tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-913606243252257982024-02-19T06:15:03.587-06:00Tales of a Traveling MomFranceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14888258794276077956noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91360624325225798.post-44763742461848334582013-03-11T23:31:00.001-05:002013-03-11T23:31:16.107-05:00Day One of a New LifeYes, I have lived a day without cheese.<br />
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I wasn't certain that it was possible, but I did it... and honestly, it wasn't so bad. <br />
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I woke up this morning with a dedication to a new lifestyle... not a diet. And no, I wasn't perfect, but as I near the end of my day, I am pretty content with myself. The positive is that my Peanut is home this week and she is eating what I am eating. We need to nip her eating habit now, before she has a lifelong battle with her weight like her parents do.<br />
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That being said, here is what we ate:<br />
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Breakfast: 2 egg whites and 1 egg - scrambled and 2 slices of bacon. Plus a cup and a half of grapefruit. (It is spring break, and we slept late, so we had a late breakfast)<br />
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Snack for me: banana<br />
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Snack for the Peanut - yogurt covered pretzels (I had about 7 of them myself)<br />
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Supper: spinach, strawberry and blueberry salad. (This is big... my kid actually ate spinach!!)<br />
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1/2 marinated pork chop<br />
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Snack - homemade granola - recipe to follow. Probably had 2 cups--- delish!!<br />
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I had one sweet tea, 2 diet cokes and water/crystal light. This is big... not just the only 1 sweet tea, but the only 2 diet cokes!! I've been in the bathroom all day!!<br />
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All in all, it was a good day. I weighed myself this morning, so I have a good starting point. Maybe tomorrow I will do pictures or measurements.<br />
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Now... the granola recipe...<br />
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I got this from Betsy Karetnick, who used to do the morning show on Martha Stewart Radio.<br />
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1/3 cup Maple Syrup (I use sugar free)<br />
1/3 cup vegetable oil (I use extra light olive oil)<br />
1/3 cup honey (I use honey :-) )<br />
4 cups old fashion rolled oats (Today, I used 1 cup oats and 5 cups corn chex in an effort to use less gluten)<br />
cinnamon<br />
nutmeg<br />
clove ( I use cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice)<br />
salt<br />
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Now the fun stuff.... nuts, dried fruit, whatever you like. I just pull out whatever I have in the cabinet. today I included pistachios, almonds and sunflower seeds. <br />
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Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine the syrup, oil and honey in a saucepan and bring to a boil. I add the spices into this mixture. In a large bowl, combine your oats and other ingredients. Pour the syrup/honey/oil mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well. Pour onto a cookie sheet and bake for 40 minutes. Let cool and dig in!! Its delicious and addictive.<br />
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So... a good day... time with my little one, some work around the house, got my sewing machine out of the shop, and didn't pig out. Let's call it a success!!<br />
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Until next time....<br />
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<br />Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14888258794276077956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91360624325225798.post-21683431706760837512013-03-11T00:35:00.000-05:002013-03-11T00:35:29.417-05:00Beginnings...I am reading two books right now. I NEVER read two books at the same time, but I am now. A couple of trips ago, I bought "The Happiness Project" in paperback so I would have something to read until we reached 10,000 feet on the airplane. It's a great book, and something that I can relate to. The author is someone who wasn't unhappy, but wanted to find a deeper and greater happiness. I get that.<a href="http://www.happiness-project.com/books/the-happiness-project/about-the-book/"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="400" src="http://www.happiness-project.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/THP_Happiness1.png" title="THP Cover" width="400" /></a><br />
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Gretchen Rubin tackles a different area of her life and happiness each month. For April, she suggests writing a blog. She talks about her blog and how it opened her creativity. So... here I am! I need to figure out a way to find 15 minutes a day to blog. It is something that I enjoy, and feel oddly creative when I do it, even if I am not blogging about something creative.<br />
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On my iPad, I am reading, "Ada's Rules". This isn't really one of my normal reads, but it is set in Nashville and it is about someone trying to lose weight... again... things I relate to. "Ada" is approaching 50, very overweight, unsatisfied with her marraige, and preparing to go to a college reunion where she will see "the one that got away." She has a lot on her plate between being the "first lady" of her church, running a daycare, and taking care of aged parents. While I don't have all the same issues that she does, I certainly relate to her lack of free time to concentrate on herself and her need/desire to lose weight. <img class="photo" src="http://www.adasrules.com/img/AdasRules-cover.jpg" /><br />
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She has a series of rules, like "Drink 8 glasses of water a day" and "walk 30 minutes a day, every day." Another of her rules is to keep a food and body journal. <br />
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My idea is to combine the two "rules" right here. I can blog everyday about what I am eating and if I am moving. It is going to make me accountable... even if no one is reading. I will post before and after pictures. I might even post measurements... I have to think about that one. <br />
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This all plays into my need to be "Authentic" this year! So.... stay tuned... I am going to get happier and skinny, right here before your very eyes!! Oh, and I will post some crafts, recipes, tales from the road and more. <br />
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Until next time....Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14888258794276077956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91360624325225798.post-84773586632462697122013-01-27T22:50:00.001-06:002013-01-27T22:50:37.269-06:00New Year... well, sort of...Another year has come and gone, leaving behind successes and regrets. As I look back on 2012, I am happy with many of the new projects and adventures that I have started with my sewing business, and I am pleased with the job that I did at the CVB. I am blessed to have two beautiful girls who are healthy, happy and well adjusted. I have a husband who loves me, a job that I find rewarding and a beautiful home to live in. <br />
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All that being said, somehow I still feel somewhat unfulfilled. I haven't lost the weight that I want to lose. I haven't put my house in order as much as I would like to. I travel too much. I don't have enough hours in the day to do everything that I want to do. It is time for me to refocus, plan and do things differently.<br />
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This year, 2013, is going to be the year for change. My word for the year is AUTHENTIC. I want to live an AUTHENTIC life. I want to know that I am being true to everyone, but mainly to myself. I am not saying that to suggest that I have been dishonest, but I haven't always been AUTHENTIC. I haven't said what I've wanted to say and done what I've wanted to do. <br />
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Tomorrow is the first day of change... yes, I know that I am nearly a month late on the new year. My travels have overwhelmed me this month, so now is the time. Tomorrow, I will really start changing our eating habits, not just mine, but also my girls. I will start to exercise regularly. I am going to schedule my time better, so I can do the things that I NEED to do, as well as the things that I WANT to do. I am going to learn to say no... even to myself. I am going to try to travel less and spend more time at home. <br />
