar blanket to keep warm once you cool off. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78cIuQB1FA8BeOQyqdb7DD6FZcoWEhYmefOkjj3vu2jOZs1lekbiw9D-SXvPOL3ZG-0oioQWCNFsEsffFc-emp9KD9EJPtPNM_Z2sYwPhmDQ3z1FWMdM-vf27-BNiXQ6mnC5Dipf4AYg/s1600/Princess+Half+Marathon+Loot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78cIuQB1FA8BeOQyqdb7DD6FZcoWEhYmefOkjj3vu2jOZs1lekbiw9D-SXvPOL3ZG-0oioQWCNFsEsffFc-emp9KD9EJPtPNM_Z2sYwPhmDQ3z1FWMdM-vf27-BNiXQ6mnC5Dipf4AYg/s640/Princess+Half+Marathon+Loot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So...my thoughts on this race.</div>
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It was fun, and fast. I loved running through Epcot's World Showcase and the Boardwalk area. It was beautiful with all of the lights glowing, the fire blazing, and the Disney music blaring. </div>
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But it was too quick. </div>
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If you are new to running, and all you can do is a 10K, then yes, you should do this race. </div>
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However, if you think that you could possibly do more, I would go for the half. The experience is so much better!</div>
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And you have around 7 months to train once you secure your spot in the race.</div>
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If you would like help planning a race-cation at Disney and participate in the Disney Princess Half Marathon weekend, contact me at crystalw@destinationsinflorida.com and I can help you plan a magical vacation! </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-19237556702757010992016-04-25T11:00:00.000-07:002016-04-25T11:00:06.124-07:00Fairy Garden and it's Progress<div style="text-align: center;">
A few weeks ago, Sister started begging me to help her make a fairy garden. One of her little friends had made one, and she loved the idea.</div>
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I ignored her pleas for a few days because we were about to dive deep into Memory Masters for school and I didn't want to add anything to my plate. Plus, I thought if I ignored her, she would soon forget.</div>
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But she was persistent, and she didn't forget.</div>
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So I started looking at Pinterest because that's where you go to find ALL inspiration for anything!</div>
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By the way, where did we go for ideas before Pinterest? </div>
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I saw some really cute ideas, but those little stinkers can get expensive.</div>
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I decided on a budget for her. </div>
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I told her she had $20 to spend on accessories and plants. We obviously went over budget, but not by much. I think we ended up spending around $30 total.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4fSoRhppyud0wrPI4vwiqhcGjvGxth2gCqTyNBkm-fwHUoNVpzA098CR-vI_t8PGNCFHvJUJKCTUXcUGsh78DUl2v1ZTW-unPOMJP8nR5um7VmLQPTZ2XRyvv4aYpK0LvdTHIXGF8o0/s1600/Fairy+Garden+Before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4fSoRhppyud0wrPI4vwiqhcGjvGxth2gCqTyNBkm-fwHUoNVpzA098CR-vI_t8PGNCFHvJUJKCTUXcUGsh78DUl2v1ZTW-unPOMJP8nR5um7VmLQPTZ2XRyvv4aYpK0LvdTHIXGF8o0/s640/Fairy+Garden+Before.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div>
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We started at Hobby Lobby. She picked out the arbor, fence, bridge, and bench from there. In case you go looking for fairy garden items from HL, it's in the wedding section...not the garden section where we first started our search.</div>
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After we left HL, we hit the Dollar Tree. We got the sand for the path, and the rocks for the "creek." </div>
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Our last stop led us to Lowes, where we purchased the plants. </div>
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When I was searching online for ideas, I watched a video that talked about scale. It was really informative and something I would have never thought to consider. </div>
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So as we were making all of our purchases, we tried to keep that in mind. </div>
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We looked for a fairy house, but they were all so expensive. When we arrived home, we looked around for anything that we could use. We found this little bird house that Sister had painted for her <a href="http://fussymonkeybiz.blogspot.com/2013/03/fairy-tea-party.html" target="_blank">Fairy Tea Party </a></div>
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It fit the space perfectly, and saved a few extra dollars.</div>
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Something to remember when planting a Fairy Garden, or any garden for that matter, make sure to pay attention to the sun exposure the plants need. </div>
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We had the planter at our back door. There is plenty of morning sunlight, but as the day went by, the covered porch blocked the sun, and the plants weren't thriving.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrhbGSrGo4haMVQVJs8zWhAAP4XFvKCFWEfRBZjigxCrXiBKCLN1At-psfjbbiU5OKnzj6yhRpJ1FORlaTRl3kfRvxIDGrHTU78ge9EEex07jyIXRATxJwEpsxCoPdm2simBsPJcfBH8/s1600/Fairy+Garden-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrhbGSrGo4haMVQVJs8zWhAAP4XFvKCFWEfRBZjigxCrXiBKCLN1At-psfjbbiU5OKnzj6yhRpJ1FORlaTRl3kfRvxIDGrHTU78ge9EEex07jyIXRATxJwEpsxCoPdm2simBsPJcfBH8/s640/Fairy+Garden-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I moved it to the flower bed just off of the patio, and after a good rain, and plenty of sunshine, the plants took off!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIxsqZO9u1-nNbAbGyl9Hbq2BKYtJBhJuo0Vg9y-V53W9BMuGWUafaFRV9gijA8KsMUtk2VbAYH3rqVCUSAj74z_FUD12T-uj70ZY3-DTYbeefDAYSiesbvscDvPXVK1YLqIx-JEJMQg/s1600/Fairy+Garden+Blooms-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIxsqZO9u1-nNbAbGyl9Hbq2BKYtJBhJuo0Vg9y-V53W9BMuGWUafaFRV9gijA8KsMUtk2VbAYH3rqVCUSAj74z_FUD12T-uj70ZY3-DTYbeefDAYSiesbvscDvPXVK1YLqIx-JEJMQg/s640/Fairy+Garden+Blooms-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There's a big difference, right?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR90pqRK_c017jeHvbXM89-xRe3Qh39zuj8zwYBoDCnb61Uj5tV5RevglYa6jRBdFZTrGCq4neCO_RTp7k6dgnJFL2ngddg9yZ8N11vvV0L0ixiqCc9EEy1Luuqz6PbpwJZo1Jpc8vGgk/s1600/Fairy+Garden+blooms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR90pqRK_c017jeHvbXM89-xRe3Qh39zuj8zwYBoDCnb61Uj5tV5RevglYa6jRBdFZTrGCq4neCO_RTp7k6dgnJFL2ngddg9yZ8N11vvV0L0ixiqCc9EEy1Luuqz6PbpwJZo1Jpc8vGgk/s640/Fairy+Garden+blooms.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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I've kind of caught the fairy garden bug now. </div>
