tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34447520392845960272024-03-05T21:06:48.467-08:00Hoosier at HeartA place where my heart speaks,
my friends gather,
everyone is welcome
and Diet Coke flows like water.Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.comBlogger313125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-19084207204637436532014-09-22T08:42:00.000-07:002014-09-22T11:24:40.219-07:00Home Reno - Let's Call it Quits<div style="text-align: center;">
Let's not drag this out any longer.</div>
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This post is full of pictures</div>
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and the home decorating is not</div>
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yet complete</div>
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but it does finally feel like home.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATbpUaqghVoHEGRdf8dGEgS9hlvGFph4GgT8Lag9SCMNCQHX4_3k0COfj7ps7tanB-eK3PNzRprIMKaM-ZeD8htikMXZ5_Ggt2tbWawks7PSaEvyGG0KXpU6DXpRF7pn5OU4fZlAw6Wk/s1600/living+room,+red+yellow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATbpUaqghVoHEGRdf8dGEgS9hlvGFph4GgT8Lag9SCMNCQHX4_3k0COfj7ps7tanB-eK3PNzRprIMKaM-ZeD8htikMXZ5_Ggt2tbWawks7PSaEvyGG0KXpU6DXpRF7pn5OU4fZlAw6Wk/s1600/living+room,+red+yellow.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The living room is a difficult</div>
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room to photograph</div>
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because it's narrow and</div>
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it really doesn't get a lot of </div>
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natural light.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The large windows in the front of the house</div>
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are under our patio cover</div>
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so the light doesn't always stream in.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTySl9BbiT1Kjqbx3m7orlPklHdoi0UJ8V-BybYUo91n_Sru5l-yzY7onVF9w7Gm7dEgsFWuhsq-ixx91hb88LGElG0ygqlyfXhhRIJyse8bcfZCNx_hrn1LkB8zwe_wx69GREuD5lK0/s1600/tv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTySl9BbiT1Kjqbx3m7orlPklHdoi0UJ8V-BybYUo91n_Sru5l-yzY7onVF9w7Gm7dEgsFWuhsq-ixx91hb88LGElG0ygqlyfXhhRIJyse8bcfZCNx_hrn1LkB8zwe_wx69GREuD5lK0/s1600/tv.jpg" height="640" width="540" /></a></div>
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I realize I should have taken this picture</div>
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with the television turned off.</div>
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I just don't feel like retaking it..</div>
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I am loving my new floors.</div>
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I love the fact that</div>
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when I clean them, they are really clean.</div>
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Unlike the nasty dog hair carpet</div>
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that was in here before.</div>
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The rug is a a cheap Target rug and </div>
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it is probably temporary.</div>
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Right now it serves as a place for the dog to lay on</div>
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and it's easy to clean.</div>
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I like the pop of color it adds to the room.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxd-Hk7_r6jOvQ0XqEkEaBTwhBB-Bun9sexArn44_D_OluK6LUPCXXYrKTk70t5ZeqhfLtvT0S1xsDxsSoJb0GcP-6m14_rlwZxy_P2DgzW1QjEXmUcujO0vauI4fhp5GeMwRkFh6NMOI/s1600/dining+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxd-Hk7_r6jOvQ0XqEkEaBTwhBB-Bun9sexArn44_D_OluK6LUPCXXYrKTk70t5ZeqhfLtvT0S1xsDxsSoJb0GcP-6m14_rlwZxy_P2DgzW1QjEXmUcujO0vauI4fhp5GeMwRkFh6NMOI/s1600/dining+room.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The living room is open to the dining room.</div>
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So far, this is my favorite room in the house.</div>
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I love my new red Karastan rug.</div>
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It was a splurge for us but I love </div>
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how dramatically it changes the space.</div>
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I originally had it in the living room</div>
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but that's where the dog spends most of his</div>
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napping time and this rug and</div>
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a white dog don't mix.</div>
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Holy crap!</div>
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How is my dog not bald?</div>
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I can't believe how much he sheds this time of year.</div>
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I moved the liquor into the dining room</div>
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and set it up on my Great Grandma Pearl's</div>
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sewing machine.</div>
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(You can see my new baseboards pretty well in this pic) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitE_I47eEv6a-EnDTKlhs7LyuNHBAcD4iQTwifu5D8Vc9ZH5F6ms3jfa00qo_oEcq5NVOXs_1zjlt8rJ2w9N1Eqk40XZqYyvzSjDqlrt1_KLixHoke0lJVxRWpllu0AqCRbQJC93zOfZg/s1600/booze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitE_I47eEv6a-EnDTKlhs7LyuNHBAcD4iQTwifu5D8Vc9ZH5F6ms3jfa00qo_oEcq5NVOXs_1zjlt8rJ2w9N1Eqk40XZqYyvzSjDqlrt1_KLixHoke0lJVxRWpllu0AqCRbQJC93zOfZg/s1600/booze.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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</div>
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Not sure how she would feel about that.</div>
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Next to the booze is a </div>
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sign I made out of wood slats I had in the garage,</div>
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painter's tape, and spray paint.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegMDDRVnIYht4QtfpUORpDpzBtRF_awIm9HTcTVdi1TvuKsAcPBebNVBoRFFVNxdRbI8GmNJITwtlRETV5mKtfrA1iqOVs_BNDb8mT6vzmmzbgfaA9E5TlwCa6fkjoWH0Nyyim5IKbe8/s1600/booze+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegMDDRVnIYht4QtfpUORpDpzBtRF_awIm9HTcTVdi1TvuKsAcPBebNVBoRFFVNxdRbI8GmNJITwtlRETV5mKtfrA1iqOVs_BNDb8mT6vzmmzbgfaA9E5TlwCa6fkjoWH0Nyyim5IKbe8/s1600/booze+2.jpg" height="640" width="408" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(It May Just Be The Booze Talking But I Want You To Know That I Love Booze)</span></div>
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That sign cracks me up</div>
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almost every time I walk into the room.</div>
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The reading nook is right off the </div>
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dining room.</div>
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The coffee table has been in my family for years.</div>
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When I was six,</div>
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I wrote my name in crayon on the underside of it.</div>
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The bowl of antique wooden apples</div>
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was given to me by Sally.</div>
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I've been looking for large wooden apples</div>
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forever and couldn't find what I wanted</div>
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so she gave me hers.</div>
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She's like that.</div>
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The kitchen is just to the left of this area.</div>
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</div>
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When we were talking about doing something </div>
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about the flooring a year or so ago,</div>
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we were going to do it in stages.</div>
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I am so glad now that we did the entire house</div>
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all at once.</div>
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I don't think I've ever owned a home</div>
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that had one consistent flooring material.</div>
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It makes my life so much easier.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So there is my mini home tour so far.</div>
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Again, there are more projects on the back burner.</div>
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I need to work on my office.</div>
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I work from home and have my computer set up</div>
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on a fold up camping table.</div>
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My files are in a litter box.</div>
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A NEVER USED LITTER BOX, thank you.</div>
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Thanks for stopping by!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">xxx-ooo</span></span></b></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">holly</span></span></b></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-91797348846849727432014-09-01T08:25:00.000-07:002014-09-01T08:25:52.419-07:00Home Reno - Part 2<div style="text-align: center;">
Let's see.</div>
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When we last left off,</div>
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the floors were done and I </div>
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was the proud wearer of clean underwear.</div>
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<br /></div>
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What I didn't tell you was</div>
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that when the floors were going in</div>
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I started noticing how awful my baseboards were.</div>
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They were 2 1/2 inch baseboards</div>
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painted the same color as the walls</div>
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and also textured, just like the walls.</div>
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No Bueno.</div>
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So, to follow my theme for the month,</div>
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I decided on a whim</div>
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to rip them out.</div>
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And then I just did it. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Brian was at work at this time also.</div>
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Funny how that happens.</div>
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I told him that if I couldn't have new baseboards</div>
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that I didn't want any baseboards at all. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I would love to tell you that</div>
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I am really not as horrible as I'm making myself</div>
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out to be but....well, you know.</div>
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I was on a roll.</div>
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A high, I tell you, a home reno high!!</div>
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Baseboards were my crack.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So, Brian drove to Mesa to pick up my baseboards</div>
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that I had only seen online.</div>
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I was hoping I would like them.</div>
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And I did.</div>
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The only thing is, the baseboards</div>
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only came in 16 feet lengths.</div>
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Sixteen feet is really long.</div>
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Go out and measure your car and then come back</div>
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and finish reading this.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So Brian had to take his tractor trailer to pick up</div>
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three bundles of these.</div>
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<br /></div>
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1) You are seeing the back sides,</div>
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my baseboards are not this ugly.</div>
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2) I chose 4 1/4 inch Spanish molding</div>
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in primed MDF. </div>
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3) I should have mentioned that all pics have</div>
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been taken with my iphone and have not</div>
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been edited.</div>
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Ain't nobody got time for dat.</div>
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<br /></div>
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When all the flooring was finished,</div>
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our friend, John, who is a wonderful carpenter,</div>
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came in and installed out baseboards.</div>
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Love them!</div>
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<br /></div>
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I don't have any pictures of them installed </div>
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for you to see, you will be able to see them</div>
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in the "after pictures" in Part 72 or Part 87</div>
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(depending on if I start a new project).</div>
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<br /></div>
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Side note: </div>
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We have a pocket door for our office.</div>
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We very rarely use it.</div>
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I tried to close it the other day and it wouldn't close.</div>
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I figured it had just fallen off the tracks.</div>
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It wouldn't budge.</div>
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It was then that I realized that I never told John </div>
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about the pocket door, and when he </div>
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nailed in the baseboards,</div>
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the nails shot through walls into our door.</div>
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So that's fun. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Now, here's where things get ugly.</div>
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Paint.</div>
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PAINT!!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mYh_etqCpiMoLyt33DpcTiHl_3kXEL3bB6XausqkoP3C9zQjZMJRpO99pRqX6qhyphenhyphengnfNaV5lY3NztF1Fzyl1ao-I3ngJX9v5VZfI5XBfPs2jmR4OoF2pur861T6a1-tJ-kENP3GsNvU/s1600/1610764_10153043179877926_3218323679142966088_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mYh_etqCpiMoLyt33DpcTiHl_3kXEL3bB6XausqkoP3C9zQjZMJRpO99pRqX6qhyphenhyphengnfNaV5lY3NztF1Fzyl1ao-I3ngJX9v5VZfI5XBfPs2jmR4OoF2pur861T6a1-tJ-kENP3GsNvU/s1600/1610764_10153043179877926_3218323679142966088_n.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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So, yeah, I then decided that now would also be a great time to paint.</div>
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I love the paint color in my bedroom</div>
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and decided to go with it.</div>
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As you know from an earlier post, it didn't go well.</div>
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The color was horrible.</div>
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I won't go into it.</div>
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I'm still a little sensitive about the whole thing.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I decided to hire painters</div>
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because it's only money, right?</div>
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The only thing I had to do was choose a paint color.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I would rather sit on my dust covered sheets</div>
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in my dirty underwear eating Whoppers for another week </div>
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than ever have to choose paint colors again.</div>
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This was the moment during the renovation</div>
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that I lost it. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Everyone has their breaking point.</div>
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This was mine.</div>
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I even cried once.</div>
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I never told anyone that.</div>
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Paint does that to me. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Whomever says that paint is the </div>
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easiest way to change the look and feel of a room</div>
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is a bad ass liar!</div>
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If baseboards are my crack,</div>
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then paint is my Methadone.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Painting sucks.</div>
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Hiring painters to paint entire rooms</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of your house only to hate the color would suck more. </div>
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I had a week to pick a color since</div>
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the painters wouldn't be able to come in </div>
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until a week after the baseboards.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I spent every day of that week</div>
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driving to various paint stores to get </div>
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samples and slap them on the walls.</div>
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I had huge blocks of paint on every single wall</div>
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and didn't like any of them.</div>
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<br /></div>
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One would look great during the day</div>
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and then awful at night.</div>
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One would look lovely on one wall,</div>
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while looking like mud on another.</div>
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I couldn't choose a color.</div>
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I couldn't choose a finish.</div>
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I couldn't choose a brand.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I lost sleep over it.</div>
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A friend told me, "It's only paint!"</div>
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I killed her and buried her in my garden.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I finally found it.</div>
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The right color, in the right finish,</div>
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from the right brand.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm almost embarrassed to tell you this.</div>
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This color has gotten a bad wrap.</div>
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I chose Sherwinn Williams Navajo White </div>
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in flat but the paint itself was Dunn Edwards.</div>
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I loved the color that Sherwinn Williams had</div>
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but didn't like the finish.</div>
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Dunn Edwards had a nice flat finish </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with good coverage.</div>
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It's a beautiful creamy light yellow. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzNSii5uUW-K387XvFp_j_vkFKpWHM0tTXR7wlNB1pQLzL_95jAWNQcRJupLspbN7FRpqWpqY3qn33NlagkyyWTIx9HGZfAXNTsudQtUzZTgMEOwEAQDwrskiajjDNQfp06sq9XnENhw/s1600/painter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzNSii5uUW-K387XvFp_j_vkFKpWHM0tTXR7wlNB1pQLzL_95jAWNQcRJupLspbN7FRpqWpqY3qn33NlagkyyWTIx9HGZfAXNTsudQtUzZTgMEOwEAQDwrskiajjDNQfp06sq9XnENhw/s1600/painter.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I chose White Fever for the ceilings (flat)</div>
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and baseboards (semigloss).</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We were now on month two of having strange men</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in our home on a daily basis.</div>
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I wanted everyone to go away. </div>
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I wanted to swim naked. </div>
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I wanted to pee with the door open again.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Let's leave it at that.</div>
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I'll be back soon with Part 3.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">xxx-ooo</span></span></b></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Holly </span></span></b></i></span></div>
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</div>
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<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-30450668396115016022014-08-28T05:24:00.000-07:002014-08-28T05:24:23.467-07:00Home Reno - A 72 Part Series - Part 1<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm starting to breathe again.</div>
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I've been holding my breath for the past two months.</div>
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Things are falling into place</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and life is returning to normal.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Was the home reno worth it?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ummm, ask me next year,</div>
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it's still too fresh.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZb7lGrxISbSFa2aCmHsW6bfAxzhKCLWRYmJJGlA6CwaEv97wuD0h2izPhxtNIEKihdWovNlE68XGlgT7z0RYuKbOleW0SYW_hcbzAYtQ5TNLWcpcjCLXWUKLXC4W3BjbVSbpz_J2MK1Y/s1600/10565068_10153038977662926_5162598953395673496_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZb7lGrxISbSFa2aCmHsW6bfAxzhKCLWRYmJJGlA6CwaEv97wuD0h2izPhxtNIEKihdWovNlE68XGlgT7z0RYuKbOleW0SYW_hcbzAYtQ5TNLWcpcjCLXWUKLXC4W3BjbVSbpz_J2MK1Y/s1600/10565068_10153038977662926_5162598953395673496_n.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let's start at the beginning.</div>
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The floor.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Why did we decide to get new flooring, you ask?</div>
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Because my dog threw up one morning.</div>
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Just one little pile of dog kibble vomit on my carpet</div>
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sent me into a tailspin</div>
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and I knew I couldn't take it one more day.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Did I save money for this and plan out every detail</div>
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and make lists and create inspiration boards on Pinterest</div>
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like any normal person would do?</div>
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<br /></div>
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No.</div>
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No I did not.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I cleaned up the dog vomit and then called</div>
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my friend, Phillip, that is a tile layer </div>
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and asked him to come and give me </div>
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an estimate on new flooring.</div>
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I thought if I had an estimate,</div>
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then we could start budgeting for it. </div>
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<br /></div>
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And he came that same day.</div>
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And then he said the strangest thing.</div>
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He said that he could start ripping out all the flooring </div>
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the following day.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And then I said the strangest thing.</div>
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I said ok.</div>
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Just like that.</div>
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"Okay".</div>
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<br /></div>
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You should also know that all this happened </div>
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while Brian was at work and had no idea what was happening.</div>
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I am not a good wife, I know this.</div>