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This blog is going to be my outlet. It might be crafting, cooking, sewing, parenting... or just ranting! So.... hold on for the ride... it's time for CHANGE!!Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14888258794276077956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91360624325225798.post-29628325239622141782012-02-21T10:00:00.000-06:002012-02-21T19:25:42.181-06:00Valentine Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Valentine's Day in Blogland has inspired me to do some fun projects with the Pnut. I saw this blog with the "Love Blossom Tree" and I thought... I can do that! You can see the blog <a href="http://www.meetthedubiens.com/2011/02/love-blossom-tree.html" target="_blank">here.</a> So, at the first free moment, the Pnut and I headed for the craft room. She was clearly thrilled to get to play with paint and hang out with her mom!</div>
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Look at the joy on this kids face!</div>
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Brown paint on the hand and arm.</div>
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Pink and red thumbprints for the leaves. So cute! We made one that I framed for my mantel, gave one to Nana Jo and sent one to Aunt Connie. Why not share the joy, right?!?</div>
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I also saw several different versions of personalized Valentine's for the kids to exchange at school. So, we pulled out the camera and had a little photo shoot.</div>
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Cheese!!</div>
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My personal fave...</div>
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And since this kid has never met a camera that she didn't like... she started coming up with her own poses and jumps. Please disregard the basket of laundry between her legs!</div>
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The final products.</div>
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So cute!</div>
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And this is my personal favorite. It definitely shows her personality!</div>
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We did her cards at the end of January, on a day that I had some extra free time (trust me, that doesn't happen often!) She was so excited about taking them to school, it just about killed her to wait two weeks till Valentine's Day.</div>
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Now, you might ask the question... isn't there another child in this household?? Why, yes there is, but she is 13. For those of you with teenagers, that explains everything. She is far too cool to be involved in crafting or cooking with her mom. That would mean that she would have to leave her bedroom, put down her phone or take her earbuds out of her ears. She did, however, have a Valentine's dance last Thursday. Mom was cool enough to be in charge of curling hair and driving to the dance.</div>
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Isn't she beautiful??</div>
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Of course, her best friend came over to get ready with her.</div>
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Let me tell you about the deal I got on this dress!! I'll forgo the details, but tell you that I bought it at Macy's and it cost $8.25 including tax!! Yep, I am a bargain shopper!</div>
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Well, Valentine's day is over. The stuff is put away and I am working on some cute decorations for St. Pat's! This is fun!</div>
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Until next time,</div>
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Frances</div>Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14888258794276077956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91360624325225798.post-86024238898507120662012-02-20T07:59:00.000-06:002012-02-20T07:59:21.332-06:00Our Valentine's Day TreatI have been having such a good time in blogland. I follow so many blogs and am getting so many great ideas. I'll show you some of the projects soon. The Pnut and I are having a good time doing things together. <br />
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I found this blog about a Guilt Free Valentine's Cupcake. You can see it <a href="http://www.madincrafts.com/2012/02/guilt-free-valentines-cupcakes.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MadInCrafts+%28mad+in+crafts%29&utm_content=Google+Reader" target="_blank">here.</a> Very simply, you take a strawberry cake mix and mix it with 12 oz. of diet lemon/lime soda. Sounds good and easy, right? Well, off to the grocery store that I go, ready to get my cake on. When I got there, I realized that I would much rather make it with a sugar free cake mix, because hubby is diabetic. So I grabbed a sugar free Devils Food cake mix. Now, somehow mixing that with a lemon/lime soda didn't sound too appealing....<br />
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<img alt="Pillsbury Moist Supreme Sugar Free Devil's Food Cake Mix, 16 oz. (Pack of 6)" border="0" class="prod_image_selector" height="300" id="prodImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31XiMeuSjGL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" width="300" /><br />
So what do do?? Being from the South, I've heard about Coca Cola cake all my life, so the logical choice was....<br />
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<img alt="Image Detail" height="320" id="main-img" src="http://1to10reviews.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/diet_coke_can.jpg" title="... dare me to go without diet coke for 5 days she recently tried" width="320" /><br />
It was as easy as that. Mix the cake mix with 12 oz. of diet coke! Yum!!<br />
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We mixed it up and but the batter on a cookie sheet... I had a plan, you see! Once the cake cooled, The Pnut and her sleepover buddy used heart shaped cookie cutters to cut out the cake.<br />
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We cut out two different sizes of hearts. </div>
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Yum!! The crumbs were the reward for cutting out the hearts!</div>
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On Valentine's Day, we added a little red food coloring to some Fat Free Cool whip.</div>
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Then we assembled our chocolatey goodness!</div>
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The Pnut looks delirious with Valentine's delight!</div>
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The final product... with pink Cool Whip, some red sugar sprinkles and a Conversation Heart. </div>
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It was delicious, sugar free, and low calorie. By my best estimation, each helping was about 100 yummy calories. Definitely something we will do again. </div>
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I'm looking for more low calorie, sugar free, tasty treats... do you know of any?? Please share if you do.</div>
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Valentine's recap coming soon...</div>
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Until next time, </div>
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Frances</div>
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<br /></div>Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14888258794276077956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91360624325225798.post-79751820053424199682012-02-19T23:44:00.000-06:002012-02-19T23:44:30.197-06:0025 Things1. I love sweet tea, but I am trying to give it up! I haven't had one since Thursday!<br />
2. I am more committed than I have ever been to losing this weight. I WILL do it this time!<br />
3. I have the greatest friends in the world. They love me for who I am.<br />
4. I have a sad addiction to reality TV. Dance Moms, Real Housewives, The Voice, you name it, I love it. NO Survivor though, that is where I draw the line!<br />
5. Swamp People makes me laugh out loud. "Shoot em Lizabeth!"<br />
6. I have a great job that I really enjoy.<br />
7. I have been to all but 13 states. <br />
8. I was in an airplane in the air on 9/11/01 when the planes were crashing into buildings. I refer to it as my "near death experience."<br />
9. I live in my dream house but can't keep it clean!<br />
10. I miss my mom and dad more than I can put into words. Every day. <br />
11. My biggest fear is losing one of my children.<br />
12. Everyone thinks that "Pnut" acts just like me, but the reality is that "the Big One" is far more like I was at her age.<br />
13. Nothing makes me happier than seeing things through the Pnut's eyes. She finds joy in the little things.<br />
14. I am adopted. I wonder about my birth parents, but I am too afraid to look for them.<br />
15. I love to spend time in my craft room... even if it is just a few minutes.<br />
16. My husband is my best friend. I hope that never changes.<br />
17. I want to learn how to quilt.<br />
