tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44559664996321588962024-03-05T03:32:21.251-05:00Adventures of One CrAzY LaDy!Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.comBlogger357125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-67155428574055851812014-02-22T11:20:00.002-05:002014-02-22T11:20:50.800-05:00Travels<div style="text-align: left;">
Many moons ago, I decided that I would love to one day have seen all 50 of our beautiful states. Our country is so big and there are so many different settings and landscapes that I see in pictures or on billboards, and I decided that it wasn't enough. I wanted to get to see these places with my own two eyes. Thankfully, I married a man who loves to travel and who was raised with a childhood that included adventure and discovery. He's been all over the place - however, the majority of his travels include those abroad. He's done a lot of cool things on our soil as well, but most of it was done so long ago that he wanted/s to do them all again...this time with me :). </div>
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On January 5, 2010 I wrote a blog about how many places in the United States I have visited. You can see that blog post <a href="http://karicorsi.blogspot.com/2010/01/around-world-in-80-days-i-wish.html">here</a>. At that time, I had visited 18 states, making my travels around the U.S. come to about 36% of what this country has to offer. Here is a look of the map of my travels at that time:</div>
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With summer making its way to us (slowly but surely), Stephen and I are making travel plans and decisions. I decided to venture back to that website and see how different my map looked after 4 years with my adventure-seeking husband (the man loves a road trip - even if it means driving 12 hours to Texas for the weekend...I love him, but he's wearing me out!). Now, normally I love blue over red, but I was happy to see more red pop up on my map this time around:</div>
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<img src="http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=t&chtm=usa&chs=440x220&chf=bg,s,336699&chco=d0d0d0,cc0000&chd=s:99999999999999999999999999&chld=ALAKARCOFLGAILINKYMIMNMSNYNCOHPASCSDTNTXUTVAWAWVWIWY" height="220" width="440" /></div>
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visited 26 states (52%)</div>
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<a href="http://douweosinga.com/projects/visited?region=usa">Create your own visited map of The United States</a> or <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.triposo.droidguide.brazil&hl=en">Brazil travel guide for Android</a></div>
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One day, I'd love for the entire thing to be red to symbolize all the magnificent sites and evidence of God's creation that I was blessed to see in our huge country.</div>
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Now, don't get me wrong...while I think traveling is glorious and offers wonderful adventures, by no means do I think that it's super important and something to worship or live for. However, it's a lot of fun and a great way to experience God's beauty and love for us - that He would create such a remarkable landscape for us to constantly be reminded of Him. Can I get an Amen?</div>
Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-75917777838791843822014-01-02T02:29:00.000-05:002014-01-02T02:32:19.403-05:002013 - What a Year!You know you're old when....you say things like, "time flies!" and you really mean it. I mean, come on! How is it that we're already wrapping up 2013 and welcoming in 2014? Also, how is it that I'm still so horrrrrrible about capturing moments by taking pictures? I don't know if I'll ever master snapping photos, and because of that, this post is pretty <strike>lame</strike> photo-less...(okay, I lied...I creeped on instagram and got pics off my phone - this post ended up being photo-filled! It's a Christmas miracle...or something like that)<br />
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Here's a look back on a super fast year - 2013, you were pretty uneventful, but that's okay with me!</div>
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<u>January:</u></div>
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-Embarked upon my self-appointed "No-Jiggle-January" and was rather successful at losing a few pounds.</div>
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-Celebrated having Princeton one full year!</div>
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-Bought <a href="http://karicorsi.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-bright-transformation.html">this</a> dresser off Craigslist and turned it into a t.v. stand for our family room.</div>
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-Found out I was going to be an aunt (again!) because my sister (Melissa) was pregnant!</div>
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<u>February:</u></div>
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-Convinced my husband to ditch the tube television and get a 40" flat-screen. That was a hard task! (total first world problem)</div>
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-Enjoyed a week off of school thanks to built-in-snow-days.</div>
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-Traveled to Johnson City, TN with my 2 sisters and nephew to visit my Aunt Shirley, Uncle Gene and cousins Tressa and Wendell.</div>
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-Continued on with No-Flab-February and continued to rock it out.</div>
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<u>March:</u></div>
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-Worked hard to get through this month. Totally ready for Spring but still suffering from winter-like weather in KY.</div>
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-Started the seeds for my garden (better late than never, right?)</div>
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-Came down with strep throat...uggggggghhhhh</div>
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-Longed for a break!</div>
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-Fell off the wagon and jumped ship on No-Munchy March (maybe it was because the name was lame?)</div>
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<u>April:</u></div>
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-Ventured to Destin with my good friends Julie, Katie, and Jenna for Spring Break.</div>
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-Officially began rereading the Harry Potter series (yesssssss!!!!)</div>
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<u>May:</u></div>
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-Feverishly awaited the arrival of summer...it couldn't come fast enough!</div>
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-Transferred my seeds to the garden out back.</div>
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-Opened our pool for the second year, but this time we did it ourselves and were very successful at it!</div>
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-Made cake balls in the design of a flag...lame to include that in here, but as a teacher that was quite a feat to accomplish during the school year!</div>
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-Hung a new light fixture in our foyer.</div>
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<u>June:</u></div>
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-Completed my 2nd year teaching in Louisville and my 5th year teaching altogether.</div>
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-Weeding the backyard took over my life.</div>
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-Continued reading the Harry Potter series...why hello book 3!</div>
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-Began taking doors off the hinges and repainted all of them.</div>
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-Attempted a return to blogging...decided that good things can't be forced.</div>
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-Began running with the help of Couch to 5K.</div>
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<u>July:</u></div>
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-Hosted a 4th of July swimming party during the middle of a monsoon in Louisville.</div>
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-Stephen passed his CFP courses and tests!</div>
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-Ventured to Outerbanks, NC with Stephen's family.</div>
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-Continued running with the help of Couch to 5K.</div>
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-Began reaping the benefits of a backyard garden! Tomatoes, peppers and squash, oh my!</div>
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-Spent a weekend in Chicago for my dear friend Debbie and Stephen's wedding.</div>
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-Kept on trucking through HP - I forgot how much I love you, book 4.</div>
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<u>August:</u></div>
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-Began prepping for my 3rd year of teaching at my current school.</div>
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- Cut 13 inches off my hair (despite Stephen's pleas not to) and donated (well...am planning on donating) it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYmUvlVB2rrkcVewLqBfhJnKCAYLIevItZuKTmYYr_jiKnZMi8vTO3JExj3XHNo5ECGbed41FPiEVl4ulVXaLc0o_RhT1YlXQ4QZUU_-kE9lqTNoPzpOhjEqS3Dpq1VOu8VrEv5DZOn4/s1600/photo+(13).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYmUvlVB2rrkcVewLqBfhJnKCAYLIevItZuKTmYYr_jiKnZMi8vTO3JExj3XHNo5ECGbed41FPiEVl4ulVXaLc0o_RhT1YlXQ4QZUU_-kE9lqTNoPzpOhjEqS3Dpq1VOu8VrEv5DZOn4/s200/photo+(13).JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQLzNCl6WsuBQwKmDaruddQ5cqUC0J1JbqblzKKjxjjl6K8W6kOdF3g_LsxgGBGG9QiESALh2c3AJHKt6mqXh9OJGoxi7DOfXxgpnAxj9Qu2d7KX2QMDU76ds7nR7rHGh0iV4xGQo-IE/s1600/photo+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQLzNCl6WsuBQwKmDaruddQ5cqUC0J1JbqblzKKjxjjl6K8W6kOdF3g_LsxgGBGG9QiESALh2c3AJHKt6mqXh9OJGoxi7DOfXxgpnAxj9Qu2d7KX2QMDU76ds7nR7rHGh0iV4xGQo-IE/s200/photo+(6).JPG" width="149" /></a></div>
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<div>
-Ventured to Pittsburgh for Stephen's cousins wedding.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBmOVIJ6KbiPUkgOB5FoFxhyphenhyphenX1m5PWTnwAayY8xoCdci1moW0cPpyYC_VUWjJ-FRNoUj9a5nqz0Nc1m7TVTkr33ie-2KzKaFw7HOHIiprA_-oMsVkPwcwtsBv_5BbLFNaRSEX3iqJM18/s1600/photo+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBmOVIJ6KbiPUkgOB5FoFxhyphenhyphenX1m5PWTnwAayY8xoCdci1moW0cPpyYC_VUWjJ-FRNoUj9a5nqz0Nc1m7TVTkr33ie-2KzKaFw7HOHIiprA_-oMsVkPwcwtsBv_5BbLFNaRSEX3iqJM18/s400/photo+(5).JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<div>
-Continued running - thank you, Couch to 5K.</div>
<div>
-School started and I vowed my life would not end just because of this.</div>
<div>
-Keepin' it moving with HP...oh book 5, how long and a little painful you proved to be.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<u>September:</u></div>
<div>
-My niece (YAY! We didn't know if she were a boy or girl until she came!), Emerson Lee joined us :).</div>
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<div>
- Running became harder, although I was trying really hard to keep up with it.</div>
<div>
-Hosted a co-ed Baby Shower for my good friends, Katie and Kyle.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-0Dx1YpEZPSXI4ZKDjN5Z4zlW7LGK9KwVqMmRTdBneO1PtZhmXp2j_nV3GOB-IUcTbTRwL5ufnCHJ6RmyxC3UsK-inGOjKlqmOipqKccVq_u233iP0lSWLFJ9vzumrvIdJpHnHJVANo/s1600/Julie+Katie+Kari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-0Dx1YpEZPSXI4ZKDjN5Z4zlW7LGK9KwVqMmRTdBneO1PtZhmXp2j_nV3GOB-IUcTbTRwL5ufnCHJ6RmyxC3UsK-inGOjKlqmOipqKccVq_u233iP0lSWLFJ9vzumrvIdJpHnHJVANo/s400/Julie+Katie+Kari.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
-Reading began to slooow down....school began to take over....noooooooooooooo!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<u>October:</u></div>
<div>
-Stephen and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary.</div>
<div>
-To celebrate, we hit up the Bourbon Trail.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QjhnU2WxyNNNqtnMsOG3dvry_O-xA7vUWiExVUTpXD7XPQHlHiMYBZ35YZVqH1ofRskOw6DOr8EWqy6_XGb0mErO4iOiQy9FpoHgco7EeDKiZTUg2jzB1kYadePW05v0X86_TkdkC68/s1600/IMG_9092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QjhnU2WxyNNNqtnMsOG3dvry_O-xA7vUWiExVUTpXD7XPQHlHiMYBZ35YZVqH1ofRskOw6DOr8EWqy6_XGb0mErO4iOiQy9FpoHgco7EeDKiZTUg2jzB1kYadePW05v0X86_TkdkC68/s320/IMG_9092.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YEVkjy12OnbY_hLmi1P1SNvhAhVZq5GuPPD-F4hOfcD1RHYcc-ouU9krhGx92GSkXtwY1SRZo85JQO2Wd3WKeI93w9ZIkhklzgu-GwzGmfDGn7DkUH8UJWgv4P16QN9P_e3iPDIBO94/s1600/IMG_9050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YEVkjy12OnbY_hLmi1P1SNvhAhVZq5GuPPD-F4hOfcD1RHYcc-ouU9krhGx92GSkXtwY1SRZo85JQO2Wd3WKeI93w9ZIkhklzgu-GwzGmfDGn7DkUH8UJWgv4P16QN9P_e3iPDIBO94/s320/IMG_9050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
-I came down with Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease (you just read that correctly).<br />
<div>
-Hand, Foot, Mouth officially ended my love-affair with running.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWRrFmgGuLAGJKqobGSpQIobzoxlFoPg-MH7y_oQuJNKGm41VpL4rjXLHdHU8XKxuXSSp45JdywFBDbkUaL7BH-03m6RJSY4pbbnu4DJs-fXwk8gudakTZZIR4tEClmuisQiHKwjWDvQ/s1600/photo+(12).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWRrFmgGuLAGJKqobGSpQIobzoxlFoPg-MH7y_oQuJNKGm41VpL4rjXLHdHU8XKxuXSSp45JdywFBDbkUaL7BH-03m6RJSY4pbbnu4DJs-fXwk8gudakTZZIR4tEClmuisQiHKwjWDvQ/s320/photo+(12).JPG" width="309" /></a></div>
<div>
-Our good friends Mike, Amanda (their daughter Emma), Stephen and Debbie came to visit from Chicago.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUm0edRmfcokjvy_hYVR-Qc828r7LF15V0vzu4uYeaMpVEYg70yuaQ3HxLwpibyavZV6OMTlZkm11IcQJNhERzmHn8UuRPABnCrRQTpx22wh5DdTYUl9NOBG9mPt8cjZlsOu9JZ_jXTg/s1600/photo+1+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUm0edRmfcokjvy_hYVR-Qc828r7LF15V0vzu4uYeaMpVEYg70yuaQ3HxLwpibyavZV6OMTlZkm11IcQJNhERzmHn8UuRPABnCrRQTpx22wh5DdTYUl9NOBG9mPt8cjZlsOu9JZ_jXTg/s400/photo+1+(1).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
-We enjoyed a trip to Hubers Apple Orchard and Pumpkin Patch with our Young Life friends.</div>
<div>
-We celebrated with our friends, Katie and Brad as they got married here in Louisville.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkiDqDhXSTL6Q41Yw8J7GvcnIgKhGZuj8cD-8S-c9va9IrGWqlAUw-n-1US4LJx8ZUWuJSwjqFCJhsFJMQjIGf0l-gegSoi9ke8yFVcO3GkvTbrFgxTVpmEcrS_XV0Q3S5baxJbunOi8/s1600/Stevokari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkiDqDhXSTL6Q41Yw8J7GvcnIgKhGZuj8cD-8S-c9va9IrGWqlAUw-n-1US4LJx8ZUWuJSwjqFCJhsFJMQjIGf0l-gegSoi9ke8yFVcO3GkvTbrFgxTVpmEcrS_XV0Q3S5baxJbunOi8/s400/Stevokari.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
-Stephen and I were characters from Shrek for Halloween (I was Donkey {or an @$$ if you ask Stephen} and he was Gingerbread Man) along with our friends, Seth and Julie.</div>
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<div>
-Stephen and I officially became adults when we got new windows for the front of our house...and were excited about it.</div>
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<div>
<u>November:</u></div>
<div>
-We drove...yes DROVE to Dallas, Texas for our good friend's (Brian and his now-wife Amber's) wedding and got to hang out with a handful of great friends there!</div>
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<div>
-Despite the pain I endured in book 5, I welcomed HP book 6 into my life.</div>
<div>
-We headed north to Chicago for our friend, Emily's wedding.</div>
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-My best friend, Katie, had her baby! As of today, I still have not met this bundle of sweetness...stay tuned...</div>
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<div>
<u>December:</u></div>
<div>
-We followed along in last year's steps and got another real tree to decorate in our dining room.</div>
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<div>
-I got 2 snow days....ugh - so early in the year...I'm fearful for January and February!</div>
<div>
-Finished book 6 and reluctantly began book 7 - I want to finish HP so badly, and yet I don't want it to end!</div>
<div>
-We celebrated Christmas in Kentucky this year, which made my break seem so much longer and more relaxing, although I did miss seeing our Pittsburgh family!</div>
<div>
-I turned the big 3-1 and got to spend some quality time with my bestie, Donielle.</div>
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<div>
-Stephen and I were officially old hags: we stayed home on NYE, watched HP and ate left-overs. Ugh. At least my company was good :).</div>
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<div>
What a year! I look forward to making this list again a year from now - I wonder what all will be on it then? What fun did you embark upon in 2013? Did you begin running and actually stick with it? What about a diet - did you stick with that as well? Am I the only one who made these resolutions and then fell off the resolution boat?!</div>
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Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-74964307969532629952013-12-25T07:52:00.002-05:002013-12-25T07:52:47.892-05:00Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMVs0lydD4zlK4sQ_6-a8d4oAa1ltrs2AA1c4hnMTp3_fbdUY26a9DF2o78QWqHUf-nHWfg0vkKhjpRLgbidcgTznNovDyWmI3lCae0K0FRL1D7ofKukIIk9tgGUp8ffNWG4kVZ_ARBI/s1600/2013+Christmas+Card1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMVs0lydD4zlK4sQ_6-a8d4oAa1ltrs2AA1c4hnMTp3_fbdUY26a9DF2o78QWqHUf-nHWfg0vkKhjpRLgbidcgTznNovDyWmI3lCae0K0FRL1D7ofKukIIk9tgGUp8ffNWG4kVZ_ARBI/s640/2013+Christmas+Card1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqfyulwSOt_fDHa7Jlapj3kKfPYsG34_q0Ux9SdHC6L9Byhb0o3HagAI_xNHH6lKl1Ab8DKgSwKw6yDsrsE0FHjwIQT7yOsJNa1Zhs9GcvCivdYqjujKeb8JybIECtw7GSWhtoXSYemk/s1600/2013+Christmas+Card+Back2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqfyulwSOt_fDHa7Jlapj3kKfPYsG34_q0Ux9SdHC6L9Byhb0o3HagAI_xNHH6lKl1Ab8DKgSwKw6yDsrsE0FHjwIQT7yOsJNa1Zhs9GcvCivdYqjujKeb8JybIECtw7GSWhtoXSYemk/s640/2013+Christmas+Card+Back2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Aren't my boys handsome?! I love so many things about these cards: the pictures my sister took, the fact that they were taken where we got married 4 years ago, Tiny Prints and their awesome Christmas designs, and the fact that I was able to personalize this card with my home state.<br />
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I'm off to go and wrap presents (procrastinator) and get ready to spend some time with family. Praying that you and yours may know and experience the true meaning of this holiday season. Check out a video made by some of my Chicago peeps :)</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/82426040?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=d42027" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://vimeo.com/82426040">The Candy Cane Story</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/rephraze">rephraze</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>
Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-78410855757965968342013-12-10T10:45:00.001-05:002013-12-10T11:12:52.530-05:00DIY: Advent CalendarIt all started when I was perusing Pinterest and I saw tons of different versions of felt Advent calendars and they instantly took me back to my childhood. When I was growing up, we had a felt calendar that my mom had bought at the church Christmas sale. I loved that calendar! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8q-gWRFuJ_A6T5rsQQxDOPYK3GFTcgoEDi6jgWqr8UHUaU8A02P1RV6Lj4n2p-dPa05LoI8_gbgrVbucH78QDaEXdoGnnWalvUA_gutoXwqm0Dz5MSWVwYgByF4EdpzFE6_izXwbLkE/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-12-10+at+9.28.53+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8q-gWRFuJ_A6T5rsQQxDOPYK3GFTcgoEDi6jgWqr8UHUaU8A02P1RV6Lj4n2p-dPa05LoI8_gbgrVbucH78QDaEXdoGnnWalvUA_gutoXwqm0Dz5MSWVwYgByF4EdpzFE6_izXwbLkE/s400/Screen+shot+2013-12-10+at+9.28.53+AM.png" width="291" /></a></div>