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So just shut up about it.</div>
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Something just took over and made me say "ok".</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
.</div>
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When Brian came home I just</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
told him about my day and then said,</div>
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"Oh, and we're getting new flooring tomorrow."</div>
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And he said, "Okay."</div>
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Because he's awesome like that.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So that afternoon</div>
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I ran to the tile store and picked out my tile.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I went with Vintage oak tile plank flooring.</div>
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I am a lover of hard wood floors </div>
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but not only was it not in our budget,</div>
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it also wasn't practical for us.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKDvTtVe2msHUnnhXuRLW_ehrd9LJAAs3SofNKALhiwWawtvtfvx9megLHbGphESyDjmahO8N6O9ElCXec_DYx1rNFxkVHcgxONbzH9xqJk5nf6kVJ4kO_ddp1Rie9VVSwNDYKrGo7YE/s1600/7777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKDvTtVe2msHUnnhXuRLW_ehrd9LJAAs3SofNKALhiwWawtvtfvx9megLHbGphESyDjmahO8N6O9ElCXec_DYx1rNFxkVHcgxONbzH9xqJk5nf6kVJ4kO_ddp1Rie9VVSwNDYKrGo7YE/s1600/7777.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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And so the very next morning at 5:30 am</div>
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Phillip came and ripped out my flooring.</div>
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<br /></div>
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See those nice big cracks in my foundation?</div>
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That was a pleasant surprise.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Every inch of carpet, tile, and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pergo was ripped out of our entire house.</div>
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Yes, we had four different types of flooring.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Totally normal, right?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Most of our furniture was moved onto</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the back patio.</div>
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Which was awesome because</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we are in the middle of the monsoon season</div>
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and we had rain and huge dust storms</div>
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the entire time they were here.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And, in case you don't live in Phoenix,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and aren't familiar with our dust storms,</div>
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they roll in like this.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1h7u9-w48sq-Zslkhe_cITYr5NrctGx_X6MCG9IOTHLnzXPwhZIufwbSg2HUs4YEeThyphenhyphen_-tHJij2E02IHVSln4GDgWnZTzDsniebL4l0wa1QmFTJUAN6Ta1NJblVG4IijcfqM4LvFoAM/s1600/haboob-dust-storm-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1h7u9-w48sq-Zslkhe_cITYr5NrctGx_X6MCG9IOTHLnzXPwhZIufwbSg2HUs4YEeThyphenhyphen_-tHJij2E02IHVSln4GDgWnZTzDsniebL4l0wa1QmFTJUAN6Ta1NJblVG4IijcfqM4LvFoAM/s1600/haboob-dust-storm-01.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />The fun never stops.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Phillip estimated the job would take </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
one and half weeks.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Due to several issues,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(foundation cracks and wonky walls)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it took just over two weeks.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Two weeks is a really long time,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
did you know that?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For the first week,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we lived in our bedroom.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Only our bedroom.</div>
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I am grateful to have a door in our master</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that leads out to our back patio.</div>
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Because that's where our clothes were.</div>
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And everything else we owned.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We lived off of fast food and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
turkey, mustard and dust sandwiches </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that I made in the bathroom.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I didn't make my bed the entire time</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that we lived in here.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the sheets were covered in dust</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I didn't have access to my washer and dryer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This was the hardest part for Brian</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because the only television we could use</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
was a 12 incher.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And he hated every single second of this part.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Even though he was at work for 8 hours a day</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and got to leave the house</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
while I just sat on the bed every day</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
praying I had enough underwear to last me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
through all this.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Meanwhile, in the rest of the house,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
tile was being laid.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then it was time for them to move to the bedrooms.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Which was exciting because that meant</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that we got to camp out in the dining room</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I could wash my underwear</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and use the refrigerator.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Handy Tip: Always throw out your leftover</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
baked beans if you're not going to be using your refrigerator</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for a week. It took two days to get rid of that smell.) </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0r_f-cNh3N1syDh2_ueRwgXCIN5VN5LeQwS3KDLhTl7YiE8I9wIA38CV2uJOb7_iLK1crB_pBXT9o9684TXNiEBw0PCTedinP3FWL3_GGq1YJEH6F0-s4lWPAyqCe8Kq4HdoKDzFg5kc/s1600/10557172_10153063168927926_1178583623662489904_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0r_f-cNh3N1syDh2_ueRwgXCIN5VN5LeQwS3KDLhTl7YiE8I9wIA38CV2uJOb7_iLK1crB_pBXT9o9684TXNiEBw0PCTedinP3FWL3_GGq1YJEH6F0-s4lWPAyqCe8Kq4HdoKDzFg5kc/s1600/10557172_10153063168927926_1178583623662489904_n.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRKbICBn_h_XjxfPFGnn4rzknUnhU4WDNV1_IRvOKOvl1O-Yv_3X-k2NCTUf1iPSByrsw3JM0gThEIr3kKMqmWUEidr-Z6ta2uc4S1cxz-JsIXjDCNL0RVpT2ZU7zVVvubJBhk7YrtkU/s1600/1919646_10153063168167926_2505230853335334427_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRKbICBn_h_XjxfPFGnn4rzknUnhU4WDNV1_IRvOKOvl1O-Yv_3X-k2NCTUf1iPSByrsw3JM0gThEIr3kKMqmWUEidr-Z6ta2uc4S1cxz-JsIXjDCNL0RVpT2ZU7zVVvubJBhk7YrtkU/s1600/1919646_10153063168167926_2505230853335334427_n.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cozy, right?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The hallway, bathroom and bedrooms took another week.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And as much as I love Phillip,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wanted him to go away and leave me alone.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know the feeling was mutual.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(I still love you Phillip!) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let's just leave off there for now.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Part 2 involves</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
more rash decisions,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
bad paint choices,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and pocket door mayhem.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">xxx-ooo</span></span></b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Holly </span></span></b></span></i></div>
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</div>
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<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-21604847738208322812014-07-29T04:59:00.001-07:002014-07-29T04:59:22.523-07:00Reasons Why My Husband Should Cut His Losses and Divorce Me Now<div style="text-align: center;">
We've had a good run.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Married seven and a half years.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Had some great times together.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm going to miss him.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you've been following me on Facebook,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you already know that in addition to deciding I needed new flooring,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I decided that I should get new baseboards.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then on Saturday morning I woke up and thought,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
NEW PAINT!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let's paint the house while we are at it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And it seemed like such a wise decision since</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we had no furniture in the house.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You're all with me, right?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
RIGHT?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So on Sunday morning I sent my darling husband off to</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Home Depot to buy 5 gallons of Behr Wheat Bread.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I knew I would love the color because I have Chocolate Froth, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which is the next color up on the paint strip, in the bedroom</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and it is such a pretty taupey tan. </div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohKC8Xj2gVqPulLLqssOuBDvWjB7aRrAU5ugoOWTmmdGSCwA2xqPIEyCrlklsLiNMBfwkJ2Go9FqUJVX1JEfGA618hsImH2mWEgL-eUJNaK8jBaapQleULWMgW48kHQ6ty5Pw8UP_tsk/s1600/Froth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohKC8Xj2gVqPulLLqssOuBDvWjB7aRrAU5ugoOWTmmdGSCwA2xqPIEyCrlklsLiNMBfwkJ2Go9FqUJVX1JEfGA618hsImH2mWEgL-eUJNaK8jBaapQleULWMgW48kHQ6ty5Pw8UP_tsk/s1600/Froth.jpg" height="640" width="526" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here are some pics from the www of Behr Wheat Bread.</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So all day Saturday, my husband taped off all the crown molding</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and all the windows while I painted my ass off.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(I wish)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We painted well into the evening and even my</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
dear sweet Sally </div>
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(best friend/step mommy)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
came and helped.</div>
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<br /></div>
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When Sally walked in the door and saw the paint color,</div>
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her face just dropped.</div>
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I wondered if she was having a mini stroke.</div>
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Nope, she knew.</div>
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She knew that I had done something really stupid.</div>
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And I should have known that look because </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I do a lot of really stupid things. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I just kept painting, hoping that the color would change as it dried.</div>
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Sally, bless her heart,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
helped me slap that miserable color on the wall.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because that's what friends do.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They make you feel less stupid by acting as though</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they, themselves, are also stupid.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the color didn't get any better.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was blue.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Gray blue.</div>
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Very gray blue. </div>
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I figured I would sleep on it and the color would magically</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
change into the most amazing decision of my life.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It didn't.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Apparently, I live in some reverse color wheel twilight zone universe.<br />
<br />
I can't get a good picture of it with my iphone<br />
but it looks like this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPpRum7TVFtws-f5slKQxhyphenhyphenN9pJhTJ1cmz0CQXcob_v9OS5guMHyOKGr1odPw4WLj0LGm77nkPIL3l69cfNSNG7xpUYhlxyBNU4vUIbyR7tWldXCtDNcJLagB_-Q7yJohatOApzuREPE/s1600/gov-06-Battleship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPpRum7TVFtws-f5slKQxhyphenhyphenN9pJhTJ1cmz0CQXcob_v9OS5guMHyOKGr1odPw4WLj0LGm77nkPIL3l69cfNSNG7xpUYhlxyBNU4vUIbyR7tWldXCtDNcJLagB_-Q7yJohatOApzuREPE/s1600/gov-06-Battleship.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So after Brian left for work,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my tile layer, Phillip, came and starting laying my pretty tile.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the walls got worse.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like a thousand times worse.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Even Phillips said,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Um, why did you paint you walls this color?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And my daughter Katie came over after I called her</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and stated how awful it was.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And so I fretted all day long about how I was</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
going to tell Brian that we needed to repaint.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sally came over and I made her tell me what to do.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because Sally knows everything.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She will deny this because she likes to keep </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
her wisdomy super powers undercover.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Buts she always makes the right decisions,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the first time. </div>
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And she brought me paint samples</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
from home and a slapped them on the wall,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and we found the perfect color</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that looks great with the counter tops,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the cabinets and the flooring.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then I told Brian.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And you know what,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
he didn't really care.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He just said that he was never taping </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
anything off for me ever again,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I thought that was a fair trade since </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I really thought I deserved a good beating.<br />
Did I mention that Brian is colorblind?<br />
I'm not kidding, he really is. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So......</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now I am hiring a painter.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And in addition to the walls, he is going</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to paint the ceiling and the baseboards.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because I am done!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I am making a vow.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am never making another decision again.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sally will make all my decisions for me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I will always listen to my husband.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I will not spend any more money.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ever.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
However, I do have to wonder how my old furniture will look</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
next to all my new flooring and paint. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">xxx-ooo</span></span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Holly</span></span></b></i></span></div>
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<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-58190635955763259622014-07-27T05:27:00.000-07:002014-07-27T05:27:20.893-07:00So Far....I am Surviving This.<div style="text-align: center;">
Once upon a time</div>
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I had two dogs</div>
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and enough dog hair in my carpet</div>
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to make at least one more.</div>
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Ranger, my yellow lab,</div>
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is a shedder.</div>
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June Bug, our newest edition,</div>
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is still learning all about</div>
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doggie doors and potty training.</div>
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Can you say, EEWWWWWW!</div>
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Last week after one June Bug accident,</div>
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I lost my cool and decided to call</div>
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our friend Phillip</div>
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who is an awesome tile layer and </div>
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just get a quote.</div>
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I'd been looking at flooring for</div>
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quite some time.</div>
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I love the look of wood but know it </div>
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wouldn't be practical for us.</div>
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I found wood look tile and</div>
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did some research on it and it really</div>
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seemed to be the perfect solution for us.</div>
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We have a pool</div>
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and a Lab who loves to swim</div>
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and he usually has wet paws</div>
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or muddy paws,</div>
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or dusty paws.</div>
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I called Phillip thinking maybe I</div>
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could get a quote and then mull things over</div>
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for a few weeks</div>
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and make a decision.</div>
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Phillips said, I'll be over in a few minutes</div>
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to measure and give you a quote.</div>
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Um, okay.</div>
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He came and gave us a very fair price</div>
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for labor.</div>
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Then he said,</div>
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"I can start ripping all this out tomorrow."</div>
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It just so happened that he had a break between jobs</div>
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and could either fit us in RIGHT NOW</div>
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or we would have to wait a few months.</div>
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I looked at the carpet and said,</div>
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"Rip it Out!"</div>
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And I didn't even have my tile picked out,</div>
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nor did I have a price for it.</div>
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But I didn't care.</div>
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I decided that living on concrete</div>
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was better than what I had been dealing with. </div>
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I did all this without discussing this with my husband.</div>
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This is something I would never do.</div>
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We always make large financial decisions together.</div>
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When he came home from work, I told him about </div>
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what I had done.</div>
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He said, "Can we afford this?"</div>
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I told him, "Probably not."</div>
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We decided to do it anyway.</div>
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He was just as grossed out with the carpet as I was.</div>
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These were desperate times.</div>
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I went to Floor and Decor right away</div>
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and found a tile that I really liked.</div>
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Brought home the sample and placed it up against the walls</div>
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and counter tops.</div>
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It was a winner.</div>
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All pics are from my iPhone, so we are blurry right now.</div>
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And my lens is probably dusty.</div>
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It was also very affordable.</div>
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Three pallets were delivered the next day. </div>
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Trying to get the same die lot was a little tricky </div>
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and we actually had to go with three different die lots.</div>
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Fortunately, when they arrived,</div>
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they were all great.</div>
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We are having the entire house done in this tile.</div>
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Every single room.</div>
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All 1587 square feet of it.</div>
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Phillip showed up the next day and got to work.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUjol1kbW5iyIDjuu-cs5mFJaNaktcNPsiS-pdnECcFwOQyXO8XV5wltEw25fiOgyCcsi1useiPkE4S57qennlUzCnAjHhyphenhyphenqlhHjKqJ-kktjcdOsFSbUKyWKD_UMsyY3yLexAXJ0l8W0/s1600/5555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUjol1kbW5iyIDjuu-cs5mFJaNaktcNPsiS-pdnECcFwOQyXO8XV5wltEw25fiOgyCcsi1useiPkE4S57qennlUzCnAjHhyphenhyphenqlhHjKqJ-kktjcdOsFSbUKyWKD_UMsyY3yLexAXJ0l8W0/s1600/5555.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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We have been wanting to change out the flooring since</div>
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we moved into this house a year and a half ago</div>
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but couldn't do it at that time.</div>
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The kitchen was pergo.</div>
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Under the pergo was old glued down linoleum.</div>
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The living areas and bedrooms were all carpet.</div>
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The bathrooms were tile.</div>
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The kitchen, laundry room,</div>
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living room, dining room,</div>
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hallway and guest bath were all ripped out on Friday.</div>
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He is doing the bedrooms, my office</div>
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and our master bath after the front part of the house is complete</div>
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so we have don't have to move every piece of furniture out</div>
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of the house.</div>
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We can just shift things from room to room.</div>
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We have some major foundation cracks but he is taking</div>
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care of that.</div>