18. I love living in the South. I love the culture, the people, the food (in moderation :-)) I can't imagine living anywhere else.<br />
19. The best thing that I have ever done was to become a mom. I love my girls more than anything. I would love to have another, but I guess that is not in the cards for me.<br />
20. I love my church.<br />
21. I really don't like to work out, but I try to do it several times a week anyway.<br />
22. My aunt has become one of my closest friends. I don't think I could have gotten through my mom's death without her.<br />
23. I love to read. I especially love books that are set in the South.<br />
24. I have done two mission trips to Mexico. They changed my life.<br />
25. Most important, me and Jesus are tight. I am blessed beyond belief and feel so fortunate to know the Grace of God!<br />
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I have seen several of these on other blogs and thought it was a great way to share some blurbs about myself. Plus, my hubs isn't feeling well and went to bed early. My camera cord is in the bedroom and I don't want to wake him to get it!<br />
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Until next time, <br />
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FrancesFranceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14888258794276077956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91360624325225798.post-40393550586976487122012-01-26T21:15:00.001-06:002012-01-26T21:15:05.310-06:00My Weight Loss WonderlandWelcome to my Weight Loss Wonderland! LOL, if I am trying to convince myself that if I call it something fun, it will be fun!! Anyway, I mentioned in my last posting that my husband and I have been losing weight since last July. He is at his goal. I'm not even close. My goal is to lose 75 pounds this year. What that really means is that I would like to lose 75 pounds next week and that it will drop off quickly and be fun to do!<br />
<img alt="" aria-busy="true" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowboxCaption" class="spotlight" height="240" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/385411_3048057520933_1248036365_33342398_2114116741_n.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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This is my before....<br />
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<img alt="" aria-busy="true" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowboxCaption" class="spotlight" height="320" src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/393752_3048065801140_1248036365_33342403_1572299209_n.jpg" width="240" /><br />
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This is after the first 50 pounds. <br />
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I took new "before pictures" on Sunday... but I am not emotionally ready to share them yet!!<br />
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Now, being a girl who has struggled with her weight all her life, I know that it is going to take time and it probably isn't going to be as much fun as eating pizza and watching movies, but I also know that I have to do it. So, what's my plan?? <br />
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Well there are several parts of my plan. First, I have a fantastic app... My Fitness Pal. It looks like this...<br />
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<a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/#mfpeasy_video" id="mfpeasy_video_link" jquery1610042857980110020955="17"><img height="240" src="http://assets-cdn.myfitnesspal.com/videos/mfpeasy/FirstFrame2_comp.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/#mfpeasy_video">http://www.myfitnesspal.com/#mfpeasy_video</a><br />
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It has made it very easy to keep up with the number of calories that I take in each day. Because I travel so much, I am forced to eat out a lot. This is the best tool that I have found for making good choices when I eat out.<br />
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Next, I am using products from the Cinch system with Shaklee. <br />
<img height="200" src="http://images.shaklee.com/library/ChocolateShake_lo_rez.jpg" style="-ms-interpolation-mode: nearest-neighbor;" width="142" /><br />
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I have one of these shakes, mixed with Chocolate Almond Milk in the morning, most days. This system is proven to help you lose weight while maintaining your muscle mass. And... it tastes yummy!! I also have the vanilla shake mixed with fruit. If you want more information about the Cinch shakes, click <a href="http://www.fmanzitto.myshaklee.com/" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
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They also have great meal bars and energy teas. I attribute a good deal of my success to the supplements that I take every day! Shaklee is good stuff!<br />
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And my last, and newest part of my Wonderland. For my birthday, hubby bought me 12 sessions with a personal trainer at our local gym. I liked it, but for the last 4 or 5 months, life has gotten so busy that unless I go to the gym at 5am, I just don't have time to go. And, let's be clear, I am NOT going at 5am.<br />
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A few days ago, hubby tells me that he watched an informercial about Tony Horton's 10 Minute Trainer.<br />
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<img alt="Tony Horton creator of 10-Minute Trainer workout" src="http://www.beachbody.com/images/beachbody/en_us/products/programs/10minutetrainer/tmt-seo/p1-product.jpg" /><br />
He thought that it might be something that I would like, since each workout is only 10 minutes and I can do it from home. He bought it for me and I got it last Friday. I started the workouts on Sunday. I try to do 3 of the 10 minute workouts every day. Some days I can only get 2 of them done. Now... here is the good news... after 4 workouts, I have already lost 1/2 inch in my waist! DID YOU HEAR ME??? 4 workout!!! 1/2 inch!!! Very motivating.<br />
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I try not to let the scale get me down. It seems like when the scale doesn't move, my clothes seem to get bigger, and when my clothes don't change, the scales move. Still, being the person that I am, I step on it every day.... multiple times.<br />
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So.... that's what I am doing. I will share some Cinch recipes from time to time and give you updates.<br />
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To my other friends, who are trying to lose weight... good luck! If I can help or offer support, I would be happy to. <br />
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Until next time, <br />
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Frances<br />Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14888258794276077956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91360624325225798.post-37072567172260758902012-01-24T11:08:00.004-06:002012-01-25T09:19:04.382-06:00French Breakfast Muffin Recipe Re-doIn July, darling husband found out that he is diabetic. That has made us change our eating habits as a family. As a result, he has lost about 60 lbs and I have lost about 55. It hasn't been easy! The girls still like to have treats, so I am on a mission to find recipes that I can alter to make healthier and a little more desirable. <br />
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My first try was a French Breakfast Muffin. Here is the recipe. <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/french-breakfast-muffins/detail.aspx" target="_blank">French Breakfast Muffins</a><br />
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My re-do was easy peasy! Here is what I used:<br />
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1 1/2 cups spelt flour<br />
1/4 cup Splenda Blend<br />
1 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder<br />
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg<br />
1/8 teaspoon Salt<br />
1 egg lightly beaten<br />
1/2 Vanilla Almond Milk<br />
1/2 Kroger Carbmaster Vanilla Yogurt<br />
1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon<br />
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Topping:<br />
2 tablespoons Splenda Blend<br />
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon<br />