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It looked a little something like this (found <a href="http://katieemrich.blogspot.com/2010/12/advent-complete.html?m=1">here</a>) </div>
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I remember looking forward to pulling out the stuffed animal to add to the tree and to read the verse of the day. This helped build anticipation for my child self, and it also helped me understand that Christmas was so much more than Santa and presents. I instantly starting pinning my little heart out and began searching and pinning for all sorts of Advent inspirations. Here are some of the different calendars that inspired me:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCSfdxnQkTMNLScNSldlvMos6ce5i9UCb-oM_1Pj58MBqgUBP25Zsk46FphGptSwt7pU_GetUgWY4__E6QjL7pC5VDXjcQB-4GGm-xxcO4Ar6YSLXc1A2m4NRdDaRzLc_HQ8T4O0UHbk/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-12-10+at+9.20.36+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCSfdxnQkTMNLScNSldlvMos6ce5i9UCb-oM_1Pj58MBqgUBP25Zsk46FphGptSwt7pU_GetUgWY4__E6QjL7pC5VDXjcQB-4GGm-xxcO4Ar6YSLXc1A2m4NRdDaRzLc_HQ8T4O0UHbk/s320/Screen+shot+2013-12-10+at+9.20.36+AM.png" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0Xx6XqstjVuWW3S0W5Xe8ftTcxTvKBv4l6LWooIr5D3MmJK3-oiV_Tbt7vR_O1A0v-eN47MAWks6xzSn0N0jSOQYH9SDq8P_fzMd6cDKRexeQ9UaWxxmAOaBoqlWSTlMMWU0vHn1AiE/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-12-10+at+9.21.39+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0Xx6XqstjVuWW3S0W5Xe8ftTcxTvKBv4l6LWooIr5D3MmJK3-oiV_Tbt7vR_O1A0v-eN47MAWks6xzSn0N0jSOQYH9SDq8P_fzMd6cDKRexeQ9UaWxxmAOaBoqlWSTlMMWU0vHn1AiE/s320/Screen+shot+2013-12-10+at+9.21.39+AM.png" width="228" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.craftberrybush.com/2013/11/clay-tags-advent-calendar-diy.html">here</a> <a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/25-days-of-service/"> here</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdEGEV93yVbbm_J5bkf8gqviAgfTwR0gnzy5ZtCuvDyMRZxYokjJEq8gxCK2-Zdyxf8GAtj8Gus2FMV0b9IpUaGdpHIYgEA4odaBRnCupM1ugAKiNtvS4jcsDjz5UYtwih77gU-PP-p4/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-12-10+at+9.23.05+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdEGEV93yVbbm_J5bkf8gqviAgfTwR0gnzy5ZtCuvDyMRZxYokjJEq8gxCK2-Zdyxf8GAtj8Gus2FMV0b9IpUaGdpHIYgEA4odaBRnCupM1ugAKiNtvS4jcsDjz5UYtwih77gU-PP-p4/s320/Screen+shot+2013-12-10+at+9.23.05+AM.png" width="210" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf17vMcylsDzUWRokSOpksnSshfdUMJwiSFGMSZnw5RBEwj6mTDiQs1RO5txgMy3YQWezqQ37y2ZAtoRDaXgLPZ9UZyrQB3N2RVHwNGPCeeHtz3-XeL7k3GACKAekzzWmDSl30O5IT30o/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-12-10+at+9.27.54+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf17vMcylsDzUWRokSOpksnSshfdUMJwiSFGMSZnw5RBEwj6mTDiQs1RO5txgMy3YQWezqQ37y2ZAtoRDaXgLPZ9UZyrQB3N2RVHwNGPCeeHtz3-XeL7k3GACKAekzzWmDSl30O5IT30o/s320/Screen+shot+2013-12-10+at+9.27.54+AM.png" width="218" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://honeywerehome.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-craft-advent-calendar.html">here</a> <a href="http://thepaintedhive.net/2013/11/christmas-advent-calendar-wall-chart-full-tutorial-with-free-printables/">here</a> </div>
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While I love these different calendars, I knew mine needed to be a little bit different. My first preference was size. I didn't want a really big calendar because I knew I didn't have a good place to put it - it needed to be reasonably sized. My other preference was simple, similar to the first calendar, only I didn't want to use clay tags, I wanted to use patterned paper ones. With all these thoughts swimming in my head, I headed to Hobby Lobby (along with the rest of the the Western world searching for the "just right" Christmas supply/gift/decoration). Here is what I ended up with:</div>
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I picked up the mini clothes pins (the only thing that wasn't on sale) for $2.99, the 8x10 picture frame (50% off) for $7 and then 6 Christmas colored scrapbook paper and 1 piece of burlap-looking paper (all were 50% off as well). I'm pretty sure this entire project cost somewhere around $12. What is not shown above that I did use was jute twine (already had it) and white cardstock (already had it). </div>
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Originally I was going to just purchase the tags at Hobby Lobby and cover them with the patterned paper, only they weren't small enough to fit on an 8x10 picture frame. That's when I decided to bust out my Silhouette and cut my own tags. If you don't own a cutting device, while tedious, you could hand cut your own tags if you need them smaller than the ones available at the store. </div>
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My next step was to cut out a bunch of different tags on the different papers so that I had options with my layout. I then arranged the different tags (there were 3) and the different patterns (3) in a random assortment. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzk51_cFzovMI-ifzKDiI0pFfOD5BxrEtUEB8Ik5nRNrPdV2ctKYvF2AIQrYVDPQNZoXD7T411JDAlAB4xYAUF76VTXVziPHoYUYB9lIyM8Lat64MyrOg2fjQP8xq1btkmsNzvjzuo7A/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzk51_cFzovMI-ifzKDiI0pFfOD5BxrEtUEB8Ik5nRNrPdV2ctKYvF2AIQrYVDPQNZoXD7T411JDAlAB4xYAUF76VTXVziPHoYUYB9lIyM8Lat64MyrOg2fjQP8xq1btkmsNzvjzuo7A/s400/photo-2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now that my layout and design was decided, I was ready to add the verses. I used <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/268527196503674058/">this</a> pin to choose my verses. I decided to add one for December 25th, and I added Romans 5:1 (There being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ). Once I knew the tag size order, I knew the verse that needed to correspond to the right shape to fit my design. I got on my Silhouette and added the verses and cut them out on white cardstock and then glued them to the back of the patterned paper that it went with:<br />
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Then I decided to cut small circles out on white cardstock that had the numbers 1-25 on them to add to the front of my tags. Once I cut them out, I glued them on the front of all my tags so I knew which tag went with Dec. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOkqCk1yUKdTcqxmEqetCWFfg0MMvWUQViNVOTjo_Ldq76fEyJLWEHaIZnNBAdLHRzxckANXXQjTe2OZi08bwqua7GE9__nzGfWBMIy83jygU9gksXnlokoWwa_-mTSMdKmLIAAp_89o/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-12-10+at+9.59.59+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOkqCk1yUKdTcqxmEqetCWFfg0MMvWUQViNVOTjo_Ldq76fEyJLWEHaIZnNBAdLHRzxckANXXQjTe2OZi08bwqua7GE9__nzGfWBMIy83jygU9gksXnlokoWwa_-mTSMdKmLIAAp_89o/s320/Screen+shot+2013-12-10+at+9.59.59+AM.png" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByIvUvdxSDJIOUwjHnfVcm25DXDZqvw-mqqu9uX9dfcW2JjqTWRowIl3bp841Htc2nk0f3VnLxBZkg1lckkecNG7vY7zU7ne6szakgsdr90elGYZVlOzBt_EtK44_IFr8KwdrVLgnjXU/s1600/photo-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByIvUvdxSDJIOUwjHnfVcm25DXDZqvw-mqqu9uX9dfcW2JjqTWRowIl3bp841Htc2nk0f3VnLxBZkg1lckkecNG7vY7zU7ne6szakgsdr90elGYZVlOzBt_EtK44_IFr8KwdrVLgnjXU/s320/photo-5.JPG" width="205" /></a></div>
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And then I was in business! I was ready to finish assembling my calendar so that it was usable. I decided to take the glass out of the frame and attach three strings of the jute twine. I would use the twine to pin my tags to. I figured out where I wanted the placement of my twine and marked it on the inside of the frame. I then hot glued it down.</div>
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Once the jute was in place, I was ready to put the rest of the frame together. I took the burlap paper and put it in the frame in back of the jute. Then I put the back on the frame and started adding my tags to the twine using the small pins that I had bought. As it was coming together, I was getting more and more excited...I loved the way it was looking!</div>
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And once all the tags were in their place, I was in love!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwh3bBO3LHXuAwA3hBI-eaZ6PBNox0xzjHelFs0S9TGaH51YAF0lYQNRtJ31YHQi5xwefXMp7nniWvk1h2hHO8npTHSdJKtJdI8VjvnU0-HWll-4uGkMrQB_THvJvhmukvlFf5zugpWU/s1600/IMG_9179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwh3bBO3LHXuAwA3hBI-eaZ6PBNox0xzjHelFs0S9TGaH51YAF0lYQNRtJ31YHQi5xwefXMp7nniWvk1h2hHO8npTHSdJKtJdI8VjvnU0-HWll-4uGkMrQB_THvJvhmukvlFf5zugpWU/s640/IMG_9179.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvfJM3s0K-7mva2Rck7_FG2Oe_Xs9JeNEx0z1p3CRsf-FmpSooXHh1C4Q7yE0XBkjDTj9-PYnI1yYocgUxfxGkG6g0G_hJ03aOiMdYbLCWrouH6omkFM-vlUUYKkJN17WrNUmdXrkBec/s1600/IMG_9181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvfJM3s0K-7mva2Rck7_FG2Oe_Xs9JeNEx0z1p3CRsf-FmpSooXHh1C4Q7yE0XBkjDTj9-PYnI1yYocgUxfxGkG6g0G_hJ03aOiMdYbLCWrouH6omkFM-vlUUYKkJN17WrNUmdXrkBec/s640/IMG_9181.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I couldn't love it more! I love how it looks, I love it's size, and I love how functional it is! I know that this will be a well-loved and used Christmas decoration for many years to come! I still love the felt calendar, and look forward to one day when my life requires one - but this year ain't the year for that! </div>
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***I also found on Pinterest <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/books/good-news-of-great-joy">this</a> great resource: a free download of "Good News Great Joy - Daily Readings for Advent" from John Piper Ministries. If you haven't already, check it out!</div>
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What about you? Do you have an Advent Calendar that your family uses every year? What kind is yours?</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I'm linking up to: </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.carolynshomework.com/2013/12/the-inspiration-board-creative-party-132.html">Carolyn's Homework</a>; <a href="http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/">Funky Polka Dot Giraffe</a>; <a href="http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2013/12/titus-2-tuesday-linky-party-81.html">Titus 2 Tuesday</a>; <a href="http://blackberryvine.blogspot.com/2013/12/tuesday-to-do-141.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20TheBlackberryVine%20(The%20Blackberry%20Vine)">The Blackberry Vine</a>; <a href="http://hopestudios.blogspot.com/2013/12/tutorial-tuesday_10.html">Hope Studios</a>; <a href="http://amy-newnostalgia.blogspot.com/">New Nostalgia</a>; <a href="http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/">Coastal Charm</a></span></div>
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<br />Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-40134715217718059052013-11-27T16:11:00.003-05:002013-11-27T16:11:38.835-05:00$50 Tiny Prints Giveaway WinnerWell, when random.org speaks, you listen!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_w9nb6xaUmnHSMI1vdnYnBW1RCSbmXr_qz8j9Kz00uaEUbz0gcPxiQ-NzPxO272TwL_KVDy8be4HDi8mHzYRGGiKwp9pGdIeX0cQQk2YKVx4XrPtOwpYc6CekH1OTHDpbtYqW14TMRk/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-11-27+at+4.04.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_w9nb6xaUmnHSMI1vdnYnBW1RCSbmXr_qz8j9Kz00uaEUbz0gcPxiQ-NzPxO272TwL_KVDy8be4HDi8mHzYRGGiKwp9pGdIeX0cQQk2YKVx4XrPtOwpYc6CekH1OTHDpbtYqW14TMRk/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-11-27+at+4.04.20+PM.png" /></a></div>
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And commenter #6 was none other than Hillary Lytle! Here's what Hillary had to say about Tiny Prints 2013 Holiday Cards:</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGedJeXBsJt0GBdeaj6__aUl-zOEoAYLajyORbcrJeai2WWMUypYE7Mod9XEgwByUSQEiIwP812y86Vvz-K4a5V3sE9zPq8MRgDDgS88zEAZsdcfl_HcDFYW-oRzD4Fr1egsK6sFSHzo/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-11-27+at+4.05.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGedJeXBsJt0GBdeaj6__aUl-zOEoAYLajyORbcrJeai2WWMUypYE7Mod9XEgwByUSQEiIwP812y86Vvz-K4a5V3sE9zPq8MRgDDgS88zEAZsdcfl_HcDFYW-oRzD4Fr1egsK6sFSHzo/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-11-27+at+4.05.40+PM.png" /></a></div>
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Hillary, you're $50 closer to your Cherished Days with scalloped edges!</div>
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Thanks to all who entered, feel free to stop by every so often to see what's shakin' in these parts.</div>
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Happy Thanksgiving :)</div>
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<br />Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-61702593081079850802013-11-25T22:52:00.001-05:002013-11-27T16:07:08.536-05:00Tiny Prints Giveaway - Ends 11/27!<span style="font-family: inherit;">I cannot believe that Christmas time is already here! I feel like it was just yesterday that I was getting back into the habit of waking up early and getting my booty to school. How is it that we're already almost halfway through the school year (not to mention that Christmas is excitingly/stressfully close!)?!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, with this time of year comes so many things that I love: the anticipation of time off to relax, rejuvenate and hang out with family and friends; the mysterious wonder that this season brings; and the twinkling lights that seem to be everywhere. I so seriously love this time of year...even if I haven't purchased a single Christmas gift this season!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.tinyprints.com/personalized-photo-gifts-center.htm" rel="nofollow"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxm1vTefl56seO4g_DAuyR5mCR_2-0TlviaN9yGmX71rsjamw03y54MDNXbGpbOQoq-UHrxql3TUB3XmuFvVZXC5PSaB1rD3u5hyphenhyphenP366o678e9oB3s8DH05PSaNuxTw3FBij8JYezOUQ/s1600/TPlogo.png" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">With this time of year comes the fun of giving and receiving Christmas cards through the old fashioned snail mail! I turn into a small child during this time of year whenever I head out to the mailbox. With that being said, have you guys checked out all the options that Tiny Prints have to offer with their 2013 Holiday cards? They have thought of everything - from great designs down to detailed and unique cuts to give you that perfect, personalized card. <a href="http://www.tinyprints.com/personalized-photo-gifts-center.htm" rel="nofollow">Tiny Prints</a> has thought of everything making their <a href="http://www.tinyprints.com/2013-holiday-products.htm" rel="nofollow">2013 Holiday cards </a>perfect for any one! They offer n<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">ew trim options for 2013 (Square, rounded, bracket, ticket & scallop trim options), </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Clear cards (you read that right!)!, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">New design styles for 2013 (Contemporary, Classic, Vintage, Full bleed photos, All That Glitters, Bold Expressions, Simply Chic, Woodland Wonder & The New Tradition), and on top of all that you can choose matching address labels and envelope liners to match your cards. Now that's a whole lot of choices - sure to please anyone!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Check out some of the ones that I love and am contemplating purchasing:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6bSIjhs1q1wJRnK_dAsA45LHNo7yqs8ka9soHoIEuNU-MzlbQYEMWMX3krobGO6O_2Ojfrq2nL4QUJxECy_dxV4On_BjX3Sn0VKlXbow2USbm_w8bH53ylPaJamiguj_5uyB8QN6ogE/s1600/1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6bSIjhs1q1wJRnK_dAsA45LHNo7yqs8ka9soHoIEuNU-MzlbQYEMWMX3krobGO6O_2Ojfrq2nL4QUJxECy_dxV4On_BjX3Sn0VKlXbow2USbm_w8bH53ylPaJamiguj_5uyB8QN6ogE/s320/1-1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I love the snowflakes on this one and the simplistic design.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-fe4KckuwIXJvCS4Ad3Ga6aaVPcCeBXG6WPHZ5PCGvk67cYOVcNhTCIHff_5FSQUiEhmsm4hTNgTzz7R0W7iuIOOefT9vtDhPuffIQO1qDTFOViLt-9CKcnTdVmS0zLsozcmaWE4zIc/s1600/1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-fe4KckuwIXJvCS4Ad3Ga6aaVPcCeBXG6WPHZ5PCGvk67cYOVcNhTCIHff_5FSQUiEhmsm4hTNgTzz7R0W7iuIOOefT9vtDhPuffIQO1qDTFOViLt-9CKcnTdVmS0zLsozcmaWE4zIc/s320/1-2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Even though this isn't quite the chalkboard look, it has the same feel, which I really like.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WUVczhiYuIT1q_sJOO9d28xPFlWStjZm432Krrlpxp7QIte7LvMK8S6RA9HX57P1b9gqsBkTF8oSHUEZ-3nxt6WghLjQ_tRek89ffqpl3jNzzJ1Ey-28TgBjla2BChxGMhtZMJV1GI0/s1600/1-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WUVczhiYuIT1q_sJOO9d28xPFlWStjZm432Krrlpxp7QIte7LvMK8S6RA9HX57P1b9gqsBkTF8oSHUEZ-3nxt6WghLjQ_tRek89ffqpl3jNzzJ1Ey-28TgBjla2BChxGMhtZMJV1GI0/s320/1-3.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Maybe it's the pooch in this picture, but I'm loving this card!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFkl_1jVj0qTidpxOVIfRnaEse5H-7QSqhtPKOgYEsB88ycn4K5JWwtlCIaQXWDaq_1KoOLdYpH3WZdDx5RPbytFTF8_TnKn-nVh3I6MfjftOe5Lh6f7GDeoyOw5soDPUTHUlAW9zmV0/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFkl_1jVj0qTidpxOVIfRnaEse5H-7QSqhtPKOgYEsB88ycn4K5JWwtlCIaQXWDaq_1KoOLdYpH3WZdDx5RPbytFTF8_TnKn-nVh3I6MfjftOe5Lh6f7GDeoyOw5soDPUTHUlAW9zmV0/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I really like the typography on this card - my friend Josie (graphic design major) may be rolling her eyes at me right now :).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrrR9kx9B5xS_TLwi6F7Pm7c9C9qwyyhUmd0QcG-r4Smt8MNZOOFmnoEY6iJx7fAZrUK8yI30Ni5kVz9xVsBgM26LUrRrRcgZuhfwW5EnKAwMHdrGqzqU-E3NFlKHkpqkpkI4YD2SH7E/s1600/joy_has_come-christmas_cards-petite_alma-khaki-neutral-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrrR9kx9B5xS_TLwi6F7Pm7c9C9qwyyhUmd0QcG-r4Smt8MNZOOFmnoEY6iJx7fAZrUK8yI30Ni5kVz9xVsBgM26LUrRrRcgZuhfwW5EnKAwMHdrGqzqU-E3NFlKHkpqkpkI4YD2SH7E/s320/joy_has_come-christmas_cards-petite_alma-khaki-neutral-1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you know me, you know how much I love fall. This card has a natural, homey feel to it that reminds me of my favorite season.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222;">Here's the exciting part! Tiny Prints is helping me host a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">giveaway for a $50 off total order (plus free shipping) code at Tiny Prints! All you have to do is check out their <a href="http://www.tinyprints.com/2013-holiday-products.htm" rel="nofollow">2013 Holiday cards</a> and comment on this post with your favorite design (please include your email). The giveaway is going to close SOON! I am going to choose a winner this upcoming Friday, November 27 by 3pm EST. Be sure you check out Tiny Prints' cards and comment below with your favorite design (please include your email address) to make you eligible for this great giveaway! </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>This giveaway is now closed</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-1258504369931021682013-08-12T09:30:00.000-04:002013-08-12T09:30:53.934-04:00Classroom Pencil SharpenerThis post is for all of my teacher friends....<br />
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I know you can relate to my hate for pencils and pencil sharpening in my classroom. I feel like whenever I turn around I've got a student that needs their pencil sharpened. That's not even the worst of it - it usually takes them sooooooo long to sharpen their pencil because our $100 classroom pencil sharpener stopped working weeks ago and now it just eats pencils. Nice. <br />