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We then decided that we probably should redo the baseboards</div>
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as long as we are at it.</div>
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I also have a friend that does cabinets, doors and trim.</div>
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I called him up</div>
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and asked him to come and give us a quote.</div>
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We are going from 2 1/2 inch baseboards</div>
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to 4 1/4 inch.</div>
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Again, Brian says, "Can we afford this?"</div>
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I respond, "Not really."</div>
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This was under the Pergo.</div>
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Pain in the butt to get out.</div>
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So here we are,</div>
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living in the dust bowl.</div>
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Seriously, we have a lot of our furniture on the back patio,</div>
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and have had two major dust storms </div>
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since putting it out there.</div>
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We believe the tile will take about a week and a half</div>
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to complete.</div>
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So for right now,</div>
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we are eating out a lot </div>
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and bringing food home.</div>
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Because my entire house is like this right now. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAfVA-yNRrSXvpS89Futt7KHqYqXfoJY40WBQIFeSNSAHVWmVUPGw3y47WOd3iFaA1wToU0a6mzaxmyA2XcElOQAsGqxgbGvFrhJZlij5xzVdL3qN3gjBdZvKnqvTrxQh8nViY-FngW4/s1600/66666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAfVA-yNRrSXvpS89Futt7KHqYqXfoJY40WBQIFeSNSAHVWmVUPGw3y47WOd3iFaA1wToU0a6mzaxmyA2XcElOQAsGqxgbGvFrhJZlij5xzVdL3qN3gjBdZvKnqvTrxQh8nViY-FngW4/s1600/66666.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Wish me luck!</div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">xxx-ooo</span></span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Holly</span></span></span></i></b></div>
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<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-14961990447690223062014-03-19T16:46:00.000-07:002014-03-21T09:47:23.109-07:00What the Heck has Holly Been Doing?<div style="text-align: center;">
Hey Folks!</div>
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Let me tell you about what's been going on </div>
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in my neck of the woods these days.</div>
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While everyone on Pinterest </div>
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has gotten the spring cleaning bug,</div>
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I've been busy doing a little cleaning</div>
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but have gotten the </div>
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"Let's do a project" bug!</div>
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A few months ago I decided to change out</div>
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the colors in my house.</div>
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I went from reds and yellows</div>
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to blues and yellows.</div>
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While it was very pretty,</div>
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it never felt like my house.</div>
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I kept walking into the living room</div>
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wondering who lived there.</div>
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It was so NOT my style.</div>
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Fortunately, I didn't spend a lot of money</div>
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to make these changes.</div>
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The only semi expensive piece I bought was the </div>
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blue ottoman in the picture above.</div>
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After trying to love it for a couple of months,</div>
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I sorta went crazy the other morning and </div>
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moved my reds back into the living room and kitchen.</div>
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I'm home again.</div>
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I think it's impossible for me to be happy</div>
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in a house without red and yellow. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZTkDJX2m9GUWXHVzqFofahgv5U6Qi-YygIqGXoORmK6d_q45VwDOFeFjh0VDf0NpI4blcvWEtz76K3s5U51NU5H-EOEuOa9wM8uKq1eojca16AlAJXAL-zfY-Ewu9-Xd83ZRYM1RREY/s1600/IMG_2063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZTkDJX2m9GUWXHVzqFofahgv5U6Qi-YygIqGXoORmK6d_q45VwDOFeFjh0VDf0NpI4blcvWEtz76K3s5U51NU5H-EOEuOa9wM8uKq1eojca16AlAJXAL-zfY-Ewu9-Xd83ZRYM1RREY/s1600/IMG_2063.JPG" height="494" width="640" /></a></div>
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This picture looks like I have yellow walls.</div>
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I do not.</div>
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That's just the sunlight coming through the open door to the right. </div>
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They are off white but I'm digging the yellow in the picture.</div>
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Hmmmmm....</div>
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The blues all got moved into the bedroom</div>
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since it's still a work in progress.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBP3pwHt50zMfkgdrmmDxbaAqUDi_YR5gWOfChcKug3lwDWY5sJPEkGd_X8puPdvg1lfCP2VT2oyJI_lB__HPUN-u9exe36z1i5OB544Xev7WwCMSGIsJlelLpA8Mf4xQL_A8fPTCVcj8/s1600/IMG_2069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBP3pwHt50zMfkgdrmmDxbaAqUDi_YR5gWOfChcKug3lwDWY5sJPEkGd_X8puPdvg1lfCP2VT2oyJI_lB__HPUN-u9exe36z1i5OB544Xev7WwCMSGIsJlelLpA8Mf4xQL_A8fPTCVcj8/s1600/IMG_2069.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As for the projects,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
well, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I just sorta went nuts.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been seeing a lot of DIY chalk paint</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
on Pinterest lately and thought I'd give it a try.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm a goner now.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am head over heels in love with chalk paint!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can do no wrong with it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It doesn't show brush strokes </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and it's very forgiving.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There's no preparation,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you don't have to sand before painting.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It drys very quickly. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm a horrible painter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which is something my daughter pointed out to me </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
just a couple of weeks ago.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hate the preparation.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The waiting for the project to dry.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For the chalk paint I used </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/chalk-paint/" target="_blank">JamieLyn's recipe</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
at I Heart Naptime.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/chalk-paint/" target="_blank"> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was so simple to make and I was hooked.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Please excuse the photo quality</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
on all of these.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They were all taken with my iPhone.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is an old before picture from my previous house</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of an end table that I bought</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
at Goodwill several years ago.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not bad but the honey pine </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
just wasn't doing it for me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiuMYn8hnvmb2di5UnLIoFcspZHLinsUcfPhhLMRiOa_3CBUBa8jaa18QWKtcxqTw24qM5J1xdQSbnmRYjedtev69LhW1FeLENF5TSYlxNLzBXp95_891CCWiRnX802SRaudj8dps-zY/s1600/IMG_5301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiuMYn8hnvmb2di5UnLIoFcspZHLinsUcfPhhLMRiOa_3CBUBa8jaa18QWKtcxqTw24qM5J1xdQSbnmRYjedtev69LhW1FeLENF5TSYlxNLzBXp95_891CCWiRnX802SRaudj8dps-zY/s1600/IMG_5301.JPG" height="640" width="404" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I forgot to take a before picture</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
prior to this project. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I used Behr Pale Honey on the bottom</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and Minwax stain in walnut for the top.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHPCqR3jcaqJErEjOaBKgmtSpTO8r-43Q_PAbuEvlUN9sqBSj8k_umf-jX-nL1GnVU5NtE6MJHKky3_uHaz2HeirtmswoukEsqjym7gudx3Yd5UmhyphenhyphenYu8zN0w2OFa20hSXEUlcM4dsGE/s1600/IMG_2081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHPCqR3jcaqJErEjOaBKgmtSpTO8r-43Q_PAbuEvlUN9sqBSj8k_umf-jX-nL1GnVU5NtE6MJHKky3_uHaz2HeirtmswoukEsqjym7gudx3Yd5UmhyphenhyphenYu8zN0w2OFa20hSXEUlcM4dsGE/s1600/IMG_2081.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love the soft yellow.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The picture below shows the color more accurately.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkLv3-7fBnqOOlF1uTRvv32yNdy4Ig5WYzirhLcD0oTBfEoIOb5Cd3j7hO8hRoHAaUxWux1mWhaqt5xJqKYCGX0ILihypjEmwe7pJ6cB5Y8haNrAhg-YVFD3JLLpa1cMbuTIq3XaSR1Q/s1600/this+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkLv3-7fBnqOOlF1uTRvv32yNdy4Ig5WYzirhLcD0oTBfEoIOb5Cd3j7hO8hRoHAaUxWux1mWhaqt5xJqKYCGX0ILihypjEmwe7pJ6cB5Y8haNrAhg-YVFD3JLLpa1cMbuTIq3XaSR1Q/s1600/this+one.jpg" height="640" width="572" /></a></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then I sorta lost my mind and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
decided to pull out an old dresser</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that I've had forever.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had bought it for $2.00 at a garage sale</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a few years ago.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had gotten around to sanding it</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and there it sat, just like that for over two years.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Crazy right?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because in just over an hour it went from this:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhR_zdl3gKRy0AoC3BMu2Qm9VseiKtKtP5tb8wXzizHltAYt0H7dFjLjScItrieKO_lWDHuiTesFUI1u2txOC-uJIk6S4e6-VGTQikM4rGOJKhf9OhyphenhypheneyI_Lo_ObYRL1wPk_orwWLwkVk/s1600/IMG_2084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhR_zdl3gKRy0AoC3BMu2Qm9VseiKtKtP5tb8wXzizHltAYt0H7dFjLjScItrieKO_lWDHuiTesFUI1u2txOC-uJIk6S4e6-VGTQikM4rGOJKhf9OhyphenhypheneyI_Lo_ObYRL1wPk_orwWLwkVk/s1600/IMG_2084.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To this:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIxy5E-fy4wo4G8IC6Pi2_ZUrQl1BGFItQkhNhT18DkgciAnRvQmyp5PIDgle8EWRvQs7My3qdT1rGlnoKHO3iu4NXF3dw5BRDkr8PTkLxIUfBJFhsqoDLq1MMLWatz_CGS7HmwXGV_o/s1600/red+chalk+paint+dresser.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIxy5E-fy4wo4G8IC6Pi2_ZUrQl1BGFItQkhNhT18DkgciAnRvQmyp5PIDgle8EWRvQs7My3qdT1rGlnoKHO3iu4NXF3dw5BRDkr8PTkLxIUfBJFhsqoDLq1MMLWatz_CGS7HmwXGV_o/s1600/red+chalk+paint+dresser.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjpkLEb4ih2LFL7iFVlJ5KA0liDQT6ZuUYmJx33tbfssP201bGVB1Rm2f_bIQUF76HViPYtXOL-cFOuxZB01Czs9CcVMeKOtanzX_yRruHoAjqa4zF9neOAJCwtKdsUs7TDDOrLcufXo/s1600/red+chalk+paint+dresser2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjpkLEb4ih2LFL7iFVlJ5KA0liDQT6ZuUYmJx33tbfssP201bGVB1Rm2f_bIQUF76HViPYtXOL-cFOuxZB01Czs9CcVMeKOtanzX_yRruHoAjqa4zF9neOAJCwtKdsUs7TDDOrLcufXo/s1600/red+chalk+paint+dresser2.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I used Behr Awning Red.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was shocked that I found my perfect red on my first try. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you're thinking about painting a piece of furniture,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THE CHALK PAINT.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Also, I've been playing around with color</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in the house.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have some fabric that I bought a few years</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ago and love it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I actually loved it so much that I never wanted to</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cut it and use it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Am I crazy?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I finally decided to attempt to use it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I bought six of these chairs on Craigslist </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
after we moved into this house.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While sturdy, they are a little boring.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrtqAVXUTZw8CwhXOpGTaEprivLU5gcQ-jgePc8xP6DX6sE-kNYUw547rZq_Wi3PNpNWbkvJaoY9paj5vVwteO0E25VjwbD-5ZSZsEaYo4jOa51PfbuowGx9v9chtBtu5wKlBAU-9AaI/s1600/IMG_2086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrtqAVXUTZw8CwhXOpGTaEprivLU5gcQ-jgePc8xP6DX6sE-kNYUw547rZq_Wi3PNpNWbkvJaoY9paj5vVwteO0E25VjwbD-5ZSZsEaYo4jOa51PfbuowGx9v9chtBtu5wKlBAU-9AaI/s1600/IMG_2086.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I CUT MY FABRIC!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I attached it to the seat pads with </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
upholstery twist pins</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I'm liking this happy fabric </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
on my chairs.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF14ES3b7KLhQtPQXvE4fRbC1pBshJx23wR6G1pEFUPnO9CtSWxKhNWP5u55BjKxq7rx4HrPITwFsUn8JF1WyJlO_kdnySCKUqUgE1nz601UHAZiKFneRNMnyVmv_nEG4y0lQVVhyapjs/s1600/IMG_2108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF14ES3b7KLhQtPQXvE4fRbC1pBshJx23wR6G1pEFUPnO9CtSWxKhNWP5u55BjKxq7rx4HrPITwFsUn8JF1WyJlO_kdnySCKUqUgE1nz601UHAZiKFneRNMnyVmv_nEG4y0lQVVhyapjs/s1600/IMG_2108.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you can look at this fabric</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and not smile,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
then I just don't want to know you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3l-ymkqqqWAF2QTmo7kjoJp3c7RclJhhhuJ1wlRA0FZb8PA55ke08UyyCEc6vmJg4RcKzL7Mvf9Kdkd1dyrI-rSapsYSHd0FKrkVwq-w6WrkjY1abDkm8FVHV48Wmm4sXBHnNnkUV9EI/s1600/IMG_2089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3l-ymkqqqWAF2QTmo7kjoJp3c7RclJhhhuJ1wlRA0FZb8PA55ke08UyyCEc6vmJg4RcKzL7Mvf9Kdkd1dyrI-rSapsYSHd0FKrkVwq-w6WrkjY1abDkm8FVHV48Wmm4sXBHnNnkUV9EI/s1600/IMG_2089.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The chairs themselves need some work.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They are dried out and in need of </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a good wood conditioning.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I bought them off Craigslist from a guy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
who raised St. Bernard puppies.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Teeth marks add character in my book.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Next project.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's just a small one.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had an old outdoor tablecloth</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that I never used anymore.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I made some pillows out of it</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for my side patio.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByhfLOVgkBZt5xjhiIpCXmHNt5ei-rAi_QYyFSng2v5390zB7uhfekppW252tzOPD-xg85ieFtH3KuZHfYfFf0aFvWHRK7zMz88PnAeNvSHo-J8Fj0g5I8lYSOxwKJ4gKLErWTh2wuMM/s1600/IMG_2093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByhfLOVgkBZt5xjhiIpCXmHNt5ei-rAi_QYyFSng2v5390zB7uhfekppW252tzOPD-xg85ieFtH3KuZHfYfFf0aFvWHRK7zMz88PnAeNvSHo-J8Fj0g5I8lYSOxwKJ4gKLErWTh2wuMM/s1600/IMG_2093.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVqAFrnqEu38Bs4b9R0XXa8HD7XakGuylMy0DhyyUPEiCCmpLocLmY9_46VRjVEMKBAfu6c1BkFsWAHvTMlTPQvE7Ot4UFHNvAHUvPJKJiOHv2cfMaYANgUiOv8FUPPCbV2VFZKG4p0c/s1600/2014-03-14_1394837686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVqAFrnqEu38Bs4b9R0XXa8HD7XakGuylMy0DhyyUPEiCCmpLocLmY9_46VRjVEMKBAfu6c1BkFsWAHvTMlTPQvE7Ot4UFHNvAHUvPJKJiOHv2cfMaYANgUiOv8FUPPCbV2VFZKG4p0c/s1600/2014-03-14_1394837686.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And now I had better get to the spring cleaning.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then I may just run to Goodwill to see what needs painted.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Also, if you could say a prayer for</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my dear friend, <a href="http://cakesbykristin.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kris at Simplify.</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her Momma had surgery today.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Kris has the most amazing family.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Keep them in your thoughts and prayers today.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">xxx-ooo</span></span></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Holly </span></span></b></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm linking up to <a href="http://www.thegoldensycamore.com/2014/03/inspiration-gallery-link-party-3-20.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheGoldenSycamore+%28The+Golden+Sycamore%29" target="_blank">The Golden Sycamore</a></span></span></span><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-57438232497617978892014-03-06T02:34:00.000-08:002014-03-06T02:34:01.670-08:00So You Think You Want a Puppy?<div style="text-align: center;">
Two blog posts in two days!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's gotta be some kinda record.<br />
Someone throw me a tiara! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I want to talk about something important here.<br />
But first, let's look at some pictures. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Meet Ranger.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fZHSle5NvjzP7sDqomtYlF-SGk4hPJJchGHvxrRRSxwL-TJ50uXIcQTzycxuCA7a9pjC4WAAYPSOPG8OgcOctm_xfqznu5fX0uLVNkNnq5PHFR4Y30rXrXilWL6_Ne7dJRhTMrP6jGA/s1600/Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fZHSle5NvjzP7sDqomtYlF-SGk4hPJJchGHvxrRRSxwL-TJ50uXIcQTzycxuCA7a9pjC4WAAYPSOPG8OgcOctm_xfqznu5fX0uLVNkNnq5PHFR4Y30rXrXilWL6_Ne7dJRhTMrP6jGA/s1600/Photo.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">He was cute here. </span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2znJmIi_ywFS2yPijJ7Cl3i9_rBx5mDChuvsOvBtDsrCbyoeWDW6pedzuF0uamjPHZmG0B2JY3C-IsJTexm6XSPZjN0TalMjiOuGLn87seYRA_YF0K2_Jf4cRywidjhqMPHBDKwZZEk/s1600/IMG_1661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2znJmIi_ywFS2yPijJ7Cl3i9_rBx5mDChuvsOvBtDsrCbyoeWDW6pedzuF0uamjPHZmG0B2JY3C-IsJTexm6XSPZjN0TalMjiOuGLn87seYRA_YF0K2_Jf4cRywidjhqMPHBDKwZZEk/s1600/IMG_1661.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">And here.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpz_ynvh2Ltq8zfHXlzTcT5Fl78w-UVTfrhBvVi-xjXctnxJXa3qX_q_8kNkmutAoNzB3yDM1GZNywRYm6BP5R9wF7D9TDOqP-2MsW38QQH3NC7RKnVDiMQ4QAWMRTLr04l6KexQgSwoM/s1600/IMG_1658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpz_ynvh2Ltq8zfHXlzTcT5Fl78w-UVTfrhBvVi-xjXctnxJXa3qX_q_8kNkmutAoNzB3yDM1GZNywRYm6BP5R9wF7D9TDOqP-2MsW38QQH3NC7RKnVDiMQ4QAWMRTLr04l6KexQgSwoM/s1600/IMG_1658.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> And here.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But then he started to grow very quickly.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawrmvLuA3atc9bHpJ8iR2wcFU2wRsnWo5cNWx_8ROb7KFDMwgPBt4F4UiqTdmorNCGcda0uKHmZs8KlR6tJoJaTTqqDR8HqLboNw6dcWqCh1AywWSstAkU6BB5VxP7E-SUH7941nPYiI/s1600/IMG_1603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawrmvLuA3atc9bHpJ8iR2wcFU2wRsnWo5cNWx_8ROb7KFDMwgPBt4F4UiqTdmorNCGcda0uKHmZs8KlR6tJoJaTTqqDR8HqLboNw6dcWqCh1AywWSstAkU6BB5VxP7E-SUH7941nPYiI/s1600/IMG_1603.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Look at those paws!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NWCuGjFcHoyuawYD4DzaQyJ0BKi7CSzdInHNTinZPxiigWqMNZw6UCQej2eLh3nNfZfFp_ZbM3SZOhEbAyH7eWpnwEAbAAtcTxpkFg5JR6fPIUduHA8H7JvVNxLPG42aGbi1BY407n4/s1600/IMG_1788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NWCuGjFcHoyuawYD4DzaQyJ0BKi7CSzdInHNTinZPxiigWqMNZw6UCQej2eLh3nNfZfFp_ZbM3SZOhEbAyH7eWpnwEAbAAtcTxpkFg5JR6fPIUduHA8H7JvVNxLPG42aGbi1BY407n4/s1600/IMG_1788.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The incredible growing dog.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZtOAuoLqk2IRuwXsJK3F4AUDkB_h6KGcokpmk1PJxhp19dn-8Q4VwJA_XpVMJlMg92DUQantGhXQtq9bfAzwBzj2OgBP9gyI9g7hks-wWz0YSJOp9NEPXx23tOA55uPcbbOZCTCi0Hw/s1600/IMG_1912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZtOAuoLqk2IRuwXsJK3F4AUDkB_h6KGcokpmk1PJxhp19dn-8Q4VwJA_XpVMJlMg92DUQantGhXQtq9bfAzwBzj2OgBP9gyI9g7hks-wWz0YSJOp9NEPXx23tOA55uPcbbOZCTCi0Hw/s1600/IMG_1912.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnA0L2pLV9U4UohD2rhrp7etjqHOp4cY0aeA6guKdR2t-rT6p3Uvpk-rpvY5WXATenwWDjPyeTdEbfxNwAms5b8BoTT_JuJECYRNbb95g-Fp2RIxMJqD1k22XdJbs5Q9G9wxoed_WwMjs/s1600/IMG_1905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnA0L2pLV9U4UohD2rhrp7etjqHOp4cY0aeA6guKdR2t-rT6p3Uvpk-rpvY5WXATenwWDjPyeTdEbfxNwAms5b8BoTT_JuJECYRNbb95g-Fp2RIxMJqD1k22XdJbs5Q9G9wxoed_WwMjs/s1600/IMG_1905.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How does this happen in such a short period of time?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How does one dog eat so much?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How does one dog poop so much?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How did he become such an oaf? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How does one adoring mom take so many pictures of her dog? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Now, I am not just writing this post to show you cute pictures.<br />
I also want to help you out a bit.<br />
<br />
I'm sure that everyone at one time or another<br />
has had a puppy,<br />
or been around a puppy,<br />
or knew someone that had a puppy,<br />
or accidentally ran over a puppy.<br />
<br />
<br />
Puppies are irresistible,<br />
if you are not planning on getting one,<br />
then stay away from them all together.<br />
If you see, smell or hold a puppy,<br />
you will take it home with you.<br />
You are not strong enough to walk away.<br />
You have to trust me on this.<br />
<br />
God loves puppies so he gave them </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sweet puppy breath,<br />
the ability to chase their tails and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to fall asleep with their heads in food dishes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is where they get you.<br />
Then you take one home and<br />
God laughs and laughs. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Listen up People!!</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I want to tell you why you don't want a puppy,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and offer some advice if you are bat shit crazy and get one anyway.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1) If
you get a puppy, you will need to work from home.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
This is quite difficult to do if you are, for instance, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
a plumber or a Las Vegas Showgirl.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Lucky for me, I am neither, so I was able to stay home </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
and work with him on potty training during the day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
It is also necessary for you to be home because </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
you will need to take a lot of naps (see #2). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2)
You will need to take a lot of naps.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
This is because for the first five nights, your sweet puppy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
will scream like a howler monkey on crack even though he is only</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
two feet away from your bed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
There is nothing you can do about this.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
There are books out there that tell you to put a
stuffed animal and </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
and a ticking alarm clock in his bed to comfort him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
This is a lie.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
These things will only piss him off.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3)
Dogs shed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Even dogs that don't shed, shed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
I have a friend that has a hairless cat and it sheds.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Okay, that was a lie.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
But seriously, most dogs shed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
We have a yellow Lab (see adorable pictures above) and I have never</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
seen so much hair fall out of an animal in all my born days.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
If you do get a puppy, only choose the one in the litter </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
that matches your couch.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
You must buy a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/FURminator-Short-Hair-deShedding-Large/dp/B0040QW3D2" target="_blank">Furminator.</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Seriously, people, listen to me. This thing is da bomb!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4)