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<img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmFXl-2eYSqa_f2fTsow1XNwtHA2qeNNA8_RiM2Ap2-M1Z5WFzKWFn17yPqaE9pYhcWaTEfHN4pwozB9t-B32sPB1OJxOz3FslR2rctxQot6RPkYNVmnrGW4cMEbdoyndqVXrtM6KyZk/s320/P1000144.JPG" width="320" /><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Of course, the Peanut was anxious to help! Moms, how do you keep little fingers out of the bowl when your kids are helping you?? I need advice!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkINGsP0Aj9qG1nfOoF-iqNFLOaWHEVaBObPyfHwTl_AQ-goRWBiMP4BrZoOnRwhD6UVHyEO4NIFLFbuKwvWYA2WW8gEaO1XHrDRshGcWbbZc0k1kMCLJ_Ubs6ktYO3B2mQVLX9WcR-Y/s1600/P1000142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkINGsP0Aj9qG1nfOoF-iqNFLOaWHEVaBObPyfHwTl_AQ-goRWBiMP4BrZoOnRwhD6UVHyEO4NIFLFbuKwvWYA2WW8gEaO1XHrDRshGcWbbZc0k1kMCLJ_Ubs6ktYO3B2mQVLX9WcR-Y/s320/P1000142.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We combined all of the dry ingrediants, added a lightly beaten egg, the almond milk and yogurt, then mixed. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQ2QPThYYiNZc8BCi7WuJirfP0a9TKl7uv4F9xADj5TevOHgCr8WZgBuucd4-B3xl1r9BfI1y7caRjqeb4dPn7IhWxY3pEse3N_4DJ9qV3ayJJdxPuHEZtQi9IVw4Y6PmfFJRDv29n-c/s1600/P1000143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQ2QPThYYiNZc8BCi7WuJirfP0a9TKl7uv4F9xADj5TevOHgCr8WZgBuucd4-B3xl1r9BfI1y7caRjqeb4dPn7IhWxY3pEse3N_4DJ9qV3ayJJdxPuHEZtQi9IVw4Y6PmfFJRDv29n-c/s320/P1000143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Into the oven at 350 for about 14-16 minutes. We didn't leave ours in quite long enough because, being the expert that she is, the Peanut convinced me that they were done. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5F00me73Z28H-4p0GCBHgcHV4hg514Svgw-SouKZJzui4v9FY2VAz3w3jCpU1QhdTfUhLNstqcDcr0NlinHliuzpbkI2bpPG4tbvfaZkpPo0ml4t7__7UpcYB9lNX05em9CAv0McVLSg/s1600/P1000145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5F00me73Z28H-4p0GCBHgcHV4hg514Svgw-SouKZJzui4v9FY2VAz3w3jCpU1QhdTfUhLNstqcDcr0NlinHliuzpbkI2bpPG4tbvfaZkpPo0ml4t7__7UpcYB9lNX05em9CAv0McVLSg/s320/P1000145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The orginal recipe called for butter in the topping. We just mixed the Splenda Blend and Cinnamon and sprinkled a little bit on the warm muffins when they came out of the oven.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHeeRYWEwCAW8yTU9udkjDspPLP2eiVfLjBhRfPQf938vqxE5wZOxXR_KN4rkRhr4aSqzeXRhz2iUTvOYyDWJ3rlIX4UYR_DTrRxGXC4_lLjUJGACBj-cYkwRgTZL_IxKpMHqtkFwJgo/s1600/P1000147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHeeRYWEwCAW8yTU9udkjDspPLP2eiVfLjBhRfPQf938vqxE5wZOxXR_KN4rkRhr4aSqzeXRhz2iUTvOYyDWJ3rlIX4UYR_DTrRxGXC4_lLjUJGACBj-cYkwRgTZL_IxKpMHqtkFwJgo/s320/P1000147.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Boy, I didn't realize how bad my pan looks until I saw this! Needless to say, I let the Peanut fill the muffin cups and she missed her target several times. Anyway, ugly pan aside, they were YUMMY!! They stuck to the liners a little bit, but I think a minute or two longer in the oven would solve that problem. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I built the recipe in "My Fitness Pal" and according to that program, they have 125 Calories, 1.3 grams of Fat, 22.1 grams of Carbs, 3.7 grams of Protein, and 7.0 grams of sugar. Not bad, I think. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The best review of all is that we made them on Saturday evening. By Sunday afternoon they were long gone! I think next time I might add some nuts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until next time, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Frances</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmFXl-2eYSqa_f2fTsow1XNwtHA2qeNNA8_RiM2Ap2-M1Z5WFzKWFn17yPqaE9pYhcWaTEfHN4pwozB9t-B32sPB1OJxOz3FslR2rctxQot6RPkYNVmnrGW4cMEbdoyndqVXrtM6KyZk/s1600/P1000144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>This post is part of Get Your Craft on Tuesdays at Today's Creative Blog <a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/" target="_blank">http://todayscreativeblog.net/</a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And Tutorials and Tips party at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Cdiv%20align=%22center%22%3E%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/%22%20title=%22Home%20Stories%20A2Z%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3E%3Cimg" target="_blank">Home Stories A 2 Z</a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ccenter%3E%3Ca%20%20href=%22http://www.myworldmadebyhand.blogspot.com%22%20%20target=%22_blank%22%3E%3Cimg%20alt=%22Totally%20Tutorials%20Tuesday%22%20%20src=%22http://i446.photobucket.com/albums/qq188/cjdemille/linkypartybutton.gif%22/%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/center%3E" target="_blank">Totally Tutorial Tuesdays</a></div>Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14888258794276077956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91360624325225798.post-12587389924214301902012-01-22T18:16:00.001-06:002012-01-23T10:56:13.110-06:00Let the Organizing BeginThis year I have made some real goals for myself. One of the biggies is to get my house organized. The truth is, I am lazy! I work so many hours and travel so much, that I make excuses about why I don't have time to do things the way that they should be done. I am going to stop that this year. <br />
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My first project was my laundry room. I love to read the blogs and look at pictures of how people have their laundry rooms organized and decorated. Now, I may NEVER decorate my laundry room, but it definitely needed to be purged and re-organized!<br />
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This is where I started....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3Wyxm2uavxKIzNS9UHLw8yVSpuUGxFyjEQ3ySWniGL_8osIgTgYeWF14zCC62a0XgcTOxD_LuvWQl1zhglSeLIAgomoso6767Rn7NeWnotKvy-JoYMf18M_ECaQr1yIb_yGXOiOVfsM/s1600/P1000128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3Wyxm2uavxKIzNS9UHLw8yVSpuUGxFyjEQ3ySWniGL_8osIgTgYeWF14zCC62a0XgcTOxD_LuvWQl1zhglSeLIAgomoso6767Rn7NeWnotKvy-JoYMf18M_ECaQr1yIb_yGXOiOVfsM/s320/P1000128.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> Stuff everywhere. The room became one of the places to shove things that didn't have a place to go.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5Bhf4bfXd4m2a7jjX7vj4jr_Rpo-VrV7IJVDklrEwaOHDQUDI3Osu_s62BHYl74hrfBZ1DYNAmjBD8SOjnz266fb3Ocm0TisVZl47rxYno3g5pqGe6bWTJn1-tcj0-OHId9lQRJCC3c/s1600/P1000129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5Bhf4bfXd4m2a7jjX7vj4jr_Rpo-VrV7IJVDklrEwaOHDQUDI3Osu_s62BHYl74hrfBZ1DYNAmjBD8SOjnz266fb3Ocm0TisVZl47rxYno3g5pqGe6bWTJn1-tcj0-OHId9lQRJCC3c/s320/P1000129.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> Sadly, a good part of that laundry was clean!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPbll6exPENuZVfrHquxd3BcW_wBAwulbbprMi-dFBgFyBng24uZNl5MwUFWF1sd3HU8xmT7kq_Of0xNTyvBCb-y0kAv12oIQ1rgjI8d0sf56U_UPYzzFFE0z5NmtKd0IqHU59gW028o/s1600/P1000130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPbll6exPENuZVfrHquxd3BcW_wBAwulbbprMi-dFBgFyBng24uZNl5MwUFWF1sd3HU8xmT7kq_Of0xNTyvBCb-y0kAv12oIQ1rgjI8d0sf56U_UPYzzFFE0z5NmtKd0IqHU59gW028o/s320/P1000130.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shelves loaded with more junk and the cabinets had so much stuff I just had to start over. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ug5KAdR8hE0ITTQ5F2CTICg3IrV0QQFt1FLiQ0gs6giegAYYDV5fAcQpUCFXA7ytPTVpKkVExxRqXWm7EHBWMG3bBjydxcJfLvqAly7lCg9wfTdLpgbJho0qOyvWnAo_ssvI7dMUAkI/s1600/P1000131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ug5KAdR8hE0ITTQ5F2CTICg3IrV0QQFt1FLiQ0gs6giegAYYDV5fAcQpUCFXA7ytPTVpKkVExxRqXWm7EHBWMG3bBjydxcJfLvqAly7lCg9wfTdLpgbJho0qOyvWnAo_ssvI7dMUAkI/s320/P1000131.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGC6P42UbLYhps5muWbH6y5jyetJIxXovPG7X3OcQp3d1FB9HZH-VB6GyU-mIF_qOvicm9Itg_KkIXt6GXJcL3twFaVaspX58anRR2sj-_grjC8eLM9WQghp0qKnyizYkY6cybDekYKXw/s1600/P1000132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGC6P42UbLYhps5muWbH6y5jyetJIxXovPG7X3OcQp3d1FB9HZH-VB6GyU-mIF_qOvicm9Itg_KkIXt6GXJcL3twFaVaspX58anRR2sj-_grjC8eLM9WQghp0qKnyizYkY6cybDekYKXw/s320/P1000132.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This transformation had to overflow to my big "junk" cabinet in the kitchen.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9hQfo0tuyt-rgt_Ch6-oIjQU9NdALzmH_Hb-WrDqUPnp3rf8MFs7RHtCyGGcJ6V5LiaJrgmhrJcamfMVpiYXF2uATQjsR_gslOtfUEjTMdPx2ssX2rfatFERyIQFfNmRb835_SjtSb4/s1600/P1000134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9hQfo0tuyt-rgt_Ch6-oIjQU9NdALzmH_Hb-WrDqUPnp3rf8MFs7RHtCyGGcJ6V5LiaJrgmhrJcamfMVpiYXF2uATQjsR_gslOtfUEjTMdPx2ssX2rfatFERyIQFfNmRb835_SjtSb4/s320/P1000134.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After...notice the serious lack of crap!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOmBloNdfkyiVDNyyDlRyr7lmN-ALLLFIkc6FKA4GY0facrqGDJctZTdCE1CPaB2yL0G_LjgxuLZb5RyTVew6k3WOg18ZADlogVP1k6NRLD9qBKroTx3VovQmMo1jEktJkAOdIXDD8Fk/s1600/P1000135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOmBloNdfkyiVDNyyDlRyr7lmN-ALLLFIkc6FKA4GY0facrqGDJctZTdCE1CPaB2yL0G_LjgxuLZb5RyTVew6k3WOg18ZADlogVP1k6NRLD9qBKroTx3VovQmMo1jEktJkAOdIXDD8Fk/s320/P1000135.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1__n4RFl0sLY1Mz8ihDPfwaIXaW8Y6t_y6ru40fgb8XbwWl9_P07lIMScZ5x0pBcLpsLK7JlrMWUEOPqQdtfedVKqgY7zdDAwNLILEnOokk9bc8QEjQDqOai_OWUnfLy1U4n7ZhDLdI/s1600/P1000136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1__n4RFl0sLY1Mz8ihDPfwaIXaW8Y6t_y6ru40fgb8XbwWl9_P07lIMScZ5x0pBcLpsLK7JlrMWUEOPqQdtfedVKqgY7zdDAwNLILEnOokk9bc8QEjQDqOai_OWUnfLy1U4n7ZhDLdI/s320/P1000136.