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I really want one with a water feature, and I want a fairy house like the one pictured below. Isn't it so sweet?</div>
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<iframe class="dzxzrntaeipdftdwtrgr" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=fussmonkbus01-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B015OYDHRE&asins=B015OYDHRE&linkId=NAFKVKADBLPWVOYD&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015OYDHRE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B015OYDHRE&linkCode=as2&tag=fussmonkbus01-20&linkId=M326GW3UVNLBUJSY"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B015OYDHRE&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=fussmonkbus01-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=fussmonkbus01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B015OYDHRE" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </div>
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(click the picture to see price)</div>
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I can just picture a water fall behind it. I have lots of stones left over from Sister's fairy garden. I just need a water pump, like the one pictured.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JWJIC0K/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00JWJIC0K&linkCode=as2&tag=fussmonkbus01-20&linkId=DALUXE6G3RTSMXB3"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00JWJIC0K&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=fussmonkbus01-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=fussmonkbus01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00JWJIC0K" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </div>
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(click picture to see price) </div>
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<br /></div>
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So have you caught the Fairy Garden bug yet? I would love to see what you've come up with! Make sure to share your fairy garden pictures on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Fussy-Monkey-Business-164117490328471/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
*affiliate links in this post*</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-20639601779450734032016-04-25T05:28:00.000-07:002016-04-25T05:28:21.396-07:00Free Dining is Available!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC65CHExGr797we4A6NgdGCgAQ2kEGAdFvwpwWko7i5FkG9woLWWTpwaxqAcSfqJqiBog43uRSMisimyv__x_ljbiRfN9FTl5yFnTM-11oOGNgUXcg_RXslFU14LbhdD0vbjb95Dc6W0s/s1600/Free+DIning+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC65CHExGr797we4A6NgdGCgAQ2kEGAdFvwpwWko7i5FkG9woLWWTpwaxqAcSfqJqiBog43uRSMisimyv__x_ljbiRfN9FTl5yFnTM-11oOGNgUXcg_RXslFU14LbhdD0vbjb95Dc6W0s/s640/Free+DIning+Pic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div class="extraTopMargin-dta">
You can now get a FREE Dining Plan when you buy a non-discounted 5-night/6-day package that includes a room at a select <span class="nomenclature-dta">Walt Disney World</span>® Resort hotel and ticket with the <span class="nomenclature-dta">Park Hopper</span>® or <span class="nomenclature-dta">Water Park Fun & More</span>
Option for arrivals most nights Aug. 23-Oct. 1, 2016, Nov. 15-21, Nov.
26-28 and Dec. 10-Dec. 21, 2016 when you book by July 8, 2016.</div>
When
you stay at a select Disney Moderate Resort, Disney Deluxe Resort or
Disney Deluxe Villa Resort, you get the Disney Dining Plan with a
variety of delicious dining options! When you stay at a select Disney
Value Resort, you get the Quick-Service Dining Plan that allows you to
enjoy a quick bite!<br />
<div class="disclaimer-dta">
The number of rooms
allocated for this offer is limited. Tickets and options must be used
within 14 days of first use. Cannot be combined with any other discount
or promotion. Advance reservations required. Offer excludes the
following room types: campsites, 3-bedroom villas, Disney's Art of
Animation Resort—The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms and the Bungalows at
Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. Dining plan excludes
gratuities and alcoholic beverages. Children ages 3-9 must order from
children's menu, if available. Some Table-Service restaurants may have
limited or no availability at time of package purchase.</div>
<strong>Booking Window:</strong><br /> April 25-July 8, 2016<br />
<strong>Arrival Window:</strong><br /> Aug. 23-Oct. 1, 2016, Nov. 15-21, Nov. 26-28 and Dec. 10-21, 2016<br />
<strong>Booking Information:</strong><br />
Contact me and I can help you add this to your package!<br />
<strong>Length of Stay Requirements:</strong> <br /> Minimum – 3 nights<br /> Maximum – 14 nights<br />
<strong>Full List of Offer Exclusions:</strong><br />
Campsites, 3-bedroom villas, Disney's Art of Animation Resort—The
Little Mermaid Standard Rooms, the Bungalows at Disney's Polynesian
Villas & Bungalows, The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort
& Spa, Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's
All-Star Movies Resort and Disney's Port Orleans Resort – French
Quarter. Disney's Port Orleans – Riverside is excluded during the
following dates: November 15 to 21, November 26 to 28 and December 10 to
21, 2016.<br />
<br />
Contact me at <span style="color: blue;">crystalw@destinationsinflorida.com</span>, and let me help you plan a magical vacation! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-47490603384279515612016-04-22T11:00:00.000-07:002016-04-22T11:00:05.939-07:00Growing a Vegetable Garden <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This time of year, everyone begins to think of planting. Whether it be flowers, vegetables, or both, we all long for something pretty to look at after the long, cold, grey winter.</div>
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I decided this year that I wanted another try at vegetable gardening. I am really good about starting a garden. I get excited about all of the vegetables that will be sitting on my table during the summer, and how proud I will be to serve my family foods that I have raised myself.</div>
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Then reality sets in. </div>
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I forget about my garden. </div>
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I forget that the plants get thirsty. I forget that the weeds need to be pulled. I forget that the ground needs fertilizer and that the plants need help keeping the bugs away. </div>
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Another excuse I always use is it just gets plain hot here in Alabama. Nasty, humid hot, where you can almost cut the air with a knife.</div>
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I mean, who wants to go outside and sweat to death for a little ole tomato?</div>