Puppies are expensive. Been saving up for retirement?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Forget about it!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Dog crate, dog bed, dog food, well puppy checks,
vaccinations,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
spay or neuter, Furminator (see #3), leashes,
microchip, collars, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
toys (see #5), exploratory surgery because you bought a </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> couch coordinated half witted dog that eats rocks (true story).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5)
Do not pay for toys.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Your dog will not play with the cute squeaky bunny that you bought </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
at Petsmart from the Martha Stewart Collection. He will also not play with</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
the rope toy, the variety of different size bones, the blinking balls or
the </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
stuffed raccoon that you bought for him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
He will only play with the 16 ounce Diet Mountain Dew bottle </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
that your husband brings home every day after work. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
And rocks.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
He will play with rocks (see #4).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6)
Dogs need consistency. If you don't want your dog to be allowed </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
on the couch, you will need to say "NO COUCH!" approximately </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
3,256 times a day until he gets it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Once he gets it, you will then start on "NO CAT TURDS!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
This one is extremely important if you have a garden </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
and feral cats in your neighborhood.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7)
If you get a male puppy, he will hump stuff </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
and he won't care who knows it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Most likely it will be your favorite microfiber throw or
your bed pillow. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
He will be proud of his cleverness </span></div>
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I hope we've all learned something here today.<br />
<br />
So why did we get a puppy? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because we're morons.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And he's cute.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And a pain in the ass.<br />
I can't imagine life without him. <br />
<br />
Welcome Home Ranger Danger.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e;">xxx-ooo</span></span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Holly</span></span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-742477932911036332014-03-05T06:44:00.000-08:002014-03-05T06:44:09.216-08:00Do You Remember That One Time I Had a Blog?<div style="text-align: center;">
Do You Remember That One Time I Had a Blog?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5 months.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No blogging.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't believe that Blogger hasn't kicked me to the curb.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Apparently, no one is monitoring </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
this crap.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm giving it another shot.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I got a call from an old friend the other day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She told me I needed to start blogging again.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I began giving excuses as to why I no longer posted.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"I only have my iPhone to take pictures with."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"It's too time consuming."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Sometimes I don't feel like commenting on other blogs </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and it's bad blogger protocol to write posts and not</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
comment on other's blogs."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Yes, I'll admit it, I still look at each of your blogs </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I don't comment because I'm lazy </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I don't want you to know I've been there.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />This is not nice and I take full responsibility for my actions.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(I probably won't change)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For those of you that follow me on Instagram</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or Facebook,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you are all caught up with my life </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and don't need to read any further.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Have a nice day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For everyone else, all 2 of you,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
here's what's going on around here.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Spring has sprung in Phoenix.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We had a very mild winter unlike many of you out there.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This I know because I read your blogs.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And didn't comment.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Even though you probably needed </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to hear some words of encouragement. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes, I'm a douche canoe.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We had an issue with roof rats.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rats!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTcL0hvy8dOYvq1n3mf8-lOs0G5-yoNz4CNM0jKtNoYdkphvqgExy35hwNZ55zo81mdCX0u9S5CN5VtEb1odHN0EdQv1mGeRiID86b7pspKmVRs63Z76aoWcZ1xD1Pu-khFSpGhkPltc/s1600/Roof-rat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTcL0hvy8dOYvq1n3mf8-lOs0G5-yoNz4CNM0jKtNoYdkphvqgExy35hwNZ55zo81mdCX0u9S5CN5VtEb1odHN0EdQv1mGeRiID86b7pspKmVRs63Z76aoWcZ1xD1Pu-khFSpGhkPltc/s1600/Roof-rat.jpg" height="217" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (not my rat)</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These are somewhat common in the Phoenix area.</div>
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They love to eat the citrus off the trees.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Many of them make their way into attics.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We were fortunate that our attic was sealed very well </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and didn't have any in ours. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They were living in our orange tree though.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
This pic was taken the day we moved in and</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
everything was overgrown.</div>
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You can see the grapefruit tree on the left and the </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
orange tree on the right.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This orange tree had been planted right up against the house </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so trimming it was not an option.</div>
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It had to go.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will miss my fresh squeezed juice.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After the orange tree was brutally mutilated,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the rats moved into our huge grapefruit tree.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Since it was not near the house, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we were able to trim it up and get all the fruit off it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9E95jo9EBbxDkEDbqFmpu7p_YXrEjMhSWOFKYXRjnShD0F6jhaJhFOtg-6GjyZmj_ZcsDvj7ni-bO6oQNRlhH1jL6-EOS4DYdBYtjL-w1qtcQV5a58nppP_UEApM7wvoj610u2rkbKg/s1600/IMG_2018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja9E95jo9EBbxDkEDbqFmpu7p_YXrEjMhSWOFKYXRjnShD0F6jhaJhFOtg-6GjyZmj_ZcsDvj7ni-bO6oQNRlhH1jL6-EOS4DYdBYtjL-w1qtcQV5a58nppP_UEApM7wvoj610u2rkbKg/s1600/IMG_2018.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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The rats moved on to the neighbors.</div>
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This made me happy.</div>
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(Douche canoe, remember?)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Brian was little sad because he really enjoyed</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sitting on the patio in the evening </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and shooting them out of the tree with his BB gun.</div>
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They kind of scream when you hit them.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can see why he's bummed.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We've been digging up old ugly bushes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and planting new pretty ones.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I think we are really going to enjoy this </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yellow Bell as it grows.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have some purple Lantana around the pool</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but decided to get some red that will provide ground cover </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
under the Yellow Bells.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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See Facebook friends?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I told you that you needn't continue.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We are having the front yard tree trimmed today.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This picture was also taken the day we moved in.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The tree is much bigger now.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'd take a picture of it for you</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but I'm not getting dressed to go outside </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and no one really cares what my tree looks like.</div>
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Am I right, or am I right?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>
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I'll catch you up on more stuff tomorrow.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hopefully.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the meantime,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Birthday to my amazing husband.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />You spend way too much time sitting on the couch.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You have no idea how to load a dishwasher.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been waiting for 3 months for you to replace the light</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in the garage.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You snore like a wart hog.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You leave your beard trimmings in the sink.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All in All,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you're perfect for me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">xxx-ooo</span></b></span></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Holly </span></b></span></i></span></div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-16882474509010701702013-10-08T05:57:00.001-07:002013-10-08T05:57:39.267-07:00In The Poor House<div style="text-align: center;">
Not to be confused with a whore house.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Although, living in a whore house would</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
certainly be more exciting.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've always believed that if there were such a thing as a past life,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I would have either been a </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Madame of a Ladies House of Ill Repute,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a Lounge Singer,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or Jessica Rabbit. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxofBPA-pZqwKbPMR_RjAd-JRERJyiseLK9ociLP8CZ0qhMrFLOmkHkiNiedauSbygrWjMbUZTCQHc9UEwIdHvXf-U8Wh8bmIKtJvmytDfbSh8kFNR3UpVaagGoMMO-MShIqSrS5_2rk8/s1600/how-to-draw-jessica-rabbit_1_000000002370_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxofBPA-pZqwKbPMR_RjAd-JRERJyiseLK9ociLP8CZ0qhMrFLOmkHkiNiedauSbygrWjMbUZTCQHc9UEwIdHvXf-U8Wh8bmIKtJvmytDfbSh8kFNR3UpVaagGoMMO-MShIqSrS5_2rk8/s320/how-to-draw-jessica-rabbit_1_000000002370_5.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Either way, I would have been kinda slutty.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Alas, I am not.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am just a middle aged women living in a house that is trying to kill me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Financially, that is.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let me start by telling you that there are so many things</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that I love about this house.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love my kitchen.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's small and easy to work in.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have a place for everything.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I love my back yard.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Even though caring for it is very time consuming.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love that I have that ash tree there between the two patios.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The leaves change to orange and red in the fall and remind me of Indiana.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love all the storage in this house.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
However, since buying this home almost a year ago,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it is being a total douche canoe.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am so grateful that we have a home warranty.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the past year, this is what we have experienced.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Leak under the jetted tub causing damage to bedroom carpet.</div>
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Toilet leaking all over the bathroom floor.</div>
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Air conditioner going out twice.</div>
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Evaporative cooler going out.</div>
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Water softener leak.</div>
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Leak in the roof causing damage to bedroom ceiling.</div>
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Garage door opener calling it quits.</div>
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Tree in front yard infested with bore beetles.</div>
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Sprinkler system not working.</div>
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Polybutelene pipes replaced in garage.</div>
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Pool pump needing repair</div>
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Leak in the pool fountain</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You may be asking yourself why we didn't get an inspection</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
prior to moving in.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We did, and all was fine.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like I said, I am so thankful to have a home warranty</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so that many of these things were covered and didn't</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cost a lot out of pocket.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have put ourselves back on a really strict budget.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our paychecks just don't stretch like they used to.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Times are hard.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Money is tight.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The only shopping I do is at the grocery.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't go out for lunches.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Budgets are hard and boring.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But still, I sit here in my living room,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with my TV on mute,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
listening for any strange noise that may indicate </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that the next shoe has dropped.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Seriously, how many shoes can this house have???!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Brian: Did you hear that?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Holly: Yes, it was just the ice maker.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Brian: Is it supposed to sound like that?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Holly: I think we have heavy ice.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Brian: That's not a real thing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Holly: Turn the TV up. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Holly</b></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>xxx-ooo</b></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-48794756660480788232013-10-06T07:33:00.002-07:002013-10-06T07:33:23.045-07:00I Remember How To Do This<div style="text-align: center;">
Did you know that I haven't blogged in ages?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Possibly no one noticed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My friend, Jo, stopped blogging almost a year ago </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I followed suit.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And because I want to be just like Jo, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
when she posted yesterday, I had to do it also.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have to do everything she does because </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't have a mind of my own. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Many things have happened since I last posted </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and I'm going to try to get everything in </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
within the next few posts.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let's start here:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfJ7yMb9-kRjXhTiV4UH5Ah1an9HFemJuZnzlvLqaq_-gF0_ef9ybjYegFJOVCIIKZ5lF4DiLwX3m6e9GgynhIKx7qZemgquTMgly9ifS5Xr8wFLr3h6BnDjiu8Xu7oYJMXF-LjGWnD0/s1600/IMG_1243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfJ7yMb9-kRjXhTiV4UH5Ah1an9HFemJuZnzlvLqaq_-gF0_ef9ybjYegFJOVCIIKZ5lF4DiLwX3m6e9GgynhIKx7qZemgquTMgly9ifS5Xr8wFLr3h6BnDjiu8Xu7oYJMXF-LjGWnD0/s400/IMG_1243.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That is my mother's engagement ring.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is now perched, along with a gold band</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
on my daughter's finger.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been saving it for her</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
since my mother passed away almost twenty years ago.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She's always loved this ring. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Katie married Travis in June.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncyWBTK8EvT3qtJEMenmFL0QMVoZNPEceQn6ol1XqikJ4WtlBGaNA6wQRzaunR5L2vlh9LW9DYwvYds9I9cIoa4D3xMXDpCduk87ZDCD2x5TgNyYSCnMp1JLE8N_vnLQtmrmP_qtpCfQ/s1600/968782_10201388419182891_566451469_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncyWBTK8EvT3qtJEMenmFL0QMVoZNPEceQn6ol1XqikJ4WtlBGaNA6wQRzaunR5L2vlh9LW9DYwvYds9I9cIoa4D3xMXDpCduk87ZDCD2x5TgNyYSCnMp1JLE8N_vnLQtmrmP_qtpCfQ/s640/968782_10201388419182891_566451469_n.jpg" width="628" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They decided to elope in Palm Springs.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was just so thrilled for them both.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Travis is in the Marines.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He is stationed in Twenty Nine Palms, California.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Katie was living here in Glendale</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and they were driving back and forth</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
every weekend to see one another.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2kIcCf8wbm1ebmlQI7GTgZ570PInbicVRYXlG9iFRWX5Yf_Kds3eoAe3Ieg7wvJc5Uf9QC-lW41PmNvhY38vanDSa3o396DYbU2fgNm8-3BvPHifEK600xhm-BGfrT-ay1awPVyyUss/s1600/IMG_1254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2kIcCf8wbm1ebmlQI7GTgZ570PInbicVRYXlG9iFRWX5Yf_Kds3eoAe3Ieg7wvJc5Uf9QC-lW41PmNvhY38vanDSa3o396DYbU2fgNm8-3BvPHifEK600xhm-BGfrT-ay1awPVyyUss/s640/IMG_1254.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This handsome boy is our dream come true for her.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We love him like no body's business.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He is loving,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
tenderhearted,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and just as goofy as our Katie.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiuA2q4SaeqCvq0betAsN59jA10JWVO_zTWQ70pfVa4nDN49wuIhTV4QUPk9wd2yiyev2RfqefwK4ddDDvvzdXJXWhb10YdfZPjM_75_9nHl4S2FtaR8Lc7712DZgilxJcWO82TQB02o/s1600/74257_1644346078976_1546607238_31529170_6694592_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiuA2q4SaeqCvq0betAsN59jA10JWVO_zTWQ70pfVa4nDN49wuIhTV4QUPk9wd2yiyev2RfqefwK4ddDDvvzdXJXWhb10YdfZPjM_75_9nHl4S2FtaR8Lc7712DZgilxJcWO82TQB02o/s640/74257_1644346078976_1546607238_31529170_6694592_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They came over for dinner several months ago</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and Travis asked me for her hand.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I knew this was coming so I had prepared for it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is what I had written out and said to this boy:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Travis:</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">For the most part, I raised this beautiful girl by myself.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I was the first person to hold her when she was born.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I was the first person in this world to even know she existed.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And I was the first person to love her.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And that love is fierce.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">There is nothing I can begin to compare it to.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I would do anything for my daughter.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I live for her; I would die for her,</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And just so you know, I could kill for her.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I’ve invested everything I have in her.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">There is nothing more precious to me.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">You come to me now, not just asking for my daughter’s hand,</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">But asking for everything I’ve invested in over the past 25
years.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">You’re asking for all the training I’ve provided, </span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">the money I’ve sank into medical bills,</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">the clothes and education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">You are asking to reap the harvest that I so carefully tended </span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">and protected for the best part of my life.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And now she’s a woman.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">A beautiful, caring, loving, woman.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Yes, she’s opinionated, strong willed, and highly emotional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">She stands up for what she believes in.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">She’s strong, but so fragile. </span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">She’s the most precious thing I have in this world. </span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And not just anyone can come and take that from me.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It would have to be a man that knows himself, </span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">that would be willing to protect her with his life.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">That would love her not because of who she is in good times,</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">But in spite of all the hard times.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I need you to understand how hard God and I have worked to get
her ready for you.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I believe that you know your own heart,</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And that you know hers too.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I would do anything to see her happy.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And that includes giving my blessing to you both.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Your parents raised you to be the wonderful man that you’ve
become.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And I couldn’t be more thankful for that.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And I couldn’t see giving my most precious gift to anyone but
you.</span></i></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<i>
</i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Take good care of each other.</span></i></div>