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I even have a place to put my vases now. I moved some of the appliances that we don't use often from the "junk" cabinet to the laundry room. Since stepgirl has moved out, I was able to hang all of my table linens in her closet, rather than cram them on a laundry room shelf. Oh... and I actually got around to putting shelf liners down. I'm so proud.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9okdnRWjJkZVZk_PaNyrbD7bTX5itXq08jDBmpktcQ3NyxpAJ4b3-Kw2RkzOewFMZpINIqwsNSPeR2YDt3FRl-2O7yTQDGARHYukK3TxvxHSLJ83-aQxrwGexP_SIUHAPGLOCG9vFZE/s1600/P1000137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9okdnRWjJkZVZk_PaNyrbD7bTX5itXq08jDBmpktcQ3NyxpAJ4b3-Kw2RkzOewFMZpINIqwsNSPeR2YDt3FRl-2O7yTQDGARHYukK3TxvxHSLJ83-aQxrwGexP_SIUHAPGLOCG9vFZE/s320/P1000137.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquMpH5tt5Fd9TxKt3a9ipHs3OI8d2ygaWejLXaRJu0E5JUl9DvC-_Mel5q7X3xyRB3MELxL3A5ABYfhd1Slws4-yM-Ls4FYZOR9oeArDPdWLSEaX_PMMzD4zrYHIMbv67WSa-KLqqvj4/s1600/P1000138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquMpH5tt5Fd9TxKt3a9ipHs3OI8d2ygaWejLXaRJu0E5JUl9DvC-_Mel5q7X3xyRB3MELxL3A5ABYfhd1Slws4-yM-Ls4FYZOR9oeArDPdWLSEaX_PMMzD4zrYHIMbv67WSa-KLqqvj4/s320/P1000138.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4LR-23MpTjmgy0Lm4lGeSOPlVdmE-M3gns2m9NNs4ZQNhxVbYoEhDE32nrKn0ls-DTxEBA9QV0ibbt6aougH0DeuaHMdlauf_E6PdGJ8doGhiN1plmitRmDG5xZXMMW4kinRi1PjytI/s1600/P1000139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4LR-23MpTjmgy0Lm4lGeSOPlVdmE-M3gns2m9NNs4ZQNhxVbYoEhDE32nrKn0ls-DTxEBA9QV0ibbt6aougH0DeuaHMdlauf_E6PdGJ8doGhiN1plmitRmDG5xZXMMW4kinRi1PjytI/s320/P1000139.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My kitchen cabinet how has a place for all of our Shaklee supplements (you know I sell Shaklee, right??), a different basket for medicine and a place for paper plates and such.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrUEiwNnPAGToAzhUL29OjktdXCmB1WgtrFRFl6YJl8BvyoKyX06nxD77TCM-batOLWjNJZQ5wnP-Uu33wwg5ZesPU4YDDb7E1m9CrqG6WcdOV2-1VPAsbQg62_RIvw6rKfSiO5HRVwQ/s1600/P1000140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrUEiwNnPAGToAzhUL29OjktdXCmB1WgtrFRFl6YJl8BvyoKyX06nxD77TCM-batOLWjNJZQ5wnP-Uu33wwg5ZesPU4YDDb7E1m9CrqG6WcdOV2-1VPAsbQg62_RIvw6rKfSiO5HRVwQ/s320/P1000140.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Its all about baby steps for me and this was my first step. I feel so good about it and have been able to keep it up. I plan to work a little each day on a different room until I can feel good about my whole house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll be back soon with my next project.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until next time, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Frances </div>Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14888258794276077956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91360624325225798.post-9282843995784149052012-01-22T18:12:00.000-06:002012-01-22T18:12:21.226-06:00Grapevine...and more<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Well, my trip to Grapevine was great. Aside from work, I got to spend a little bit of time strolling through Downtown Grapevine. It is a neat area with lots of great little shops and restuarants. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyvtds9oTaA_ysBp20oc0HaYoYdg8pjNBRboqDwltbpACmxl_pIRrfg2cdKAZHhxvOC4-CYjEc-IauAyAmh9QrkQDVhCpvQcrxXjkXX3eSVGYx5B4Wsj93reyZYiei2NWzaDa_bxqBJk/s1600/P1000033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyvtds9oTaA_ysBp20oc0HaYoYdg8pjNBRboqDwltbpACmxl_pIRrfg2cdKAZHhxvOC4-CYjEc-IauAyAmh9QrkQDVhCpvQcrxXjkXX3eSVGYx5B4Wsj93reyZYiei2NWzaDa_bxqBJk/s320/P1000033.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQELc4uOmWrMCBRSlmXsoZOOeW7TVZfjzXPcOi0hDhKtJduNw66j9NhOJZHJA7GtMz9W47MHCQX3LkAdLRZwDjifI1CJvk2rWN2wBVm6DpI-r5HHY8u60h-srcixSZ4_Tg2fHJ4-J3aog/s1600/P1000039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQELc4uOmWrMCBRSlmXsoZOOeW7TVZfjzXPcOi0hDhKtJduNw66j9NhOJZHJA7GtMz9W47MHCQX3LkAdLRZwDjifI1CJvk2rWN2wBVm6DpI-r5HHY8u60h-srcixSZ4_Tg2fHJ4-J3aog/s320/P1000039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmW5tutLHBL9aHx3jHSSwzWvZ8mgsQinGccs5keGzDeIFIdjXR4oJXH0w01cZGGldYfV7h43fl2a6rwr7jrxA64hmUD_1KguEF3oIB_WQlOr-kn3XgF8qIBIxmk3uFyBQRu8qTBwQEiQ/s1600/P1000037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmW5tutLHBL9aHx3jHSSwzWvZ8mgsQinGccs5keGzDeIFIdjXR4oJXH0w01cZGGldYfV7h43fl2a6rwr7jrxA64hmUD_1KguEF3oIB_WQlOr-kn3XgF8qIBIxmk3uFyBQRu8qTBwQEiQ/s320/P1000037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkIPYX0tdOqrFz9c085F2sEKvY1ASEXe6fAlklytxNBg5UTsVuJNYAu3k_SK8AAfm3B8PxzApoTD901_W2lHOz4DhrVCB0TwG5SfNIHqEccQDHh7nWhxnKJENVBF0dhfAJuT19BDMYB0/s1600/P1000032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkIPYX0tdOqrFz9c085F2sEKvY1ASEXe6fAlklytxNBg5UTsVuJNYAu3k_SK8AAfm3B8PxzApoTD901_W2lHOz4DhrVCB0TwG5SfNIHqEccQDHh7nWhxnKJENVBF0dhfAJuT19BDMYB0/s320/P1000032.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> I snapped a few pictures of things that I think I might want to copy! I love all of the "subway" art.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkvhDcyYE6Y8yMSFlfJVJgPumpOcWNdTUOBJlUgjYox1FOASxeXEEfj6Shuw0fJP21DOxu4iOukCYFLMgHqUOffbkjMPb0EjJz5Yxq5lMySm9getIyTTGZyNSS8qTdlX-xlH9oHOgU30/s1600/P1000038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkvhDcyYE6Y8yMSFlfJVJgPumpOcWNdTUOBJlUgjYox1FOASxeXEEfj6Shuw0fJP21DOxu4iOukCYFLMgHqUOffbkjMPb0EjJz5Yxq5lMySm9getIyTTGZyNSS8qTdlX-xlH9oHOgU30/s320/P1000038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sunday was a long day at work, with appointments all day long. Yes, I really do have to work when I travel, I just don't take pictures of that part! Traditionally, on Monday, at the major conferences that I go to, the lunch entertainment is sponsored by Broadway. This year's show was great, featuring numbers from Sister Act, Mary Poppins, Ghost, Priscilla, and as seen below, Spiderman.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnSra-N7zC1c81ZWpkbYhZdTt_w8Ah50bjeAa5j_tIayMIRTZAT4Kwb1GPQlzanzyN1tpinTq767vCsl2_Rg6kjvxw2dSbgmqS9DaMnYUDc7-Gpa3BDbGiP4ud9gsrQ6NZ4_zBZM32FM/s1600/P1000052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnSra-N7zC1c81ZWpkbYhZdTt_w8Ah50bjeAa5j_tIayMIRTZAT4Kwb1GPQlzanzyN1tpinTq767vCsl2_Rg6kjvxw2dSbgmqS9DaMnYUDc7-Gpa3BDbGiP4ud9gsrQ6NZ4_zBZM32FM/s320/P1000052.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The Peanut got to see the Texas Cousins one afternoon. We met at LegoLand at Grapevine Mills. The kids had a good time, but the adults agree that it was too pricey for what they have. They have a couple of rides, a playland and a very cool room with lego sculptures of famous Dallas buildings. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5aiPGw7sK9HAjT5o2G7o-Fp7pspvTqJgrVnt_gXFjOH_DYazM2pFGbLbKuNYhQGPy9wF0UpwScW8CMQ-5HOyQFRmSKLrX7pIG2eMhEV4WlIRQgtNkPUqlFzvUtKjC0ZobmmtvOQgmBA/s1600/P1000056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5aiPGw7sK9HAjT5o2G7o-Fp7pspvTqJgrVnt_gXFjOH_DYazM2pFGbLbKuNYhQGPy9wF0UpwScW8CMQ-5HOyQFRmSKLrX7pIG2eMhEV4WlIRQgtNkPUqlFzvUtKjC0ZobmmtvOQgmBA/s320/P1000056.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Probably the high point.... no DEFINITELY the high point of the trip was the event at Texas Stadium. Yep, that is me with Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys. Not sure what he was trying to say with his hand, but it was pretty exciting to meet him.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpLnFMx-yCwZwtZ5xJfhem2bhuYmRzkH7BA8pLi8DpP72c6bjAnHBszfyG-nQbRCCqMT4Cd75RE3il5MD43KET-ae3Z0lbhmJMsRoYQPaGgu8cmfLbOUtm0vOj7Qee4eGVGJaPlu-k6A/s1600/P1000076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidpLnFMx-yCwZwtZ5xJfhem2bhuYmRzkH7BA8pLi8DpP72c6bjAnHBszfyG-nQbRCCqMT4Cd75RE3il5MD43KET-ae3Z0lbhmJMsRoYQPaGgu8cmfLbOUtm0vOj7Qee4eGVGJaPlu-k6A/s320/P1000076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of course, being at Texas Stadium was reason enough to take silly pictures. I won't bore you with many, but this is one of the fun ones with my friends Amanda and Bennjin.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKCbURGuPKMOKZRyt-A6HqveTR6VkxyqPP0E2hn5UYeXS6DLHqezG1V0exwRzwUrzXMC0v4FYkfJARlPXCHXFSJ7OAwYVSHWI9zli-3WRBqEp3eCcm6oL_AFKj_68e8Im6rEK9PPoqto/s1600/P1000089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKCbURGuPKMOKZRyt-A6HqveTR6VkxyqPP0E2hn5UYeXS6DLHqezG1V0exwRzwUrzXMC0v4FYkfJARlPXCHXFSJ7OAwYVSHWI9zli-3WRBqEp3eCcm6oL_AFKj_68e8Im6rEK9PPoqto/s320/P1000089.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The last day of the conference had a lunch event sponsored by Nashville. They brought in Phil Vassar who put on a fantastic show and made Nashville proud!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4xvF_R9n-Lh12gX7q9xrbFqL6Ti1EZm-Rn9ZNBwcJ5S6aaIrVg6pfQ0n1nMkXCiXs2FmCeyOL3XxbBd8btpAGzl5EMaflSaoBHeDohpAIpJ4KG0ZSPWfWfjOXnUD5Fq_8cyQWg3Z_ws/s1600/P1000099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4xvF_R9n-Lh12gX7q9xrbFqL6Ti1EZm-Rn9ZNBwcJ5S6aaIrVg6pfQ0n1nMkXCiXs2FmCeyOL3XxbBd8btpAGzl5EMaflSaoBHeDohpAIpJ4KG0ZSPWfWfjOXnUD5Fq_8cyQWg3Z_ws/s320/P1000099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyMs-fkfzok4vAzCDYfb3S62qUg0xAUOg9yWhR6lEftvGp-cWi8xkbWof6YtGl10VzO_XQXl61ZWiY-YDEmE971fO9cHVZood6v_6JTFOG3wBreBjfQ2ffhe55yvHEvjXCQNE2y374OA/s320/P1000103.