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Obviously not me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1lmQx4pbqWZn0yvZvK1x9vKUHHQcDosanOf6h44S3ylEuXBFegtFWJzSSJ-TebFDCyyRkhTfE2J2_5Qk8cGzzXdz_wrX0h1VYRJ1iRb0SLV3wpAhM17jlsdl2Vydm22a-x3baw9fuKk/s1600/Garden-raised+beds-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1lmQx4pbqWZn0yvZvK1x9vKUHHQcDosanOf6h44S3ylEuXBFegtFWJzSSJ-TebFDCyyRkhTfE2J2_5Qk8cGzzXdz_wrX0h1VYRJ1iRb0SLV3wpAhM17jlsdl2Vydm22a-x3baw9fuKk/s640/Garden-raised+beds-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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However, I am trying to turn over a new leaf. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Plus, hubby said I wouldn't be able to keep it alive, so now it's personal. I refuse to be defeated.</div>
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This garden will survive and I will be eating vegetables from it in about 90 days, give or take. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85XDz_J9slFpSsU3W2OjgdZUsmYMOngs-ts9lvgBxgPa3zTV8lrf2Jtm80HyA_cVcDCFsIFp1ctRoJZlPw4ju_YXlJiVDjruvmujjpRPNk56WCCbhqg2XZlyyK2IRYVS5BGwiM8o4brc/s1600/Garden-raised+beds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85XDz_J9slFpSsU3W2OjgdZUsmYMOngs-ts9lvgBxgPa3zTV8lrf2Jtm80HyA_cVcDCFsIFp1ctRoJZlPw4ju_YXlJiVDjruvmujjpRPNk56WCCbhqg2XZlyyK2IRYVS5BGwiM8o4brc/s640/Garden-raised+beds.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hubby built these raised beds for me a few years ago. Every year I have the best intentions of growing food...but it hasn't really happened yet. I know for a fact that I can successfully grow weeds in it, though.</div>
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It took me two hours of digging to clear out all of the weeds. I was so exhausted after that. I am so thankful for grocery stores!!</div>
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So what am I growing(besides weeds)?</div>
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-pickling cucumbers</div>
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-tomatoes</div>
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-squash</div>
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-zucchini</div>
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-cabbage</div>
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-lettuce</div>
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-carrots</div>
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-basil</div>
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-rosemary</div>
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-thyme</div>
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-jalapenos</div>
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-habeneros</div>
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There is no rhyme or reason to my selection. I ran to Lowes one day and that was what caught my eye. I normally buy all of my vegetables for canning from the Mennonites in Kentucky. So, these veggies are just to get a feel for gardening. That way, when the apocalypse hits, I will know how to keep us alive a little longer!!</div>
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I will post progress pictures as the garden gets bigger. Help me stay accountable, y'all! I can't let hubby be right on this one!!! </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-39929403619495418472016-04-20T11:00:00.000-07:002016-04-20T11:00:15.578-07:00Laundry Room Renovation-Part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm so glad you're back! </div>
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In my last two posts, I shared with you our thought process in creating a more functional laundry area, and the beginning stages of building out the cabinetry.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today, I am sharing the current progress of this space. </div>
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The doors and hardware have been added to the enormous cabinets. (SOOOOOO much storage space!!!)</div>
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All of the cabinetry and trim have been painted and the counter top and bench have been stained.</div>
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And part of the crown molding has been added.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fAjYcZZ59AX3IRe8MQH0PyTb6GFu8AtHyaW50ckZs_lkA30ie1aGteDVl2CqUHYvSd9ZZQUeCmZLfxOuMMfaG_17V-uwEx752FhdGc35MsZ7gtyIbyQ-_b6Rgzm9UoaAX7WsSerB5P0/s1600/Laundry+Room+storage-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fAjYcZZ59AX3IRe8MQH0PyTb6GFu8AtHyaW50ckZs_lkA30ie1aGteDVl2CqUHYvSd9ZZQUeCmZLfxOuMMfaG_17V-uwEx752FhdGc35MsZ7gtyIbyQ-_b6Rgzm9UoaAX7WsSerB5P0/s640/Laundry+Room+storage-1.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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Hubby installed a white subway tile back splash under the cabinets. It's one of my favorite parts of the whole laundry room at this point. It offers absolutely no function other than being aesthetically pleasing, but sometimes that's ok, right?</div>
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You will have to forgive the over exposure of the back splash. The under cabinet lighting kind of washes it all out. </div>
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Speaking of under cabinet lighting...we found an inexpensive light at Costco, and hubby installed it under the cabinets. I love how much it brightens up the room! It kind of makes folding laundry less depressing. <br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HJ75PW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000HJ75PW&linkCode=as2&tag=fussmonkbus01-20&linkId=7A6QQCP6XFGYVJYL"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000HJ75PW&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=fussmonkbus01-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=fussmonkbus01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000HJ75PW" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<br />
(click on the picture to find similar under cabinet lighting)<br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbON7iQoNRuDtiFNlV_OLfMtSMC_4Y58KOojzWrvPnHoZPJjCY5OVampTAxvUkR0m-Dr2QvubIK0PNkZ8PvYaqCFujI0mmrpv2zBFlvbm0j9VZqS0lIMeoBw3tGm1Qgj4SHb_-p_f7PKQ/s1600/Laundry+Room+storage-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbON7iQoNRuDtiFNlV_OLfMtSMC_4Y58KOojzWrvPnHoZPJjCY5OVampTAxvUkR0m-Dr2QvubIK0PNkZ8PvYaqCFujI0mmrpv2zBFlvbm0j9VZqS0lIMeoBw3tGm1Qgj4SHb_-p_f7PKQ/s640/Laundry+Room+storage-3.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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One of our concerns with the laundry room was I didn't have an area to stick ALL of the dirty laundry. This laundry tower solved those issues. <br />If you remember, I found my inspiration from<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/251709066651558194/" target="_blank"> this picture.</a></div>