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Well, one day I was perusing Pinterest when I saw this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZdLq41s692-zoX0Y8O3fcGC45jQ-izpsgewAugeTpJqsEHOOCjjZaLyMJdSRp6s8FNAF6U0R4iKqnlMh12h51xoi6E8onN0WpqqakkTx-hwiFxKRee42NTfBjnsgGcac_Kch7tLo9Q4/s1600/blueonwhitefree_1024x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZdLq41s692-zoX0Y8O3fcGC45jQ-izpsgewAugeTpJqsEHOOCjjZaLyMJdSRp6s8FNAF6U0R4iKqnlMh12h51xoi6E8onN0WpqqakkTx-hwiFxKRee42NTfBjnsgGcac_Kch7tLo9Q4/s320/blueonwhitefree_1024x1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This pencil sharpener from <a href="http://www.classroomfriendlysupplies.com/">Classroom Friendly Supplies</a> claimed to sharpen any pencil AND claimed to do it quietly. Say whaaaaaa???? Surely this was an evil trap that someone had created to get all teachers to fall into? Surely this wasn't real - I've never heard of a pencil sharpener that actually sharpened<b> all</b> pencils quietly! I've heard of pencil sharpeners that sharpened expensive pencils (hello Ticonderoga Pencils! alas, I love you) but did it as loudly as possible while I shouted at the top of my lungs to continue teaching, but never one that was quiet AND sharpened ALL (what about Dixon???) pencils. Be. Still. My. Heart. </div>
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I did it - I got one and was so excited when it came! One problem was that I got it at the end of the 2011-2012 school year and so it didn't debut in my classroom until this past year. I waited all year to share this post with you because I wanted to see how it held up after being <strike>tortured</strike> used by my students for an entire school year. After a year of using it, I've gotta tell you that I absolutely love it. Now, it did take some abuse from my students....I won't share with you the look on my face when it dropped to the floor for the first time....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuSDBfY8vxe0syJxAFg2ADS4BIpP_6wzdrvYJ0h7HsntFXQMIlJXkaK1SstmOJlcQdK5Ll40Kgwt6O7_JSCap-K8foSkzv6szGdZeX-FL9iVg9saqDLpTJx4tIRGcbTdR0uCDqASJyck/s1600/091031002319-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuSDBfY8vxe0syJxAFg2ADS4BIpP_6wzdrvYJ0h7HsntFXQMIlJXkaK1SstmOJlcQdK5Ll40Kgwt6O7_JSCap-K8foSkzv6szGdZeX-FL9iVg9saqDLpTJx4tIRGcbTdR0uCDqASJyck/s320/091031002319-large.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091031002319.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>photo source</i></span></a></div>
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(whooooops - maybe I will...this was me...except I'm not a man)</div>
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....but despite that abuse, it held up quite nicely! I am telling you what - this pencil sharpener sharpened like a dream! Better yet, it sharpened EVERY pencil - from the Ticonderogas to the dollar store pencils, this sharpener works like I never knew I cared a pencil sharpener to work! Even better than that (I know!? Can it get better?!) is that price tag - at only $24.99 a sharpener, how could you not want to have at least one for your classroom?!?!!! I'm now contemplating purchasing the teacher special of 3 sharpeners, only I know that Stephen might struggle with me paying even more money for my classroom. Below is the video from the website showing you how to sharpen a pencil using one of their sharpeners. This video is incredibly accurate, right on down to the noise level you hear while the pencil is being sharpened. While you watch it, I'm going to go figure out how to finagle a way to buy 3 new sharpeners for my classroom this year!</div>
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Happy Sharpening!!!</div>
Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-46680573891063695792013-08-01T23:23:00.002-04:002013-08-01T23:23:45.281-04:00Dog Days of Summer
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">It is officially the "Dog Days" of summer. During these summer months </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 14px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.dogfencediy.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Dog Fence DIY</a> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">encourages exploration beyond the fence!</span></div>
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Every summer every teacher everywhere has a list of "goals" or projects that he/she want to accomplish. There are many reasons for this: the first one being that we don't <u>have to</u> work every day (although I'm sure the majority of us are), but mainly because we've just spent the last ten months of our lives having <b>no </b>free time and this list that originally seemed do-able has grown and grown and grown to a monstrous, overwhelming list. This summer I had lots of things on "the list" and some I've done, while others I've thought about doing (does that count???). One of the items on my list was to read multiple books a week. While that hasn't happened, I still have been reading during the week and am wondering what type of lack-of-sleep issues was I having to think I could read several books in a week (maybe if I did nothing else...)?! </div>
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Another goal that I put on my list was to get outside and walk/jog {at the very least} 3 times a week. There are many motivators behind this goal, such as having a desire to live a healthier lifestyle, as well as the super cute, 4-legged friend that I'm blessed to call mine....</div>
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Isn't he cute?</div>
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Princeton has definitely been on the receiving end of this goal as he has absolutely loved getting outside and nosey-ing around. Most days I just take him for a walk around our 2 mile neighborhood, but on days when that doesn't feel like enough, we get in the car and drive to the park. </div>
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It doesn't hurt that we live less than a mile from a ginormous "21st century" park that Louisville has started. When they're finished with "The Parklands at Floyds Fork" it will be over 100 miles of trails connecting 4 major parks with a park drive. It is pretty incredible. The park by our house that we like to venture to is Beckley Creek Park...and it's pretty incredible.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYTNhNiuuH1XAX4tiOcHIHTap4QUxpQ3eFLfeg5sOI2x5ZCO54PEJT2rZb37iNoRrXxzZs0ryUPWPEr7B24hfUdJmIBWs64evpEiFNmV_t8NFM-DHiPwGQ8Qaq9K0tKGNeCWhQDACFdA/s1600/BecklyCreekMap_lo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYTNhNiuuH1XAX4tiOcHIHTap4QUxpQ3eFLfeg5sOI2x5ZCO54PEJT2rZb37iNoRrXxzZs0ryUPWPEr7B24hfUdJmIBWs64evpEiFNmV_t8NFM-DHiPwGQ8Qaq9K0tKGNeCWhQDACFdA/s640/BecklyCreekMap_lo.jpg" width="404" /></a></div>
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Needless to say, Princeton LOVES going for walks here as it is a change of scenery from our regular walks in the neighborhood. He also loves to sniff EVERYTHING and "hunt" (or pretend that he's hunting) in this seems-like-the-wild park. Unfortunately Princeton is prone to getting carsick. Thankfully, he's not in the car long enough to toss his cookies, as it is literally a 3 minute drive. When it's all said and done, there will be a sidewalk at the front of our neighborhood that will lead us right to the park on foot. I'm sure Princeton will be pretty stoked when that day comes!</div>
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The best part about taking him outside of the backyard and neighborhood is that this is what he looks like when we're on our quest homeward:</div>
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That's right - dead asleep. And by the time we make it back to the house, he's out cold for the rest of the night:</div>
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His two favorite things are accomplished by my goal: he gets to go on a walk AND snuggle on the couch. Score and score!</div>
Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-71388926605236628692013-06-26T00:19:00.001-04:002013-06-26T00:33:44.685-04:00Oh Crap....{literally}Hi friends! I've been busy taking doors off the hinges in my house and painting them...2 coats on each side. I'm sure you can imagine how <strike>torturous</strike> fun this process is! When we bought our house we were fortunate enough to inherit 3different trim colors throughout the house. My favorite trim color happened to be the color that they painted in our room (can you feel the sarcasm dripping from that comment???). Honestly, from the looks of it, it's as if they painted a polyurethane coat over top the trim and it yellowed. So nasty. The color we decided to paint our trim ("White Umber" by Porter Paints) is very white compared to the 3 other trim colors going on in these parts...especially in our bedroom where it looks like someone peed all over the doors (apparently this post has a lot of bathroom references). I've been quite busy trying to unify everything. <br />
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I decided to take a break and share a story with you that is only funny to me now because I've lived through it and will {hopefully} never have to live through it again......<br />
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The number one thing that everyone comments on when they come over to our house is our toilets. I know, I know, what a random thing to get people talking. The reason they get so much attention is because they have a dual flush button because they're supposed to be high efficiency...everyone's two-cents is that it's very "European"! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WFVMwaqgyQ6JkaibdAYGPlNILL_2DlUlog19sdy1GoFlG2nWs-raGeiFBCg9FNKNdAcKKeWR3yHOClVcLhegoedXCDykg_T7pc3dMghBXwFPFzuLatDbNUsi_pOlOXVvRmgO7tEEYI4/s1600/caroma-flush-buttons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WFVMwaqgyQ6JkaibdAYGPlNILL_2DlUlog19sdy1GoFlG2nWs-raGeiFBCg9FNKNdAcKKeWR3yHOClVcLhegoedXCDykg_T7pc3dMghBXwFPFzuLatDbNUsi_pOlOXVvRmgO7tEEYI4/s400/caroma-flush-buttons.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is a picture of the top of our toilets...see the European flair?!</div>
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When we first moved in, I thought they were pretty awesome. We can control how much water we used depending on which button we pushed - what a great way to save water and put a little extra moolah into our pockets. It wasn't long before our master bath toilet quickly began to drive me and Stephen crazy. It would randomly decide to run and we never could figure out the rhyme behind the reason. We had lived in the house a little over a year when last October, it was literally 2am in the morning on a Friday morning (report cards+principal observation for me; studying for a test for Stephen) when we decided to go to bed. We did our usual routine and both thought it was random that our toilet did an unusual gurgle noise before we left the bathroom. It wasn't long before I could tell by Stephen's breathing that he had fallen asleep. Quickly thereafter I began to smell a horrible smell that I can only describe as "dog fart". I placed the blame on Stephen, assuming he was smelling up the room (of course he doesn't appreciate this part of the story). That's when the toilet did another *gurgle gurgle* and it woke Stephen up.<br />
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***NOTE: it's not a good sign if your toilet gurgles. Not a good sign AT ALL.***<br />
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Stephen wakes up and wonders what the noise is. I'm quick to inform him of his dog fart problem only to quickly remember a horrible sewage story that my friend Mandy told me about a house she lived in during college. Oh my gosh...what if the dog fart smell wasn't Stephen after all??????? Stephen gets up to check out what's wrong with the toilet. What comes next can send me into a fit of laughter if I think enough about the different reactions that occurred. <br />
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First, let me tell you that Stephen was blessed with a wonderful sense of smell. I love the man with all my heart, but he's sometimes a little bit dramatic about smells that don't appeal to him. If he's helping me clean out the refrigerator, he'll hold his nose, sometimes even turn his head in disgust over the very smallest smells. Imagine this blessing of smell as he enters our bathroom to discover....<br />
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...a bathtub and toilet filling up with sewage. Yup - you just read that correctly. Sewage. That's old crap, people. Picture it: Stephen, screaming from the bathroom while gagging and dry heaving. There were a lot of senses being over stimulated: smells, sights, sounds. It was cRaZy. He asks me where our plunger is and I honestly can't remember...at this point in time, we haven't used it since Chicago - a year and a half earlier...it must be in the basement. He leaves our bedroom to go to the basement only to be greeted by a gurgling toilet in the hall bathroom. Do you remember my note from earlier? A gurgling toilet is NOT a happy toilet. Imagine the blessing of Stephen's sense of smell as he enters the hall bathroom to discover...<br />
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...a bathtub and toilet filling up with sewage. Yup. Sewage - old crap, people. AHHHHHH!!!! Now, I know some of you are thinking, "How does sewage fill up your bathtub? Where is it coming from?". Let me explain - you know that circular metal cover that is screwed onto your tub underneath your faucet? Sewage was seeping from behind this contraption and <i>filling </i>our bathtubs - that's a plural "s" - more than one. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudtO6GI1wgXsLyafsQZWitHkbmVdnB7fkhC9MYZxCEd1bnRa07d2t5IHsan3EGDvHWaOorgPBQf6dfyQ6JRaDoB9AxJnnNQsMeZCR5jiUGV57yIR_hNC9uRXsFlMovT8ziFg7G9yKWl4/s1600/article-new-intro-modal-ehow-images-a04-i5-q2-up-slow-running-bathtub-drain-800x800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudtO6GI1wgXsLyafsQZWitHkbmVdnB7fkhC9MYZxCEd1bnRa07d2t5IHsan3EGDvHWaOorgPBQf6dfyQ6JRaDoB9AxJnnNQsMeZCR5jiUGV57yIR_hNC9uRXsFlMovT8ziFg7G9yKWl4/s400/article-new-intro-modal-ehow-images-a04-i5-q2-up-slow-running-bathtub-drain-800x800.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This isn't our bathtub, but I figured it could work to show you that circular metal piece underneath the faucet - that's where all the action was taking place!</div>
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Stephen ran to the basement to discover that our plunger had never made it to our new house but was still hanging out at my parents from when we were living there before we got our house. Awesome. I, of course, got on my phone. Stephen was super annoyed with me, thinking I was updating my Facebook status, "What are you doing?! Don't put this on Facebook!!!" What was he thinking?! Of course I wasn't on a social media while sewage is taking over our upstairs - I was googling, "sewage is filling my bathtubs and toilets". I knew for a fact we couldn't be the only people in the world that this had ever happened to. While I quickly learned that we, indeed, were not alone in having this problem, nothing was really helpful to me at 2am in the morning. <br />
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Thankfully, after a few minutes of the sewage filling the tub and the toilet, the levels seemed to stop rising. Stephen and I stood there contemplating what we should do when all of a sudden we heard some more gurgling and then a "whoosh" as the sewage began to descend back down the drains. With disbelief and relief on our faces we watched our poop problems disappear before our eyes. What the?! Don't get me wrong - we were grateful, but what now?!?! My wonderful husband scrubbed the tubs with bleach and bleached the toilets and we both decided to go to bed and deal with it the next day.<br />
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On Friday, Stephen called plumber after plumber only to be received with a, "We don't deal with that kind of stuff." Really? You're a plumber. It's like me saying that I don't teach kids that are really difficult to teach. Isn't that your job??? Finally he lined up a plumber to come on Monday and take a look at everything. In the meantime, we were afraid that something might be up with the main drain in our house (after googling the night before at 2am in the morning we read many warnings about this) and so we decided to not use any plumbing at our house. Thankfully we live across the street from my parents (have I shared that with you, blogworld???) and so anytime a flush or shower was necessary, we walked across the street. <br />
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Fast forward to Monday when the plumber came to our house and seemed to find NOTHING WRONG. What?! You mean that sewage can just randomly decide to start gurgling its way into my life whenever it pleases?! I was scarred - scarred for life and there was nothing wrong to lead to this poopy problem?! <br />
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I'm going to leave you there for now. Of course, there's more to this story, but you're a champ and you've already read a lot. If you're a homeowner, you know that as much of a blessing that it is to own your own home, sometimes it stinks. Literally.<br />
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Do you have any traumatizing plumping stories or am I the only one???Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-22957186597730632072013-06-21T16:07:00.001-04:002013-06-24T15:05:12.045-04:00Patriotic Treats with a Side of Summer AccountabilityIt all started when I was pinning (which I do quite a lot now that school is out <strike>and when I'm successfully putting off doing something</strike>) away on Pinterest and I came across <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/268527196504696702/">this</a> pin...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iVquDTc8gadxlhjOSI_teRar503r_yhnlXKJYeGfJ3fJVETTzsPhzOh-QhccVQkhCRLeR5z5e0KuTWBlo98Pgg4ZFsdtF2Bg0Jg59HnPzRotOeK3NptDp1CUgumCn5zG6Pusbogorvc/s1600/19-patriotic-party-ideas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iVquDTc8gadxlhjOSI_teRar503r_yhnlXKJYeGfJ3fJVETTzsPhzOh-QhccVQkhCRLeR5z5e0KuTWBlo98Pgg4ZFsdtF2Bg0Jg59HnPzRotOeK3NptDp1CUgumCn5zG6Pusbogorvc/s320/19-patriotic-party-ideas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Stephen and I were going to enjoy a cook-out at his parents house for Memorial Day Weekend and I decided that I was going to make one of Stephen's most favorite treats: Cake Balls. Have you ever made cake balls? Have you ever tried them? If you've never tried them, you need to get your hands on at least one and taste the goodness for yourself - they are truly amazing. If you've never made them, let me caution you: they are very time consuming. Back in February I made the mistake of asking Stephen what he wanted for his birthday. He insisted that he wanted nothing and I insisted that it was HIS birthday, I would make him ANYTHING he wanted (did you read <a href="http://karicorsi.blogspot.com/2013/06/what-year.html">my post</a> from Monday to see how busy I was during this time?). He decided that he wanted cake balls. I'm pretty sure a part of me died a little inside when he said that...of all the things he wanted, he chose the most time consuming dessert possible. However, I did tell him that I would make anything he wanted (dang it!) and so cake balls it was....</div>
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Fast forward to May - school was about to be out and summer was on the verge of happening - I was feeling adventurous! I was going to make cake balls...not just any cake balls, Patriotic Cake Balls!!! {cue the dramatic, excited music}</div>