<br /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After they were married, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Katie and Travis moved into a house in Yucca Valley, CA.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />It's difficult for me that she is so far away </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but I am am just so happy for them both.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61ISuobj4jWAWmGSoQXcyBGRDGGJ6GNvTxXoO0M9ZAIedzAsZlC2fCvfXanCP7Si5m06Of5ZKMnbsavYRWRg6BkZcrWH5CjUVz_70LsuN3PsIwGbDMy2vhyz0xEp44HFBj0WRTH76m2w/s1600/the+kiss+-+Copy+(2).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61ISuobj4jWAWmGSoQXcyBGRDGGJ6GNvTxXoO0M9ZAIedzAsZlC2fCvfXanCP7Si5m06Of5ZKMnbsavYRWRg6BkZcrWH5CjUVz_70LsuN3PsIwGbDMy2vhyz0xEp44HFBj0WRTH76m2w/s640/the+kiss+-+Copy+(2).png" width="524" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They are in town this weekend and</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she is on her way over with their new puppy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's what I've got today.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm hoping to start posting at least once a week.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><span style="color: #45818e;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">xxx-ooo</span></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Holly </span></b></i></span></div>
<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-10300483711370268382013-05-04T15:47:00.000-07:002013-05-04T15:47:04.495-07:00Been Gone a Long Long Time<div style="text-align: center;">
Hi Everyone!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Remember me?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know, it's been a while.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been keeping myself busy around the house lately.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The weather here has been toasty.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We had our first triple digit number last week.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think we were at 101 degrees last Wednesday.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been enjoying spending some time outside</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
working in the yard.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's not been too bad and when I do get hot</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have to say I sure am enjoying this baby.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yVbcD56Vu4UojLYSb1Y_T3ITT3ersOxNrTICntVEAfMEAUD4-EKikdbwSBwQm1Z2VzKhydqOK5qek0OyxcmNQiziFpOorfyBEuGsj5ZhgDiHO7DPSNVLzdKWTBR9fJBgsNQtu7Sikoo/s1600/IMG_1076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yVbcD56Vu4UojLYSb1Y_T3ITT3ersOxNrTICntVEAfMEAUD4-EKikdbwSBwQm1Z2VzKhydqOK5qek0OyxcmNQiziFpOorfyBEuGsj5ZhgDiHO7DPSNVLzdKWTBR9fJBgsNQtu7Sikoo/s640/IMG_1076.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The garden is growing like crazy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have more lettuce than I know what to do with.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The tomatoes are growing so fast.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These Big Boy Varieties are about the size of my fist right now.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5cD-x7m-Q4YQyGbHpwJ_JpS8ZCmOQq4QA1K8jYPTCCdFxbXSD3KxBfFMWSF2f31kxkgDvg5n_wGi0PptmFP6m2iy54SRGZjWpg7duNXaPVb4V9ZmmHiTM_e5N0OuJtw2JMkpon4XA6M/s1600/IMG_1141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5cD-x7m-Q4YQyGbHpwJ_JpS8ZCmOQq4QA1K8jYPTCCdFxbXSD3KxBfFMWSF2f31kxkgDvg5n_wGi0PptmFP6m2iy54SRGZjWpg7duNXaPVb4V9ZmmHiTM_e5N0OuJtw2JMkpon4XA6M/s640/IMG_1141.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My first bell pepper.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQW5WjhJFrcWmmoN_50uSOIcQXYBFzT5Ge11Ta9tWoIN_SHrqU55QMHXww5yycu5GQCO-TAm1osdl3Kz6dlJ6KiY-dcOd3BOJhUN5VGphFuNP13XApbi7Csj5r7e7N6Vce9kAybZBY7E/s1600/IMG_1143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQW5WjhJFrcWmmoN_50uSOIcQXYBFzT5Ge11Ta9tWoIN_SHrqU55QMHXww5yycu5GQCO-TAm1osdl3Kz6dlJ6KiY-dcOd3BOJhUN5VGphFuNP13XApbi7Csj5r7e7N6Vce9kAybZBY7E/s640/IMG_1143.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our hibiscus are looking good right now.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I wasn't sure this one was going to make it</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
but with a little loving care</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
she's turning out beautiful blooms.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SdAhGgS7bCXtkLNfj9DbxX3WA5xiauVBikObc_hwOks3P2zSs8vyKCTg7fDCaTWZGiexTZqpc1UsRWjrE4wJ3fL8FAUy-Uynk9HwMlVYGiBbVOQ8iHN77FTiWwt1myK1WlVEPHIu9IY/s1600/IMG_1075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SdAhGgS7bCXtkLNfj9DbxX3WA5xiauVBikObc_hwOks3P2zSs8vyKCTg7fDCaTWZGiexTZqpc1UsRWjrE4wJ3fL8FAUy-Uynk9HwMlVYGiBbVOQ8iHN77FTiWwt1myK1WlVEPHIu9IY/s640/IMG_1075.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We have four bird feeders in our back yard.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We live in bird central.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I fill these large feeders in the mornings and by the afternoon,</div>
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all four of them are empty.</div>
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Next to the feeders,</div>
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I keep suet cake cases.</div>
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When I ran out of suet cakes,</div>
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I began filling them with bits of yarn</div>
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and I like to watch the birds come and grab some</div>
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for their nests.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHk7gm_aUy4C2ArKAC4a98xNOcMB-8TcBQ_BzDPtYGJc4BKEcGwKtOKioa8g0AoOOHAGloQROqkEnHRAuZbg97_kMjZXy3oP6lhVO5vvA4su-vb1JG0mfublwxRavU9SZOqEh1TmZi9Fo/s1600/IMG_1133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHk7gm_aUy4C2ArKAC4a98xNOcMB-8TcBQ_BzDPtYGJc4BKEcGwKtOKioa8g0AoOOHAGloQROqkEnHRAuZbg97_kMjZXy3oP6lhVO5vvA4su-vb1JG0mfublwxRavU9SZOqEh1TmZi9Fo/s640/IMG_1133.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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We have two back patios.</div>
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The main one runs almost the length of the house,</div>
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the other is under a Ramada next to the pool.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The Ramada patio has been empty since we've moved in</div>
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since we didn't have enough patio furniture.</div>
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Last weekend we finally found a good sale and now</div>
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have some furniture in there.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ry1FtjOu2ifXOiEZ0mXXVzCEL3DRdr1BKY37sois_XsGcsbcOzERwPViQ4dzVpC8FdcVxlAUWO1XADnbzw5gVLKvjEdOf08xCqjrT59F6N048P8G2zSukelZF7JKx5HfZ18x9-0-Ij0/s1600/IMG_1140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ry1FtjOu2ifXOiEZ0mXXVzCEL3DRdr1BKY37sois_XsGcsbcOzERwPViQ4dzVpC8FdcVxlAUWO1XADnbzw5gVLKvjEdOf08xCqjrT59F6N048P8G2zSukelZF7JKx5HfZ18x9-0-Ij0/s640/IMG_1140.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'd like to make some new pillows to brighten up the space.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The flowers on the table are so pretty.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK94SJd_WfEQtEz5DAOonhpO5RpkftS021HwXBqvjBl2VCifRBgxqT9g8WY72UMDkootvWK3fpNX1nMT2Q8cn2WCL41bxC8qlQkz4npIQj2AScyIABQE8kzci6NvS8q2J_S3RX-0OkbMw/s1600/IMG_1146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK94SJd_WfEQtEz5DAOonhpO5RpkftS021HwXBqvjBl2VCifRBgxqT9g8WY72UMDkootvWK3fpNX1nMT2Q8cn2WCL41bxC8qlQkz4npIQj2AScyIABQE8kzci6NvS8q2J_S3RX-0OkbMw/s640/IMG_1146.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love the contrast of the lime green sweet potato vine</div>
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with the dark green of the vincas.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I've been busy inside too.</div>
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<br /></div>
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No, I still haven't redone my bedroom.</div>
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I'm still pretending it doesn't exist.</div>
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I do have to get on that shortly though.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I've been working on some smaller projects.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Remember my pantry jars?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLUz00rZMQC6fpFu8mWGj66xiGlthTSOK56Rb6YGXQOo_QYkZFGEAkt-ELARSX1RMUstldHVUsvpGZ0zl6WcWmWwq5FI-XtEmuv5HGIZpcYofwnvDyA9c8VSd3GBG2chyphenhyphen20EtN-vHRqA/s1600/IMG_0794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLUz00rZMQC6fpFu8mWGj66xiGlthTSOK56Rb6YGXQOo_QYkZFGEAkt-ELARSX1RMUstldHVUsvpGZ0zl6WcWmWwq5FI-XtEmuv5HGIZpcYofwnvDyA9c8VSd3GBG2chyphenhyphen20EtN-vHRqA/s640/IMG_0794.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I love these jars but I find that I'm constantly</div>
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in and out of the pantry grabbing them.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I don't like a lot of stuff on the counters</div>
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but I wanted these to be more accessible.</div>
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<br /></div>
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As you can see,</div>
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they had the original shiny silver lids </div>
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with key tags for labels.</div>
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<br /></div>
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If I wanted them on the counters,</div>
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they would need an update.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I sprayed the lids with</div>
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Oiled Bronze Spray Paint.</div>
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Then I attached oiled bronze knobs to the tops</div>
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with E6000 glue.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC25pSuJXOlF_kuveU1_TZBVWPe5D3koB6BXrXULzCSDg2xEaN96Qx8u_4I6d4DVjmwwHrI5Fhu7Wuo4gdq8JEQlgeH7ngIHiZhEJql0yyd2ntCEl7AUmlxkqhNv9cGlJVm8u6Rzwhe7A/s1600/IMG_1152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC25pSuJXOlF_kuveU1_TZBVWPe5D3koB6BXrXULzCSDg2xEaN96Qx8u_4I6d4DVjmwwHrI5Fhu7Wuo4gdq8JEQlgeH7ngIHiZhEJql0yyd2ntCEl7AUmlxkqhNv9cGlJVm8u6Rzwhe7A/s640/IMG_1152.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I found the free printable labels</div>
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over here at <a href="http://thepaintedhive.net/2012/02/magic-decal-transfer-tutorial-with-free-printables/" target="_blank">The Painted Hive.</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I didn't have the right label paper to print it out on</div>
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but I did have some clear contact paper</div>
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so I used that.</div>
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I found out the hard way that even after they sit</div>
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for an hour, the ink does not dry</div>
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very well on the contact paper</div>
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and it smudges very easily.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I redid the labels and this time</div>
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hit each one with a shot of hairspray.</div>
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Yup.</div>
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It worked.</div>
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As soon as the hairspray was dry,</div>
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the labels didn't smudge.</div>
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I just peeled the back off the contact paper </div>
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and applied them to the jars.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0cMkEHbIh1YE9LXBTZqCf7-LmdehZ41AJ0NRYh28ToUsBfeKUtN8AktrcVl1lNRQRKuB1U-8Wsf91L5j_SjRLF8DXejqS9ajOUD8QnzGoGccoGUDL_IVXyopPXep5NnuLIM_UpOOJfo/s1600/IMG_1155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0cMkEHbIh1YE9LXBTZqCf7-LmdehZ41AJ0NRYh28ToUsBfeKUtN8AktrcVl1lNRQRKuB1U-8Wsf91L5j_SjRLF8DXejqS9ajOUD8QnzGoGccoGUDL_IVXyopPXep5NnuLIM_UpOOJfo/s640/IMG_1155.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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They look so much better in my kitchen now.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And one last thing.</div>
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Katie's dear sweet boyfriend, Travis,</div>
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is home from his third tour in Afghanistan.</div>
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We have been so thrilled he is home safe and sound.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Of course,</div>
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I haven't seen very much of my Katie lately.</div>
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She's been busy with this guy, I guess.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowDTIjwu3xgaVgGEbmEhFUvywfPaWNHQAA5ycsNs0CBL6_YmrcXn8coH1yvSO7L-QShxy4ImahQRMqyetxiuj0BgWPKbaUu6EMMMQh7ARU81fyxwIyPfFlIzLUm4wJydZL9MBIxWKfQQ/s1600/479737_3453752473005_1546607238_33011420_328080837_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowDTIjwu3xgaVgGEbmEhFUvywfPaWNHQAA5ycsNs0CBL6_YmrcXn8coH1yvSO7L-QShxy4ImahQRMqyetxiuj0BgWPKbaUu6EMMMQh7ARU81fyxwIyPfFlIzLUm4wJydZL9MBIxWKfQQ/s640/479737_3453752473005_1546607238_33011420_328080837_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Have a great weekend!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>xxx-ooo</i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Holly</i></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-62062623335842942902013-04-16T07:44:00.000-07:002013-04-25T06:50:07.934-07:00Simple Honest Living<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3002280/?claim=6ysnpb6ywnx">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Anyone who uses social networks<o:p></o:p></div>
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such as Facebook, Blogs, or Pinterest,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
can see there is a
huge trend <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
toward consumers making
more frugal choices.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpGXRUOVCNXXMoY-jgVaARiAP3ItCRVwQC-FR5Wz2fZw6_iaLh4SOzaILk0RiB-gAxd1mBqe_33z5-YtZrFFjFxgATp4255e-Btv6zuKS8EjY2wliGzAvWYHYXdj8IQr_yQgUhkOpA_A/s1600/Life-Frugal-Simple1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpGXRUOVCNXXMoY-jgVaARiAP3ItCRVwQC-FR5Wz2fZw6_iaLh4SOzaILk0RiB-gAxd1mBqe_33z5-YtZrFFjFxgATp4255e-Btv6zuKS8EjY2wliGzAvWYHYXdj8IQr_yQgUhkOpA_A/s400/Life-Frugal-Simple1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Homemade laundry soap.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Refurbishing their old furniture instead of buying new.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Making simple home cooked meals instead of eating out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Not too long ago,<o:p></o:p></div>
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It seemed that everyone was trying to keep up with the
Joneses.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>Buy Bigger! Buy Better!</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It was a cause for embarrassment to admit that you were <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
making frugal choices, budgeting, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
and looking for ways to
cut back on spending.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It meant that you were not quite successful enough.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I think that this is the one good thing </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
that has come out of
this recession.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
People are making better choices.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We are no longer afraid to admit that money is tight<o:p></o:p></div>
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And that we are doing the best we can to hold on to<o:p></o:p></div>
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Whatever it is we have.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We are reusing,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Reducing,<o:p></o:p></div>
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And trying to live more simply.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We’ve gone back to simple pleasures such as,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Hanging our laundry to dry in the sun,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Growing our own vegetables,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Creating beauty from things we already have.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDe1Mrp-oyC8-OtvbuE1urDwHfnisykY6MHYd728IfWQO2jlHNNY4-6IkY6j0ZKWZ9aGYSqkpcCtsvtsJHyCT8syQMScylc4bKMaBmH7_kS6QQZ6thn8bQn4Pnba4DLwwlelRUPyPX6w/s1600/laundry.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDe1Mrp-oyC8-OtvbuE1urDwHfnisykY6MHYd728IfWQO2jlHNNY4-6IkY6j0ZKWZ9aGYSqkpcCtsvtsJHyCT8syQMScylc4bKMaBmH7_kS6QQZ6thn8bQn4Pnba4DLwwlelRUPyPX6w/s640/laundry.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">source</span></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Can you imagine dumpster diving or “shopping the curb”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Just ten short years ago?<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you did, you certainly didn’t tell anyone about it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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If you’re a Pinterest user like I am,<o:p></o:p></div>
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You probably have the same phobia that I do.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The fear of throwing something away that you could possibly
reuse.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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“Well, I guess I’ll just throw this empty tomato can away.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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But wait…..what if I just…..<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSjcx9UcGW_bfQoJPUGj4no7OxZP5GNKO-YigF6EMnzxvZSywQhxOpnZxAn48AF4o3ZQgirxXg8CGMOEITnAnIQ6wwdz06GETkMpdQMTm5AIDqk5jd0bUGT1EZhYC8jABMvh-QTAWL_Q/s1600/31be810ff17fdb03061fc60ba91e83bd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSjcx9UcGW_bfQoJPUGj4no7OxZP5GNKO-YigF6EMnzxvZSywQhxOpnZxAn48AF4o3ZQgirxXg8CGMOEITnAnIQ6wwdz06GETkMpdQMTm5AIDqk5jd0bUGT1EZhYC8jABMvh-QTAWL_Q/s640/31be810ff17fdb03061fc60ba91e83bd.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <a href="http://chateauandbungalow.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/daffodils-in-tin-cans.jpeg?w=529" target="_blank">source</a></span></o:p></div>
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“This old suitcase is about to fall apart, I should just
toss it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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But hold on a minute, maybe I could….<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIco1To_j6CDEAXiDMj-Sdik00wabLHGGCj1b_1gXLC2ELr72gOEtW1LD1d0ZgHEYODPoNP1Jn0SHjYnQCrBcureCihnL9yXVrRxcHCdoPfX7nyaPHA5Uot72gDOyhW6BcM3c_dsEQgFc/s1600/bf0894ad346de810cdc7087b0a082a23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIco1To_j6CDEAXiDMj-Sdik00wabLHGGCj1b_1gXLC2ELr72gOEtW1LD1d0ZgHEYODPoNP1Jn0SHjYnQCrBcureCihnL9yXVrRxcHCdoPfX7nyaPHA5Uot72gDOyhW6BcM3c_dsEQgFc/s640/bf0894ad346de810cdc7087b0a082a23.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">source</span></a></div>
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<o:p>I enjoy learning new ways to</o:p><br />
<o:p>live more simply.</o:p><br />
<o:p>Ways to save money.</o:p><br />
<o:p>Paying down our debt.</o:p><br />
<o:p><br /></o:p>
<o:p>I'm amazed at the number of women </o:p><br />
<o:p>who have been willing to open up</o:p><br />
<o:p>on their blogs</o:p><br />
<o:p>and share their financial hardships</o:p><br />
<o:p>and their ideas for saving money.</o:p><br />
And so thankful for that.<br />
<br />
<o:p><br /></o:p>
<o:p>And it's a good thing.</o:p><br />
<o:p><br /></o:p>
<o:p>xxx</o:p><br />
<o:p><b><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Holly</span></i></b></o:p><br />
<o:p><br /></o:p>
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<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-1468561465512313632013-04-02T10:05:00.000-07:002013-04-02T10:05:27.072-07:00Grab It Fore It Bolts<div style="text-align: center;">
The garden looks a little crazy right now.</div>
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New to gardening, </div>
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we may not have planned it as well as we thought.</div>
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The potatoes have taken over.</div>
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Perhaps we planted too many.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92elatf3zy6FQ3x_TfDRlZqwNBCrAT_0qg7NG7NoMGDWFWE0ddOVLMm9Y9YP56qs9lIzriSk0NKFjLD2N5_3Q659ZdsCh8p3GG6ndbVePXsYeeNF9_qnfZO44SC62S4e28Wajla7loXA/s1600/IMG_1043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92elatf3zy6FQ3x_TfDRlZqwNBCrAT_0qg7NG7NoMGDWFWE0ddOVLMm9Y9YP56qs9lIzriSk0NKFjLD2N5_3Q659ZdsCh8p3GG6ndbVePXsYeeNF9_qnfZO44SC62S4e28Wajla7loXA/s640/IMG_1043.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Perhaps we have not a clue what we are doing.</div>
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We're hoping to see them flower and fall over soon</div>
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which will tell us that they are ready to harvest.</div>
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The lettuce is looking lovely though</div>
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and looks like it may bolt soon</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3ItT58MvMqhjUTNYOgLc0UlJLNF72y6QAs5zYE1xYoMd3UyY5p0D8GAH9ZQ-AKbcTIGmafgYkcJ04a4X2eJu93TJ1aCQbXR8tCE-W89RVFTMmzeGQa2zOzGVRB7xTcv41pJzbSyhF14/s1600/IMG_1028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3ItT58MvMqhjUTNYOgLc0UlJLNF72y6QAs5zYE1xYoMd3UyY5p0D8GAH9ZQ-AKbcTIGmafgYkcJ04a4X2eJu93TJ1aCQbXR8tCE-W89RVFTMmzeGQa2zOzGVRB7xTcv41pJzbSyhF14/s640/IMG_1028.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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so I picked some for a salad tonight.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGxOebT0_2K3g_P_J1P-MvyeMBjAzVVSLjUMbOCUc8KEniglda5rE0d_6pVe7IWqPZLDSi1kRQi0PIBc_Zml5-yPEHbtyk8vMBld9lXr8mmiuuqEBqu1yo1KFxksXLGAGiqh3A6JFgNI/s1600/IMG_1023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGxOebT0_2K3g_P_J1P-MvyeMBjAzVVSLjUMbOCUc8KEniglda5rE0d_6pVe7IWqPZLDSi1kRQi0PIBc_Zml5-yPEHbtyk8vMBld9lXr8mmiuuqEBqu1yo1KFxksXLGAGiqh3A6JFgNI/s640/IMG_1023.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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They are soaking right now in my kitchen sink</div>
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in a bath of vinegar and cold water.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuEinYXNJz5Uh-b1Pxux-SsIk8hhtyKT_5fofEp4jKZfKRfr8lhYUO2Ry6oefS6Sswftam7YFCuCsTshefv2D20QZJtE8xfjEgcOePeetfaXAG0p3fYPi0SrmyzmhMLEkb5Ucye667ow/s1600/IMG_1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuEinYXNJz5Uh-b1Pxux-SsIk8hhtyKT_5fofEp4jKZfKRfr8lhYUO2Ry6oefS6Sswftam7YFCuCsTshefv2D20QZJtE8xfjEgcOePeetfaXAG0p3fYPi0SrmyzmhMLEkb5Ucye667ow/s640/IMG_1035.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I'm not really fooled into thinking</div>
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that this will take care of every single tiny bug.</div>
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We will probably have a couple of bugs mixed in </div>
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with our croutons.</div>
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What?</div>
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You're not coming for dinner?</div>
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I'm having issues with our strawberry plants.</div>
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I don't think I provided enough drainage</div>
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and I should have mixed a little sand in with the soil.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiITw9aTs3FPzxp8sDn9x4U-E3HT28ZRTihQnpYVOFyvxz4xP6ByaNQNpsRBZRSjSan_ZmQplxdkSxfzvi9ocT_2w_zZQG3WhgxsVVLi_rdbWFlrrPrZIIFjonSDwdchyphenhyphenI4mMJ1LDev4/s1600/IMG_1027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiITw9aTs3FPzxp8sDn9x4U-E3HT28ZRTihQnpYVOFyvxz4xP6ByaNQNpsRBZRSjSan_ZmQplxdkSxfzvi9ocT_2w_zZQG3WhgxsVVLi_rdbWFlrrPrZIIFjonSDwdchyphenhyphenI4mMJ1LDev4/s640/IMG_1027.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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See that strawberry?</div>
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That's what we are getting out of these.</div>
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Teensy, weensy.</div>
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Advice, anyone?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLrTVAszOy8PfIROe8LhRl-rBPvdjp6aX2K9lrF23Y-QPf7HWeXjP_p5nsTu6dg84a9tDkuw8-KvkREZIP2Hc3K0C9b8YrM9A3eYpAnzBcadkvBs1yXjhpE2ujRs_NmvQympOEILryeQ/s1600/IMG_1026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLrTVAszOy8PfIROe8LhRl-rBPvdjp6aX2K9lrF23Y-QPf7HWeXjP_p5nsTu6dg84a9tDkuw8-KvkREZIP2Hc3K0C9b8YrM9A3eYpAnzBcadkvBs1yXjhpE2ujRs_NmvQympOEILryeQ/s640/IMG_1026.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I've planted some sweet potato vines in </div>
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a wine barrel in the yard.</div>
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Hopefully, we will have a nice trailing vine</div>
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this summer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqiB_VA-4WOLQ3TMsGsD7iA1i8PMy7PR1v1isqdxpG_4NvWesl5uJuHhrtkCO7U-S72PQUv89JGiW3EzLJuHOTKbii4YFxOMxWSWMF9kEAzq7DGS6lYZ42lo3yNX9lprFna6guXIiS9g/s1600/IMG_1031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqiB_VA-4WOLQ3TMsGsD7iA1i8PMy7PR1v1isqdxpG_4NvWesl5uJuHhrtkCO7U-S72PQUv89JGiW3EzLJuHOTKbii4YFxOMxWSWMF9kEAzq7DGS6lYZ42lo3yNX9lprFna6guXIiS9g/s640/IMG_1031.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I thought for the longest time that</div>
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this thing was a weed</div>
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but stopped myself from pulling it out several times.</div>
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Yesterday,</div>
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the beautiful Gerbera Daisies opened up.</div>