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It is amazing to have so many baskets to sort all of my laundry in. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKh6kkB1krMCBSvNr3eSPM05dwqzWUXngJtXCJsURfcUF0Xq7qaYmKB8lvAsYe3cJYXBGyn7b_vSNYUZ0evCbHmqp137tcmZX7yjgXDmlYMIgYFhr1lH-FCGmORoubUZfaZVEURGNY9O8/s1600/Laundry+Room+storage-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKh6kkB1krMCBSvNr3eSPM05dwqzWUXngJtXCJsURfcUF0Xq7qaYmKB8lvAsYe3cJYXBGyn7b_vSNYUZ0evCbHmqp137tcmZX7yjgXDmlYMIgYFhr1lH-FCGmORoubUZfaZVEURGNY9O8/s640/Laundry+Room+storage-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I really wanted to use wicker baskets, but it just wasn't in the budget, so we went with a Sterilite square laundry basket. Even though the wicker would have been much prettier, these baskets are clean and neat looking, and they definitely get the job done. They also fit the dimensions of our cubbies perfectly. </div>
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Amazon had a great deal on the baskets, so we had them shipped in.</div>
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<iframe class="dzxzrntaeipdftdwtrgr" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=fussmonkbus01-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B002BDTEPG&asins=B002BDTEPG&linkId=APWN7XSS7TXUFXV2&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BDTEPG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002BDTEPG&linkCode=as2&tag=fussmonkbus01-20&linkId=A3R7L4SKGO4AMEAJ"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B002BDTEPG&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=fussmonkbus01-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=fussmonkbus01-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002BDTEPG" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
(click on the picture to get your own 6-pack of laundry baskets)<br />
<br />
There are still soooo many things left to do in this room. Our list includes:<br />
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Adding wainscoting to match the <a href="http://fussymonkeybiz.blogspot.com/2013/08/half-bath-makeover.html" target="_blank">Half Bath </a><br />
Paint the walls a soft grey<br />
Add crown molding and caulk<br />
Add new light fixtures<br />
Reconfigure the salon area<br />
Add a little decor to finish it off <br />
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I'm sure that before it's over with, I will be adding to that list.<br />
Everyone who has been in the laundry room lately has raved over it. Hubby and I are anxious for it to be complete. It seems like we have been working on it FOE-EV-UH!<br />
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I will keep you posted on any new updates we do to this room, so make sure to check back!<br />
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*This post contains affiliate links*</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-1791325909014856602016-04-18T13:00:00.000-07:002016-04-18T13:00:09.203-07:00Laundry Room Renovation-Part 2<br />
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In my last post, I shared with you all the issues I had with the different layouts of our laundry room. In the course of 6 and a half years, our laundry room has gone through several different looks, but never meeting all of our needs.</div>
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After searching for inspiration for what seemed like weeks(which in all actuality was probably more like days...maybe even hours), I finally came up with a design plan. </div>
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I felt like an HGTV designer with my own show. It was kind of cool.</div>
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My design addressed all of the issues we were having with the space. We have 9 foot ceilings, so by taking the cabinets all the way to the ceiling, it would create a ton of extra storage. Making the laundry tower for holding baskets would clear out the dirty laundry on the floor, with multiple slots for all of my sorting needs. We would also have a seating area where my clients would be able to sit, and the dogs' crate could be tucked away underneath. And, most importantly, it would be "purty."</div>
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Problems solved.</div>
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I just needed someone to build it for me. Thankfully I have a handy dandy hubby.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuo_858pKW-Od8hTI4NMT5IUD2rTRRnjFfONg1awjF4DAt12Z4YMmZWNel7sRVIm7hKrfNxq7WmdfDbmi4E-iki1jqbLFuUs-xO70StEiB8XRF2TkMxgFQrrPqnbTxC-rDZgHHKn6fps/s1600/laundry+room+plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuo_858pKW-Od8hTI4NMT5IUD2rTRRnjFfONg1awjF4DAt12Z4YMmZWNel7sRVIm7hKrfNxq7WmdfDbmi4E-iki1jqbLFuUs-xO70StEiB8XRF2TkMxgFQrrPqnbTxC-rDZgHHKn6fps/s640/laundry+room+plan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We started out by completely deconstructing the laundry room...again.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIN4embv_XDpR7QNAvlIdBRa7aLb53JwcoJZh2Qgl67DU8CuQpF_PErn4uyHmrfbUGJ1EtWZFjxm9VaOK73X4KIgAlW0eHT4zcNr4eSJHFve14ziBUGQ9ppOLxfI9n2iJhBjFnZ1SlFI/s1600/Laundry+room+reno-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIN4embv_XDpR7QNAvlIdBRa7aLb53JwcoJZh2Qgl67DU8CuQpF_PErn4uyHmrfbUGJ1EtWZFjxm9VaOK73X4KIgAlW0eHT4zcNr4eSJHFve14ziBUGQ9ppOLxfI9n2iJhBjFnZ1SlFI/s640/Laundry+room+reno-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Then hubby got to work making my dreams a reality. He began with the counter over the washer and dryer. He used oak plywood for the counter top, and took it all the way to the back wall. It's massive and I love it, mu-wha-ha-ha! I wanted the counter to be stained, so that's why we went with a slightly more expensive plywood.</div>
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He tried to end all construction at this point, but obviously that was step 1 of 6,453.</div>
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Next, he made the tower. Now, wood only comes in 8 foot sheets at Lowes, and we have 9 foot ceilings, so he made the entire 8 foot tower, and later on added a box on top of the tower, so it would go all the way to the ceiling.</div>
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Now that the tower is beside the counter, there isn't any risk of laundry going MIA. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEZE6cPlWHuB060RlY95mHbtOHOSkPV1pD1EsBEoWhiS73Agr_Nxh7INvtbYK74guPbuDxJqPb0oZlrYdESybcdwixQ819d2z3x5f08z5lvxHxfmQPQ_0YlJkqW8rVqP4VNDdcd-s2JE/s1600/Laundry+Room+reno-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEZE6cPlWHuB060RlY95mHbtOHOSkPV1pD1EsBEoWhiS73Agr_Nxh7INvtbYK74guPbuDxJqPb0oZlrYdESybcdwixQ819d2z3x5f08z5lvxHxfmQPQ_0YlJkqW8rVqP4VNDdcd-s2JE/s640/Laundry+Room+reno-3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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He then built the cabinets that go over the washer and dryer. This was something that truly tried his patience, and broke the tip of my finger, but they made it on the wall, so all is well. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7ctuKdIayIeVWSkzw4xdS-j0CEiVubGzaLel0DNOOYGkumMFH8pm_1DrhR_fZ46yGBYETrO3deFLSLWn3HPvsexScKHknfMVzNd6hRakoQQZYFAR6lviP4QXNYAF7hyphenhyphenKWzynShIrlUQ/s1600/Laundry+room+reno-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7ctuKdIayIeVWSkzw4xdS-j0CEiVubGzaLel0DNOOYGkumMFH8pm_1DrhR_fZ46yGBYETrO3deFLSLWn3HPvsexScKHknfMVzNd6hRakoQQZYFAR6lviP4QXNYAF7hyphenhyphenKWzynShIrlUQ/s640/Laundry+room+reno-1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The laundry room stayed in this state for a bit because we went on our amazing Disney vacation that I can't wait to tell you about!</div>