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The final night was an Alice and Wonderland themed event. We all dressed up as different characters. I was the White Rabbit. We had a great time at the event, but were ready to get home!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tlyvl3l8QrBCqhXy0kvgYHhriLareuTrGZjH3AW6S_BXmWFr50d3vH86lVbSSHGKaDBPMT8DoITF-7x8NYol342rujup58HX9yBtl2S7N2NUSSzclhw0MSZIZWi-CwGgOd6nPcUhQOU/s1600/P1000125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tlyvl3l8QrBCqhXy0kvgYHhriLareuTrGZjH3AW6S_BXmWFr50d3vH86lVbSSHGKaDBPMT8DoITF-7x8NYol342rujup58HX9yBtl2S7N2NUSSzclhw0MSZIZWi-CwGgOd6nPcUhQOU/s320/P1000125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPUDslpXYACnjP0sNv0CKyL0RyKFDB9v1XkSUKtFPt4iZ5Mul6IDncios_LbbKJtZIe01teAn6n_hSAg1fk_-TsJosqk1LnEcy7ALJoUJYvITD_fYcVA3UhpbzcHaCXDvdw9bzmiKuf0/s1600/P1000115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPUDslpXYACnjP0sNv0CKyL0RyKFDB9v1XkSUKtFPt4iZ5Mul6IDncios_LbbKJtZIe01teAn6n_hSAg1fk_-TsJosqk1LnEcy7ALJoUJYvITD_fYcVA3UhpbzcHaCXDvdw9bzmiKuf0/s320/P1000115.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmKLq_tn5jXoj234vE_8wDV8_pwYweGX503MvpAK7GapVq8PcVUzfZqoGjtbWxfE1bVRuRo23xL5T7_sx2oEL1Dwau9V19W_VAdxf7uOvMfPEuZDTVnhoTHm9QoX-UlMgOU19YPlXNYk/s1600/P1000113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmKLq_tn5jXoj234vE_8wDV8_pwYweGX503MvpAK7GapVq8PcVUzfZqoGjtbWxfE1bVRuRo23xL5T7_sx2oEL1Dwau9V19W_VAdxf7uOvMfPEuZDTVnhoTHm9QoX-UlMgOU19YPlXNYk/s320/P1000113.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a great trip with lots of fun with friends and some time with family, and of course, some hard work. As great as it is to go, nothing beats coming home!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Until next time, </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Frances</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14888258794276077956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91360624325225798.post-16589854242753470502012-01-11T00:31:00.000-06:002012-01-11T00:31:40.910-06:00What a Trip!!It's been almost a year since I have blogged and I am committed to being more regular this year. I think it is a great outlet for me to share my thoughts and feelings and document what I am doing with my time! This year, I want to share my travels, projects, and weight loss. Last year, I had a goal to lose 75lbs. I successfully lost 50 and hope to lose another 75 this year. I'll post tips, recipes and news about that.<br />
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This year has started off with a bang. I am at my first convention of the year in Grapevine, Texas. Since StepGirl lives here, I was able to bring the Peanut with me. <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5GAlFAx5Snc4cHuCMxVRevKf42gBtBDRtWOqfV1MKqXPHqBTsZlA0T2-EDpIlTom8KaShHhiy30BFZptbfxCLMz6lWmRMQR5loIlQk_-pgvg-UE2vWxZsr4oPVI_6whDI0D5lNsF7fo/s1600/P1000004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5GAlFAx5Snc4cHuCMxVRevKf42gBtBDRtWOqfV1MKqXPHqBTsZlA0T2-EDpIlTom8KaShHhiy30BFZptbfxCLMz6lWmRMQR5loIlQk_-pgvg-UE2vWxZsr4oPVI_6whDI0D5lNsF7fo/s320/P1000004.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; 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/AVvXsEhefBj0Jx9thKI075q6o-0v1KRluBmR6eKaXr6dXdaPVpKag6cGV4c76BsG6OtRLUCEWH2Phz6IJSZkykgDQ2zAC9hHC3AN0IMj1JhpwBCJ-6uhqed2qrpfgH1G4Wa6jR-bQ3M-Tt1I1fQ/s1600/P1000008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefBj0Jx9thKI075q6o-0v1KRluBmR6eKaXr6dXdaPVpKag6cGV4c76BsG6OtRLUCEWH2Phz6IJSZkykgDQ2zAC9hHC3AN0IMj1JhpwBCJ-6uhqed2qrpfgH1G4Wa6jR-bQ3M-Tt1I1fQ/s320/P1000008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4aLUWuO75Fpm11o6ZFtlWewt-kMaB1HqNQlo4FcHglZNoVxP4_K7Ds0jQMv9YQ_qvDwHIBjlQHbOHU8kdYixX7KZlcgBmVMUD8fhotSCpelr3ZV74N_YrgRYQNgVKupy6qrV6vqldvs/s1600/P1000011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4aLUWuO75Fpm11o6ZFtlWewt-kMaB1HqNQlo4FcHglZNoVxP4_K7Ds0jQMv9YQ_qvDwHIBjlQHbOHU8kdYixX7KZlcgBmVMUD8fhotSCpelr3ZV74N_YrgRYQNgVKupy6qrV6vqldvs/s320/P1000011.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">She was very excited about the flight and going to see what mom does when she travels. I took her with me to the Convention Center on Saturday. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbh4vkmRIk1-9CHrV17ikwuoFOlra7DMrGBgMNhNul0m_LMPH4A-gaQiLe1cc51o8ebtVaKOJr5HybihrDfcXlU5E7q5kH4OQuvSrCkrSBcX6VqOUo2Ai8nc2jrHO3VmydQ5XqJS4nTU/s1600/P1000010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbh4vkmRIk1-9CHrV17ikwuoFOlra7DMrGBgMNhNul0m_LMPH4A-gaQiLe1cc51o8ebtVaKOJr5HybihrDfcXlU5E7q5kH4OQuvSrCkrSBcX6VqOUo2Ai8nc2jrHO3VmydQ5XqJS4nTU/s320/P1000010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The Peanut had a great time hanging out and meeting with mom's friends.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYanFA1h1fIqk816ujmRH75E6mmNed-JsaTSLMYBDrxDjKEBMYuyKlZ2MfE1uhCDrnarqQdB2Mo57R6jwJoKhxXMQXZAwCCHv14kd_Kjr3tphcqX-lWmjrJWEzBuXrUPIc2EIVSkOH9M/s1600/P1000020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYanFA1h1fIqk816ujmRH75E6mmNed-JsaTSLMYBDrxDjKEBMYuyKlZ2MfE1uhCDrnarqQdB2Mo57R6jwJoKhxXMQXZAwCCHv14kd_Kjr3tphcqX-lWmjrJWEzBuXrUPIc2EIVSkOH9M/s320/P1000020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a great time, showing my little one what the conferences I go to are like. She is spending the rest of the week with StepGirl while I work. More to come later.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Frances</div>Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14888258794276077956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91360624325225798.post-4652353460026049242011-02-13T20:57:00.000-06:002011-02-13T20:57:54.996-06:00Quick Valentine TreatsI saw a cute idea on a blog yesterday, so the Peanut and I decided it would be fun to do them for her classes... to accompany her Justin Bieber valentines, of course!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First we gather all of the materials for our chocolate dipped marshmellows.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUIASkpx1t5ZOXw7iFSFBOqllIQvLIq_IP-JUyYSpD5DO-bBgV1QneQQuERL_yYrAcpXku8-wZWE5dFq_PCIBBbu9Clin3cbTAeVTb0x6ZIvuA_DH0rOUdnboLiMxVNsG9nmUdOgusps/s1600/P2134539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUIASkpx1t5ZOXw7iFSFBOqllIQvLIq_IP-JUyYSpD5DO-bBgV1QneQQuERL_yYrAcpXku8-wZWE5dFq_PCIBBbu9Clin3cbTAeVTb0x6ZIvuA_DH0rOUdnboLiMxVNsG9nmUdOgusps/s320/P2134539.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjiOlbLACZd0023RFAnIUmGDj5R_nApJfuZZMVE_3WzAriUtniJySZDVGQ_IB56QH71PQ4wpB-zUkAdNYl_t_U5MrtkFvYWugx0OB8UpHj9eyN1sdTXA88LRvPYPngfDca_LFqn8MWCk/s1600/P2134540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjiOlbLACZd0023RFAnIUmGDj5R_nApJfuZZMVE_3WzAriUtniJySZDVGQ_IB56QH71PQ4wpB-zUkAdNYl_t_U5MrtkFvYWugx0OB8UpHj9eyN1sdTXA88LRvPYPngfDca_LFqn8MWCk/s320/P2134540.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The Peanut started putting toothpicks in the strawberry marshmellows, so we could dip them in the chocolate. She is clearly concentrating!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3npbpffwii0xqU2Dc8jYZASlgvWYbadSrYoVZTxTL9VyRH0iuojpJUSH76vVa7pGVRv8hZyyjL-ksvYfSCAKUVhv9TIQCdQBQ-rlBGHy3AdOniKpOs3YZN12vasPvxcSEHvIpoe20Hu8/s1600/P2134541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3npbpffwii0xqU2Dc8jYZASlgvWYbadSrYoVZTxTL9VyRH0iuojpJUSH76vVa7pGVRv8hZyyjL-ksvYfSCAKUVhv9TIQCdQBQ-rlBGHy3AdOniKpOs3YZN12vasPvxcSEHvIpoe20Hu8/s320/P2134541.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Now begins the sequence... dip in chocolate, cover in sprinkles.... repeat.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudMwAJjagiMMg9gnfohyphenhyphenZtny0oed0dwiaiLdoZsB1CnpNP7b8u-nfM_Ya2NS34bDWIwzP8I1JI4cSRWYBEQzFSF35kf8MhY_5kRtktjSx6aro9nUCURFxM-V3PRdbxQ7a1ipsVyqcCz8/s1600/P2134542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudMwAJjagiMMg9gnfohyphenhyphenZtny0oed0dwiaiLdoZsB1CnpNP7b8u-nfM_Ya2NS34bDWIwzP8I1JI4cSRWYBEQzFSF35kf8MhY_5kRtktjSx6aro9nUCURFxM-V3PRdbxQ7a1ipsVyqcCz8/s320/P2134542.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Don't they look yummy!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibN2BwKWwQOCu8mB_mr6FsIIiTCgzzQLz5tpMFujaX3ZKxZ3inqTei4pf5hRiIJ0Nu02ohzLjXK580WYl6mjgt-gIPN0NNQaL-DrHLCTRQVssbIizbcfD7896NYi95q140RxiVNYpE_bs/s1600/P2134544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibN2BwKWwQOCu8mB_mr6FsIIiTCgzzQLz5tpMFujaX3ZKxZ3inqTei4pf5hRiIJ0Nu02ohzLjXK580WYl6mjgt-gIPN0NNQaL-DrHLCTRQVssbIizbcfD7896NYi95q140RxiVNYpE_bs/s320/P2134544.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> After the chocolate cooled, she took out the toothpicks and replaced them with these cute valentine picks.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr21jknvgygS4mjPpAB9ANdN5vBWy-2Brk3LUFwrvyDJ1SjDBVoBuUIXTlt44mdpYWWiWPLZ-Z-oFdUZQ4TObhxsFeghg-eMkQD-H8ZjrTM2On8MEDz8gHESwPgre9tB7nJJTg6JzTnBM/s1600/P2134545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr21jknvgygS4mjPpAB9ANdN5vBWy-2Brk3LUFwrvyDJ1SjDBVoBuUIXTlt44mdpYWWiWPLZ-Z-oFdUZQ4TObhxsFeghg-eMkQD-H8ZjrTM2On8MEDz8gHESwPgre9tB7nJJTg6JzTnBM/s320/P2134545.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> We also did some with a conversation heart stuck to the chocolate.