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These were my inspiration from <a href="http://www.myjuicecup.com/4th-of-july-cake-pops/">this website</a>:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKddy_sg9VO3v2wjeA60I218bvY3II47YJRlOoFSSUOIvSAWRqDvpIN86xHmE6QUR5TvisekEqdTGsa_CxEIYMad7dVXsRW_OnlP9GM_o4MWtS8GwgIwfYaoTNPhVlKZz-IGcnPXDddI/s1600/julypops_flag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKddy_sg9VO3v2wjeA60I218bvY3II47YJRlOoFSSUOIvSAWRqDvpIN86xHmE6QUR5TvisekEqdTGsa_CxEIYMad7dVXsRW_OnlP9GM_o4MWtS8GwgIwfYaoTNPhVlKZz-IGcnPXDddI/s320/julypops_flag1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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1st step was to make the cake balls. If you've never made them before, <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Cake-Balls">here</a> is the recipe (there are a million if you google "how to make cake balls" or "cake pops" and they're all about the same). I used a half a tub of frosting to make mine. I went with white cake (mine and Stephen's fav) and white icing. After I made the cake balls, I arranged them in my 13x9 metal cake pan to get an idea of how many of my balls {insert inappropriate middle school boy jokes here} needed to be red, white and blue.</div>
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Once I figured out how many balls needed to be what color, I got to work and did each color separately. I used the Wilton colored candies from JoAnns (or any craft store - even Wal-Mart carries them) to coat my cake balls. I had lots of trays of different colored cake balls sitting around my kitchen. Talk about needing self control to just hang around them without eating them! If you do make cake balls, be sure you make lots of extras so you can just pop them in your mouth while you're working!</div>
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Unfortunately I did not do my math correctly and I didn't have the right amount of white cake balls. What's scary about this is that I teach 4th grade math....this was a perfect example of math in real life (because everyone makes cake balls, right?) and yet I failed at it. Stink.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8FuZ418Ak6VL8Oz3HX-cPRzaJmGVza09SX6175nT5pthm-ceD26s9p8hRoTdSDmuIehEWroa3vF4RVoCwRTbY_V9dVDhD1KHhmUaV7X8Qw6GaY-9q8Rd9NXiapJf7UTWQTm5o2zIUBY/s1600/IMG_8853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8FuZ418Ak6VL8Oz3HX-cPRzaJmGVza09SX6175nT5pthm-ceD26s9p8hRoTdSDmuIehEWroa3vF4RVoCwRTbY_V9dVDhD1KHhmUaV7X8Qw6GaY-9q8Rd9NXiapJf7UTWQTm5o2zIUBY/s640/IMG_8853.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The good news is that even though I was short on the white balls, they still tasted great! It's a good thing that these desserts take a while to make, otherwise, I'm pretty sure I would make them entirely too often and my thighs would pay the price for this bad addiction!</div>
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For this upcoming 4th of July, I'm thinking about making <a href="http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/firecracker-red-white-and-blue-cake/bbbeeab8-2f8c-4aab-a837-a1a7fd7a7901?itemId=51d682ba-1e42-4f3f-9c77-b27bc234f448&sc=Red%2c+White+%26+Blue+Recipes">this</a> dessert from Betty Crocker:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxyyKqYqQsJ8btYPOqQcTCe0GmBrk31mxdYYEGkdCyEbtJbDNY8z7yKE4Vu1OhSX3LAm8LQE-q-9N11T2Cb3TuutPAducpGIDmLEByxUyYNuVwDbZZwdXwu22mNE1yCRutEXz_blzfDA0/s1600/bc54d527-4a01-4da1-9398-d7bb4be99a9b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxyyKqYqQsJ8btYPOqQcTCe0GmBrk31mxdYYEGkdCyEbtJbDNY8z7yKE4Vu1OhSX3LAm8LQE-q-9N11T2Cb3TuutPAducpGIDmLEByxUyYNuVwDbZZwdXwu22mNE1yCRutEXz_blzfDA0/s400/bc54d527-4a01-4da1-9398-d7bb4be99a9b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm also thinking about making <a href="http://www.heidimilton.com/diy-burlap-flag-bunting/">these</a> to hang under the pergola by our family room window:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9ZU6Gim6WRg9W87lNGjsYk1yXA7hv8bcboI0Dbs3ypMuPSH1IeUKME6uxPEFXmzKhSWJS4fgXA0FWBr75s8PyCO09RIEfadbvabGokmp5w1ViPiiW1fztY_VYg4p0RMZxASFtFq8XNU/s1600/flag-bunting-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9ZU6Gim6WRg9W87lNGjsYk1yXA7hv8bcboI0Dbs3ypMuPSH1IeUKME6uxPEFXmzKhSWJS4fgXA0FWBr75s8PyCO09RIEfadbvabGokmp5w1ViPiiW1fztY_VYg4p0RMZxASFtFq8XNU/s400/flag-bunting-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now onto the side of Summer Accountability. I know you probably don't care about how I'm spending my summer days and please know that this part of the post is entirely for me. Last summer I found myself getting overwhelmed by all the different things I wanted to accomplish during the summer time. This overwhelming feeling kept me from accomplishing much of anything. As a way to try and ward off laziness, I've decided that I'm going to blog about my daily activities during the summer. Maybe it'll keep me from getting sucked into Bravo's Real House Wives Marathon because I'm ashamed to tell all of blogland that this is how I chose to spend my day! So here it is, my daily what dos:</div>
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Monday: walked Princeton in the morning, changed the sheets on the bed and washed them, put sheets back on the guest bed, did the laundry and put it up, blogged, did my Bible study, worked on a small art project that I had been putting off, touched up trim in the entry way, went to Bible Study.</div>
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Tuesday: walked Princeton in the morning, put a first coat of paint on the inside of the front door, put up the last basket of laundry, went to dinner with my parents, took Princeton on an evening walk.</div>
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Wednesday: walked Princeton in the morning, put a second coat of paint on the front door, cleaned up in the basement, my friend Julie came over and we hung out most of the afternoon, took Princeton on an evening walk.</div>
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Thursday: cleaned up the paint mess, went to the grocery store, worked out in the backyard for 3 hours, vacuumed and tidied up, made dinner and Stephen's parents came for dinner, took Princeton on an evening walk.</div>
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Friday: filled the dishwasher, did the rest of the dishes, worked in the vegetable garden, painted the first coat on our bedroom closet, emptied the dishwasher, blogged.....</div>
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Do you think I'm crazy yet? Feel free to skim past these random lists of my uneventful days...I'll be honest - I did get sucked into a few episodes of Real House Wives of the OC...it's like a train wreck and I can't turn away. These women are SO mean to each other. It's hard to wrap my mind around the fact that they exist, they're adults and I'm aiding their richness by being sucked into their drama. Ugh. Do you have any "guilty" tv pleasures? I'm not gonna lie....I also get sucked into Real House Wives of NJ....okay, enough confessions!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I'm linking up with these parties:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/">Thirty Handmade Days</a>; <a href="http://www.naptimecrafters.com/">Naptime Crafters</a>; <a href="http://www.simplydesigning.net/2013/06/simply-create-link-party-15.html">Simply Designing</a>; <a href="http://romantichome.blogspot.com/">My Romantic Home</a>; <a href="http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/">Finding Fabulous</a>; <a href="http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/2013/06/frugal-friday_20.html">The Shabby Nest</a>; <a href="http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/">Chic on a Shoestring Budget</a>; <a href="http://www.thescrapshoppeblog.com/2013/06/summer-camp-link-party.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20TheScrapShoppe%20(The%20Scrap%20Shoppe)">The Scrap Shoppe</a>; <a href="http://iamonly1woman.blogspot.com/">A Vision to Remember</a>; <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/2013/06/weekend-wrap-up-party-lowes-summer-bright.html">Tatertots and Jello</a>;<a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/sundae-scoop-link-party-85/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20Iheartnaptime1%20(I%20{heart}%20Nap%20Time%20RSS%20Post)"> I Heart Naptime</a>; <a href="http://diyshowoff.com/2013/06/23/that-diy-party-diy-22/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:">DIY Showoff</a>; <a href="http://www.homemakeronadime.com/2013/06/creative-bloggers-party-hop-116.html">Homemaker on a Dime</a>; <a href="http://www.sumossweetstuff.com/2013/06/market-yourself-monday_23.html">Sumo's Sweet Stuff</a>; <a href="http://www.craft-o-maniac.com/2013/06/craft-o-maniac-monday-with-royal-design.html">Craft-O-Maniac</a>; <a href="http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com/coastal-decor-monday-funday-link-party-23/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20uncommondesignsonline/AxLR%20(Uncommon)">Uncommon Designs</a>; <a href="http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/">C.R.A.F.T</a>.; <a href="http://www.linesacross.com/">Lines Across</a>; <a href="http://www.thatswhatchesaid.net/2013/summer-garden-features/">That's What Che Said</a>; <a href="http://www.creativelylivingblog.com/">Creatively Living</a>; <a href="http://anextraordinaryday.net/book-page-medallion-wreath-monday-funday-link-party/">An Extraordinary Day</a></span></div>
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Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-2019440897512823192013-06-18T13:27:00.001-04:002013-06-18T13:32:58.476-04:00What a Year!As of last Thursday, I wrapped up my fifth year of teaching...and what a year it was! If you've been hanging around here long enough (despite the fact that it's sounded like a big cave with crickets chirping for the past couple of months) you may recall that last year I had a very challenging year teaching an intermediate split (4th and 5th graders). This year, I had the blessing of teaching one straight grade (4th) and I had the advanced students for Math and Reading. Needless to say, this year my job was much more enjoyable than last year, simply because I had the same grade level all day long. Along with teaching, Stephen and I made sure we kept our candles burning on both ends and we had quite a busy year...<br />
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Our weekly schedule during the school year looked like this:<br />
*Monday nights my sisters and I enjoy dinner at my parents house - spouses are welcome but not always available to join.<br />
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*Tuesday nights Stephen and I both attended Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) - he was in the Men's class and I was in the Women's night class. Tuesday is also the day for faculty and committee meetings at my school so I would stay at school until BSF (6:45) and then come home after BSF. We <strike>suffered through</strike> enjoyed 9pm dinners on Tuesday night.<br />
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*Wednesday nights were devoted to driving down to the University of Louisville's campus to help lead <a href="http://younglife.org/">Young Life</a>'s College Fellowship group. We hung out with college students, led Bible studies and helped try and train new leaders to volunteer in high schools around the city. Wednesdays were also the day when I would have Quick Recall Practice (that's right: be jealous - I am the Quick Recall Coach at my school) after school. We met every Wednesday from 4-5:30 so I would stick around school and drive to UofL after practice. Stephen and I wouldn't return home until 10pm on Wednesday nights.<br />
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*Thursday nights were the "catch all" nights. We didn't have a standing event and we welcomed what normally was an uneventful evening during our week.<br />
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*Friday nights we attended the weekly leadership meetings for Young Life. Both Stephen and I would come straight from work to leadership - the good news is that dinner was served at Leadership so we'd actually get to eat at a normal time!<br />
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*Saturday is the day where we would sleep...and then run around the house like a chicken with it's head cut off to do all the things that got put off during the week.<br />
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*Sundays are always church days and then we enjoy lunch at Stephen's mom and dad's house with whatever family members can come that day. Then, the dreaded grading and school work would begin, as I'd put it off all weekend long. <br />
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On top of all those things, here are some other fun things that happened throughout the year:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0TJAWXdt6tL58hYSAGlDWUrkbpT_TMkvS5CgQ8FUdvxaIwNPanM3xDVU-CR7oFAHgEJTKFEDXaXBerxsP-FnHBqCZqQk9gIgGYhXf1TY3wNu8M-kJD1vBBoo45WkIC1DsoF1a01ob3k/s1600/Chipotle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0TJAWXdt6tL58hYSAGlDWUrkbpT_TMkvS5CgQ8FUdvxaIwNPanM3xDVU-CR7oFAHgEJTKFEDXaXBerxsP-FnHBqCZqQk9gIgGYhXf1TY3wNu8M-kJD1vBBoo45WkIC1DsoF1a01ob3k/s320/Chipotle.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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In September I ventured to Ohio to the outlets with my besties and enjoyed Chipotle for the first time in over a year (Louisville hadn't gotten one yet - dumb). I am not at all embarrassed by my love for Chipotle and their amazing guac.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53p9JbdpQAkDwT7PlYNS0RftR1YdA7nRQr9EjdpTF87HYI9RV1tbIJMnpOGR8dEF3I5G3yg4QHndzoGnDIgizSb9vZ7crtaw-U4MnxdaOgHVS9I8RqNCkSilHxRRtgDxLUCh0_tK3wcg/s1600/Jenna's+Wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53p9JbdpQAkDwT7PlYNS0RftR1YdA7nRQr9EjdpTF87HYI9RV1tbIJMnpOGR8dEF3I5G3yg4QHndzoGnDIgizSb9vZ7crtaw-U4MnxdaOgHVS9I8RqNCkSilHxRRtgDxLUCh0_tK3wcg/s400/Jenna's+Wedding.jpg" width="298" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5fbUyoiBG3TF1GEBQPLrmh3d-3Z7Q_y6XE_Qr6zLgvcUt6sXlUu-kGynPqZlOXgiNkgG6qpYjPTimajdevwCaKCqCP-6LzFNrI_L1UZYjORaK2E1denzdmt1cd1BuEH_5P31gDVci1c/s1600/JennasWedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5fbUyoiBG3TF1GEBQPLrmh3d-3Z7Q_y6XE_Qr6zLgvcUt6sXlUu-kGynPqZlOXgiNkgG6qpYjPTimajdevwCaKCqCP-6LzFNrI_L1UZYjORaK2E1denzdmt1cd1BuEH_5P31gDVci1c/s400/JennasWedding.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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In September my good friend, Jenna got married so off to Lexington we went. Here I am with some of my closest, oldest friends. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iFU6MGpB2UaXhlqCUqz9rg4CmnBpidYVb1tDZCprdvEgCuKFZnLitopHfUPCbMjMIjmkCs1fMXi1i9dEXCaMHe7-0nwD8EXfWvEtZyVOthPry9krhFSx9jGYM7QYzHGc1XatzUeBiNs/s1600/Brown+County.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iFU6MGpB2UaXhlqCUqz9rg4CmnBpidYVb1tDZCprdvEgCuKFZnLitopHfUPCbMjMIjmkCs1fMXi1i9dEXCaMHe7-0nwD8EXfWvEtZyVOthPry9krhFSx9jGYM7QYzHGc1XatzUeBiNs/s400/Brown+County.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In October, we visited Brown County for the weekend with Stephen's family.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsRfZVO85AP5FVyZJMC8iy2Y_U5V7iqRuu6V7Pvn1pDGuNj8DGgTawC-fvu6pBdgyzLbioWGgMvtErcYE8bycLF5Jdr3r_0p1LyHLxvnAQF29zCZmzctETg602x9_ooescX9DXJ9vsLM/s1600/Heisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsRfZVO85AP5FVyZJMC8iy2Y_U5V7iqRuu6V7Pvn1pDGuNj8DGgTawC-fvu6pBdgyzLbioWGgMvtErcYE8bycLF5Jdr3r_0p1LyHLxvnAQF29zCZmzctETg602x9_ooescX9DXJ9vsLM/s320/Heisters.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfBKEgojfBHm_TcCsQahEpdkCKz9PhjO3b4ZDt3ctGr8TTgPPMkple9R1ZQXEQLZY3L-H7PbJJVkoUWx0LK_K2dt9YEMch-hXbx5-zwaKjxEH_VP0fLwTAhMbCuUtegwSkuvlX-mkKYk/s1600/Heister.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfBKEgojfBHm_TcCsQahEpdkCKz9PhjO3b4ZDt3ctGr8TTgPPMkple9R1ZQXEQLZY3L-H7PbJJVkoUWx0LK_K2dt9YEMch-hXbx5-zwaKjxEH_VP0fLwTAhMbCuUtegwSkuvlX-mkKYk/s320/Heister.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In October, one of my best friends, Laura got married. Here I am getting down and dirty on the dance floor with the groom.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikX8hFXgRw23zlzKMMpEi3OSG2efiIVTErpBkdiEzKnTO_9i8ClwfSENuDHQBExR6OBW2n-k041aN6wdOW2Mk_A-pCz0Hst_7z6wy47TXVbu3pkSAuSou5OFWeNX8UqULhQwI_gZHbmWQ/s1600/Marcia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikX8hFXgRw23zlzKMMpEi3OSG2efiIVTErpBkdiEzKnTO_9i8ClwfSENuDHQBExR6OBW2n-k041aN6wdOW2Mk_A-pCz0Hst_7z6wy47TXVbu3pkSAuSou5OFWeNX8UqULhQwI_gZHbmWQ/s320/Marcia.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlu7mva0iaCTW0K_mPPDemUeLVQ_1FQrL1wgBl21LEllNQcgLXMhixpLVR_YvqlzKb5iStxXgqC08kQtIMvBzCdLi3q5bXSNr4RoJTdluxUPRiOyZQQa94MiGac7SN_CsnweUT5oOVxw/s1600/Wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlu7mva0iaCTW0K_mPPDemUeLVQ_1FQrL1wgBl21LEllNQcgLXMhixpLVR_YvqlzKb5iStxXgqC08kQtIMvBzCdLi3q5bXSNr4RoJTdluxUPRiOyZQQa94MiGac7SN_CsnweUT5oOVxw/s320/Wedding.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In November Stephen and I headed back north to Chicago to celebrate the wedding of our sweet friends Zack and Marcia. We were also blessed to be able to spend time with other friends. Here we are with Debbie and Stephen - they're tying the knot this July!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kGsI52KhcSKsqqXRpM5G23sePBe8Acc501ztBn9kDnPyXZkikHeGTJH5efmgjAbl1mM84gRgG1tbR_LCoLGLXV1NfDPHScHmC94vFKwEVdT76tLYgK5lBK8KScZmBoVHF3L1IwFJoJg/s1600/Thirty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kGsI52KhcSKsqqXRpM5G23sePBe8Acc501ztBn9kDnPyXZkikHeGTJH5efmgjAbl1mM84gRgG1tbR_LCoLGLXV1NfDPHScHmC94vFKwEVdT76tLYgK5lBK8KScZmBoVHF3L1IwFJoJg/s640/Thirty.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In December I turned the dirty-thirty and got to celebrate with 3 of my best friends (Stephen, Donielle and Katie) as well as with a small group of super close friends. What a blessing it was to be with them!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mplvrA5fJv96soFROAsyP47DzjYgSL_J80X1fV9gh2WpzLdnw7hGm_0PSV5JIycCWT2aEpRrQq1VSFuPB5d81DBHXmTVrv4A_kwHJPoVsncikx8x-_EP3tByKtWid8NLerWC7_vjf3s/s1600/DonisBday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mplvrA5fJv96soFROAsyP47DzjYgSL_J80X1fV9gh2WpzLdnw7hGm_0PSV5JIycCWT2aEpRrQq1VSFuPB5d81DBHXmTVrv4A_kwHJPoVsncikx8x-_EP3tByKtWid8NLerWC7_vjf3s/s400/DonisBday.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
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In January my best friend, Donielle joined me in the dirty-thirties. Another trip to Lexington was in order!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzAmeW4wH4uNiuv3uHV9krsHVqKQXwPzhvAGzjML5cLWHkvXvpNhvtcby4j6mDNN3gQZy2o5_fJRjS6lGOCXFIP__6921FQU14tDiE1BwzYtsIMzyWLDVanPTEXv34e_MB2oc8KAuDAY/s1600/photo-81.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzAmeW4wH4uNiuv3uHV9krsHVqKQXwPzhvAGzjML5cLWHkvXvpNhvtcby4j6mDNN3gQZy2o5_fJRjS6lGOCXFIP__6921FQU14tDiE1BwzYtsIMzyWLDVanPTEXv34e_MB2oc8KAuDAY/s320/photo-81.JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6VENDHvc11z9u50JovIJdoHnC-t3whr1wLfDTv3Yu6GqacMUWqz6nATS_MdpiSJ71bHL8JmvSO82o-qUhbrCkfznGwHhCnHS20jecJHEmp_rVAVYmMVnwW8aqqM90WhWq6zi8t19Ulc/s1600/QuickRecallWinners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6VENDHvc11z9u50JovIJdoHnC-t3whr1wLfDTv3Yu6GqacMUWqz6nATS_MdpiSJ71bHL8JmvSO82o-qUhbrCkfznGwHhCnHS20jecJHEmp_rVAVYmMVnwW8aqqM90WhWq6zi8t19Ulc/s400/QuickRecallWinners.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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In March, my Quick Recall team took home 1st place at the annual Mayor's Cup competition. This was my 4th year coaching a Quick Recall team and it was my first win. I couldn't have been more proud of them. On top of taking home first place, the other students in the competition voted them for the Best Sportsmanship award! My school went home that day with 4 trophies: Quick Recall 1st place, Future Problemsolvers 2nd place, Best Sportsmanship and then Overall 1st place. What a great way to spend a Saturday!</div>
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In April I headed down south with good friends (Jenna, Katie and Julie) to spend Spring Break in Panama City Beach, FL. The beach picture was taken at beautiful Seaside, which Katie and Julie introduced us to. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnAv2Ng7xrNFMl8AotV_ySIoHoVgjZqPMos0T8YlZ75SvZRKsxP1dg33__eTe31KCrq5mnONlIPcUF1TTNYkxAhzpMIxKL6WPu_ZwzmIVMz8TvU9I-Ww61F5uHCgACE4XJsPWjtzqohw/s1600/BSF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnAv2Ng7xrNFMl8AotV_ySIoHoVgjZqPMos0T8YlZ75SvZRKsxP1dg33__eTe31KCrq5mnONlIPcUF1TTNYkxAhzpMIxKL6WPu_ZwzmIVMz8TvU9I-Ww61F5uHCgACE4XJsPWjtzqohw/s320/BSF.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In May I completed my 3rd year of BSF. I'm looking forward to studying the book on Matthew in the Fall!</div>