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When we returned, hubby was back in the garage working his fingers to the bone to make Momma's dreams come true. </div>
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Stayed tuned, and I will update you on the current progress. This room is still under construction, but it's starting to look beautiful!! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-13878004913729398282016-04-15T13:00:00.000-07:002016-04-15T13:00:11.990-07:00Laundry Room Renovation-Part 1 (again)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Six and a half years ago when we moved into our house, this was what our <a href="http://fussymonkeybiz.blogspot.com/2010/10/ready-for-some-laundry-room-love.html" target="_blank">laundry room</a> looked like. Plain and boring.</div>
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I tried to add a few touches in the corner to make it look a little nicer, but it was still fairly blah. Functional, but blah.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBIX_fyosxbjlvjgAnGZHbDOIV13xOsoL-ah6uy7ZS2C7whCc8eG-rfkkwPYUOYNGYgbmM49UjYl09_r62mqWgnezdMMGExhvtOWUfyBYJ0xbe_NEMyPET8gqZ2sVZETJlnb7qDtCMQs/s1600/oringinal+laundry+room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBIX_fyosxbjlvjgAnGZHbDOIV13xOsoL-ah6uy7ZS2C7whCc8eG-rfkkwPYUOYNGYgbmM49UjYl09_r62mqWgnezdMMGExhvtOWUfyBYJ0xbe_NEMyPET8gqZ2sVZETJlnb7qDtCMQs/s640/oringinal+laundry+room.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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Then I got the bug to decorate in the laundry room. I have people in there on a somewhat regular basis because I cut hair in the nook of my laundry room. I wanted the room to look a little nicer, so I had hubby build some amazing <a href="http://fussymonkeybiz.blogspot.com/2011/06/laundry-room-part-1.html" target="_blank">risers for the washer and dryer.</a> </div>
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I painted the walls, and it gave the room less of the cookie cutter look. </div>
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I also added some seating for my clients, and that seemed to make things better.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDDM0OLVqbE0z_e994OnhkuufmA0HwMU1nRxBUFPON4bBSHxjCBs31DKgQ5Pjr21Txh01DRNe9TIIdNgX220YVyBQLxi2H1PDN4AodL0hr4ph-AG8f3-VVO7DuG_SV7NCaJIHIJK5EHE/s1600/Laundry+room+corner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDDM0OLVqbE0z_e994OnhkuufmA0HwMU1nRxBUFPON4bBSHxjCBs31DKgQ5Pjr21Txh01DRNe9TIIdNgX220YVyBQLxi2H1PDN4AodL0hr4ph-AG8f3-VVO7DuG_SV7NCaJIHIJK5EHE/s640/Laundry+room+corner.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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However, it didn't take very long before I was tired of that arrangement. It just wasn't working. We sold the risers and the bench, and we stacked the washer and dryer hoping to create more space in the area. We built a table to fold the laundry on, and I thought that was going to be it. </div>
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There were still issues with the arrangement, though. The laundry was always on the floor, if I put clothes on the table to fold, things would inevitably fall behind the washer and dryer, the kids couldn't reach the dryer, and I really wanted to put the pups' crate in there as well, and there wasn't a place for it.</div>
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I sat in my stylist's chair one day and just stared at the laundry room. I kept trying to figure out what could be done to solve all of my issues. </div>
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I hopped on Pinterest, and typed in Laundry Room, Laundry Room Storage, Laundry Room Design, anything that I could possibly think of for some inspiration.</div>
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After pinning for what seemed like forever, I started finding things that caught my interest. </div>
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I needed storage, I needed a place to put my laundry to fold, and I needed a place to hide the dirty laundry when I had clients over for a cut.</div>
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Once I figured out what I really wanted for that space, I could narrow down the design. </div>
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I loved the idea of taking cabinets all the way to the ceiling. It's my opinion that one can never have too much storage space. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4YmT3pFV9P8a_tCJvw1zrQ-oU5gGcKJvz-YvuRecyEetoTRVuxiG1hWGanonHW6C50FMwaIucFvELUMizBPjovkx2jz2Njuf5nbgZDQdsvrapKTnzx_aMU4FAQT8h-WJ-B3depu7i88/s1600/laundry+room+inspiration-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4YmT3pFV9P8a_tCJvw1zrQ-oU5gGcKJvz-YvuRecyEetoTRVuxiG1hWGanonHW6C50FMwaIucFvELUMizBPjovkx2jz2Njuf5nbgZDQdsvrapKTnzx_aMU4FAQT8h-WJ-B3depu7i88/s640/laundry+room+inspiration-1.jpg" width="424" /> </a></div>
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<a href="http://www.lizmarieblog.com/2013/06/laundry-room-dreaming/#_pg_pin=577432" target="_blank">(Source)</a></div>
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I loved this stacked laundry basket area. It seems like every laundry system only has slots for three colors. I usually need 4-5. This seemed like a perfect solution.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHDQQtuwVN2iMh1yQOPUv0ZOaO4ivn-djpjEJS8PxHS_QPermcfCS7Tm2eeSF34fVLkveF3tgWvC0HkbqVQFjKxFjap4NKU_slIsp6k3wwnQ3eY8AIkXLT4YFJljP4LMSNP-YrxaicIY/s1600/laundry+room+inspiration-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHDQQtuwVN2iMh1yQOPUv0ZOaO4ivn-djpjEJS8PxHS_QPermcfCS7Tm2eeSF34fVLkveF3tgWvC0HkbqVQFjKxFjap4NKU_slIsp6k3wwnQ3eY8AIkXLT4YFJljP4LMSNP-YrxaicIY/s640/laundry+room+inspiration-2.jpg" width="344" /></a></div>
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And who doesn't love subway tile? Absolutely timeless.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiZ4p-DF8ef2fEl8oRcnfXy9TA5RQKeyt819caq5lo7iYVzro9o9TYtccxePciq33vt98_BgswnonuBWIXBc0y8cMlZXnOUe1Rxswqzyx6WRtMnQLWK1jxJFp2vHJiNUMrx0rjeK7njI/s1600/laundry+room+inspiration-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiZ4p-DF8ef2fEl8oRcnfXy9TA5RQKeyt819caq5lo7iYVzro9o9TYtccxePciq33vt98_BgswnonuBWIXBc0y8cMlZXnOUe1Rxswqzyx6WRtMnQLWK1jxJFp2vHJiNUMrx0rjeK7njI/s640/laundry+room+inspiration-3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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So after gathering loads of inspiration, I put pencil to paper and drew out what I wanted my laundry room to look like.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuo_858pKW-Od8hTI4NMT5IUD2rTRRnjFfONg1awjF4DAt12Z4YMmZWNel7sRVIm7hKrfNxq7WmdfDbmi4E-iki1jqbLFuUs-xO70StEiB8XRF2TkMxgFQrrPqnbTxC-rDZgHHKn6fps/s1600/laundry+room+plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuo_858pKW-Od8hTI4NMT5IUD2rTRRnjFfONg1awjF4DAt12Z4YMmZWNel7sRVIm7hKrfNxq7WmdfDbmi4E-iki1jqbLFuUs-xO70StEiB8XRF2TkMxgFQrrPqnbTxC-rDZgHHKn6fps/s640/laundry+room+plan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was so excited about my plan and I knew hubby could build it. I just needed to convince him it was a good idea!</div>