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5GU7iJmW9bXAQcNJu-U-mv2X4qnB-qvISnnLbzXlEfijm4fKaQf_WKTmP0FCd4oHtE18uhLFDdHAzG_YOZpbwy3PzLLL1OPIPSKL4I8NlTuxB8rZ4lGzHl01Hpz853byzuDIZMavM0c/s1600/P2134546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5GU7iJmW9bXAQcNJu-U-mv2X4qnB-qvISnnLbzXlEfijm4fKaQf_WKTmP0FCd4oHtE18uhLFDdHAzG_YOZpbwy3PzLLL1OPIPSKL4I8NlTuxB8rZ4lGzHl01Hpz853byzuDIZMavM0c/s320/P2134546.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhql57sFVyFdKV7Q0ud5gN9rGemkdk99YFbGZLdYpJQ_JdxEl2KDTVYv7N1wUxVyOhkNEJ4z2zZOxsKnUuyzpJwU8IGpfPYZR0qTUH4r-gAp6nW_tdj6F4GNhiNJLG1OaZZxq2bX7W2PXo/s1600/P2134547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhql57sFVyFdKV7Q0ud5gN9rGemkdk99YFbGZLdYpJQ_JdxEl2KDTVYv7N1wUxVyOhkNEJ4z2zZOxsKnUuyzpJwU8IGpfPYZR0qTUH4r-gAp6nW_tdj6F4GNhiNJLG1OaZZxq2bX7W2PXo/s320/P2134547.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> The final package... with a couple of extra coversation hearts and ribbon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeUtUaENko8vfOOp3r2JfM5IZCcMojiCNBF_lSD3WjRMdhxLN0UHrP2uepWV3cRG_Ym-y9_JBSETO46Kw0SaAYy9FSZAYzp49IdPZ5jAQHcPmKi3i2vpBgLz4fJtdlDDDaTQ5rHolZi8/s1600/P2134548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeUtUaENko8vfOOp3r2JfM5IZCcMojiCNBF_lSD3WjRMdhxLN0UHrP2uepWV3cRG_Ym-y9_JBSETO46Kw0SaAYy9FSZAYzp49IdPZ5jAQHcPmKi3i2vpBgLz4fJtdlDDDaTQ5rHolZi8/s320/P2134548.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> She is proud of her work and excited to go to school tomorrow!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbR06HJRmPpqMtAIqxAKcuAhlcY-av5fwPfLXxkC0fWFNIK0aFPBK2yDD7FPOhJwZZ6WeRAWfYkQCCPE1vYRYTjx9cKvdX2mOrgVU1bLa_SiowMMFHG-p7UsVD_NwfBRGKRaspa4B6bMY/s1600/P2134549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbR06HJRmPpqMtAIqxAKcuAhlcY-av5fwPfLXxkC0fWFNIK0aFPBK2yDD7FPOhJwZZ6WeRAWfYkQCCPE1vYRYTjx9cKvdX2mOrgVU1bLa_SiowMMFHG-p7UsVD_NwfBRGKRaspa4B6bMY/s320/P2134549.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
After we were done, the door bell rang and these were delivered...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLfzt3wWrM4q-avZKK9R1sZlbid1gIlkb-IHA7ln7m7liNGynu7vGEx2N-d_jbEAIz6LadtPPkYBoS0mSyjpqHVvTa6prI90XSm_hTLGR2MVFaKasNtWqIdQn83vDFipWuL33tbzrUTs/s1600/Flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLfzt3wWrM4q-avZKK9R1sZlbid1gIlkb-IHA7ln7m7liNGynu7vGEx2N-d_jbEAIz6LadtPPkYBoS0mSyjpqHVvTa6prI90XSm_hTLGR2MVFaKasNtWqIdQn83vDFipWuL33tbzrUTs/s320/Flowers.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hubby did good! Love them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have a Happy Valentine's Day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until next time, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Frances</div>Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14888258794276077956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91360624325225798.post-7649707367454769812011-02-12T08:39:00.000-06:002011-02-12T08:39:47.773-06:00It's Almost Valentine's Day!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Well, so much for blogging more often in 2011. The year started and just got away from me. Between travel, work and SNOW DAYS, I haven't been able to keep my head above water for the first 45 days of the year. We have had a ridiculous amount of snow this winter, and remember, I live in the South. My kids have only had 1 full week of school without any snow days all year! This week, they went for 2 half days and were off the rest of the week. That can really put a wrinkle in a mama's plans. </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUOxb54GUqEXeX0sFxuYlJRgBs_xUTdZuK4186Dlp5YgMqF2zQo50QqeBcgm6AEv81iOPnGB7Inr3YbDpFM0TISta9jqn_QuZWZcq0siAmiWYp98WBqfdwVGv8N4WPJU1rSOQPCB5f4o/s1600/P1264515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUOxb54GUqEXeX0sFxuYlJRgBs_xUTdZuK4186Dlp5YgMqF2zQo50QqeBcgm6AEv81iOPnGB7Inr3YbDpFM0TISta9jqn_QuZWZcq0siAmiWYp98WBqfdwVGv8N4WPJU1rSOQPCB5f4o/s320/P1264515.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPO5OvgwXHggL1CHmK6h9RPu_CT7gHaTFQ2LnMPKWXVvI7SZU7L551duSiFEs7vx0ZJOlpQeTwBEMDABgWJYqR2ilAoqgDKr1CyP8QEns_7BloSHZblb8VEDET9KLQQ8jyza_ZFnrX2A/s1600/P1264517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPO5OvgwXHggL1CHmK6h9RPu_CT7gHaTFQ2LnMPKWXVvI7SZU7L551duSiFEs7vx0ZJOlpQeTwBEMDABgWJYqR2ilAoqgDKr1CyP8QEns_7BloSHZblb8VEDET9KLQQ8jyza_ZFnrX2A/s320/P1264517.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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So, here is a recap of the year so far, based on my goals from Jan 1. We are eating somewhat better, but still have a long way to go. It is so hard to eat and cook with healthier and organic foods, not to mention that it is very expensive, but we are doing better. I am trying to plan meals in advance and buy only what we need, so we don't throw away so much food. It is very easy for me to decide that we should just order pizza, but I am trying to get that under control.<br />
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I have had some health issues that I am working out before starting an exercise program. Hopefully, I will be able to address that soon. <br />
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The chores for the girls are a work in progress. They are doing better, partly because we have had so much time at home. I am going to keep on them, for my sanity and to continue to teach them responsibilities!<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My biggest project has been to begin the craft room clean up/reorganization. Here are the before pictures.... brace yourselves...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUGFCUg9uanL_5sDSptxofUBWrncZA7-WPXTFskhs72AQ1qfypSXxMf4n9KKAb4K3M4GIWq5493a6vhmcWsb8oyH_76fIeQ3fFQbku5kep2KDk1zJ1CrfSgr-eEgEXSxmKntnGh6V7-Q/s1600/before+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUGFCUg9uanL_5sDSptxofUBWrncZA7-WPXTFskhs72AQ1qfypSXxMf4n9KKAb4K3M4GIWq5493a6vhmcWsb8oyH_76fIeQ3fFQbku5kep2KDk1zJ1CrfSgr-eEgEXSxmKntnGh6V7-Q/s320/before+1.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmESP-wcavNNwyD_F6aHVnWJTGMgPl1whIdxwaHjJbnllKP-QH2MeqV7GvWSisjoEQTOLu6muWAig6l9K_gt9vKztXSvaYatfE5WwHW7VX2X-GhZJMUypd6Tv9mT020U9CO5OLMIvFT0/s1600/before+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhmESP-wcavNNwyD_F6aHVnWJTGMgPl1whIdxwaHjJbnllKP-QH2MeqV7GvWSisjoEQTOLu6muWAig6l9K_gt9vKztXSvaYatfE5WwHW7VX2X-GhZJMUypd6Tv9mT020U9CO5OLMIvFT0/s320/before+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now, don't misunderstand, this mess didn't happen overnight! This space is shared with my kids and is 1/2 of the playroom. So....while the kids were away one weekend, I went in and had my first run of the "re-do." Here is the result...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGv2fsy_L7laYvYHeqrrzRr57YtJTvIGhWC68xZOrJdvsW9jsm9ExcfqNwt6zM6qwYZ4WvWkMuw1tWmjEDLKPGTrnk9hQ8uG5sY4Q8RxAB9LEyp-Irya8Cq312pqxBoqLSogIvARWo_MU/s1600/After+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGv2fsy_L7laYvYHeqrrzRr57YtJTvIGhWC68xZOrJdvsW9jsm9ExcfqNwt6zM6qwYZ4WvWkMuw1tWmjEDLKPGTrnk9hQ8uG5sY4Q8RxAB9LEyp-Irya8Cq312pqxBoqLSogIvARWo_MU/s320/After+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAt5pQWudIJa1ZbfGLYprmVhesa0lPb0YxVGaeSy7ZDspmXFhoV66cLw_JQYu8Ek-bJSo8w0qLqLHeU0W30FMJssFOK5tvz0F3ct6U1QSwmnsdfniBdlC7JzeQYIDFzZzQJ4QH8JHgWUs/s1600/after+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAt5pQWudIJa1ZbfGLYprmVhesa0lPb0YxVGaeSy7ZDspmXFhoV66cLw_JQYu8Ek-bJSo8w0qLqLHeU0W30FMJssFOK5tvz0F3ct6U1QSwmnsdfniBdlC7JzeQYIDFzZzQJ4QH8JHgWUs/s320/after+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">There is still a lot of work that I want to do, but at least now I know where everything is. I'd like to build or buy some more shelving... and I need to have a "scrapbook yardsale." Honestly, I have more than I could every use. I'll get to that one day!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I also traveled in January to Philadelphia for a week. It was a great trip and somewhere that I haven't been before. One of the best parts of my job is that I have good friends to travel with...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBLQ_VaXDtfy8hn5ZT1iuzCPGBa8kt3KAinogvO0gXM4dz6W_-CWiL_matW8pYp1sIZjft7a9s8i_Nj93Q5fTQuIDTVj8yAVRxYfF7vC_xzbdngDJSsxXlT3qszCj3SpzV_QDeCcV3C0/s1600/P1094480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBLQ_VaXDtfy8hn5ZT1iuzCPGBa8kt3KAinogvO0gXM4dz6W_-CWiL_matW8pYp1sIZjft7a9s8i_Nj93Q5fTQuIDTVj8yAVRxYfF7vC_xzbdngDJSsxXlT3qszCj3SpzV_QDeCcV3C0/s320/P1094480.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my BFF at the Liberty Bell</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsB41myyktPtskKaZpHtbufKmPnLTwCl1mVQTqvZQZwTY_ADqGVKmmvzgiZtPHbqP-NwTFs83zUPQKwLeNvZYcTtW8E471B3Dvg_Xcug9BZx1_w3LYpKOoJFQNn2pNLfH6EJPsIdbLVLA/s1600/P1094483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsB41myyktPtskKaZpHtbufKmPnLTwCl1mVQTqvZQZwTY_ADqGVKmmvzgiZtPHbqP-NwTFs83zUPQKwLeNvZYcTtW8E471B3Dvg_Xcug9BZx1_w3LYpKOoJFQNn2pNLfH6EJPsIdbLVLA/s320/P1094483.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Independence Hall is getting a facelift.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIE8LkiNoLdb_R2rYtJ7ORgXjc4TOtqHvmVXZhXdaLfKw8LAMidnxDY_swieUNoVDRQN6R8tZGaG7DKRC0EW5qXDGnfxKVfKwQt1tqJCFs0N31gAabOpEoY5oHdv6a3cXTwYNBmp8GpkU/s1600/P1104495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIE8LkiNoLdb_R2rYtJ7ORgXjc4TOtqHvmVXZhXdaLfKw8LAMidnxDY_swieUNoVDRQN6R8tZGaG7DKRC0EW5qXDGnfxKVfKwQt1tqJCFs0N31gAabOpEoY5oHdv6a3cXTwYNBmp8GpkU/s320/P1104495.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and two of my best traveling girls!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShBmIJwv6T6tR2tb5NVZKupuiLWpxDzL1Qr-EiQ7eeIZGv7xPPchVohl5D9i2o7qLq4t2_06OhviDdEhbK1VhRJlsS5o0vCFRsHDiuSXZIJ4xFIIuhQJPdp5S3XaAMca7Kt4kUe9PGZ0/s1600/P1104502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShBmIJwv6T6tR2tb5NVZKupuiLWpxDzL1Qr-EiQ7eeIZGv7xPPchVohl5D9i2o7qLq4t2_06OhviDdEhbK1VhRJlsS5o0vCFRsHDiuSXZIJ4xFIIuhQJPdp5S3XaAMca7Kt4kUe9PGZ0/s320/P1104502.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YUM... Philly Cheesesteak on the grill.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6DccVvU4ZOe5rqdntQXL-L99FbPzmreroNSnhW_Memuvbjy1oo0V4eGZZLr6yaO9PJQgx8AloSYT1wVM7yIp5sZ-d3CS-tHxPFpSmobhfHXcrmDf-BonS8_CK2rIJ9aVMgZfuvXogg8/s1600/cheesesteak.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6DccVvU4ZOe5rqdntQXL-L99FbPzmreroNSnhW_Memuvbjy1oo0V4eGZZLr6yaO9PJQgx8AloSYT1wVM7yIp5sZ-d3CS-tHxPFpSmobhfHXcrmDf-BonS8_CK2rIJ9aVMgZfuvXogg8/s320/cheesesteak.bmp" width="320" /></a><br />