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So glad I didn't pull it out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOu97pNEkb0-CBuDAHSOH5L101G2lDwjrPcvUsQTTH5jpYq2Lh9efP9wfGAxrXhr9U6iZTp-Pgtc2KJB2Mb77xxWI95nhXzB_IhPV5U7g6_bU2TCgyLWv47jwV4fszAN6wzsoN2jA6CJc/s1600/IMG_1029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOu97pNEkb0-CBuDAHSOH5L101G2lDwjrPcvUsQTTH5jpYq2Lh9efP9wfGAxrXhr9U6iZTp-Pgtc2KJB2Mb77xxWI95nhXzB_IhPV5U7g6_bU2TCgyLWv47jwV4fszAN6wzsoN2jA6CJc/s640/IMG_1029.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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We bought three gardenia bushes</div>
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and planted them under the kitchen window</div>
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where they get plenty of shade.</div>
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Hard to come by here in Arizona.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFH14S8Tfn4-grAefD9DIN7wWsHp7fh9sfQDSHSJiWoZTXEEj-IcudzxAuJFf4QQP4ETq7DIAcyDi0pWE7B722_kvgsLHsFROy5TI-tOGQbuoqsA10teHzorKc2tF4z-YgCn6Bve50xVI/s1600/IMG_1037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFH14S8Tfn4-grAefD9DIN7wWsHp7fh9sfQDSHSJiWoZTXEEj-IcudzxAuJFf4QQP4ETq7DIAcyDi0pWE7B722_kvgsLHsFROy5TI-tOGQbuoqsA10teHzorKc2tF4z-YgCn6Bve50xVI/s640/IMG_1037.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Such pretty fragrant blooms!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cOl_VaXjissWruBGl59V-6gQtdlQeeJgqWlnTH-hkkcwHHWt3rKGsTu1HDD0HjABSD2R7H2kCbpqE-2Y5iRUuvJWPjQz-PyRSt2yUm5Mk1PLldZkRGOHJJ_g3lWDl8mpmCKKziCOvGI/s1600/IMG_1038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cOl_VaXjissWruBGl59V-6gQtdlQeeJgqWlnTH-hkkcwHHWt3rKGsTu1HDD0HjABSD2R7H2kCbpqE-2Y5iRUuvJWPjQz-PyRSt2yUm5Mk1PLldZkRGOHJJ_g3lWDl8mpmCKKziCOvGI/s640/IMG_1038.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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We're looking at a high of 84 degrees today.</div>
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Low 90's for the weekend.</div>
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Can't wait to use this</div>
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for the first time!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0frWQtNijGPUXMnE0PxEjD20SaJd-keDuCMjB2TFT4oIEwyfWkswq8mi4IZBpIvoOYpTAN0-OiLIk7_C_nAjUsK-D0mkFlXHLPodIUSRwvMIF1gg_KwqOIax1tvZMntzTH5caIv7-a4/s1600/IMG_1034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0frWQtNijGPUXMnE0PxEjD20SaJd-keDuCMjB2TFT4oIEwyfWkswq8mi4IZBpIvoOYpTAN0-OiLIk7_C_nAjUsK-D0mkFlXHLPodIUSRwvMIF1gg_KwqOIax1tvZMntzTH5caIv7-a4/s640/IMG_1034.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Have a Happy Tuesday!!</div>
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xxx</div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Holly</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-4389328916618547292013-04-01T09:05:00.003-07:002013-04-01T09:53:50.883-07:00Spring Cleaning on the Cheap<div style="text-align: center;">
The windows are all open</div>
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and the breeze through the house feels wonderful.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Looks like a high of 84 degrees today</div>
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and in the 90's later this week.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghA184_6pHcca5l7Tr2_W-HA9BhjWPtZK4HE4uLXCh3XLmLOn802A03b8NksDvtlR31LYLIq_k6XIrFAM2zhRh_BYmWagxWX3_4hc5kQ2aDKT2pFeMWWXGS5VDvZOC5-O4p7lJ9Wny51c/s1600/IMG_1021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghA184_6pHcca5l7Tr2_W-HA9BhjWPtZK4HE4uLXCh3XLmLOn802A03b8NksDvtlR31LYLIq_k6XIrFAM2zhRh_BYmWagxWX3_4hc5kQ2aDKT2pFeMWWXGS5VDvZOC5-O4p7lJ9Wny51c/s640/IMG_1021.JPG" width="594" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Makes a woman feel like cleaning!</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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I don't have children at home anymore </div>
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so cleaning is not such a chore for me.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Brian is relatively neat,</div>
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never misses the waste basket and</div>
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never leaves dirty clothes on the floor.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I consider myself blessed.</div>
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<br /></div>
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What I don't care for are the prices of store bought </div>
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cleaning products.</div>
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About a year ago I began to make my own.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It took a lot of trial and error</div>
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to find the products that worked for me.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Everything I use was either found on </div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Elaine's blog: <a href="http://sunnysimplelife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sunny Simple Life</a></div>
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or</div>
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<a href="http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/category/homemade-solution/cleaning" target="_blank">One Good Thing by Jillie</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I've had a few friends ask me what I use</div>
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and for the recipes to these</div>
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so I thought I would just post them here.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>All you will ever need to buy:</b></div>
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Ammonia</div>
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Dawn Dish Soap</div>
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Vinegar</div>
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Rubbing alcohol</div>
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Baking Soda</div>
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Arm & Hammer Washing Soda</div>
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Mule Team Borax</div>
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OxyClean</div>
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Cheap Hair Conditioner (Suave)</div>
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essential oils (optional)</div>
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<br /></div>
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Here are my tried and true favorite homemade cleaners.</div>
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<b><i><u><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text2;">Homemade Laundry Stain Remover - from Elaine</span></u></i></b><b><i><u><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text2;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
<i></i><br />
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<i><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text2;">1 part Ammonia</span></i></i></div>
<i>
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text2;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">1 part Dawn </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">1 part water</span></i></div>
<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text2;"> </span></i><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text2;">Put in squeeze bottle. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text2;">Apply to stain, wait 15 minutes then wash.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text2;">Homemade Laundry Soap<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text2;"><br /></span></u></i></b></div>
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</div>
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<i style="line-height: 17.6pt;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text2;">3 Tablespoons </span></i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RNBX0G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=swedeabyjil-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000RNBX0G" style="line-height: 17.6pt;" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text2; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Borax</span></i></a></div>
<i></i><br />
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<i><i style="line-height: 17.6pt;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text2;">3 Tablespoons </span></i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0029XNTEU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=swedeabyjil-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0029XNTEU" style="line-height: 17.6pt;" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text2; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Washing Soda</span></i></a></i></div>
<i>
</i><i><div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="line-height: 17.6pt;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text2;">4 Tablespoons </span></i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001XQ7LOS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=swedeabyjil-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001XQ7LOS" style="line-height: 17.6pt;" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text2; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Dawn Dish soap</span></i></a></div>
</i><br />
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<i style="line-height: 17.6pt;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text2;">Put these ingredients in a large jug.</span></i></div>
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<i style="line-height: 17.6pt;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text2;">Pour 4 cups hot water into the jug.</span></i></div>
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<i style="line-height: 17.6pt;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text2;">Swirl until ingredients are dissolved
in the liquid.</span></i></div>
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<i style="line-height: 17.6pt;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text2;">Then fill almost to the top with cold water.</span></i></div>
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<i style="line-height: 17.6pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">(I've done the grated soap method before and found</span></span></i></div>
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<i style="line-height: 17.6pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">this one above works just as well and only take 1 minute to make) </span></span></i></div>
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<i style="line-height: 17.6pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Also, it's low sudsing so I can use it in my high efficiency washer.</span></span></i></div>
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<i style="line-height: 17.6pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">For my whites, I add some OxyClean to the load.</span></span></i></div>
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<i style="line-height: 17.6pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxB6p4DYt0-HWdHeliY2a-8k7687U9kZjl7-brDSND5xSPq7ypypG0SqD0r0QrYpNWs5y0yllM8Fj9JzresihlmvWIDe3c0Vyv7HYVhihYa2mQX4uT6Bcl6NJdKJF8Iid_wQ8fAPmfKI/s1600/IMG_1019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxB6p4DYt0-HWdHeliY2a-8k7687U9kZjl7-brDSND5xSPq7ypypG0SqD0r0QrYpNWs5y0yllM8Fj9JzresihlmvWIDe3c0Vyv7HYVhihYa2mQX4uT6Bcl6NJdKJF8Iid_wQ8fAPmfKI/s640/IMG_1019.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i style="line-height: 17.6pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.453125px;"><br /></span></i></div>
<i>
<b style="line-height: 17.6pt;"><u><span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: text2;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></i><br />
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<b><i><u><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2;">Granite
Cleaner or Pergo Floor Cleaner</span></u></i></b></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2;"><br /></span></u></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2;">½ cup rubbing alcohol<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">1 tsp Dawn </span></div>
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">14 drops of essential oil (lemon or orange)</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">water</span></div>
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2;">Fill spray bottle to top with hot water<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2;">(When I had formica counters,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2;">I used vinegar instead of alcohol, granite doesn't like vinegar)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text2;">Carpet Cleaner</span></u></i></b><b><i><u><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text2;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
<i></i><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text2;">2 ½ cups vinegar</span></i></i></div>
<i>
<div style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">2 scoops Oxyclean</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Dissolve and add to carpet cleaning
machine </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">and fill the rest of the way with hot water. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<br />
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</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<b><i><u><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2;">Homemade Fabric Softener<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<b><i><u><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2;"><br /></span></u></i></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt;">
<i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2;">6 cups of hot water<br />
3 cups white vinegar<br />
2 cups of Suave hair conditioner<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt;">
<i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt;">
<i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2;">Mix conditioner and hot water until conditioner is
dissolved. </span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt;">
<i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2;">Add vinegar. Use 1/8 cup per load<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text2;"> </span></i></b><b><i><u><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text2;">Bathtub Cleaner</span></u></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text2;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-indent: .5in;">
<b><i><u><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text2;"><br /></span></u></i></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt;">
<i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2;">1 part vinegar <br />
1 part Dawn dish soap <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt;">
<i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2;">Mix in a spray bottle, and spray on tub. </span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt;">
<i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2;">Let sit for 15 minutes and then wipe.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt;">
<i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt;">
<i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2;"><br /></span></i></div>
<br />
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</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <u>Toilet Cleaner</u></span></i></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u><br /></u></span></i></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt;">
<i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 11pt;">1 cup vinegar<br />1/2 cup baking soda<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><i>sprinkle baking soda in the toilet.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><i>Add vinegar and smile when you see the bubbles.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><i>Because bubbles are fun.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><i>Swish with your toilet brush and then flush.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>(I also keep a bleach tablet in the toilet tank)</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I buy my vinegar, baking soda and alcohol in bulk at Costco.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Everything goes a long way and will last for several months.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have several others that I use</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and you can find them on my</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pinterest Board marked <a href="http://pinterest.com/hollymay925/favorite-homemade-cleaners/" target="_blank">Favorite Homemade Cleaners</a>.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
Another trick I've learned is to make my own </div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
cleaning wipes.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
Pull about 10 paper towels off the roll</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
and shove them into a mason jar with a lid.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
I pour my granite cleaner over these</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
just enough to moisten them</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
and keep the sealed jar under my bathroom sinks.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
Removes hairspray off the counter tops really well.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
Just pull one out and tear it off.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
I've also made my own</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
Swiffer Wet Jet Pads using old microfiber cloths.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 13.5pt;">I stitched </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">Velcro</span><span style="line-height: 13.5pt;"> on them to hold them in place.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
I refill the Swiffer bottle with the </div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
homemade Pergo floor cleaner above.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimulyFjd0Yi1T0s6uqFoC5QFKQsPWHvaZqjxn6b6F3q5i4epqoqHl9kS1b4rFzQKgq34dqKHV4K_dkGVa8J2aDcZPs31S7WvFtRfuHfcqko1skN16vxqcp-9dl7v6WEyPktD0chRVXVY4/s1600/IMG_0956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimulyFjd0Yi1T0s6uqFoC5QFKQsPWHvaZqjxn6b6F3q5i4epqoqHl9kS1b4rFzQKgq34dqKHV4K_dkGVa8J2aDcZPs31S7WvFtRfuHfcqko1skN16vxqcp-9dl7v6WEyPktD0chRVXVY4/s640/IMG_0956.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
Hope you're enjoying your spring weather,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
whatever it may be.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
Let me know if you try any of these</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
and how they work for you.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
Elaine, thanks for all your great advice!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>xxx</i></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 13.5pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Holly</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-79170639058875280312013-03-29T09:02:00.000-07:002013-03-29T09:12:14.683-07:00Free is the Best<div style="text-align: center;">
I was approached a couple of months back</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by the good people at <a href="http://www.firmoo.com/free-glasses.html" target="_blank">Firmoo</a> and asked if I would be interested in</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
testing their product and blogging about it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BQCghsceDPxIKzTmWImFMzw36vT2CcgFCWGloHPomcGu8Ulw2-kEXdIU-jbHfuVsaYbrmrOI8ckJHy9O3CR-PVzjs1HU9YT1_1Bf4GWC9CWwZS4P-ZVxeKhNRATDmY79oLw0HWsbRbI/s1600/firmoo-glasses-giveaway.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BQCghsceDPxIKzTmWImFMzw36vT2CcgFCWGloHPomcGu8Ulw2-kEXdIU-jbHfuVsaYbrmrOI8ckJHy9O3CR-PVzjs1HU9YT1_1Bf4GWC9CWwZS4P-ZVxeKhNRATDmY79oLw0HWsbRbI/s1600/firmoo-glasses-giveaway.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's not something I would normally do.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you've blogged for any length of time,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you get these invitations every once in a while.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Most of these, I have to say, I don't even read.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But several things about the <a href="http://www.firmoo.com/free-glasses.html" target="_blank">Firmoo</a> email had me taking a second look.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
First of all, what the heck was Firmoo?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I needed to find out what the company with the funny name was selling.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Turns out,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.firmoo.com/free-glasses.html" target="_blank">Firmoo</a> is a Global Online Optical Store.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At the time, I was wearing prescription glasses that were five years old,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and my prescription had changed so much in the past five years</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that I found myself squinting while wearing them.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The timing was right.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am a contact lens wearer but I do wear glasses</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in the mornings and at night.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I did a little research online and couldn't find anything negative</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
about the company so I decided to email them back to get more information.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The representative that contacted me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
emailed back very quickly and answered all the questions I had.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I decided to give it a shot.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They were going to send me a free pair of prescription glasses</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so they sent me the instructions on how to do this.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Of course, I felt extremely important and better than every one else</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
since I was chosen to review their service and get the free glasses.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then I found out that they offer free glasses to everyone!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Everyone, I tell you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Important people and little peon blogger people alike.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.firmoo.com/free-glasses.html" target="_blank">Firmoo.com</a> is the world's most popular online eyeglasses store.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All lenses come with anti-scratch hard coating without any extra charge.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
First pair free for new customers.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The ordering process was very easy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You just need to have a current prescription</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and enter the information into their website.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You choose your frames.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is the fun part.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can upload a picture of yourself to see how the</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
glasses will look on you with their</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Virtual Try-On system.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLj-scOTSwH9DUhSA2wVpSJvDEivTMimDD0eJW_B-x3DUhGR43SXGQlQcDx2bsVnMqXoSr-CPyP3czrbniy0qBA9PKq4tadakdtJkTDy6EiEImF7RYJEm1e6OwaJGBxl5FupAfOf45Y8g/s1600/1-8huvfai1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLj-scOTSwH9DUhSA2wVpSJvDEivTMimDD0eJW_B-x3DUhGR43SXGQlQcDx2bsVnMqXoSr-CPyP3czrbniy0qBA9PKq4tadakdtJkTDy6EiEImF7RYJEm1e6OwaJGBxl5FupAfOf45Y8g/s320/1-8huvfai1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My order went through without a hitch</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and they were shipped very quickly.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love the way they feel on my face.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not too heavy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstxdl2nyhYI-M3USa-v9yaoOQ1NsNTO93nQVnlU0_WsMZ013puKWeVX2jNqz_Rdozu15dXNRPDU6yj5rkwnxp19SXxnoP-8LzzD19l0p7GkrsE2OvH3fA7TRpqTJzIv3Fh5R7P52hWYc/s1600/IMG_0995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstxdl2nyhYI-M3USa-v9yaoOQ1NsNTO93nQVnlU0_WsMZ013puKWeVX2jNqz_Rdozu15dXNRPDU6yj5rkwnxp19SXxnoP-8LzzD19l0p7GkrsE2OvH3fA7TRpqTJzIv3Fh5R7P52hWYc/s400/IMG_0995.JPG" width="295" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Glasses are making a come back.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The old opinion that glasses are only necessities </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">for people with vision problems is no longer the case. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Glasses are increasingly becoming a fad and must-have accessories</span><i>.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Firmoo also offers non prescription lenses, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sunglasses and goggles.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If it's time for new glasses, sunglasses,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or you're just ready for a new look,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
why not get them free at <a href="http://www.firmoo.com/free-glasses.html" target="_blank">Firmoo?</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
xxx</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Holly</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-34713443582945872352013-03-24T05:38:00.000-07:002013-03-24T05:38:27.179-07:00Should I be Getting a Lap Dance or Something?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I’m in the phasing out period of my forties.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I only know this because I do the math approximately every
month.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
When you are my age, you kind of forget how old you are.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
And you have to use a calculator to figure it out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Using an online date calculator I have discovered that I am<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
47 years, 5 months, and 27 days old.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Or <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
17,347 days old.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Seems I would have done something with myself by now.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
When you think about your life in days,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It does something strange to you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It makes you rethink how you should be spending each moment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
For example,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
“What did I do yesterday?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Oh yes!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