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Throughout all of this, Stephen has been taking classes at night, after work to become a CFP (Certified Financial Planner). He's currently in his last {review} class that is every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5:30-8:30pm. Needless to say, we're both ready for him to be DONE and are praying that he passes his test when the time comes for him to take it. </div>
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After reading this, maybe you understand why my blog has been so neglected this school year. Now that it's summer, I'm hoping that I can catch up on ALL the things I've been putting on the back burner all year long. I have lots of small projects I've worked on (or started and never completed...) that I'm hoping to share with you and I'm hoping to keep up with this blog as a form of accountability to not fall into the temptation to be a slug all summer long. Expect to see {almost} daily posts up around these parts as I try to have one of the most productive summers possible...lost of furniture restoring, painting, creating, reading, studying, and preparation for another upcoming school year will be going on around here. I hope you'll stick around and join me for it!<br />
<br />Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-25658108760792301212013-02-28T18:56:00.002-05:002013-06-21T16:41:11.693-04:00A Bright TransformationAfter 3 and a half years of not seeing eye-to-eye, Stephen and I finally caught up on the same page and made a big, unimportant purchase: we bought a new TV. To some of you, this is no big deal....however, to me, this was HUGE! That story, however, is for another day and another time...continuing on...<br />
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The reason I tell you about the new TV is because it called for a new place to set it up. Our old TV used to sit to the right of our fireplace:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifX02c6MfmnxqbQMRdXtO6A6T2Ufe_L_-Hx_wgujgfFyaH55jPU_wVhBH4dv7DVECspd5Ceu02mNAUP-XE7KrzFFEE6wTx88iO1rKdTq-1KU2mDujwdAl4GgCnojs_E8mGRv8VxSPu-0w/s1600/IMG_8107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifX02c6MfmnxqbQMRdXtO6A6T2Ufe_L_-Hx_wgujgfFyaH55jPU_wVhBH4dv7DVECspd5Ceu02mNAUP-XE7KrzFFEE6wTx88iO1rKdTq-1KU2mDujwdAl4GgCnojs_E8mGRv8VxSPu-0w/s400/IMG_8107.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's the problem with this set-up: it was definitely NOT conducive to watching television while sitting on the couch. Something had to give, especially now that we have a new television. Some of you may be thinking, "Hang that television above the mantel!" but I just couldn't bring myself to do it...I really love being able to decorate the mantel during the different seasons, and after this summer, when I used a Pinterest inspiration to <a href="http://karicorsi.blogspot.com/2012/11/mantle-make-over.html">update the mantel</a>, I really didn't want to mount a television in that decoration space. Originally, I thought we could put the new TV to the left of the fireplace, but then Stephen pointed out that it would cover up a lot of our bookshelves...that's when the brainstorming occurred. </div>
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After seeing a friend turn a dresser into a TV stand, and then seeing them all over Pinterest, I decided that I was now on the lookout for a dresser to transform myself (with the help of my dad and his tools, that is). I didn't need just any dresser, I needed a small enough dresser to put in the nook to next to our french doors (where the chair is):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gTVKjm-nIxljwJ3f1FN1aNv-RnbL5XV7k9JjtsvuPxgb3DaED5bGBElq9R7nDCPs3xlfT7RmkYHlzjEBJFP5RKhRYGDXRNQAqDQlERDC_P3c_CiIBQWj-ZOQeFPgnAshyphenhyphenOMHGVZzdHk/s1600/IMG_8104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gTVKjm-nIxljwJ3f1FN1aNv-RnbL5XV7k9JjtsvuPxgb3DaED5bGBElq9R7nDCPs3xlfT7RmkYHlzjEBJFP5RKhRYGDXRNQAqDQlERDC_P3c_CiIBQWj-ZOQeFPgnAshyphenhyphenOMHGVZzdHk/s400/IMG_8104.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This nook is directly across from the sofa and provides a wonderful viewing area to watch the television from both the couch and the love seat. And so the dresser hunt began. I literally checked Craigslist daily for about 4 months before I hit, what I believed, to be the jackpot. I picked up this little lady, who just happened to be the exact right size (40") and came with a mirror (which was repurposed for another area of our home - that's to come later) for $50. Here she is:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmp6PqUMANSXH13HBCv6cFGMLj7sgOkpdgQMf4LrN3LSpKEaxiIx2-BUevUZdq5U0atZ6ULoQzeeGixdJqT__G3_WU_u6J4t6aU25Nh7G3jrtpA2f6tjRVZa_WwTBFPWUp6lF7ToI-tc/s1600/photo-77.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmp6PqUMANSXH13HBCv6cFGMLj7sgOkpdgQMf4LrN3LSpKEaxiIx2-BUevUZdq5U0atZ6ULoQzeeGixdJqT__G3_WU_u6J4t6aU25Nh7G3jrtpA2f6tjRVZa_WwTBFPWUp6lF7ToI-tc/s400/photo-77.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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My original plan was to only remove the top drawer to use as a shelf for cable/dvd player and utilize the bottom two. The only problem with this plan, was that when I got home, the drawers turned out to not be in as good of shape as I had previously thought...not to mention the whole thing was looking a little sad as I removed drawers:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0_eR7_MPKPcFk6O-5G2moz1-2fVpxMWkXxVolFY7iGPUIv3_SyiaMAtpXIXy-cF9-IyjuSRCzwATfbp6fcwS3fhgV14cmDtvQubmTcT5cE4PzRT2s5U02yq9wS1FAjxX-eebfTnRgMc/s1600/photo-78.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0_eR7_MPKPcFk6O-5G2moz1-2fVpxMWkXxVolFY7iGPUIv3_SyiaMAtpXIXy-cF9-IyjuSRCzwATfbp6fcwS3fhgV14cmDtvQubmTcT5cE4PzRT2s5U02yq9wS1FAjxX-eebfTnRgMc/s400/photo-78.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Once I realized the condition of the drawers, I decided to only use the bottom drawer and to improvise with baskets where the second drawer originally was. Here was the plan: remove the warped cardboard that separated each drawer and replace it where the first and second drawer had been with thick MDF that could act as a shelf. I would then prime and paint the piece and call it a day...unfortunately it took a little bit longer than I had hoped, but nonetheless, the project is complete and I couldn't be happier!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fv2S0w5LCAUDbHVoHYOfyVYrSQq20Y_ptdmJdP59VYMk6XZuT79yPO5r6OaEOlsvxZfne-F535nUlGEDn5CAdmNtF_6b4Zi19RY5dI7kK0unhB4IPGxSzPeW0F1QCyPP60zmhM5izh0/s1600/pizap.com10.178154328837990761362094367856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fv2S0w5LCAUDbHVoHYOfyVYrSQq20Y_ptdmJdP59VYMk6XZuT79yPO5r6OaEOlsvxZfne-F535nUlGEDn5CAdmNtF_6b4Zi19RY5dI7kK0unhB4IPGxSzPeW0F1QCyPP60zmhM5izh0/s640/pizap.com10.178154328837990761362094367856.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I went to Home Depot and had 3/4" MDF cut to match the length and width of the bottom where the first and second drawers originally sat. My dad helped me cut the small corners on these boards so that they fit perfectly inside the dresser. He also helped me by attaching side supports on each side of the inside of the dresser so that the MDF had something to sit on all the way around it. In order to get the boards in, we had to take the back and the top off the dresser - she looked a bit decapitated for awhile! I filled in the hardware holes on the bottom drawer, because I only needed 2 holes (instead of the 4) for the new pulls. </div>
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I followed <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2010/04/go-right-ahead-and-paint-that-laminate/">Centsational Girl's advice</a> and went with the Zinsser oil-base cover stain/primer, because the top of the dresser was a laminate. I bought a cheap paint brush for the primer and then tossed it when I was finished to avoid the messy clean up. I primed the pants off the dresser, and the new shelves, painted them and then put the drawers into place. I put the bottom shelf into place and polyurethaned it before I put down the top shelf. Once both the shelves had been polyed, I reattached the top and the front decorative pieces and then polyurethaned the entire dresser. I decided to paint it "Yukon Gold" by Olympic to match my <a href="http://personalorganizing.about.com/od/linencloset/ig/Organized-Linen-Closets/Hemnes-Yellow-Linen-Cabinet-fr.htm">Ikea Hemnes Linen Cabinet</a> (in case they ever ended up in the same room). 1 quart of paint was more than enough.</div>
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My dad then cut 4 holes into the back for cords to go through. The bottom drawer had to be reinforced and fixed, as it was falling apart. My dad cut a thin piece of flat wood and added it to the bottom, inside of the drawer. He also reinforced the sides and back by attaching thin pieces of wood with nails to the inside of the drawer. Lastly, he put L-shaped brackets on either side of the drawers to hold it together. You'd never know the drawer was in bad condition, unless you pulled it all the way out! </div>
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The pulls I got at Home Depot for a couple bucks each, and the baskets are the perfect size and were purchased at Lowes. When it's all said and done, I believe we spent a little more than $100 on this new TV stand and it fits and looks perfect in its new home:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0KJFMzE6_Jbf84ofz9jx3QnkL-2WI9TykrV8w4JwCPOUdlBg3Ll7SZjgT52oA6Bm3CjAWb38AaI2wWvzLAUkxncCp53h__ih0fy0cMy8BGPKZy9oivC1xeRpRfwTn_Q_qe_Vj7BNNDU/s1600/IMG_8843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0KJFMzE6_Jbf84ofz9jx3QnkL-2WI9TykrV8w4JwCPOUdlBg3Ll7SZjgT52oA6Bm3CjAWb38AaI2wWvzLAUkxncCp53h__ih0fy0cMy8BGPKZy9oivC1xeRpRfwTn_Q_qe_Vj7BNNDU/s640/IMG_8843.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Isn't she a beaut?!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0Um11sYl1rvrfXEr-1XCvCm_9wZKVCzCvYwTxr2p8bHFvgpWvCYdvv72kq5Ue02QACDy9QK2Y6a2SLb6h4FhS0OeDKvYT8YQv36cfNfrz9KnT54l5MD01zJoLGIwIayWvp6x3bBHnJ0/s1600/pizap.com10.0196084184572100641362092780778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0Um11sYl1rvrfXEr-1XCvCm_9wZKVCzCvYwTxr2p8bHFvgpWvCYdvv72kq5Ue02QACDy9QK2Y6a2SLb6h4FhS0OeDKvYT8YQv36cfNfrz9KnT54l5MD01zJoLGIwIayWvp6x3bBHnJ0/s640/pizap.com10.0196084184572100641362092780778.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm linking up this Pinterest inspired project to:<br />
<a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2013/02/winter-pinterest-challenge-board-batten-baby/">Young House Love's Pinterest Challenge</a>; <a href="http://www.momnivores-dilemma.com/2013/02/creative-juice-10.html">Creative Juice</a>; <a href="http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2013/02/transformation-thursday-no-193.html">The Shabby Creek Cottage</a>; <a href="http://www.733blog.com/2013/02/sugar-spice-152.html">Seven Thirty Three</a>; <a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2013/02/27/hookin-up-with-hoh-137/">HoH</a>; <a href="http://www.firefliesandjellybeans.com/search/label/Show%20Off%20Your%20Stuff%20Party">Fireflies and Jellybeans</a>; <a href="http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2013/02/delightfully-inspiring-thursday-party_28.html">Delightful Order</a>; <a href="http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/2013/02/frugalicious-friday.html">Finding Fabulous</a>; <a href="http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/2013/02/flaunt-it-friday-142.html">Chic on a Shoestring Budget</a>; <a href="http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2013/02/camellias-show-and-tell-friday.html">My Romantic Home</a>; <a href="http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2013/03/sns-177-decorating-with-plates.html">Funky Junk Interiors</a>; <a href="http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2013/03/show-tell-saturday-030213.html">Be Different, Act Normal</a>; <a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/sundae-scoop-link-party-69/">I Heart Naptime</a>; <a href="http://www.itsoverflowing.com/2013/03/overflowing-with-creativity-66/">It's Overflowing</a>; <a href="http://iamonly1woman.blogspot.com/2013/03/check-me-out-saturday-craft-link-party.html">A Vision to Remember</a>; <a href="http://missmustardseed.com/2013/06/9838/">Miss Mustard Seed</a></div>
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Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-62247916453173858262013-02-26T19:59:00.000-05:002013-02-26T19:59:08.053-05:00My First QuiltHello Blogland! I've sure missed you! This week I am enjoying time off of school. When our district put together our calendar this year, they added a week at the end of February for make-up snow day in case we needed them. Thankfully, we've only had 1 snow day, so school was in session on Monday, and it's out the remainder of the week. PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW! This week couldn't have come at a better time!<br />
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I figured I could get caught up on a million and one projects I've done and have wanted to share with you! The first one is a quilt I made this past summer...my very first quilt! It definitely won't be my last!!! A dear friend emailed me and asked me if I'd be willing to make a quilt for her little man. I had always wanted to try my hand at quilting (especially because one of my <a href="http://thepurplemartin.blogspot.com/">besties</a> is a master quilter), but never had a good reason to. Thankfully this dear friend is also a very flexible person and was so easy to please! I used a variation of different ideas, mainly following <a href="http://www.redpepperquilts.com/2011/09/quilt-without-binding-tutorial.html">this idea</a> of a quilt without a binding. The main blog that I went to for sewing (and emotional) support was Diary of a Quilter - using her <a href="http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/p/beginning-quilting-series.html">quilting tutorial</a>. Let me tell you, if you can sew a straight line, then you can make a quilt. It's as simple as that!<br />
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First things first, the fabric had to be chosen. She wanted something brightly colored that was gender neutral so it could be used for her little man and then again if some little ladies were in her future. She settled for "Half Moon Modern" by Moda. A charm pack (42 5" squares) was purchased:<br />
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Unlike the quilt without a binding tutorial, she did want a fabric border on the front of the quilt around the squares, and so we settled upon the grey small dots from the "Half Moon Modern" collection:</div>
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For the back, she chose the larger grey dots to compliment the front:<br />
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The other supplies needed was batting to go on the inside of the quilt, and coordinating thread - I just used a white thread. For the batting, I purchased "warm and natural cotton batting - crib size" from Joanns. After all the fabric was in and the batting was purchased, I was ready to get started. </div>
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<i>Please forgive my picture quality...I used my phone and I have none taken with a real camera...</i></div>
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The first step was to figure out the pattern/sequence of the charm squares. With the help of my sister and mom, I finally decided upon this:</div>
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The key here was to make sure that none of the small dot grey was on the outside because I didn't want it to blend in with the border I was going to put around it. </div>
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Once I settled upon the sequence, I made rows by placing the squares right sides together and sewing a 1/4" seam. Once all my rows were made, I pieced them together one by one and connected them. After all the squares had been pieced together, I used Diary of a Quilter's quick method for adding borders. I pieced them together with the sewn together squares, and voila! I had what was looking an awful lot like a quilt!</div>
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I was now ready to sew my batting to the back of this piece. I cut my batting the size of this piece of fabric and then safety-pinned the pants off it! After safety pinning it, I chose 3 vertical seams and "stitched in the ditch" (sewed along these seams) to attach this front piece to the batting. Once the batting was in place, I cut the piece of my back fabric the same size as the front piece:</div>
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Now I was ready to get jiggy wit it (na na na na na na na). I pinned the back piece of fabric to the front piece of fabric right sides facing each other. I then proceeded to stitch all the way around the edges of the 2 pieces a little less than 1/4" in. I left a small opening so that I could turn the fabric pieces right side out, and then I stitched the opening close by stitching all the way around the edges of the right side turned pieces. Once I was finished with that, it was time to "quilt" the pieces. You can get all fancy with this step, but I stuck to the basics. I decided to "stitch in the ditch" throughout the entire quilt. Here's what the 'beaut looked like when I was done:</div>
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The front</div>
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The back</div>
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I don't think I've ever been as proud of a finished sewing product as I was of this project. I was smiling from ear to ear and was all over the internet looking for my next charm pack to make my new quilt! Unfortunately I haven't made another one since this one, but I definitely look forward to trying my hand at it again, something REALLY soon! What about you? Have you every quilted? If not, what's holding you back???</div>
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<br />Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-77532379849723546582012-12-15T09:13:00.001-05:002012-12-15T09:16:25.752-05:00Max Lucado: A Christmas Prayer<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Dear Jesus,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It's a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod's jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won't you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hopefully,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Your Children</span></div>
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Prayer borrowed from: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/max-lucado/a-christmas-prayer_2_b_2302548.html">huffingtonpost.com</a></div>
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Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-67855070288052738162012-12-07T00:21:00.001-05:002012-12-07T00:27:04.997-05:00Christmas Cards<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.wooddogcrate.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.wooddogcrate.com</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">It's Christmas card time! I love everything about Christmas cards - from taking the pictures, to picking out our cards, to getting all our friend's cards in the mail and hanging them up in our house. We're blessed because my sister is a photographer who is willing to capture us each year (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/EElaine-Photography/128799597163988?fref=ts">EELaine Photography</a>). This year, I had even more fun with our Christmas card picture, because we had a new family member who joined us in front of the camera...</span></span></div>