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Thankfully, he loves making me smile, and we tore apart the laundry room once again. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3-isAF_c6OJcLVnkzyzHK-oFlceNVw4l6Jhg4WXZbR2XquB3sgdxFOwhyQIQZoK_VPF98sqQXwvsCnJHjQpv3-nM7yJ2JUSJ2lrxDs9sjHBnGT1tNqMS4q8GjeqkEeylChVUanhasQs/s1600/Laundry+room+reno-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3-isAF_c6OJcLVnkzyzHK-oFlceNVw4l6Jhg4WXZbR2XquB3sgdxFOwhyQIQZoK_VPF98sqQXwvsCnJHjQpv3-nM7yJ2JUSJ2lrxDs9sjHBnGT1tNqMS4q8GjeqkEeylChVUanhasQs/s640/Laundry+room+reno-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Next I will share the progress we have made thus far, so make sure to check back!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-82703432361301507442016-04-13T13:00:00.000-07:002016-04-13T13:00:19.331-07:00A New Adventure-Disney Vacation Planning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We all have been given a gift, and I don't mean the kind with a pretty little bow on top. I mean the kind that our Father has blessed us with. They are usually seen through our abilities, our strengths you could say, but they can also be who we are in general. Whether it's being a spouse, a parent, a sibling, a teacher, an engineer, or whatever, we all have been given the ability to be someone special. </div>
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Some of the gifts that I have been blessed with are being a wife/house-wife, mother, sister, daughter, granddaughter, friend, homeschool teacher, Bible class teacher, part-time hair stylist (a.k.a. therapist), and crafter. I'm sure I am forgetting one. I love getting to be all of these. Some days are harder than others, and the blessings can seem like burdens at the time, but thankfully those days are few and far between. </div>
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Last year, I was able to take some of these God-given gifts and put them to good use. I decided in January of 2015 that I was going to surprise my family with a trip to Disney World, and I would pay for it completely by myself. I wrote a guest post for <a href="http://www.couponingtodisney.com/surprised-kids-husband-trip-disney/" target="_blank">Couponing to Disney</a>, where I shared all of the in's and out's of how I pulled it off. (click the link to read the post).</div>
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Below are some pictures of the breakfast reveal I did. You know me, I can never do anything simple.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3b4-5f9_7qcmLG1greS9TLEdqrBxmZgMGPzoqMzxMFk9e6TwXyJvugwl2Nx5iq15zhyphenhyphenbvDaJPAin0z8fjSLqbPFAx27Mso0PdA6lzCZfWdHPcYgQl82ALudsjROxl50ktDL4fUaBVKw/s1600/DSC_0838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3b4-5f9_7qcmLG1greS9TLEdqrBxmZgMGPzoqMzxMFk9e6TwXyJvugwl2Nx5iq15zhyphenhyphenbvDaJPAin0z8fjSLqbPFAx27Mso0PdA6lzCZfWdHPcYgQl82ALudsjROxl50ktDL4fUaBVKw/s640/DSC_0838.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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In the early stages of planning, I realized that the only way I was going to keep my sanity during this process, was to have the help of an official Disney Vacation Planner. </div>
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Friends, Tricia saved me from so much heart ache. I learned so much through her and by following several Disney planning Facebook pages, things began to fall into place. I began to share with others my Big Secret, and they began asking questions about Disney themselves. I was told on several occasions that I should be a travel agent for Disney. I would always brush the thought aside because I was so focused on the surprise I was planning. </div>
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After the dust settled, and the trip was revealed, the thought of being a Disney Vacation Planner kept nagging at me, but I kept ignoring it.</div>
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When we got back from our AMAZING Disney trip (more on that later), I had an influx of friends asking all sorts of Disney questions.</div>
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Then the opportunity arose.</div>
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A call for part time Disney Vacation Planners.</div>
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I applied, and I was offered a position.</div>
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Things got real...real fast.</div>
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I am so excited about this new adventure! I get to help people who are completely overwhelmed by all the details involved in planning a trip to Disney, and make it completely magical and stress-free.</div>
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And the best part is that my planning services are completely free!! If you look at the top of the page, you will see a <a href="http://fussymonkeybiz.blogspot.com/p/submit-tutorial.html" target="_blank">Disney Travel</a> button. Click on that, and you'll find all of my contact information!</div>
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I can't wait to share some of our experiences from our last trip, including my first runDisney event, the Princess Half Marathon weekend! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRlLzz1AD_xnShDi70t5BZ-uOiwXq_ZDo_m8ZDI7tZgqi4OroFttOQjAyARBs1oU_VUmTiRbkcclubqFRN0-azcF6zyAp8p6P0hTPrfR3Mgbz2lrY2MkBUBuI3ESKiElYVmGN_9xibIs/s1600/Princess+Half+Marathon-10K.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRlLzz1AD_xnShDi70t5BZ-uOiwXq_ZDo_m8ZDI7tZgqi4OroFttOQjAyARBs1oU_VUmTiRbkcclubqFRN0-azcF6zyAp8p6P0hTPrfR3Mgbz2lrY2MkBUBuI3ESKiElYVmGN_9xibIs/s640/Princess+Half+Marathon-10K.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-36997165710473200072016-04-12T14:42:00.000-07:002016-04-12T14:42:02.589-07:00Where I have been...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's Spring, and I am so glad it's here. It means the weather is getting warmer, the flowers are in full bloom, and the school year is coming to an end. </div>
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So, where have I been the last few months? Obviously not posting here. Homeschooling is where I have been. In this room. Just me, my kiddos, the pups, and the school books. It is all consuming, and it's great (most of the time)! </div>