For my 17,346<sup>th</sup> day on earth I celebrated by:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Picking wallpaper glue out of my hair<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Hiding behind my BBQ grill and then leaping out </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
to scare
pigeons from my garden<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Going to Walmart to buy kitty litter and two cucumbers<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Changing my air filters<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Taking an Epsom salt bath</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(because I am tens of thousands of
days old now)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Shouldn't I celebrate each day with<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Cake, or a bottle of wine, or a lap dance or something?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I Googled<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>“Make Everyday Count”</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Just so I could see if I'm doing this living thing all wrong.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Here’s what the interweb peoples suggest we should do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Watch The Sun Rise</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(It’s pretty, I get it, but every day?)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Take Time To Smell the Flowers</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(I live in Arizona and have learned not to smell cacti)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Live with Purpose</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(I purposely ate an entire box of Cheezits while watching
Duck Dynasty)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Find Balance</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(I honestly believe that the right side of my body </div>
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is
approximately 6 lbs heavier than the left side </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
which is why I fall down a lot
more</div>
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than the average 17,347 day old person)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Don’t Be Afraid</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(I think the pigeon story speaks for itself)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So, where am I going with all this?</div>
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<br /></div>
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I have decided to be content with the accomplishments</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I've made in the time I've spent on this </div>
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whirly little ball of water and mineral compounds</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
that we call the planet Earth.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>I've produced two beautiful children.</b></div>
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(Well, one did go through a seriously awkward stage </div>
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between the ages of 6 and 9 that I would actually not call beautiful)</div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>I've married a wonderful man.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(Who will offer to make me toast </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
or hit the Whataburger drive through </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
when I just can't face the kitchen one more time)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>I own a house that I love.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(Or I will, when the mortgage is paid off in</div>
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10,957 days)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>I am healthy.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
(with the exception of my slightly elevated cholesterol,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
my bum elbow,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
and that thing that keeps growing back on my shoulder</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
that looks like a zit but I'm pretty sure it's shoulder cancer)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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And, because I always include photos in my blog posts,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
but have nothing that relates to this story,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
please enjoy this picture of me when I was only</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
273 days old.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaXwRLWMjOpBJU8PNAeuShdQMlLbazOjJ6QSqX-W4oVl1dAPW_225NFht3mpDlCPjP_5Fv5IBghdYH94wgnhgOMexBoVJGOAZBrJpBpNEOvbUqvjaW7V8PJdTsce4Dvj3fid3YW_b8Kw/s1600/img110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaXwRLWMjOpBJU8PNAeuShdQMlLbazOjJ6QSqX-W4oVl1dAPW_225NFht3mpDlCPjP_5Fv5IBghdYH94wgnhgOMexBoVJGOAZBrJpBpNEOvbUqvjaW7V8PJdTsce4Dvj3fid3YW_b8Kw/s640/img110.jpg" width="446" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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xxx-ooo</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Holly</i></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-40930553397550580872013-03-21T07:24:00.000-07:002013-03-21T07:24:33.123-07:00The Wagnthap's House of Humor and Torment<div style="text-align: center;">
Spring is here.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know this because every time I walk outside onto my patio</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my nose holes are assaulted </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with the aroma of orange blossoms and steer manure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICOLpSxI-puk7lwHNrdz7qWdE8WZH7uVMuyAoA4yEhd_ApR74DNldcYqCQblRlw9Hq2ckwRyfFCH1pwO36sQ2nfpmqOWA9cjVM5aL4IjVU_mF4UHFCwalnnBYgXEqTQuJ_1RwJLi4aWI/s1600/IMG_1006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICOLpSxI-puk7lwHNrdz7qWdE8WZH7uVMuyAoA4yEhd_ApR74DNldcYqCQblRlw9Hq2ckwRyfFCH1pwO36sQ2nfpmqOWA9cjVM5aL4IjVU_mF4UHFCwalnnBYgXEqTQuJ_1RwJLi4aWI/s640/IMG_1006.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>(picture of neither orange blossoms nor manure,</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>just lantanas and palm trees)</i></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have not posted anything in 3 weeks.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is due to being busy with the craziness that has become my life</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and part pure laziness.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I planned on doing a wonderful post</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for my 3 year blog anniversary.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was going to do a giveaway.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was going to be awesome.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is where the laziness set it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitT3ptPpcBOupe0IKpA3O_roOvWE1siL-4sU8ZIUTQWDNcSCI-i2x4asGFgYkbSq3x0GgQJkwGdmuyoH8M9X6gJ16HUAxz9dQM4BFDYlg3KfYI-tv8yZnOxsQ2f-_LsRxRT7Nk8erorZ4/s1600/3-year-anniversary-300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitT3ptPpcBOupe0IKpA3O_roOvWE1siL-4sU8ZIUTQWDNcSCI-i2x4asGFgYkbSq3x0GgQJkwGdmuyoH8M9X6gJ16HUAxz9dQM4BFDYlg3KfYI-tv8yZnOxsQ2f-_LsRxRT7Nk8erorZ4/s1600/3-year-anniversary-300x300.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I would have had to go shopping</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and buy some spectacular shi-dazzle to give away</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and then write a post about it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It just wasn't in the cards, people.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let's talk about what's going on around these here parts.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I say "Let's talk about this",</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What I mean is,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm going to do some ranting</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and you're going to sit there and read about it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Easy Peasy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Very little work on your part.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Are you still here?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Good, because this post just goes on and on.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
First off,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I finally know what these things are<br />
that are growing on the side of the house.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They finally flowered.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have calla lilies.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECeV7Kkd3LbPqALb24lsrN2CCsP2s1YYH5Ab_aVhcVl5dAasRYDSsA2gWS94pPjE8cZolA1aBPX6p_IEImgggi84I_vHn4TmtM7w2HIuABJkqCSstnyl-N2s9ld_G3TfLNmwVU6zFtRA/s1600/IMG_0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECeV7Kkd3LbPqALb24lsrN2CCsP2s1YYH5Ab_aVhcVl5dAasRYDSsA2gWS94pPjE8cZolA1aBPX6p_IEImgggi84I_vHn4TmtM7w2HIuABJkqCSstnyl-N2s9ld_G3TfLNmwVU6zFtRA/s640/IMG_0996.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thank you to everyone who commented in my earlier post</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to tell me these were either calla lilies, canna lilies, or hostas.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now we can all sleep.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The garden is coming along nicely.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's not been an easy process for this first time gardener.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We've had to deal with neighborhood cats</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
leaving their pootie rolls in the lettuce patch</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and birds stealing the watermelon seeds,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
only to move them to strange places throughout the yard.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We've found watermelon vines growing under our pool pump,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in the rocks under the tree</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and in a flower pot on our patio.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Turns out, watermelons will grow anywhere</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
without constant supervision.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The watermelon seedlings were found and moved back to the garden.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The neighbor's cats were deterred </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by putting orange rinds around the soil</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and by putting carpet tack strips on top of the block walls</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
surrounding our back yard.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6iQRgx2T1RblAvvQCYoYHSlcgGS26auPlGbjhZ1e8ET86PcIrKUrNWgWOdRAPruvud2GWD8-iwtQCXvDBejFyxSKEgq6v1-RNyDX_CSf4CtfflK0Gla1fWIA57LKe4dCMpKEfLxkdxw/s1600/carpet_tack_strip.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6iQRgx2T1RblAvvQCYoYHSlcgGS26auPlGbjhZ1e8ET86PcIrKUrNWgWOdRAPruvud2GWD8-iwtQCXvDBejFyxSKEgq6v1-RNyDX_CSf4CtfflK0Gla1fWIA57LKe4dCMpKEfLxkdxw/s320/carpet_tack_strip.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't judge me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Do you like doody flavored salad?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We've placed bird netting over the strawberries</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the watermelon seedlings.<br />
<br />
We've put marigolds in<br />
as a deterrent to bugs and such.<br />
The whirly gigs seem to scare the birds and cats<br />
and they're pretty, so there you have it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We were excited to eat our very first two strawberries of the season</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which were about the size of small ball bearings.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While I ate it, I could almost taste it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's what we've got going right now.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Green Leaf and Romaine<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EtzGVdhg1V3lc7LiSqLWEtqZoVrYzVb6BopuxSMXOahBj988nx2Wdo7itvpUS0VZ2GjUOLG1FHU7V-Eu4Jb7O_SFvaraduXincSE1sFkZdpoztLgGUQE_u1tWIKX_3I3BBXiF0-Jxow/s1600/IMG_0998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EtzGVdhg1V3lc7LiSqLWEtqZoVrYzVb6BopuxSMXOahBj988nx2Wdo7itvpUS0VZ2GjUOLG1FHU7V-Eu4Jb7O_SFvaraduXincSE1sFkZdpoztLgGUQE_u1tWIKX_3I3BBXiF0-Jxow/s640/IMG_0998.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Red and White Potatoes<br />
Yellow and green onions</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUH_72XLMDCGSu-huWLBRjNhTMu7DteWZv8Gi3uzZGny5aLCLDojSBv7m5f-RaDNOfcTkyL-JA_E3lbtEyKNRBnw6ZhWlr0Bvirt6cyqTdj4loMOBqv1fZh9D3jMaohmLIqhzMNn4mvE/s1600/IMG_1001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUH_72XLMDCGSu-huWLBRjNhTMu7DteWZv8Gi3uzZGny5aLCLDojSBv7m5f-RaDNOfcTkyL-JA_E3lbtEyKNRBnw6ZhWlr0Bvirt6cyqTdj4loMOBqv1fZh9D3jMaohmLIqhzMNn4mvE/s640/IMG_1001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tomatoes, Peppers, Corn and Strawberries.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVER3JpxXQFy0dM66IfAPz0GGMwkC_AVQJQLQhi_cRvKivZ0yBxduVyxtVGa2MPj1561g3iOKMut-iQzsol_uAP8TXGdIjlftDAu_06kiD0csCKeZ0WW-vNkqVZ8YPs2ZdFRkWQqoPGA/s1600/IMG_1003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVER3JpxXQFy0dM66IfAPz0GGMwkC_AVQJQLQhi_cRvKivZ0yBxduVyxtVGa2MPj1561g3iOKMut-iQzsol_uAP8TXGdIjlftDAu_06kiD0csCKeZ0WW-vNkqVZ8YPs2ZdFRkWQqoPGA/s640/IMG_1003.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Also, if you don't have this hose,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
run out and get one NOW.</div>
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That's practically an order.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I will never, ever use a big old green "non-kinking" hose</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
that weighs 3 tons and kinks like a Mother Hubbard.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Big green hose selling people are lying liar heads.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2u2YvF34GKf0qKIdXuEGxGfB8TpB3IUHRsXeHmtph703eSwRmvjvL1VOM459jvKJ_qO4VnWgEvuzMiT7UNVU4WX3W632tC6eGhp4KT1RprFsWY4MTzLWfDWvoDapJO8_9PbjrnYgAoFw/s1600/IMG_0969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2u2YvF34GKf0qKIdXuEGxGfB8TpB3IUHRsXeHmtph703eSwRmvjvL1VOM459jvKJ_qO4VnWgEvuzMiT7UNVU4WX3W632tC6eGhp4KT1RprFsWY4MTzLWfDWvoDapJO8_9PbjrnYgAoFw/s640/IMG_0969.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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This hose is 100 feet long and it weighs practically nothing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Honest.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Best purchase I've made in a long time.</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Enough talk about the garden.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let's move onto the house for a bit.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My project this week is to remove the wall paper in our bedroom.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I decided to start in a corner and just see what's underneath.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like everything else we've dealt with since moving here,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it's been an ordeal.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The previous (and original) owners</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
put the wallpaper up over</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
plain old drywall.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Un-primed, unpainted drywall.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, that's fun.<br />
(And who doesn't love Hunter green chair rail?)<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhVsvxJRdVmIhwjbS0mePZJXb4IRy4scVIIy64tDST-O7fQN-LZyCwot87yOGMs18YWpOoo3BsdRcK0ucrWjIjzZ-osMyyRrSGqtyjG9HYn1-ASnxWLtSKIAGKRLyWVFKspXsbGyTE4Y/s1600/IMG_1007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhVsvxJRdVmIhwjbS0mePZJXb4IRy4scVIIy64tDST-O7fQN-LZyCwot87yOGMs18YWpOoo3BsdRcK0ucrWjIjzZ-osMyyRrSGqtyjG9HYn1-ASnxWLtSKIAGKRLyWVFKspXsbGyTE4Y/s640/IMG_1007.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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This is not our first experience with weird happenings here.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For example,</div>
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the wiring here is so strange.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All the light switches are upside down.</div>
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If the lights are off,</div>
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the switches are in the "up" position.</div>
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And, if you plug anything into the outlet</div>
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on the patio (like the weed whacker),</div>
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the evaporative cooler on the roof turns on </div>
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even though the cooler is turned off at the main box.</div>
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The misting system over the patio is </div>
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hooked up to the sprinkler system so when</div>
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the sprinklers go on,</div>
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the misters turn on.</div>
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What the What?</div>
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<br /></div>
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I've come to refer to the previous owners as</div>
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Mr. and Mrs. Wagnthap.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(We Ain't Got No Time to Hire a Professional)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They must have been a hoot.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think I'll leave it at that for now.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've got a product review with a freebie </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
coming up in the next couple of days</div>
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so be sure to stop by.</div>
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<br /></div>
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xxx-ooo</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Holly</i></b></span></div>
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Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-40183951209145988072013-03-01T03:16:00.002-08:002013-03-01T03:45:25.516-08:00Drug Update<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Thought I’d pop in and give you an update on my drug
situation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
My husband has sleep apnea</div>
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and last night we had a man from
Home Health come over </div>
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to show Brian how to use a CPAP machine.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I had taken my very first muscle relaxer </div>
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about an hour
before he got here.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The man spent about 15 minutes showing us how to </div>
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use the machine and describing
how it worked </div>
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and then looked at me and asked, </div>
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"Do you have any
questions?"<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And I said, "About what?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Brian explained to the man that I was on muscle relaxers </div>
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and
then asked me how I was feeling.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I told him that I thought it was working really well </div>
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because
all of a sudden I felt really pretty.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Then things got awkward and the man left.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9iMYMMiIeACcMcMEcm1Aix6vsbnPO6JBHEZ8XyaLnyfYevmdIZzuGujIcsHyqIrfubWqMkWaiRL-Xobezff4XqgOKGeTVVkKGQ3wDFZNEpfzNMk_aHjDwC5xEhZKrhHAIGG2VJIaOq7w/s1600/Naked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9iMYMMiIeACcMcMEcm1Aix6vsbnPO6JBHEZ8XyaLnyfYevmdIZzuGujIcsHyqIrfubWqMkWaiRL-Xobezff4XqgOKGeTVVkKGQ3wDFZNEpfzNMk_aHjDwC5xEhZKrhHAIGG2VJIaOq7w/s640/Naked.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
xxx-ooo</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Holly</i></b></span></div>
Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-36100368036230015122013-02-28T10:05:00.002-08:002013-02-28T10:05:41.831-08:00I Made Not One but Two Things, and I'm Calling it a Day<div style="text-align: center;">
I haven't started my muscle relaxers yet.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm sure this will disappoint the bloggers </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
who left comments yesterday reminding me to post naked photos.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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You are all kind of sick.</div>
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And I love you too.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Before I pop my first pill </div>
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I wanted to share a couple of things I've been doing.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This drawer has been driving me nuts.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgBgFcYAfSfyntMfyvvrqXVew0MAJyOwTJN502fm3CV_OPHxdQ1tBloeiJeWbNkqV7DYdlVN5g4wzsd030YNgP0xRxAR0_40xHriNCO26wGz8wo8phl08OGAL5GTd_DH_8fWBRXLTAV3M/s1600/IMG_0945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgBgFcYAfSfyntMfyvvrqXVew0MAJyOwTJN502fm3CV_OPHxdQ1tBloeiJeWbNkqV7DYdlVN5g4wzsd030YNgP0xRxAR0_40xHriNCO26wGz8wo8phl08OGAL5GTd_DH_8fWBRXLTAV3M/s640/IMG_0945.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I hate the plastic silverware holders.</div>
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I wanted something a little different</div>
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so I went looking for something I could use for dividers.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The wood I found at Home Depot was more than I wanted to spend.</div>
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I ended up buying 8 yard sticks for 58 cents a piece at Ace.</div>
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I cut them to size and glued two together for each divider.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhg_hGx01j_gTI2DCE4vjPYKkHPZv7J2K1Msh75xb2fio3U_PiySigh8dg-TDUdTlCE4iFvtbS5TKbXSoVMwIukB1bwaYHEgzb8dbMIUBSRH5TUhqkLsJQ7zX6D-93Tk7vsXUJyfoCpY/s1600/IMG_0942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhg_hGx01j_gTI2DCE4vjPYKkHPZv7J2K1Msh75xb2fio3U_PiySigh8dg-TDUdTlCE4iFvtbS5TKbXSoVMwIukB1bwaYHEgzb8dbMIUBSRH5TUhqkLsJQ7zX6D-93Tk7vsXUJyfoCpY/s640/IMG_0942.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I then covered them with the same paper I used for my drawer liners.</div>
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I wedged them in the drawers.</div>
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I didn't want to glue them in</div>
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because I wanted to be able to remove them for cleaning.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOADOKqkTdPyKVn7f9zXivWdzbBcuV8ewN-O-Y3G73EY5sLm16iveLM8bLYOgCEewfwukc1GSkKvFWTUN11kNi7CQjCqJqLFwpXGgUP93L6aPEt8n-ByN2AypupHKsUUbBcEuTJ6608X8/s1600/IMG_0949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOADOKqkTdPyKVn7f9zXivWdzbBcuV8ewN-O-Y3G73EY5sLm16iveLM8bLYOgCEewfwukc1GSkKvFWTUN11kNi7CQjCqJqLFwpXGgUP93L6aPEt8n-ByN2AypupHKsUUbBcEuTJ6608X8/s640/IMG_0949.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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And there you have it.</div>
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I thought that was especially crafty of me.</div>
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I also used the yard sticks to keep my spices </div>
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from sliding around in the drawers.</div>
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These are the spice jars I made from baby food jars.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ypeWpc1CVo_UEifHIufg9hFn8me206_9zSej4XdLKzKmtwJbHneJguiKloLp58QNUf_7w2ovg1qm2Bsxha2exLvL6JKcCv_5y7Hzi5UAVbp0p5gtnZ9V2C8RsDC3EejDuVBnsWOAv4k/s1600/IMG_0950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ypeWpc1CVo_UEifHIufg9hFn8me206_9zSej4XdLKzKmtwJbHneJguiKloLp58QNUf_7w2ovg1qm2Bsxha2exLvL6JKcCv_5y7Hzi5UAVbp0p5gtnZ9V2C8RsDC3EejDuVBnsWOAv4k/s640/IMG_0950.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I know many of you are probably tired of hearing about my garden</div>
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but I was so excited to see these this morning.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DjF6i4Ai6iVQUKt4yWMQ17X4fAN56E5yfTgqP0yA6jA1y1pTdQ1oAAaw8lGSse1wdUL9mTO4hwqKkvDj6QVqHlvInLha1xmo6uOxGK2iBDpY6hW3DaQUlwrgzKsnu-8Xyh74jgbY-YA/s1600/IMG_0947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DjF6i4Ai6iVQUKt4yWMQ17X4fAN56E5yfTgqP0yA6jA1y1pTdQ1oAAaw8lGSse1wdUL9mTO4hwqKkvDj6QVqHlvInLha1xmo6uOxGK2iBDpY6hW3DaQUlwrgzKsnu-8Xyh74jgbY-YA/s640/IMG_0947.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Real live Tamaters!!</div>
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I'm growing food.</div>
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Edible food.</div>
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That's very exciting.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It's like being pregnant and growing a baby</div>
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but even better because you can't eat your baby.</div>
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Unless you're a hamster.</div>
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Don't be a hamster.</div>
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<br /></div>
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No, really, I haven't taken a pill yet.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Having green chili cheeseburgers tonight for dinner</div>
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so I grilled these puppies.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZRGST1qBCcioxKvv6liNS4SQYgVK6Rc3VQb5xEejY_F-XIENEkXhukCbLN13d6vpBVb2VNSiN1cakSbUY8e6AeQ7ABCEUSo_QuMu1_eFmmlGTWk80J2WucaHeHfx_iD9zIxicrx0ADg/s1600/IMG_0939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZRGST1qBCcioxKvv6liNS4SQYgVK6Rc3VQb5xEejY_F-XIENEkXhukCbLN13d6vpBVb2VNSiN1cakSbUY8e6AeQ7ABCEUSo_QuMu1_eFmmlGTWk80J2WucaHeHfx_iD9zIxicrx0ADg/s640/IMG_0939.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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So that's it.</div>