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Isn't he just so handsome?! He looks so regal in this picture...Princeton, that is :)</div>
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He's looking a little unsure of this whole thing in this picture. Needless to say, this wasn't the choice for the 2012 Christmas card!</div>
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<a href="http://s64.beta.photobucket.com/user/KariG29/media/1_58.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="212" src="http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h167/KariG29/1_58.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://s64.beta.photobucket.com/user/KariG29/media/1_19.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="320" src="http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h167/KariG29/1_19.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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If you didn't already know it, these pictures should verify how well loved this dog is!</div>
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Here we are trying to get Princeton to howl....his thoughts? "Really, guys??? You sound ridiculous!"</div>
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"Let me show you how it's done..."</div>
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After sifting through all the great pictures that my sister took, we finally decided on this one:</div>
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<a href="http://s64.beta.photobucket.com/user/KariG29/media/1_102.jpg.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="426" src="http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h167/KariG29/1_102.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I felt like this was the best one of all three of us :)</div>
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And here's a sneak peek at our 2012 Christmas card from <a href="http://www.tinyprints.com/">tinyprints</a>:</div>
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What about you? Do you send Christmas cards every year? Do you love tinyprints as much as I do? (<a href="http://karicorsi.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-card-picture-preview.html">Here</a> are our Christmas Card pictures from 2011 Christmas)</div>
Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-76064965700818064762012-11-23T21:17:00.001-05:002013-02-28T19:37:38.127-05:00Mantel Make-Over<div style="text-align: center;">
I knew my mantel was a snoozer....</div>
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<a href="http://s64.beta.photobucket.com/user/KariG29/library/" target="_blank"><img alt="Mantle" border="0" height="400" src="http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h167/KariG29/photo-69.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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But I just didn't know what to do about it. Until I saw this on Pinterest...</div>
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<a href="http://s64.beta.photobucket.com/user/KariG29/library/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="400" src="http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h167/KariG29/6825836905409079_LR26ZGNZ_c.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
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I had some store credit at Home Goods and so I went there and found most of what I needed for a great price. I purchased a mirror and some knick-knacks and I got this:</div>
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<a href="http://s64.beta.photobucket.com/user/KariG29/library/" target="_blank"><img alt="photo-70" border="0" height="400" src="http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h167/KariG29/photo-70.jpg" width="298" /></a><br />
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The mirror, ivory decorative piece and picture frame (once white, now green) are from Home Goods, the flower picture on the front, right is from JoAnns and the green vase in the back, left is from Wal-Mart. The flowers in the vase are from Pier One (gift card baby!). I think in total, I spent about $20 of my own money on this makeover and I couldn't be happier!</div>
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<a href="http://s64.beta.photobucket.com/user/KariG29/library/" target="_blank"><img alt="photo-71" border="0" height="400" src="http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h167/KariG29/photo-71.jpg" width="298" /></a>
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Here is the full thing (don't mind the step ladder and resolve...).</div>
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Thanks, Pinterest! Have you redecorated a space of yours using Pinterest as inspiration? How'd it go??? I'd love to see it!</div>
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Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-38915079757911404012012-11-18T12:32:00.001-05:002012-11-18T12:36:31.504-05:00The Winner of Tiny Prints $50 Giveaway is....<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Ashley! She said:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">How cool! I like Be Shiny :)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Ashley S.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88-YziMQgcWByj7VBcW_UPHBcxGZkOZzuUDVe5vj6IVLLykkOU43VGQJf8j4KOOtinSo38K5knA9Z3xBf0OgbiECDTZ3u3zPmYAh6ZSQp6olw1SeLNttJdprHgTSiZOkg3LnMUb0LRU0/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-11-18+at+12.30.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88-YziMQgcWByj7VBcW_UPHBcxGZkOZzuUDVe5vj6IVLLykkOU43VGQJf8j4KOOtinSo38K5knA9Z3xBf0OgbiECDTZ3u3zPmYAh6ZSQp6olw1SeLNttJdprHgTSiZOkg3LnMUb0LRU0/s640/Screen+shot+2012-11-18+at+12.30.35+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Ashley was the 1st one to comment and Random.org decided that she should be the winner :)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you to everyone who participated! I hope you enjoy your Holiday cards from TinyPrints, Ashley!</span></div>
Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-69450439297615316632012-11-17T14:56:00.002-05:002012-11-17T15:03:45.722-05:00Dining Room Help!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hi, my name is Kari, and I'm a fall-aholic. As a result my house is busting at the seems with shades of oranges, yellows, reds, greens and browns. Ever since our Chicago days, I've been trying to find a way to incorporate some cool hues into the mix of all things autumn. A few weeks ago, while perusing Overstock.com, I found a rug that I really love and would like to incorporate it into our dining room. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwrrQTWfUUmZvcCdGhAioJTtbJxaROZ4piGfNYdbf6l9J5j8-HQon2kWTfF1UuWGsSkFC1mbFzXMP-r-FYfsDM2Zz2K6ep6ql5oSSddoiWr6j0ObCstcEiGVaPWIryNLefUf_AergOzg/s1600/photo-67.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwrrQTWfUUmZvcCdGhAioJTtbJxaROZ4piGfNYdbf6l9J5j8-HQon2kWTfF1UuWGsSkFC1mbFzXMP-r-FYfsDM2Zz2K6ep6ql5oSSddoiWr6j0ObCstcEiGVaPWIryNLefUf_AergOzg/s400/photo-67.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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Our Dining Room (we are going to pull up the carpet and put down hardwood)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwm7DOD8ZMv7TTHHtxajquReYfMPJ2Aq_OoxK1Cv1t38klOD2bThuFoK47nOk0VZOnCUPnAm8YBCFa2ZfNBl_hunDGPa7RBqLJ_gj40GseQERlX5PnoLidGv4SHpzIOfI4xlDd4uE7umo/s1600/RUG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwm7DOD8ZMv7TTHHtxajquReYfMPJ2Aq_OoxK1Cv1t38klOD2bThuFoK47nOk0VZOnCUPnAm8YBCFa2ZfNBl_hunDGPa7RBqLJ_gj40GseQERlX5PnoLidGv4SHpzIOfI4xlDd4uE7umo/s400/RUG.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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"The" Rug :)</div>
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I'm so pumped about this rug because it does exactly what I've been trying to do for these past couple of years: bring in some shades of blue. </div>
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Now, here's where I need your opinion. My mom and dad got new dining room furniture last year and graciously gave Stephen and I their old set. We inherited a table, 6 chairs, a buffet, and a china cabinet from them. Since they gave it to us, all but the table and chairs have been stacked up in our garage. You see, the problem is is that I'm not feeling the current state of the furniture. It needs some help...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCgfKHwHDRoHKl6gL87nw7r5vHkF_EMWlKHTIb6LUjBXG9Vyp1UBUAYKBCnx1Tzv9jmfRVJlgCMrOEFMVhQjCYyqTRhGA1Usvw9KAYkPI_SvA30igh5voBwOYEUyajxsTpMKv8ZTvslo/s1600/photo-66.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCgfKHwHDRoHKl6gL87nw7r5vHkF_EMWlKHTIb6LUjBXG9Vyp1UBUAYKBCnx1Tzv9jmfRVJlgCMrOEFMVhQjCYyqTRhGA1Usvw9KAYkPI_SvA30igh5voBwOYEUyajxsTpMKv8ZTvslo/s400/photo-66.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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The buffet and the bottom of the china cabinet, stacked on top of one another.</div>
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This past summer, Family Handyman magazine had an <a href="http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Home-Repair/Furniture-Repair/how-to-refinish-furniture#step6">article</a> on how to refinish furniture like a pro (specifically on how to stain your pieces darker). After reading the article, I felt empowered and just knew that I wanted to darken the current stain and give the pieces more of a walnut look. But then, I would see pictures of different two-toned furniture and I would fall in love with the way it looked...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLaNKSiv4iijWGWUadTnkYs2BVuEDMOl_gd2vdNb74L3m1aBKiI5EJugyf3ciZwMnEMmg0oO2J-vQUp6x1U_eyINELjUPWTOWqh_tTCh43FewOzp9wEUXBkdwxGlw0wFUn7eJ0uN1Dbtw/s1600/TABLE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLaNKSiv4iijWGWUadTnkYs2BVuEDMOl_gd2vdNb74L3m1aBKiI5EJugyf3ciZwMnEMmg0oO2J-vQUp6x1U_eyINELjUPWTOWqh_tTCh43FewOzp9wEUXBkdwxGlw0wFUn7eJ0uN1Dbtw/s320/TABLE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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(photo from <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/before-after-two-tone-coffee-table-makeover-paisley-and-polka-dot-threads--170134">here</a>)</div>
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My Chicago friend posted on instagram a beautiful buffet that her friend found at the Salvation Army and refinished it by painting the bottom of it a grey and staining the top of it a dark stain. I immediately fell in love with it was won over by this two toned look. My new idea is to paint the bottom of my table and buffet a heathered blue to go with the blue in the rug, and then stain the tops of both pieces a dark, walnut stain. Buuuuuuuuuuttttttt, there's a catch....</div>
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If I do try to accomplish the two-toned look, what can I do with my china cabinet to keep it from looking like a stuck out sore thumb? Do I paint the whole thing or stain the whole thing? Here's where you come in....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNv9pOmCF90KCMAXc09gQizYtEV0Z9ndCaTfJ6Yq2eefmJFLtmbgRAPoWQQhdeKvq1hZB_L2AUzAc906vlsp2-gv73-i4olOIBuNn7ySKHOFzEzu0RQ9ycWGzKykm0TAvQCPV7_05C3d4/s1600/photo-68.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNv9pOmCF90KCMAXc09gQizYtEV0Z9ndCaTfJ6Yq2eefmJFLtmbgRAPoWQQhdeKvq1hZB_L2AUzAc906vlsp2-gv73-i4olOIBuNn7ySKHOFzEzu0RQ9ycWGzKykm0TAvQCPV7_05C3d4/s400/photo-68.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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(photo from <a href="http://www.trianglehoneymoon.com/our-favorite-room/">here</a>)</div>
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What do you think of this two-toned china cabinet? What if I painted the bottom the same heathered blue as I want to paint the rest of my furniture, and stain (just like in the picture above) a darker stain to match the top of my table and buffet?</div>
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If you have an opinion, I would love to hear it, as I don't know what I should do to refinish my furniture. Should I stain it a darker stain and just keep things moving? Should I do a two-toned finish using the clue from the rug on the bottom? If I do that, what should I do with my china cabinet? </div>
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Decisions, decisions! What's a girl to do?! :) Leave a comment and give me your opinion - I would love to hear it!</div>
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Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-68842888649575497852012-11-15T00:05:00.001-05:002012-11-18T18:18:22.718-05:00Tiny Prints' 2012 Holiday Collection and GIVEAWAY!Let me first start out this post by letting you know how absurd it is in my mind that we're already halfway through the month of November...seriously - absurd! With that being said, Christmas is right around the corner, which brings with it so many wonderful things! One of my favorite things about Christmas is receiving cards from close friends and family. As silly as it sounds, I love to have that connection with people I don't get to see everyday, especially when it involves a picture of their lovely faces! Last year, Stephen and I ordered our Christmas cards from Tiny Prints and had a wonderful experience with them (you can read about it <a href="http://karicorsi.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-cards.html">here</a>). The cards came quickly, they were made of quality paper and they looked exactly like what I saw on my computer screen when I placed my order. I was so happy with my order as soon as it arrived. <br />
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With that being said, you can imagine how ecstatic I was when Tiny Prints contacted me and told me they would like to give me and one of my reader's money off of our <a href="http://bit.ly/R7ULIE" rel="nofollow">Christmas Cards</a> for this year! Let me share with you some of my favorites (I happen to have a bajillion, but I'll spare you from looking at all of them!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIh0JuqOBhULgklwr1ck0qzjRmhkrtrFpHCtQrWdotTa5BDi9pj2rg4qEyZnQRzDnh6YNk2Gp9qa_WOO6H7zmVnD9LV9rH6BZoUMPMxrJla6kkoeHmvVWtrLefazcyMtlRDo8nXFT5Us/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIh0JuqOBhULgklwr1ck0qzjRmhkrtrFpHCtQrWdotTa5BDi9pj2rg4qEyZnQRzDnh6YNk2Gp9qa_WOO6H7zmVnD9LV9rH6BZoUMPMxrJla6kkoeHmvVWtrLefazcyMtlRDo8nXFT5Us/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love Peaceful Holly in sage - I really like the font and the simple image of the holly leaves.</div>
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Merry Plaid in dark grey - I tapped into my love of plaid last year, and this one happened to remind me of the newly found love from last year.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjt6uL5k0b5t-tgJBlIcsfjHoNaXTM1ZW9R0vG1fxDTNqI_lz-NWBVdhStF6g_RxyiL5YbTsJlFSixuh3WpBTmFYiCNK2tjwXi2cAwDmzp2yKha0Rd4bawNtNt8TPILleeXaephriK_OI/s1600/1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjt6uL5k0b5t-tgJBlIcsfjHoNaXTM1ZW9R0vG1fxDTNqI_lz-NWBVdhStF6g_RxyiL5YbTsJlFSixuh3WpBTmFYiCNK2tjwXi2cAwDmzp2yKha0Rd4bawNtNt8TPILleeXaephriK_OI/s320/1-2.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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Drawn Blessings in rich red - I think I really have a thing for red and green together, especially this shad of green (remember the first card I shared with you???). I also really like the font!</div>
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Mod Holly in evergreen - again, I'm loving the color combination, as well as the simplistic holly graphics.</div>
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Check out Tiny Prints <a href="http://www.tinyprints.com/promo/tiny-prints-coupon-codes-promotions.htm">special offers</a> page to get a great deal on these beautiful cards! On top of that, enter this giveaway to receive $50 off of your next Tiny Prints orde<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">r (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">expires 12/14/2012 – no extensions, d</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">oes not include shipping & cannot be combined with any other promos). To enter, simply visit the Tiny Prints <a href="http://bit.ly/R7ULIE" rel="nofollow">Christmas Cards</a> page and leave me a comment letting me know which card is your favorite. It's that simple! </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">Make sure you enter in the giveaway today! It will be closing on Sunday, November 18 at 12pm EST.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;">Disclosure: While this post is sponsored by Tiny Prints, all opinions are my own. I will be ordering my Christmas Cards this year from Tiny Prints and am excited to see them!</span></span></div>
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Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-63316792805229154932012-11-12T17:57:00.000-05:002012-11-12T18:07:32.470-05:00A Weekend in Chicago<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.dogtrainingcollars.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.dogtrainingcollars.com</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Do you remember when I told you about how Princeton was protesting the month of October? If not, you can read about it <a href="http://karicorsi.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-great-and-crazy-week.html">here</a>. Well, November came in with a big bang and a trip to Chicago. Princeton was not a happy camper...</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL56fZ5MCmvyMr-AZzfPuyCqNQFeBLgShgUDx7aZ-xPnYoBYkrR0djWgJFUlrvWJv1F-19D2nBCVph_B51UkzT3o41Qs5GzsXv6zeUZFfTH6KbR4Fn9NcByrwH9s3gf54D2G82HJEsEOg/s1600/photo-45.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL56fZ5MCmvyMr-AZzfPuyCqNQFeBLgShgUDx7aZ-xPnYoBYkrR0djWgJFUlrvWJv1F-19D2nBCVph_B51UkzT3o41Qs5GzsXv6zeUZFfTH6KbR4Fn9NcByrwH9s3gf54D2G82HJEsEOg/s320/photo-45.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRcco2cm6fVr_j4zg9pXJQ_QBMQWwyAyAkJ2Q05WZzuyB-kqpo9lFZnQB5kFcYniUxd1Ji4yqja8_xcbGWVBxqBIRycRIOFoO1R_4QM472t22xuiD9z5pmPV5Y90ENaSM5hmY9c-ETPY/s1600/photo-53.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRcco2cm6fVr_j4zg9pXJQ_QBMQWwyAyAkJ2Q05WZzuyB-kqpo9lFZnQB5kFcYniUxd1Ji4yqja8_xcbGWVBxqBIRycRIOFoO1R_4QM472t22xuiD9z5pmPV5Y90ENaSM5hmY9c-ETPY/s320/photo-53.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8j9Lok05qD_kPWghWq1ZGEHQnW8wtzXdiACSFFFExfTbGdR5jCZMUzY4KHM0XXz9MhiuLtnBmdJ3QhgoBj5OggrG1zVwBsvXzaAi3fcPtznHobNMl2SzTTXlWNVx4HdNn-3WVnRa82Vo/s1600/photo-56.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8j9Lok05qD_kPWghWq1ZGEHQnW8wtzXdiACSFFFExfTbGdR5jCZMUzY4KHM0XXz9MhiuLtnBmdJ3QhgoBj5OggrG1zVwBsvXzaAi3fcPtznHobNMl2SzTTXlWNVx4HdNn-3WVnRa82Vo/s640/photo-56.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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The good news is that he had a good time visiting with Grandmama and Super Pops (my mom and dad) and when we returned, he hadn't destroyed anything else out of anger. It was a win-win situation!</div>
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Stephen and I had been looking forward to our trip for the longest time, and were thankful for a reason to get away. We had friends who were tying the knot in Chicago, and we couldn't wait to get there!</div>