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I
love homeschooling. I really do. I am so thankful that we have the
means to do so, and live in a country where it is still legal. It is
truly a blessing.</div>
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But
as the weather begins to warm, my spray painting finger begins to itch, and the
wheels start turning in my head as to which projects I will tackle first
after we close the books.</div>
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Today I wanted to share what our homeschool room looks like. </div>
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It's nothing fancy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWWsdZNo2T0SvaSG-fj31Rk7TtHpTvyRBpqAxei7faNBpf1Ewg85PTwe4hz6_fMNNIhfgLmUZ7I3eqIhrld7HsZT4KBOOrd9t1EB1bnrKGCE8WW8S1-Bqkk0QtLI3bdPrpgCP5IpNyrw/s1600/School+Room-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWWsdZNo2T0SvaSG-fj31Rk7TtHpTvyRBpqAxei7faNBpf1Ewg85PTwe4hz6_fMNNIhfgLmUZ7I3eqIhrld7HsZT4KBOOrd9t1EB1bnrKGCE8WW8S1-Bqkk0QtLI3bdPrpgCP5IpNyrw/s640/School+Room-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hubby decided that he was tired of all the books strewn throughout the living room, so he graciously gave up his office so we could close the doors on all of the mess if need be. So what you see before you are the remnants of a man cave. (Alabama-everywhere...Roll Tide, y'all) </div>
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I would love to redo a few things...</div>
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First-repaint the red wall. I'm over it. However, that would require painting the wall, and I really do hate painting walls. It's just so exhausting. You have to remove all of the furniture, cover the floors, paint the walls, climb ladders, put yourself in very dangerous positions to reach those high ceilings, and then after the paint is on the wall, you have to decide where to put everything again because you really didn't like the original placement to begin with. Exhausting, I tell you. Eventually I will muster up the energy, but for now, I will peruse <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/FussyMonkeyBiz/neat-school-room-ideas/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> for awesome ideas.</div>
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I would also love to add an entire wall of bookshelves where the red wall exists. I love the idea of a home library. That seems to be something of the past, especially with so many people reading ebooks, or listening to audio books. I love flipping through real pages in a book. <br />
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I love built in shelves. It gives a cookie cutter home like ours more of a custom look. Here are some pictures of built in shelving inspiration.</div>
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Love those beams and that ladder! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhar9yZFlsw8kZ0I0iB0eu_xpenAK5d4VP2eeyAGsoYBNlAIlZBRztKuGeQy8LDXu0xb14tTcKZZ1coWgotuXaBzN4D4qf68oG3vzB6Fxz1AfZZrihDHrpkQI5qZKVWBJDPS13joP5CYuM/s1600/built+in+bookcase-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhar9yZFlsw8kZ0I0iB0eu_xpenAK5d4VP2eeyAGsoYBNlAIlZBRztKuGeQy8LDXu0xb14tTcKZZ1coWgotuXaBzN4D4qf68oG3vzB6Fxz1AfZZrihDHrpkQI5qZKVWBJDPS13joP5CYuM/s640/built+in+bookcase-2.jpg" width="484" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.lightsinthenorthernsky.com/book-shelves-have-place-your-cabin-decor-p-8169.html" target="_blank">Source</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qKnhaAJindmD22-qeZXLmoBMid0SfTknJQrlJ3iDxn_JkzkCKdVex0xkvXEhyphenhyphenWY3nFSUrAzM6V0wQ0w0wXwA6HbGppZUZbu87tQxUD0EmkU02YfOMoCbQaj-GVj_yVMhyW9QXaKlvGU/s1600/built+in+bookcase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qKnhaAJindmD22-qeZXLmoBMid0SfTknJQrlJ3iDxn_JkzkCKdVex0xkvXEhyphenhyphenWY3nFSUrAzM6V0wQ0w0wXwA6HbGppZUZbu87tQxUD0EmkU02YfOMoCbQaj-GVj_yVMhyW9QXaKlvGU/s640/built+in+bookcase.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.homedit.com/creating-a-home-library/" target="_blank">Source</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtHkklacAjEcyIm4j6RpcxTOk-7eCD4s4oniI9TCwmJoiFj2tPuioNFtAsxzN5ad_i8H7YYFEEJ7B8jwyDRQ8bttIuBRl44Tr2EPveF6enTYO6RxFw9aK47QxAKZ5x3plhMJJtPMmr6s/s1600/built+in+bookcase-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtHkklacAjEcyIm4j6RpcxTOk-7eCD4s4oniI9TCwmJoiFj2tPuioNFtAsxzN5ad_i8H7YYFEEJ7B8jwyDRQ8bttIuBRl44Tr2EPveF6enTYO6RxFw9aK47QxAKZ5x3plhMJJtPMmr6s/s640/built+in+bookcase-3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://forevercottage.blogspot.com/2012/10/planks.html?m=1" target="_blank">Source</a></div>
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For now, this is what we have in our school room. As you can see, our bookcase is busting at the seams. I have already started double stacking the books because there isn't anywhere else to put them.</div>
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#homeschoolproblems</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2bP0__1lxO3i1ZpgNIA8G5GS8mdh1tbOu3HaRLIphUt-5SUdly9Zp8edNBLLGOcOa-i_AE06KOY_Fu0O-mOBsiKAN6tVf1cFe_7i5nD1i83byHPf2MbttIyDZ_pGVtpQA2gwhzFu4jE/s1600/School+room-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2bP0__1lxO3i1ZpgNIA8G5GS8mdh1tbOu3HaRLIphUt-5SUdly9Zp8edNBLLGOcOa-i_AE06KOY_Fu0O-mOBsiKAN6tVf1cFe_7i5nD1i83byHPf2MbttIyDZ_pGVtpQA2gwhzFu4jE/s640/School+room-3.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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Here is another angle of that side of the room.</div>
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We are in Classical Conversations, and this is where I write all of the kiddos' memory work for each week. I made the board last summer, and it has been so useful. </div>
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I love being organized. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQ7TjxA9Ikk958pLH_ZINBCJEl43VAh8kbAsJb4w5SEq5zWPkyYvTdKe0TBeKLmMdOM5YgDQXSq3gk2Hw_SPwrID5_SznimwehyphenhyphenU1-YT0gvgzznXHTR0RYN3IAqOh_qzQgeaTlZ1QHTE/s1600/School+Room-2+CC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQ7TjxA9Ikk958pLH_ZINBCJEl43VAh8kbAsJb4w5SEq5zWPkyYvTdKe0TBeKLmMdOM5YgDQXSq3gk2Hw_SPwrID5_SznimwehyphenhyphenU1-YT0gvgzznXHTR0RYN3IAqOh_qzQgeaTlZ1QHTE/s640/School+Room-2+CC.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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So now you know what I have been up to for the last little bit.</div>
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I plan on being more frequent in my posts. </div>
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If you follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Fussy-Monkey-Business-164117490328471/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, you heard my big announcement. I am now an official Disney Vacation Planner. I'll post more on that very soon.</div>