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Going to take a pill now.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I'll post again soon but if you see a video on my next post (Ashley)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
please don't open it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Friends don't let Friends post naked.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
xxxooo</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Holly</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-44206391453626456962013-02-27T16:07:00.001-08:002013-02-27T16:07:55.450-08:00My Sky Diving Injury<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Know what’s awesome?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Know what else is awesome?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Diet Coke.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Know what else?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Me drinking Diet Coke.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That has nothing to do with anything.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have an appointment for my yearly mammogram<o:p></o:p></div>
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but I had to go to the doctor for my breast exam first.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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That’s fun.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I always feel the need to apologize to the doctor for my
lumpy breasts.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That’s weird, right?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I mean it’s not my fault I have bumps and lumps and stuff in
there.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I honestly don’t know how he can tell what he’s feeling in
there anyway.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It’s kinda like frisking the comforter to try to find your
panties<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
in your bed after you've already made it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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Or something like that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
That doesn't have anything to do with anything either.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
So, I went to the doctor and told him that I had injured my arms gardening.<br />
He thought it was probably my neck causing my arm pain.<br />
So he did an xray and sent me to Sports Medicine.<br />
And know what?<br />
<br />
Apparently,<br />
I fractured my neck.<br />
No need to read that again,<br />
I'll repeat it.<br />
<br />
I fractured my neck!!<br />
<br />
I have two stress fractures in my neck.<br />
And the worse part is<br />
I was supposed to meet <a href="http://joannegooding.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jo</a> for lunch tomorrow<br />
and now I have to cancel<br />
because I'm on muscle relaxers<br />
and I can't drive<br />
and now I can't eat salad and drink Diet Coke with Jo<br />
and make fun of her for another two weeks.<br />
<br />
If you know Jo,<br />
that's a long time to go without making fun of her.<br />
<br />
Jo says I should tell you all that I injured my neck sky diving,<br />
not gardening.<br />
But I'm not ashamed.<br />
Gardening is dangerous work.<br />
Dirt is heavy.<br />
And so is steer poop.<br />
<br />
So that's enough of that.<br />
Let's look at some pretty flowers.</div>
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I bought some tulips and planted them in a <o:p></o:p></div>
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Goodwill container yesterday.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tulips are my favorite flower.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In case you wanted to send me flowers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrN_5OZgDC1DaEimyuOn3TiewjkP-aBbsvnQ4kLuPF8rBvtmKaluWM0iwebTdbI_1u96Y6prN91CbyvnrZ3I0gUOjQdsAL7iehe1ccB_z5xCVljtdpW66SBAMJp7JqjYMZEK9fff4Nnk/s1600/IMG_0914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrN_5OZgDC1DaEimyuOn3TiewjkP-aBbsvnQ4kLuPF8rBvtmKaluWM0iwebTdbI_1u96Y6prN91CbyvnrZ3I0gUOjQdsAL7iehe1ccB_z5xCVljtdpW66SBAMJp7JqjYMZEK9fff4Nnk/s640/IMG_0914.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
Some people don't like to send flowers<br />
so I thought I'd let you know that I like Milk Duds and Lasagna too<br />
in case you want to send either of those.<br />
<br />
I will start taking the muscle relaxers tomorrow<br />
and I can't tell you what will happen on this blog<br />
for the next few days.<br />
<br />
I may forget I have a blog or I may post naked pictures of myself<br />
if the muscle relaxers are really good.<br />
Let's just go with it and see what happens.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>xxxooo</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Holly</i></b></span><br />
<br /></div>
Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-65903968014633191682013-02-25T09:30:00.000-08:002013-02-25T09:30:09.083-08:00Internet Constipation<div style="text-align: center;">
Have you ever lost all the plumbing in your house</div>
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and your couldn't use your toilet for 2 weeks?</div>
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And all your neighbors left town</div>
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and you couldn't borrow their bathrooms?</div>
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And all the gas stations within a 6 mile radius closed shop</div>
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and there were no public restrooms?</div>
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Yeah.</div>
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Losing my computer for two weeks felt a little like that.</div>
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Like holding a virtual bowel movement for two weeks.</div>
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My apologies to all hurricane survivors who</div>
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have lost both your toilets and your Internet.</div>
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I see the seriousness of this now.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I finally got my computer back from the hospital</div>
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and so far she seems to have recovered nicely.</div>
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Strangely enough,</div>
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I really don't have anything interesting to post today.</div>
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I've kept myself busy working in the yard a bit.</div>
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The garden is coming along nicely.</div>
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I have romaine and butter lettuce popping up.</div>
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My tomato and pepper plants are growing slowly but surely.</div>
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No sign of the melons, corn, carrots, potatoes or onions yet.</div>
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The strawberries are looking good so far though.</div>
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I was able to get some flowers planted.</div>
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I love my potting bench and use it everyday.</div>
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I'm seeing signs of spring with the new growth on my favorite tree</div>
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outside my kitchen window.</div>
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We spend a lot of time out here just relaxing and </div>
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also eating dinner when it's not too chilly out.</div>
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We have been grilling something almost every night.</div>
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I think my herb garden survived the cold mornings.</div>
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I'm going to play catch up on some blogs but I know I missed a lot.</div>
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If I have missed anything earth shattering,</div>
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please let me know.</div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>xxxooo</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Holly</i></b></span></div>
Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-91666828380704176112013-02-22T11:42:00.000-08:002013-02-22T11:42:21.313-08:00Can You Hear Me Now?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 WEEKS!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have been without a computer for two weeks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I finally got her back today and just wanted to post a quick update</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">to say I'm sorry I haven't been visiting or commenting on any of your blogs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'll be back soon with a post.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Missed Ya'll!!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Holly</i></b></span></div>
Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-53653863021793962812013-02-08T04:55:00.000-08:002013-02-08T04:55:08.525-08:00I Done Did It This Time<div style="text-align: center;">
Where to Begin?</div>
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Weird week!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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I continued to work on getting the garden ready for planting.</div>
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This entailed much tilling, shoveling, mixing manure and compost,</div>
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more tilling, more shoveling, laying brick borders, and raking.</div>
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I kinda feel like this about my garden right now.</div>
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However, in the process of doing all that,</div>
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I screwed up my elbow.</div>
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Like, seriously, messed it up.</div>
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I've been unable to open and close my right hand.</div>
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I've had throbbing elbow pain</div>
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which radiates up into my neck and down to my thumb.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I'm now in a sling and wearing a brace on my elbow.</div>
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I'm told I have to keep my arm immobile for several days.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Which means I can't cook.</div>
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I can't drive.</div>
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I can't wash my hair properly.</div>
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And I complain incessantly.</div>
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In other words,</div>
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I'm a joy to be with right now.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I took my sling off to type this post, shhhhhh,</div>
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because neither snow, nor rain, nor heat,</div>
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nor gloom of night shall keep me from my duty</div>
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of sharing my life with you.</div>
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It's THAT important!</div>
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<br /></div>
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You're welcome.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
My daughter, Katie, is a strange bird.</div>
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She's prone to become dramatic over small things</div>
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like the common cold and </div>
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running out of Mango juice.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxyzwB2rLaT9c6n34ZpDG-zz4Susql4js_JVr55VAl8UUnEueOjszsvGHOAETZliNU9x2-j4vrfvg-NTyLogPd5wxZ1zHDdaGhjJ-ZM7Busbx4P8z1EnyHV9xU99D6rVj_sCOM1rg5Hw/s1600/5509fb7ad8ef49be928d7cfba404f03f_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxyzwB2rLaT9c6n34ZpDG-zz4Susql4js_JVr55VAl8UUnEueOjszsvGHOAETZliNU9x2-j4vrfvg-NTyLogPd5wxZ1zHDdaGhjJ-ZM7Busbx4P8z1EnyHV9xU99D6rVj_sCOM1rg5Hw/s400/5509fb7ad8ef49be928d7cfba404f03f_7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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However,</div>
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major occurrences are drama free.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Here's the text I received from her on Wednesday.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mMebI5-MsSM12rmdf-f6arPQHjAXD0RrhPJS2DcXzsiOEE6w320k5XxJcAWcx56EqMHS7F55e8BR_uL0rZ9qJxHqCt5P74cTvnIg9_oPqnngiG3bq88WD6OHMD1tmvCI6BCChCPwjvM/s1600/IMG_0841.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mMebI5-MsSM12rmdf-f6arPQHjAXD0RrhPJS2DcXzsiOEE6w320k5XxJcAWcx56EqMHS7F55e8BR_uL0rZ9qJxHqCt5P74cTvnIg9_oPqnngiG3bq88WD6OHMD1tmvCI6BCChCPwjvM/s640/IMG_0841.PNG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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Yes, her house caught on fire.</div>
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And she sent me a text to tell me.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What in the world is wrong with our young people?</div>
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You don't text your mother to tell her your house is on fire.</div>
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<br /></div>
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She's staying here with us until an electrician</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
can get in and fix everything.</div>
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She brought her 2 cats.</div>
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Having 3 cats in the house is fun.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fun, as in interesting.</div>
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Interesting, as in, I hope they don't kill each other.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Have a great weekend!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>xxx-ooo</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Holly</i></b></span></div>
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<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-42545441212875074632013-02-03T09:37:00.005-08:002013-02-03T09:40:45.698-08:00Messy Yard<div style="text-align: center;">
Things are sure messy around here right now.</div>
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With the freezing temps we had a couple of weeks ago,</div>
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most everything is brown and crispy.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The days are starting to warm up and</div>
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Brian and I have decided to start a vegetable garden</div>
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on the west side of the house.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We were lucky to have a raised bed</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in that space already.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We went crazy with the rototiller yesterday</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the soil is very rich and easy to turn.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXbHMdzUD-mmuCYXVUA_6ihl46TCWxhXfRS2WnUApP5vTYh04np-CBhKjmEe0ZAcpWM1c-4AMt0ZnfPYmK13GmuJjuuTZmdC8CH42WaLRWdwrCPEAvsQ5jMSvlgGia4JukllFA0QzCig/s1600/IMG_0833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXbHMdzUD-mmuCYXVUA_6ihl46TCWxhXfRS2WnUApP5vTYh04np-CBhKjmEe0ZAcpWM1c-4AMt0ZnfPYmK13GmuJjuuTZmdC8CH42WaLRWdwrCPEAvsQ5jMSvlgGia4JukllFA0QzCig/s640/IMG_0833.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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We now need to pull out some of the existing soil</div>
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and mix in some manure and compost.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We are planting:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Strawberries</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Corn</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lettuce</div>
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Tomatoes</div>
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Green Onions</div>
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Yellow Onions</div>
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Red Potatoes</div>
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Gold Potatoes</div>
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Carrots</div>
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Watermelon</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and Cantaloupe.</div>
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<br /></div>
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That sounds like a lot for such a small space </div>
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but we are not planning on plating a lot of each.</div>
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It's trial and error for us.</div>
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We'll just see how it goes.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Does this look like the worst</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Valentine Banner in the world?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiP7TFYSqaYogySW2HQT_RLjh3jzilzrC84qoJZnyxnl3io1bT5C6J-Zc95QcACW7F7EUxTdM0nxHDPP-02cTJCSD7FNHXSFFEs9_Gkytaj8YsVBO5G2fshZfl0nO3i8haKGgMlfVNxQ8/s1600/IMG_0829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiP7TFYSqaYogySW2HQT_RLjh3jzilzrC84qoJZnyxnl3io1bT5C6J-Zc95QcACW7F7EUxTdM0nxHDPP-02cTJCSD7FNHXSFFEs9_Gkytaj8YsVBO5G2fshZfl0nO3i8haKGgMlfVNxQ8/s640/IMG_0829.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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That's because it's not actually a banner.</div>
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These are seed mats that I made and</div>
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I have them drying in the guest room.</div>
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I made seed mats for our carrots and green onions.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDqwc1zMAj0SdiBdhMnofF9nwILVWTEc0GMs3inBERk3MdyMDuz1yneR7v-7-w2BNbK7C_HxrkFKJ1qgeXBMZRjqBjeXA23TxwA0TleOHH2_yQsk1XZNsoys0SDyj0HsGycMokjfLkco/s1600/IMG_0828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDqwc1zMAj0SdiBdhMnofF9nwILVWTEc0GMs3inBERk3MdyMDuz1yneR7v-7-w2BNbK7C_HxrkFKJ1qgeXBMZRjqBjeXA23TxwA0TleOHH2_yQsk1XZNsoys0SDyj0HsGycMokjfLkco/s640/IMG_0828.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I used a napkins,</div>
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A sharpie,</div>
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a ruler,</div>
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and Elmer's glue.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can read about these <a href="http://annieskitchengarden.blogspot.com/2009/09/september-22-2009-home-made-seed-mat.html" target="_blank">here</a> or <a href="http://hickeryhollerfarm.blogspot.com/2012/03/making-seed-mats_12.html" target="_blank">here.</a></div>
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Next week I will be laying my seed mats in the garden</div>
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and waiting for our veggies to pop up in rows.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Here are those things I told you about in my last post.</div>
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They are growing like crazy but I still don't have flowers</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so I'm not sure what they are yet.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGrtiVcbYBMKVu7ioBUFk6ZdOnZp7fKecjvmx_8T8Oo86rO3Tgd0a5LFOMa__w3gV56hMur-FsLemoFRLu73haQHcorZh5HF5BfrzdPr-yWviPoUlaBwA25ZQoHuVTPRiybTSvVxtHv8/s1600/IMG_0832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGrtiVcbYBMKVu7ioBUFk6ZdOnZp7fKecjvmx_8T8Oo86rO3Tgd0a5LFOMa__w3gV56hMur-FsLemoFRLu73haQHcorZh5HF5BfrzdPr-yWviPoUlaBwA25ZQoHuVTPRiybTSvVxtHv8/s640/IMG_0832.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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On the east side of the house</div>
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we have a garden shed for our yard tools</div>
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and two flower beds.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HyDcfii1RItc-Z5vkhD0CilJnZDKCcveEcHVcQtYf3qwKKy13AgFJEen1Bij9sr5kE4ST9Q_XpQGDXvOADwrY_XCKDPZFNRBck-vkeCUOcXQVuAedBGO_2VXAUU5alaVS1QXoU-K31c/s1600/IMG_0834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HyDcfii1RItc-Z5vkhD0CilJnZDKCcveEcHVcQtYf3qwKKy13AgFJEen1Bij9sr5kE4ST9Q_XpQGDXvOADwrY_XCKDPZFNRBck-vkeCUOcXQVuAedBGO_2VXAUU5alaVS1QXoU-K31c/s640/IMG_0834.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I just sprinkled some wildflower seeds in</div>
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with the existing plants and am excited </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to see what pops up.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Well, off to work on the garden then</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
get ready to head to the bar with friends</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to watch the commercials.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>xxx-ooo</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Holly</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3444752039284596027.post-60375688974877397872013-01-25T13:26:00.000-08:002013-01-25T13:26:14.272-08:00And the Time Staaaarts....Now!<div style="text-align: center;">
Let's play a riveting game that I like to call</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"What the Ding Dang is That?".</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Actually,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it's not a game at all.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I just need to know what the Ding Dang these things are.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWq3X9oSTiMxi9WiPlcOKsp28NwwN5NCBjYSruy5m_Xf7QDnNGYyJP2E0GfR695yaKL8WOEL9kFDGngP0UvmL4CuiUjT2MHnyE6i8mfG5KCGBk5dk4NPvlxb2WCCWsq6t9S3YZdg-4tr0/s1600/IMG_0816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWq3X9oSTiMxi9WiPlcOKsp28NwwN5NCBjYSruy5m_Xf7QDnNGYyJP2E0GfR695yaKL8WOEL9kFDGngP0UvmL4CuiUjT2MHnyE6i8mfG5KCGBk5dk4NPvlxb2WCCWsq6t9S3YZdg-4tr0/s640/IMG_0816.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I see them everywhere under trees</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in parking lots around here.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I always stop to pick them up </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and throw some in my purse because they are lucky.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
OK, I have no idea if they are lucky</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but I do give them to random strangers and tell them that they are lucky.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At first I thought they were olives</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
since we have so many olive trees here in Arizona</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but I Googled them and can't find them.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Before they fall off the tree</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they are wearing these little hats.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9phW6xBPTEQaDq1BE7PEK2A4cFXoHeRyaM88BgHYIS6oMK4FRVefJu9G8ZiMa0DAYEXIfE5xglxolEzYlG1JYZ8jCFe5CmYO3IrK3Ze7SSaM_g69coRfDa3sk6iPLfe5jUPZmwz1LSkQ/s1600/IMG_0817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9phW6xBPTEQaDq1BE7PEK2A4cFXoHeRyaM88BgHYIS6oMK4FRVefJu9G8ZiMa0DAYEXIfE5xglxolEzYlG1JYZ8jCFe5CmYO3IrK3Ze7SSaM_g69coRfDa3sk6iPLfe5jUPZmwz1LSkQ/s640/IMG_0817.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just like little acorns but the trees are</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
definitely not oak trees.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yesterday when <a href="http://joannegooding.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jo</a> and I</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
were out gallivanting and not getting into any trouble whatsoever,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
especially the kind that involved staring down DPS officers,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we found some of these and like the good friend that she is,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she helped me pick them off the ground</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and throw them in a bag.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Two grown women,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sitting on a curb in a parking lot,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in the rain,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
picking up these doohickeys.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's friendship right there.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ok, the game is not done.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There's more stuff I don't know.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You're shocked, right?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See this here plant?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3zh7cnNf3DczChlA_XVu3fDlPiC0JIHl_LigUG-hETxIQEhgnyUnVfkwbgzE2k7A4VxnePZgbND3lhFbtr7eVzdNLPoH5F6m5ChEDGM9h8T8pVMzaBkFpGWWFCdKZHmCrY9iN0H2wLY/s1600/IMG_0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3zh7cnNf3DczChlA_XVu3fDlPiC0JIHl_LigUG-hETxIQEhgnyUnVfkwbgzE2k7A4VxnePZgbND3lhFbtr7eVzdNLPoH5F6m5ChEDGM9h8T8pVMzaBkFpGWWFCdKZHmCrY9iN0H2wLY/s640/IMG_0815.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't know what that is either.<br />
It wasn't there last week then all of a sudden<br />
it popped up out of the ground.<br />
There are 6 of them.<br />
<br />
We just moved in to this house<br />
so I have no idea what's in the ground right now.<br />
Stuff is popping up and it's scaring me<br />
because I kill stuff<br />
and I don't want to kill stuff anymore.<br />
<br />
Since I moved into this house,<br />
I have turned over a new leaf<br />
and I no longer wish to murder plants and such.<br />
<br />
Please help me to identify these things.<br />
I would love to tell you that there is an amazing prize<br />
for the winner,<br />
but there's not.<br />
<br />
You got that?<br />
No prizes.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>xxx-ooo</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Holly</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01117516918233682323noreply@blogger.com14