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As soon as we drove into the city, we headed to one of our most favorite restaurants, Joy Yee. Joy Yees is a pan Asian restaurant located in Chinatown (I wrote about it <a href="http://karicorsi.blogspot.com/2011/02/enjoying-some-time-with-family.html">here</a> when my sister and her husband visited). For the past couple of months every time Stephen and I go out to eat, Stephen has shared his craving for Joy Yees. Thankfully we were able to satisfy this craving on this trip. It was a night of a double win, as our good friend, Shea, joined us on our Joy Yee extravaganza! Unfortunately, we have no pictures to document this :-/</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdBVmfPce3b3NPUpM5G4Eh6peqOT_5g37Fri8BNhWs-ht5jFBF8e2Svukj7sU4K6OsXIEa2dTRZwE-YkmtOwAllMpI0ZtPboRVCFRRwtpM9WkHiGVHJ9cmSaKX2GFLdsXIZQQ5y3VTXk/s1600/photo-46.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdBVmfPce3b3NPUpM5G4Eh6peqOT_5g37Fri8BNhWs-ht5jFBF8e2Svukj7sU4K6OsXIEa2dTRZwE-YkmtOwAllMpI0ZtPboRVCFRRwtpM9WkHiGVHJ9cmSaKX2GFLdsXIZQQ5y3VTXk/s320/photo-46.JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lt6kv1lhDmvJobWYcxABlrnzwJiDg0VpLrJgDTAa4Na5tpUV4k5j26tiN2rseKFgjOJpJGFnLAqF4mgj_S52KvMVpqrLn-3kInpaBpgPk0EUFlGJgz0kxnmmqbCKlIvuI4XBiBmW6Mk/s1600/photo-48.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lt6kv1lhDmvJobWYcxABlrnzwJiDg0VpLrJgDTAa4Na5tpUV4k5j26tiN2rseKFgjOJpJGFnLAqF4mgj_S52KvMVpqrLn-3kInpaBpgPk0EUFlGJgz0kxnmmqbCKlIvuI4XBiBmW6Mk/s320/photo-48.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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Joy Yee, we love you!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgP0VvpirV_t05gUKX_H7rzk76IST3w9UM1ocSAI5DpA39ixAj1Pea-9kIBchKbE_AybEJpPybEEEfV18t2l9HwSVznVSkDjHOVzGDLVYrbnCN30EeKC7FceMrtWNZTSK2QBIatG_CBs/s1600/photo-59.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgP0VvpirV_t05gUKX_H7rzk76IST3w9UM1ocSAI5DpA39ixAj1Pea-9kIBchKbE_AybEJpPybEEEfV18t2l9HwSVznVSkDjHOVzGDLVYrbnCN30EeKC7FceMrtWNZTSK2QBIatG_CBs/s400/photo-59.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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Stephen proudly showing us what he's going to order :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpxX6ZUqxc7J_WHf1U2kx87NAn3s7lzhgGaie1f06shltLemsOBtefx__oB_pFnn9bhkV5kSGyGxLKU_J1jiL12avCJe6oDyMnLf4HS_ef7knwd2-ch477_iWxTQxA5jwVa-5Ms-wYh0/s1600/photo-57.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpxX6ZUqxc7J_WHf1U2kx87NAn3s7lzhgGaie1f06shltLemsOBtefx__oB_pFnn9bhkV5kSGyGxLKU_J1jiL12avCJe6oDyMnLf4HS_ef7knwd2-ch477_iWxTQxA5jwVa-5Ms-wYh0/s320/photo-57.JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPpUhPzg2jJPaKFxD8-7CAGsOrSBa1YnmV2ISthFJu_TjilgVQPbYTX7RD8qU2rjLPUaxJNhRjqm3__5_c1SPVNkebDBPnyriHSe2r1rlTQ4yE7LyUEu9NQfZvg3-jRy9KECWM4wJ4YQ/s1600/photo-58.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPpUhPzg2jJPaKFxD8-7CAGsOrSBa1YnmV2ISthFJu_TjilgVQPbYTX7RD8qU2rjLPUaxJNhRjqm3__5_c1SPVNkebDBPnyriHSe2r1rlTQ4yE7LyUEu9NQfZvg3-jRy9KECWM4wJ4YQ/s320/photo-58.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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Our meal: Coconut Curry Chicken and Chicken & Shrimp Pad Thai</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfib8NynpmS5QvRmOAigujI0-5VQj5kpeoyNRGs3THrQVft4GkSEwJYjo0VumqdaPrhoHiwOjEijbdpNvn7ULCexNtmboJ_KrbdxmR9eEOuHbYiXsSyJtE4iu1mF9L7xzvd2O3aul0Po/s1600/photo-51.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfib8NynpmS5QvRmOAigujI0-5VQj5kpeoyNRGs3THrQVft4GkSEwJYjo0VumqdaPrhoHiwOjEijbdpNvn7ULCexNtmboJ_KrbdxmR9eEOuHbYiXsSyJtE4iu1mF9L7xzvd2O3aul0Po/s400/photo-51.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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Stephen double fisting our Bubble Tea choices. Mine was on the left: a Mango Freeze. Stephen's is on the right: a Berry Freeze.</div>
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On Saturday we enjoyed time with our good friends, Matt and Amy before heading off to Carnivale (a great Brazilian restaurant in downtown Chicago) to enjoy a wonderful wedding!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bn8rnLoijJlpnuFSrc9ncIbIGREPPI-oQ_WpiyfJh7xdgNkMp4lw7Ao_jqIW7XJRGXWWUztAngbGvvRUHyS_HDtZzX3hZGb3-XTNLJrXgJNykEHKr5_zOoLGl1IxpDeuvJRvJfv4qBw/s1600/photo-65.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bn8rnLoijJlpnuFSrc9ncIbIGREPPI-oQ_WpiyfJh7xdgNkMp4lw7Ao_jqIW7XJRGXWWUztAngbGvvRUHyS_HDtZzX3hZGb3-XTNLJrXgJNykEHKr5_zOoLGl1IxpDeuvJRvJfv4qBw/s320/photo-65.JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovCQJNnSHFKSSNPd9YmAnHxaQoF48uhqXaMX6aosOeCaKoHkC0tHAaYeRKA4ERgm0XM7i8LdYNfwlJTwvqVPTXVWf0HyUzBNlZTAu_UYkjUrngj8hNxMbLDYNT3LNiYqdL5BEcR6r6Mo/s1600/photo-62.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovCQJNnSHFKSSNPd9YmAnHxaQoF48uhqXaMX6aosOeCaKoHkC0tHAaYeRKA4ERgm0XM7i8LdYNfwlJTwvqVPTXVWf0HyUzBNlZTAu_UYkjUrngj8hNxMbLDYNT3LNiYqdL5BEcR6r6Mo/s320/photo-62.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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It's such a fun and beautiful atmosphere, with DELICIOUS food!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpCor6lSCm2dslnQzIJKiXFjux_Bi1cUTHiHeGDr8hXDT0PQe3K9mdlddIJGPYQgJ8R41DujEH5_cUCZ0s1q20iCuzM0bxHf1_FNGyI0zv0f-bUoM1OuxtCuirGl-2wL_qTCxfUWXwXM/s1600/photo-63.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpCor6lSCm2dslnQzIJKiXFjux_Bi1cUTHiHeGDr8hXDT0PQe3K9mdlddIJGPYQgJ8R41DujEH5_cUCZ0s1q20iCuzM0bxHf1_FNGyI0zv0f-bUoM1OuxtCuirGl-2wL_qTCxfUWXwXM/s400/photo-63.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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They served our table family style with food that was out of this world! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bFpLWvmT8JYDzYPCmMVXdxBTdfLZthNlU236VXCDXxkfIy9bnEueyVeqF8Czhx0iihS4mfukeAiJeZThchcIFY7jzQyHYi_zFOtdUHTQBjctifp9QeXvjeNFktM8rtZcPjBFd1JkibI/s1600/Wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bFpLWvmT8JYDzYPCmMVXdxBTdfLZthNlU236VXCDXxkfIy9bnEueyVeqF8Czhx0iihS4mfukeAiJeZThchcIFY7jzQyHYi_zFOtdUHTQBjctifp9QeXvjeNFktM8rtZcPjBFd1JkibI/s640/Wedding.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Stephen and I are blessed to have such good friends. Here are our good friends, Debbie and Stephen - both were in our small groups in Chicago. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejfJKKm0otllIltFkvU7QZSRspipsq5xhPYmQbtSgH2ccbZhwLHrAHYYpN-FjkHcIFktioZ2i0HC-F3tcGcRp6Adz8Sg-0aFskhZtfHkZ5SHfQxfRyEn7sClklm-ZYWj3Tp2rnU_sOBU/s1600/Wedding2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejfJKKm0otllIltFkvU7QZSRspipsq5xhPYmQbtSgH2ccbZhwLHrAHYYpN-FjkHcIFktioZ2i0HC-F3tcGcRp6Adz8Sg-0aFskhZtfHkZ5SHfQxfRyEn7sClklm-ZYWj3Tp2rnU_sOBU/s400/Wedding2.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
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The Bride and Groom</div>
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After the wedding, Stephen and I headed to our dear friends, Mike and Amanda's apartment (<a href="http://karicorsi.blogspot.com/2011/03/fun-filled-weekend.html">Princeton's previous owners</a>) to hang out with them and our other dear friends, Matt and Amy. We enjoyed a great night of food (more food?!) and Balderdash. You can never go wrong with Balderdash and this crowd! We laughed until we cried!</div>
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On Sunday, we were privileged to worship at The Moody Church before we spent the rest of the day hanging out with friends and loving our home away from home even more. </div>
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We even got a chance to drive past our old apartment...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiornV4A7ToluVes_TyPWX-W-Ph6JhQ8KfYc9HRxzz0udeE6hSgGeb7tulNzmSA8KBqfWAOJi8Z82A5ffMAje7feEUB_XWC5rYfKzxN4lVsSP8j_5Lvklu5_s-fgT5oXlVUI0A4bVgIjuI/s1600/photo-60.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiornV4A7ToluVes_TyPWX-W-Ph6JhQ8KfYc9HRxzz0udeE6hSgGeb7tulNzmSA8KBqfWAOJi8Z82A5ffMAje7feEUB_XWC5rYfKzxN4lVsSP8j_5Lvklu5_s-fgT5oXlVUI0A4bVgIjuI/s320/photo-60.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2pS5eEPcd2HFxbHUpT1nxFWrjQTH7q5tT2_yNmEAsQ0PmywwkNin3gLztDGiY6yebuzAcU5LnNxrMmLMn7aD2Bhdkcpz0zlepZaulziDWmxhUE4dBQ3L0-jDhMKsTaISDe-OcJsR66U/s1600/photo-61.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2pS5eEPcd2HFxbHUpT1nxFWrjQTH7q5tT2_yNmEAsQ0PmywwkNin3gLztDGiY6yebuzAcU5LnNxrMmLMn7aD2Bhdkcpz0zlepZaulziDWmxhUE4dBQ3L0-jDhMKsTaISDe-OcJsR66U/s320/photo-61.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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We love Chicago and miss it daily. The people make the place, and God definitely blessed us with an amazing Chicago Family that we'll have for the rest of our lives. </div>
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Have you ever been to this great city? If so, what's your favorite thing to do there?</div>
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Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-25377778192097294822012-11-01T19:43:00.002-04:002012-11-01T20:01:24.386-04:00Crayon WreathThe teacher inside of me was screaming to try this when I first saw the idea pinned on Pinterest:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DmGQK4KB0X-c7yThjDBvOAP5rl7uKiDK4thyphenhyphenkWAyWk3zX2kzJIFGH69whgE7wUggjC9SjLoJRIPI-haTZ0d4jjsYfSLqVzAbUqMO7pXW7JZb7mY2mKP8mG8jWPSfDq1Lv1z6LOa9Mn0/s1600/is-292359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DmGQK4KB0X-c7yThjDBvOAP5rl7uKiDK4thyphenhyphenkWAyWk3zX2kzJIFGH69whgE7wUggjC9SjLoJRIPI-haTZ0d4jjsYfSLqVzAbUqMO7pXW7JZb7mY2mKP8mG8jWPSfDq1Lv1z6LOa9Mn0/s640/is-292359.jpg" width="414" /></a></div>
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My only problem with it was there was no tutorial. No worries for this gal, I just decided to make my own up. If you'd like to make a cute classroom wreath for your child's teacher for Christmas or Teacher Appreciation week (in May), here is the tutorial to make one just like the Hobby Lobby one!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoF7FnPeo2EIY5gE8OGGC10sAPr5Rgtz1PvK1vVS6lpdAgZbRvxZMdJwnRSl1LRXCHL7ktPUxRSf9aP8d1RtgV95YV4wsM_jh26XpgQqhEb9q4YupDt2IRswBv_6xL_0Jdss5ELsLakEo/s1600/photo-31.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoF7FnPeo2EIY5gE8OGGC10sAPr5Rgtz1PvK1vVS6lpdAgZbRvxZMdJwnRSl1LRXCHL7ktPUxRSf9aP8d1RtgV95YV4wsM_jh26XpgQqhEb9q4YupDt2IRswBv_6xL_0Jdss5ELsLakEo/s400/photo-31.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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Here are the supplies all from Hobby Lobby (except crayons):</div>
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-2 scrapbook pages - 1 with the alphabet and one light yellow</div>
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-Wide red ribbon</div>
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-3 wooden letters: an m, r, and s</div>
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-A bag of alphabet letters</div>
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-3 bags of miniature, colored clothes pins</div>
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-a bag of small, flat pieces of wood</div>
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-6 boxes of Crayola Crayons (got them for $0.50 at the beginning of the school year)</div>
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-1 10" embroidery hoop and 1 12" embroidery hoop (these came from my mama so they were free)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3SZADWR3gsjK46VFtIG5k0FeWNUiMhKvhIz2bsx-0wpIHNlfsJqjDpTY5Q6HYW5sC9PGLeh7AbCa1Wu-0ZaItBZil0QDgdRl_Pu9TWd_juTntkQ2OxhmqNN6V8nJZ7-mN-Z83De2I_s/s1600/photo-32.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3SZADWR3gsjK46VFtIG5k0FeWNUiMhKvhIz2bsx-0wpIHNlfsJqjDpTY5Q6HYW5sC9PGLeh7AbCa1Wu-0ZaItBZil0QDgdRl_Pu9TWd_juTntkQ2OxhmqNN6V8nJZ7-mN-Z83De2I_s/s320/photo-32.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<b>Step 1:</b> Place your embroidery hoops inside one another on a flat surface</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibkFqe3_jSYVGpHx1Xzs1g3hCGOdK_85ngTkd-e-PAi3D4mCu-FFYnTbzCtZcQLmvGVGZzL40-CZsAqW6Ul6ov86TP1jLwSN_9Ml90EEGBUenu0xIMTszXjs9zSNRrzohowD_paaZfIM/s1600/photo-44.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibkFqe3_jSYVGpHx1Xzs1g3hCGOdK_85ngTkd-e-PAi3D4mCu-FFYnTbzCtZcQLmvGVGZzL40-CZsAqW6Ul6ov86TP1jLwSN_9Ml90EEGBUenu0xIMTszXjs9zSNRrzohowD_paaZfIM/s400/photo-44.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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<b>Step 2: </b>Hot glue crayons to both embroidery hoops all the way around, leaving a small gap between each one.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM61cBwXyqaXDlBqhApTm_JK4QeAPPcpieYux6g8ItDCvQoib18WYyzwmNC4jJnnXABsbGGzOTD027GSCImyo-2Wd1HQdFZr3EmufYza0uZuPuotegYi4PeSOOA7Te6F_QB9c06qh-GwY/s1600/photo-33.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM61cBwXyqaXDlBqhApTm_JK4QeAPPcpieYux6g8ItDCvQoib18WYyzwmNC4jJnnXABsbGGzOTD027GSCImyo-2Wd1HQdFZr3EmufYza0uZuPuotegYi4PeSOOA7Te6F_QB9c06qh-GwY/s320/photo-33.JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeWzqAcxC6LiNhqoPqapXA-bfi1gJcm1ti04XfF4hxW077NWMg75iBoFiw0EHoH2ugz8RSxVibvfPZbrKMapN2D4vwWyW3VX8gJNlYUm6MMYY4lN3rN4Ylm4KXoX9-2JQU8fVeg-e9U8/s1600/photo-35.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeWzqAcxC6LiNhqoPqapXA-bfi1gJcm1ti04XfF4hxW077NWMg75iBoFiw0EHoH2ugz8RSxVibvfPZbrKMapN2D4vwWyW3VX8gJNlYUm6MMYY4lN3rN4Ylm4KXoX9-2JQU8fVeg-e9U8/s320/photo-35.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<b>Step 3: </b>After all crayons are glued on the first layer, go through and add a second layer to hide gaps between each crayon. Do this all the way around the wreath.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXmqgrvGq9QJTWqYzvU7tqZoKNpH6lRTqakIHaV17h8HpwpJv-J-XCe1sAFXLq6afuz1ixZxT4BS6k-F3QiGP0b638QvzRkids4znkk53Pn41VgyPPjXnflFXalPKl54peTDKoA6La2A/s1600/photo-43.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXmqgrvGq9QJTWqYzvU7tqZoKNpH6lRTqakIHaV17h8HpwpJv-J-XCe1sAFXLq6afuz1ixZxT4BS6k-F3QiGP0b638QvzRkids4znkk53Pn41VgyPPjXnflFXalPKl54peTDKoA6La2A/s320/photo-43.JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUz6snQXYHetfPW1vkawUAh87ELj2vbpBBLe8txl0tLQNJOWmBwwC_lu-dNYTPhYgDMIY6jVUwDYqqY6Y6PpNus5frD0QOKwC0bGd485UGhPssjyQ9A1QEbN5axGH5irmpQHMFkVuEJ6Y/s1600/photo-34.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUz6snQXYHetfPW1vkawUAh87ELj2vbpBBLe8txl0tLQNJOWmBwwC_lu-dNYTPhYgDMIY6jVUwDYqqY6Y6PpNus5frD0QOKwC0bGd485UGhPssjyQ9A1QEbN5axGH5irmpQHMFkVuEJ6Y/s320/photo-34.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<b>Step 4: </b>With all clothespins facing one direction, glue them around the perimeter of the wreath.</div>
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<b>Step 5: </b>Glue another row of clothespins next to the first row of clothespins going in the opposite direction (no picture - sorry!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCG-RhGeFl-bTeUmWaEy_6KM1CLN7B-zHsGn1O6hF8Zsj1qQf-CC3-ka5Ar5hvOgJd85cSOH3iCgb3PGRmvZy3CLlKtYZPLWQxWOsCUCc91EH6cMJBMmZSUMgnx32kQJm39Ys6jRn3u4/s1600/photo-36.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCG-RhGeFl-bTeUmWaEy_6KM1CLN7B-zHsGn1O6hF8Zsj1qQf-CC3-ka5Ar5hvOgJd85cSOH3iCgb3PGRmvZy3CLlKtYZPLWQxWOsCUCc91EH6cMJBMmZSUMgnx32kQJm39Ys6jRn3u4/s320/photo-36.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<b>Step 6: </b>Create the ribbon for the top of your wreath by cutting strips of your alphabet paper around the tops and bottoms of the letters. You want these strips to be slightly narrower than the width of your red ribbon. Take spray adhesive (I used Elmer's) and glue the alphabet strips to your red ribbon. Then, using the layered strips you just glued together, cut strips out of your yellow paper wider than the ribbon. Use spray adhesive to glue all layers together. You will make 2 strips, the width of your alphabet and yellow paper.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhRd9qwFRWA7Jcl6HFkuPn4Sda7WhSGKDYuFzGAOk9BYFTOx9W3MSi-yGhJhc_VQmbPKnNaxncmgKXsw2KdEXk2MwFS3ttUYrF180P8PI9SMoYcon0DU1WKad2O5sTPYwFO0jjnfzDgY/s1600/photo-42.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhRd9qwFRWA7Jcl6HFkuPn4Sda7WhSGKDYuFzGAOk9BYFTOx9W3MSi-yGhJhc_VQmbPKnNaxncmgKXsw2KdEXk2MwFS3ttUYrF180P8PI9SMoYcon0DU1WKad2O5sTPYwFO0jjnfzDgY/s320/photo-42.JPG" width="239" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8I56nhH4PNcXQLqz3MdjO_OuqNc0ZbiG0N2VYi3N1zOA5C2TLXsUUngGAV9kqFarHHy2XOVyCOtFxaiu6XF-0-BprwnvRigouHPOT8Yf7aIUkJshi-nimcKdMhHkGZMxcvdJEtoK_G4/s1600/photo-37.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8I56nhH4PNcXQLqz3MdjO_OuqNc0ZbiG0N2VYi3N1zOA5C2TLXsUUngGAV9kqFarHHy2XOVyCOtFxaiu6XF-0-BprwnvRigouHPOT8Yf7aIUkJshi-nimcKdMhHkGZMxcvdJEtoK_G4/s320/photo-37.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<b>Step 7: </b>Form your bow. Take one of your strips and create a flattened circle out of it (lightly fold both sides down so that they overlap in the back) and hold it against the 2nd strip you made. Wrap a piece of red ribbon around it. Using a staple gun (and a pad of paper underneath it), staple your bow together in the middle. Glue your letter block to the middle (I chose "K" for my first name).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcXt7SBx1ZIMQAkmuS1g2MU-hBtAQk7_o2HC4lrSY-HFVGi-6uOTpoxKrGlPxtzly3uY62mGVvBeH4nS-WIB5Sg0IfOaoTGtgtsQ1kL9tcXSCI74GOPdUbC9WA1tARiLPfeeTrO7LVtE/s1600/photo-41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcXt7SBx1ZIMQAkmuS1g2MU-hBtAQk7_o2HC4lrSY-HFVGi-6uOTpoxKrGlPxtzly3uY62mGVvBeH4nS-WIB5Sg0IfOaoTGtgtsQ1kL9tcXSCI74GOPdUbC9WA1tARiLPfeeTrO7LVtE/s320/photo-41.JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dpnBfE7rKEFSROymdhAvmYDxtwdMmZN1pQP0zJGY7drsi9r_XF8QDLdLFeFoLZ9hPDE3Klj3xaZRISlMXlVOPJjGLrHpGHNTvF1Lww4Amr7UYJSQNQXm9E0Wanmu2XSLC_SdSXo3AeE/s1600/photo-38.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dpnBfE7rKEFSROymdhAvmYDxtwdMmZN1pQP0zJGY7drsi9r_XF8QDLdLFeFoLZ9hPDE3Klj3xaZRISlMXlVOPJjGLrHpGHNTvF1Lww4Amr7UYJSQNQXm9E0Wanmu2XSLC_SdSXo3AeE/s320/photo-38.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<b>Step 8: </b>Paint your wood. I wanted to make my little wood plaque look like a chalkboard. Using painter's tape, I made an edge to my board by painting the inside black and the outside red. After it all dried, I wrote with a metallic Sharpie my last name on the chalkboard. I painted my letters that spelled out "mrs." a pale yellow and put red, green and blue polka dots on them using the tip of my paintbrush. Then, I glued the "mrs" to the top of my chalkboard. Lastly, I assembled everything onto my wreath. I took floral wire and wrapped it around the top of my embroidery hoop in the back to use as a hook and hung it on the inside of my classroom door.</div>
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I hope this tutorial helps and that you're able to use it to make the day of a teacher! Let me know if you have any questions or if you make one yourself. I'd love to see it!</div>
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<br />Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-33455882998814202632012-10-28T18:45:00.002-04:002012-10-28T18:45:55.493-04:00A Great and Crazy Week!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: verdana,sans-serif;">http://</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.dogbarkcollar.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: verdana,sans-serif;">www.dogbarkcollar.com</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I got ahead of myself last week when I told you how much I loved my dog....good thing love is unconditional. Someone is protesting how busy we've been:</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CfFAWc7NTrBWM4uYRAkl-OhYbfEFV_A9ozv29_lfUwUPQcmEkloMybfh_mAcjhIMtWytahfez0X2SZ49szR0KDEuNoMo2hD5NGsx2ACM2VlJB_fwM79FY9K9rLg4EfnSvRTCgLOsVwY/s1600/photo-30.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CfFAWc7NTrBWM4uYRAkl-OhYbfEFV_A9ozv29_lfUwUPQcmEkloMybfh_mAcjhIMtWytahfez0X2SZ49szR0KDEuNoMo2hD5NGsx2ACM2VlJB_fwM79FY9K9rLg4EfnSvRTCgLOsVwY/s400/photo-30.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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I had to tell my sweet students that MY dog ATE their homework...yup - you just read that correctly. Apparently it does really happen and it happens to teachers, not necessarily just students. This week he has "eaten" some reading logs, some scholastic book orders, as well as our checkbook. He knows what he's doing is wrong because he'll immediately go and put himself into his bed. He's silently protesting the month of October, which happens to have been the busiest month for us. </div>