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If you click on the <b>Disney Travel</b> button at the top right of the page, you can find more information.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5354069135499993648.post-3545311898857193992015-12-01T06:26:00.001-08:002015-12-01T06:26:55.872-08:00North Pole Breakfast with Our Elf on the Shelf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's December 1st y'all! Where has this year gone?!? </div>
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It's a rainy, dreary day, but we're not letting that dampen our Christmas spirits. We have started this Holiday season off with a bang with our Christmas countdown...starting off with the arrival of our elf, Snarf. </div>
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I am totally not a fan of the Elf on the Shelf tradition. It's exhausting, and you have to be on your A-Game all of December. However, my children love it, and love their elf. They have been talking about him for several weeks now, so I knew I would have to get over myself, and run with it.</div>
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We had a North Pole Breakfast waiting on the kids this morning. They think that Snarf the Elf put this spread together...well at least S.R. does. E is in that in-between stage of analyzing whether this actually makes sense, but I can say that he was up at 5:55 a.m. this morning excited to see Snarf at the kitchen table. ;-)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniZYtz_gwsonPZjbY2fYZyfSagFWEjExWbEsXIL8WjzBPMX86CGbq-qcUAbET2MH_Sy3BpBk0fSVJ-taM_syEMVFD5uZ4Nz-Aox5f4bY3txaG0__FEKP24D2EkL_hzJE64ORQUWnJr6w/s1600/North+Pole+Breakfast-Elf+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniZYtz_gwsonPZjbY2fYZyfSagFWEjExWbEsXIL8WjzBPMX86CGbq-qcUAbET2MH_Sy3BpBk0fSVJ-taM_syEMVFD5uZ4Nz-Aox5f4bY3txaG0__FEKP24D2EkL_hzJE64ORQUWnJr6w/s640/North+Pole+Breakfast-Elf+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This year we are really focusing on others, instead of ourselves. I have several service projects and "random acts of kindness" activities planned(does that still make it random if I plan it??) Anyway, I found this <a href="http://www.couponsaregreat.net/print-elf-returns-letter-instructions-donate-toys/" target="_blank">cute little printable</a> and loved the idea of it. The kids immediately ran to their playroom and started bringing down toys to fill the box. I just wrapped a box with coordinating wrapping paper to make it look a little more festive. The intent is to fill this box and donate it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OoqqpuFVJcsli_v1DmAUHUO958yxp3Cxeq0eI08hhg7zFHGF9a6cpQSpdA06tsZxXOe6hrUMKRNkIyydBoMO42Xu3UaXPO6ZrKy1gSyD3E0_ksY3RUyfLluFK5rqvXtXAsvei_xrAbc/s1600/DSC_0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OoqqpuFVJcsli_v1DmAUHUO958yxp3Cxeq0eI08hhg7zFHGF9a6cpQSpdA06tsZxXOe6hrUMKRNkIyydBoMO42Xu3UaXPO6ZrKy1gSyD3E0_ksY3RUyfLluFK5rqvXtXAsvei_xrAbc/s640/DSC_0713.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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Decorations were either things we had on hand, or purchased from Walmart. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9oh_lPtt8YNo60F2ORC8qvnOnXQ7Wof3jXfyrV81ZNqZH9XBo86sy7d51Bxiw1c2R-wmyGhHQMqSxy_Rt6eFgm5nVL3FDoqhWQYKuXQLxrbHW7M__dnEFWY5OEAZ0iZ-W_qiPljehEk/s1600/DSC_0714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9oh_lPtt8YNo60F2ORC8qvnOnXQ7Wof3jXfyrV81ZNqZH9XBo86sy7d51Bxiw1c2R-wmyGhHQMqSxy_Rt6eFgm5nVL3FDoqhWQYKuXQLxrbHW7M__dnEFWY5OEAZ0iZ-W_qiPljehEk/s640/DSC_0714.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yNUAwreIqxabKcCR4QOmvS0t-BGm_aYoONkMtCYjhUyoBnjNj2cOTFycLnQi2X6AEc4Mo-zJdfB0OFdrHWPMEg7IKoCn4bMCjzISwxW7dy2G_1qXkBiSb_6gyfsJsEmcAso6oljDtXk/s1600/DSC_0715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yNUAwreIqxabKcCR4QOmvS0t-BGm_aYoONkMtCYjhUyoBnjNj2cOTFycLnQi2X6AEc4Mo-zJdfB0OFdrHWPMEg7IKoCn4bMCjzISwxW7dy2G_1qXkBiSb_6gyfsJsEmcAso6oljDtXk/s640/DSC_0715.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hubs made the reindeer donuts. He was quite proud of his contribution. I love that we were able to make this a team effort. </div>
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I completely forgot about getting noses for the reindeer. They looked pretty ridiculous without them. Thankfully we had some leftover Whoppers from Halloween. Crisis averted! </div>
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On the menu:</div>
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Elf Hats(strawberries sitting on banana slices)</div>
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Reindeer Donuts(pretzels, candy eyes, Whoppers, and icing to glue it all in place)</div>
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Powdered White Donuts</div>
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Fruit Cups</div>
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Scrambled Eggs</div>
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Bacon</div>
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Almond Chocolate Milk(soooo <strike>delicious</strike> dangerous ;-) )</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdQwrUQmfaxbH4Hk9iMH8Z0zbxQaYXAyzMEZn0pRmLrfm-M3P0St8G65I2v_xCt3wpqjCeOfKw72W83PrLGCH9gltcGGziqdjW-mYgx-vsibyMeu8Tt7ZWFeInisQANA62L5ZukUfBK8/s1600/DSC_0721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdQwrUQmfaxbH4Hk9iMH8Z0zbxQaYXAyzMEZn0pRmLrfm-M3P0St8G65I2v_xCt3wpqjCeOfKw72W83PrLGCH9gltcGGziqdjW-mYgx-vsibyMeu8Tt7ZWFeInisQANA62L5ZukUfBK8/s640/DSC_0721.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Snarf also brought little gifts for the kiddos. </div>
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This was S.R.'s gift. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pXQf6wtWOZUhAmJ3VgyCamjjbInq3vmaUMPslCMCysXVp1aku9VlGxFHeQTpvsYJ6R-Kf82COERIZk0mUezkTtpEtq0vFm4C-nqSonJXAvy_TkIu6SmM8o08ZP3VUAATwKuXEfKJSwE/s1600/DSC_0719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pXQf6wtWOZUhAmJ3VgyCamjjbInq3vmaUMPslCMCysXVp1aku9VlGxFHeQTpvsYJ6R-Kf82COERIZk0mUezkTtpEtq0vFm4C-nqSonJXAvy_TkIu6SmM8o08ZP3VUAATwKuXEfKJSwE/s640/DSC_0719.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And E's gift. All items were purchased from Walmart.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclQ_OB9MYEPlvKJz4ZJP9koiRNYChfPKCFRAJkguAV0jzSFPn0mOW7nMRKr3atiBslPVXuh0HVq7daSMwbIQ0xZDnXnC09Jy8glkmMCTpuR8D44kmrvYdEmWzG7EUcMwoSOscGtefXKc/s1600/DSC_0720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclQ_OB9MYEPlvKJz4ZJP9koiRNYChfPKCFRAJkguAV0jzSFPn0mOW7nMRKr3atiBslPVXuh0HVq7daSMwbIQ0xZDnXnC09Jy8glkmMCTpuR8D44kmrvYdEmWzG7EUcMwoSOscGtefXKc/s640/DSC_0720.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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Even though putting this together was a tiny bit exhausting, it was well worth it to see the big smiles when they woke up.</div>
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Christmas Magic is in full swing here at the Waggoner home!</div>
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Make sure to check back frequently to see what sort of mischief Snarf will be into! </div>
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