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In other news, we had a pretty eventful week. Every Monday we enjoy dinner with my family (including my 1 year old nephew), as well as Bible Study on Tuesdays and Young Life College Fellowship on Wednesdays. This Thursday was extra busy, as we had the Louisville Young Life Banquet and then I packed up my stuff and headed to Lexington to celebrate one of my favorite friend's wedding. My best friend, Laura got married! I didn't take a single picture, so I had to go and <strike>steal </strike>borrow from my other best friend's uploading FB pics. The pictures below will show you some of the highlights (or just what was available to me from my friend's album :) )</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSv2RXo3N2P3RlXd1x62w2-pWzXXtaifLId00yjduiiMljD0FHH-xJGUFK-_xEshPjFkXenT58UaJQ_CcGKZe-uMvXUCsR-QPho5UbpdA5v6lvDiMOn0syHjIBpGKmuKDF6FT9wv3y1lE/s1600/269948_10100960017149860_1214437390_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSv2RXo3N2P3RlXd1x62w2-pWzXXtaifLId00yjduiiMljD0FHH-xJGUFK-_xEshPjFkXenT58UaJQ_CcGKZe-uMvXUCsR-QPho5UbpdA5v6lvDiMOn0syHjIBpGKmuKDF6FT9wv3y1lE/s320/269948_10100960017149860_1214437390_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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On Friday night, after the rehearsal dinner, I spent the night with my BFF, Donielle. This picture documented our slumber party :)</div>
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Donielle is fabulous at doing hair. Here you can see the fantastic up-dos she did for me and my friend, Elisha</div>
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Here is a picture of the wedding in action - if you look to the bottom left, you can see me at the end of the bridesmaids.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8ku33wDW4MVqgzLHmiU3tApn-3pfMJlaU34pFh0OXpyMRhH4OmEH5X44qaVATp-LGPQApT6_zAMjLNf-sUUmsj4mcSOhrgMTO5Kem-hV8VP2yWTlYL6VeQv3q5oVSg5C9QN3bNpIziM/s1600/12928_10100960125003720_247540303_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8ku33wDW4MVqgzLHmiU3tApn-3pfMJlaU34pFh0OXpyMRhH4OmEH5X44qaVATp-LGPQApT6_zAMjLNf-sUUmsj4mcSOhrgMTO5Kem-hV8VP2yWTlYL6VeQv3q5oVSg5C9QN3bNpIziM/s640/12928_10100960125003720_247540303_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's the gorgeous bride and handsome groom after the wedding and on our way to the reception (Donielle did her hair also)</div>
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Here's a picture of Donielle and I right before they announced the bridal party into the reception. Because Don-Don is so handy at doing hair and she's also a friend of the bride, she was behind the scenes a lot at the wedding, making sure us bridesmaids (and bride!) looked fantastic at all times.</div>
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These next pictures document our love for dancing and acting crazy. Enjoy!</div>
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(my other bestie, Katie, enjoying the act of crazy with us)</div>
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Roomies reunited!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSyv1CFRQVNJ9Ddxb88-soQoJowSl99qwi0A04wM2BQeM84jQl8p_kp4h_gBQckaXrMQVwDgrs2-zJ5yF6Bp5BwFgrpwbrLSUXWj2em_9RVwa8OsOGOZ9Beg5slwaCLi82GRd7us4sSE/s1600/30367_10100960376379960_1708142380_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSyv1CFRQVNJ9Ddxb88-soQoJowSl99qwi0A04wM2BQeM84jQl8p_kp4h_gBQckaXrMQVwDgrs2-zJ5yF6Bp5BwFgrpwbrLSUXWj2em_9RVwa8OsOGOZ9Beg5slwaCLi82GRd7us4sSE/s400/30367_10100960376379960_1708142380_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Stephen with a weird red-eye reduction mishap ;)</div>
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Last picture of the night - what a great time celebrating love and friendship!</div>
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Now it's time for me to embrace reality and do some lesson planning and paper grading. I hope you have an enjoyable week!</div>
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Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-26092162113040767482012-10-21T23:16:00.000-04:002012-10-21T23:16:09.190-04:00A Weekend with the Prince<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">This post about how spoiled and loved my dog is and the great weekend we had together! Thank you</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><a href="http://www.dogfencediy.com/" target="_blank">www.<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">dogfencediy</span>.com</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"> for making this possible.</span></span></div>
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You've met one of the loves of my life, Princeton - in case you haven't, here he is!</div>
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I figured a good post to get back into the swing of things was one on this handsome fella'! I love dogs, always have...but I really love this dog, for many reasons.</div>
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1. He's a great companion. This weekend I was sewing my Saturday away. My sewing machine is set up in the basement, away from the hub-bub. All day long, Princeton kept coming downstairs to check on me and to get a good pat and give a big kiss.</div>
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2. He loves to snuggle. We often fall asleep all curled up on the couch next to this snuggle bunny. Don't believe me? We have proof:</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">It doesn't matter the size of the couch, it's inevitable - if you're on it, he's going to join you!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">3. The last reason that I'll share as to why I love Princeton is because of how much fun he is. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">If we pretend to howl, he'll join us:</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxJsWTohub6PHwqtBmQ1ocNDx5Pph6HrVS81agd3ryuMyN7dOBPtZtiJDE2MDVJIlUSkgQl-gWTS0DmKCZAyA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Sorry this video is so dark, you can still hear his talent.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">I always enjoy the weekend because that means I can sleep in and lay low. I know that Princeton enjoys the weekend because that means he doesn't have to wake up at the butt-crack of dawn and we're going to stay home with him all day. Man, I love that dog!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Do you have a canine man or lady in your life that brings you joy? Can he/she howl on command? I'd love to see it!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Here's to hoping that I'm able to share all the 16-ga-zillion things on here that I've been waiting to share. I'm trying to get back into the swing of blogworld. I've been gone far too long! I've missed you blogland and I'm excited to return!</span></div>
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Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-46710831440604510352012-08-17T23:28:00.003-04:002012-08-17T23:38:18.656-04:00Vacay 2012Back in June Stephen and I ventured out west for a little bit of business and a little bit of pleasure. Stephen had a convention for work in Denver, CO and ever since he found out about it he insisted that we tie our vacation in with it. I'm not gonna lie: I wasn't thrilled with the idea. You see, while I would LOVE to go out west and visit states I've never been to, I don't want that to interfere with a good trip to a tropical location (I do realize how snotty this sounds - judge away). I'm one of those people (are there any others out there like me?) who would LOVE to live in dreamland where every year a trip is taken to a new location in this great nation of ours AND to an exotic location (I told you - snotty). So, you can imagine how I felt when Stephen came home talking about this "great" idea how I wasn't initially on the band wagon. Nonetheless the trip was booked and the time came to take it. Needless to say, we had a fantastic time and I look forward to our next trip to visit uncharted states and see more of this beautiful country we call "home". So, if you're interested, I'll share with you a little info/pics of our memorable trip and hope to not bore you :).<br />
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<i>Itinerary: </i></div>
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<b>Saturday, June 9</b> leave for Denver, CO and enjoy a nice breakfast layover in Dallas, TX visiting our great friend, Jenn :)</div>
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<b>June 9-12 </b>Denver, CO</div>
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On Monday night Stephen and I had the privilege of meeting a dear friend from high school, Katie, and her husband, Josh for Ice Cream. We enjoyed GREAT ice cream with GREAT company and an amazing view of downtown Denver!</div>
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Katie, being Katie.</div>
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The 4 of us</div>
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<b>Tuesday, June 12 </b>Conference is ova'! Rent a car and drive an hour to Breckinridge, CO for the night</div>
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We ate dinner at this fun little restaurant in downtown Breckinridge called, "The Mother Loaded Tavern". It was super yummy!</div>
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The view from our hotel room right before we left. Seriously, Breckinridge was breathtaking. I want to go back there SO badly!</div>
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<b>Wednesday, June 13 </b>hit the road, Jack! Off to Rapid City, SD!</div>
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On the way to Rapid City we drove on U.S. 71 and traveled through Ardmore, SD. Turns out Ardmore is a ghost town...SO interesting! Click <a href="http://www.takemytrip.com/08wyo/08n_28a.htm">here</a> to read more about it!</div>
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We arrive and head straight to see Crazy Horse....Crazy Horse is seriously crazy! They began carving Crazy Horse out of a mountain in the Black Hills in 1947 and they are no where near done with him! </div>
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A model of what Crazy Horse will look like when he's completed. He'll be so large that the ENTIRE carving of Mt. Rushmore would be able to fit in his HEAD alone...NUTS!</div>
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This is how far they are today. You can see that his face has been carved, the area under his arm has been carved and they've marked the side of the mountain where his horse will be carved as well. </div>
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I told Stephen to try and pick his nose....fail.</div>
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After many attempts we have a closer attempt at picking Crazy Horse's nose :)</div>
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This is a model carving of Crazy Horse. The real Crazy Horse is 30x this size. That's humongous!</div>
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<b>Still Wednesday, June 13 </b>off to Mount Rushmore!</div>
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Mount Rushmore as we were walking in. Quite possibly one of the most patriotic places in our country.</div>
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Someone stopped us and told us how they wanted to carve our faces out of a mountain. Yup.</div>
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So cool.</div>
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<b>Thursday, June 14 </b>Bear Country time!</div>
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Bear Country is a wildlife park that you drive through and you see the animals up close and personal. The only thing standing between you and them is your car. It was super cool!</div>
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<b>Still Thursday, June 14 </b>hop in the car and drive 2 hours to the Badlands National Park</div>
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On your way to the Badlands you drive in and out of the park. Although this sign makes you think we just left, we actually hadn't gotten there yet. Those tricksters!</div>
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The Badlands are seriously bad and I mean that in a good way (ya dig?). It was unreal to see how different this part of our country was. God is definitely apparent in the Badlands. Beauty is all around you!</div>
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Stephen and I were going to go on a hike and then I saw this sign. As you may recall, this was only a few short weeks after I found a <a href="http://karicorsi.blogspot.com/2012/05/i-live-in-zoo.html">snake</a> in my backyard. I just couldn't do it. So we improvised and climbed the structures instead.</div>
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I realize this is upside down. But, when you get it developed, that doesn't matter and I was too lazy to rotate it :)</div>
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Oh, Silly Stephen!</div>
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Me and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkEvLjj_rqc&noredirect=1">Jason Aldean</a> were tight that day! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LDNuPp_DbhzLVn03qN4vba_cMYGdS_Ot0f805Deutfpa2xFqP2uvJ26QY1oHi5o43lAIEwrsdeolypP7-AcYBitIeN06Pyotr7pCuzfOZgA5piRibERsy-3snqrVkIZ8dp9Flp764es/s1600/IMG_8651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LDNuPp_DbhzLVn03qN4vba_cMYGdS_Ot0f805Deutfpa2xFqP2uvJ26QY1oHi5o43lAIEwrsdeolypP7-AcYBitIeN06Pyotr7pCuzfOZgA5piRibERsy-3snqrVkIZ8dp9Flp764es/s640/IMG_8651.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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On Friday morning we woke up and drove back to Denver to catch a flight home. We had a fantastic trip out west. I so enjoyed driving through states I had never seen before and getting to spend some quality time with Stephen. While do live together and we are married, we (unfortunately) don't get to spend a ton of quality, intentional time together. This trip was fun because we got to experience beautiful sites together as well as invest in some good quality conversations.</div>
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I look forward to our next national trip. I'm all for suggestions! I would love to hear where your favorite place to visit in America is. This will help spark ideas for our next trip!</div>
Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455966499632158896.post-40914101176128983332012-07-02T11:22:00.003-04:002012-07-02T11:22:48.062-04:00Bathroom Re-Do<br />
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You know the drill: you buy a house and you instantly inherit the style/design of the previous owners until you get the chance to make your house <b><i>your</i></b> house. This was exactly the case with my half-bath/powder room on the first floor of our house. The problem with this room is that nothing about it is what I would choose to put in my half-bath...nothing. When we first looked at the house, I had already started thinking about what I could do to this room to update it and make it more of my own. Before I start breaking down my thoughts, let me share with you the actual room:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZPYaegVId3Bpdsdb_EdKeXXRsKlCCW7fsUDBkRSerEdKziVXH0-Hfouz2k_djd8jeKCynincoLpV-rnAzstlMbCRlyJp81Hw_IyZk734kb46fCP-SaHE5ay-SjdTKxaD3DG0f8Zw_vY/s1600/IMG_8671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZPYaegVId3Bpdsdb_EdKeXXRsKlCCW7fsUDBkRSerEdKziVXH0-Hfouz2k_djd8jeKCynincoLpV-rnAzstlMbCRlyJp81Hw_IyZk734kb46fCP-SaHE5ay-SjdTKxaD3DG0f8Zw_vY/s320/IMG_8671.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6f4QANJswFML4hUTLyqUbrxkYYq6tHHrgJ2XDlLvJLWgQeoLC-cPZ1mxiyFpjV7cCCmXFxleJlEcmnWJfdsYikf4xiLHudufcughogYMKgP75iB0HugZKRB5A_U2IY7IiOrYbXObogo/s1600/IMG_8672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6f4QANJswFML4hUTLyqUbrxkYYq6tHHrgJ2XDlLvJLWgQeoLC-cPZ1mxiyFpjV7cCCmXFxleJlEcmnWJfdsYikf4xiLHudufcughogYMKgP75iB0HugZKRB5A_U2IY7IiOrYbXObogo/s320/IMG_8672.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
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Personal Problem #1 with this room: it's wallpapered. Now, obviously these ferns are somewhat "in" right now (see <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/products/fern-jacquard-organic-bath-towels/?pkey=cbath-linens">PB and their fern towels</a>) however, they're just NOT for me. Unfortunately, Stephen says he likes these ferns...that caused a lot of need for discussion/begging/reasoning :-)</div>
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Personal Problem #2 with this room: the cabinet that eats up a ton of this tiny room and the 1980s faucet that adorns this vanity. Both must go. </div>
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Personal Problem #3 with this room: the ceiling is painted green. Ugh. Thanks! I'm not saying that you shouldn't paint your ceiling - I realize that a lot of designers will tell you that this is a great way to add color or points of interest to your room. My problem with it is that this room is just so small - I'd prefer a white ceiling (again, personal preference).</div>
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Personal Problem #4 with this room: I do not like the chandelier in this bathroom. Maybe it's the wrong design to go with light, maybe it's the fact that it's in the bathroom - I'm not quite sure what it is, but I'm just not feeling the chandelier. Perhaps if it were in a different room with different design around it I could like the chandelier, but not in this context. </div>
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Now let me introduce you to the new look I'm shooting for in this room:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qM2YXNchYFlVbRZGpz065CTDGymmoD7NbP5kHXWPKLPrr9PnPZ9co80upKuMoDPtdnHagbt_R0s5RMuscYpADPckmiYNaTKfK3orruXXqOluyr9vwCfa1ojPClt6oisQ8_kvd2KUkIs/s1600/Half-Bath+Design+Board1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qM2YXNchYFlVbRZGpz065CTDGymmoD7NbP5kHXWPKLPrr9PnPZ9co80upKuMoDPtdnHagbt_R0s5RMuscYpADPckmiYNaTKfK3orruXXqOluyr9vwCfa1ojPClt6oisQ8_kvd2KUkIs/s640/Half-Bath+Design+Board1.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="494" /></a></div>
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I am giddy with excitement at the possibility that this room holds! So excited that I went on ahead and got a little big for my britches...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTGcFz-cnTmUMTWaMFbcrGnd3o5AVR9kB7YMDJ27a4kFd3kfhnhrrvae4FnmCJWq-Ia1DK9T-o1UcowIrLPazV5-FPsJ-aS5Sxg8iBaOSmWcTJnXYJuG-fOMOJLxeXN_voVBzVGKB3KE/s1600/IMG_8682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTGcFz-cnTmUMTWaMFbcrGnd3o5AVR9kB7YMDJ27a4kFd3kfhnhrrvae4FnmCJWq-Ia1DK9T-o1UcowIrLPazV5-FPsJ-aS5Sxg8iBaOSmWcTJnXYJuG-fOMOJLxeXN_voVBzVGKB3KE/s320/IMG_8682.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljmYLjWaSjx6gk8Rkh_OMzYgtBB1WpKpTopXiIsqD94BOHLu8SlEhNJosBCmdB4hfmaHMpa4krb0IosADSsvRu6vsaXXGktrx9mgSi-_oU0P4XiXGDuImijJ95vF4AeuYobUQwCOxhNs/s1600/IMG_8683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljmYLjWaSjx6gk8Rkh_OMzYgtBB1WpKpTopXiIsqD94BOHLu8SlEhNJosBCmdB4hfmaHMpa4krb0IosADSsvRu6vsaXXGktrx9mgSi-_oU0P4XiXGDuImijJ95vF4AeuYobUQwCOxhNs/s320/IMG_8683.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11g0m7JDl_3_uG5_69y-68wNKG8QKT9E-wrx2HQT5NSJswS2qYi_SPMmOHuC0ileTOviHiM9TGLsKWCCyDpEm5KvQEo1eu1HgRC25kEB7Sltd5sKlJGpu3PzyhEvFX6XOOmGkUrZgS_g/s1600/IMG_8684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11g0m7JDl_3_uG5_69y-68wNKG8QKT9E-wrx2HQT5NSJswS2qYi_SPMmOHuC0ileTOviHiM9TGLsKWCCyDpEm5KvQEo1eu1HgRC25kEB7Sltd5sKlJGpu3PzyhEvFX6XOOmGkUrZgS_g/s320/IMG_8684.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
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I got the itch to remove the ferns and they came down super easily - almost too easily! I'm fairly certain there's no going back now!</div>
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Any of you seasoned DIYers out there that have already updated a bathroom in your house and would like to share some good tips for a newbie like myself? I'd love to hear your advice!</div>
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</div>Karihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612511402252473688noreply@blogger.com1