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Oh... I also made this<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEijB_TZKSZ9ou8OAsgyuRwNmfGyq7NkupkH-dR6DZHGChBpoGTcZ3KR6M22sVzQ1IGGBTEgAgUsgLzM87NrtCjyljlOQqk1g_NGIiqWThbGPMAdWSAbJ0s_KPLHT4GStkwaZi6C879oU/s1600/wreath+vday.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEijB_TZKSZ9ou8OAsgyuRwNmfGyq7NkupkH-dR6DZHGChBpoGTcZ3KR6M22sVzQ1IGGBTEgAgUsgLzM87NrtCjyljlOQqk1g_NGIiqWThbGPMAdWSAbJ0s_KPLHT4GStkwaZi6C879oU/s320/wreath+vday.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And this... still needs something to hang it with... but that will come soon.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6DccVvU4ZOe5rqdntQXL-L99FbPzmreroNSnhW_Memuvbjy1oo0V4eGZZLr6yaO9PJQgx8AloSYT1wVM7yIp5sZ-d3CS-tHxPFpSmobhfHXcrmDf-BonS8_CK2rIJ9aVMgZfuvXogg8/s1600/cheesesteak.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0d6nk8_N-bDqykJLEpkktvq1Kvgw1PHEj5_Rjktt_r9ZR8IblB7zFs4NkG1rfCFZAiU3vDVtPX6qsd9sOUgzMcj0QaKEDn-2NzBXPQrOptXFS3ROc3B_t2U3tOw4wvhyphenhyphenupMhCQcfW1lU/s1600/burlap.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0d6nk8_N-bDqykJLEpkktvq1Kvgw1PHEj5_Rjktt_r9ZR8IblB7zFs4NkG1rfCFZAiU3vDVtPX6qsd9sOUgzMcj0QaKEDn-2NzBXPQrOptXFS3ROc3B_t2U3tOw4wvhyphenhyphenupMhCQcfW1lU/s320/burlap.bmp" width="238" /></a></div></td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> So... what's next?? Well, between now and the end of the month, I will go to Detroit and Atlanta, prepare for Valentine's Day, continue to make decisions about the future of my career, and hopefully find time to make something pretty! <br />
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Until next time...<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxtTPZSZBdNa6QNdCeBhpjJ_uqDIqRZKL1MvFKOar7JyPPvnKlHFwLrfoxt1c3-_fhzXiXt0o250KE5ugV8FXXDlNc1jP2GSLxEaJH4a6FhONRSkgc-o7XxqoZ2PJpQJ5tUKibnZjZF4/s1600/P2094528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxtTPZSZBdNa6QNdCeBhpjJ_uqDIqRZKL1MvFKOar7JyPPvnKlHFwLrfoxt1c3-_fhzXiXt0o250KE5ugV8FXXDlNc1jP2GSLxEaJH4a6FhONRSkgc-o7XxqoZ2PJpQJ5tUKibnZjZF4/s320/P2094528.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnQN0wgPQ6TAtgqjYzqT1T0qpDdzef2cQqZRg0WZwqVoTvSbVAKT8ERl-OLzQe2ywT1rJMPFN7vOLg5fSfEY5kE8p3bSwkjwgqw-YyamNuUfXIFhyvM4Xx9se2dAK8Q4v2mIB7LpvxIQ/s1600/P2094529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnQN0wgPQ6TAtgqjYzqT1T0qpDdzef2cQqZRg0WZwqVoTvSbVAKT8ERl-OLzQe2ywT1rJMPFN7vOLg5fSfEY5kE8p3bSwkjwgqw-YyamNuUfXIFhyvM4Xx9se2dAK8Q4v2mIB7LpvxIQ/s320/P2094529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a little reminder from Nature... God is never far away!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14888258794276077956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91360624325225798.post-26326283701760934932011-01-01T18:52:00.000-06:002011-01-01T18:52:45.467-06:00Happy New Year!!Wow, I have been a terrible blogger. Life got in the way and I gave up with my blog, though I enjoyed it. <br />
<br />
I have been on vacation for the last two weeks and have had a chance to catch up on all of the blogs that I follow, not to mention taking some time to organize my house a little bit. I cleaned out my laundry room, cleaned and organized the pantry (and threw away two bags of stuff!), went through the dresser and part of the closet. I am going to get my house in order in 2011!!<br />
<br />
I've read lots of blogs about the top 10 projects of 2010. I don't have that to share this year, but hope I will next year. Instead, I am going to share my top 10 "to-do" list for 2011. Hopefully, "to-do list" will be more attainable than a "resolution"!!<br />
<br />
1. Eat better and feed my family healthier food.<br />
2. Exercise and get in better shape. I'd like to lose 75lbs this year... won't be easy, but I am going to give it my best shot!<br />
3. Make my kids REALLY do their chores! (Hey, I am trying to teach them some responsibility and I need the help!)<br />
4. Finish my laundry room re-do by building a platform for the washer and dryer. I am too cheap to buy the stand from the company, so I am going to build my own. I also need to move the washer and dryer around, so I no longer have to unload the washer over the washer door. It might seem like nothing, but it is a pain in the neck!<br />
5. Learn to put my clean clothes away... ALL THE TIME!!<br />
6. Continue with my greeting cards for the florist in town. Nice way to make a few extra dollars.<br />
7. Focus on the future of my careers. Options are out there, I just need to think and plan.<br />
8. Continue stengthening my relationship with God and be a good role model for my kids.<br />
9. Catch up, or at least put a dent in, my scrapbooking!<br />
10. Spend more quality time with my family<br />
11. Build some quality friendships.<br />
12. Make stuff with all of the craft supplies that I have already bought.<br />
13. Organize my craft room... and keep it organized.<br />
<br />
No, these are in no particular order, and once I got started I could have gone on and on, but thought it better to stop at 13. Who knows, maybe I will blow myself out of the water and really achieve and surpass this list. Hey, I can dream big!<br />
<br />
Hope you will stick with me in 2011. I'll need help and support from my friends. I'm going to work on so many different areas and hope to make 2011 the best year ever.<br />
<br />
Blessing to you all!<br />
<br />
FrancesFranceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14888258794276077956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91360624325225798.post-52800557954976606382010-07-14T13:49:00.000-05:002010-07-14T13:49:41.379-05:00I'm BackWow! It's been a long time since I have posted. I have been to Branson, MO, Washington DC and on a cruise to Key West, FL and Cozumel, Mexico since I last posted. It's been a wild and crazy summer.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">First, I went to a conference in Branson. It was a great trip with good friends! Branson isn't my choice for a vacation location, but it is always better with friends. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUvdRll8DdUpIGjIc7EoRIBZWkptJ1Fc7WqoO3tMqFJmdFuzhd6Yj1Cnr3kZg5E6PCwMFohsgXT_hbL5i0D8T4aj74ilrbXtvtz54-fLzffbhoM8qRMwjTjUz5pndZsmMsWpRQItsiSY/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUvdRll8DdUpIGjIc7EoRIBZWkptJ1Fc7WqoO3tMqFJmdFuzhd6Yj1Cnr3kZg5E6PCwMFohsgXT_hbL5i0D8T4aj74ilrbXtvtz54-fLzffbhoM8qRMwjTjUz5pndZsmMsWpRQItsiSY/s320/006.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the great things with the conference that I attended is that they do something to give back to the suppliers. This year, they took us out for an afternoon on Table Rock Lake in pontoon boats. We had a great time. The picture is of my good friends Brad and Wayne.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-y32iQao5VA5yUHQhQDuY5qw5_NyBhqdoHY_K4xNA5soj-nsba6tX5R_PuGem1pTgPVpfF718wTuxAr3xsd-ODaW9lvpW8d7hEAdKEKSF-ooQoiIz40haU3uUTu1PQnGPB7jEXWzivA/s1600/137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-y32iQao5VA5yUHQhQDuY5qw5_NyBhqdoHY_K4xNA5soj-nsba6tX5R_PuGem1pTgPVpfF718wTuxAr3xsd-ODaW9lvpW8d7hEAdKEKSF-ooQoiIz40haU3uUTu1PQnGPB7jEXWzivA/s320/137.JPG" /></a>They next trip that I made was to Washington DC with the family. We had a great time! We visited several museums, monuments and even got to see some family. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIov9gsWNcxKPsRlt1kgw8B1UfMVyU3t9PBfsRy2u7XemzjTtn7sVyYphpI9zZ4aVzWhj7tw2W31uKraydW-JoLtIpUR67vVUevtAIPoFfAwlEh_8a-cnIOgLmV2FFC0cOBaZjGB7a49I/s1600/063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIov9gsWNcxKPsRlt1kgw8B1UfMVyU3t9PBfsRy2u7XemzjTtn7sVyYphpI9zZ4aVzWhj7tw2W31uKraydW-JoLtIpUR67vVUevtAIPoFfAwlEh_8a-cnIOgLmV2FFC0cOBaZjGB7a49I/s320/063.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgL2PWGsRsNaA9Q1ii5OiOpz5k6-VBDY4jvU3xILzhNS93c1gPb3HoVfYrjYJk3FKpABQMCetNhdarMPMTu_l8eIqdgDfmYfWV12khu6O4rB5_qYHHCl-vHbj_EAyckbs_jEra70zg08/s1600/072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgL2PWGsRsNaA9Q1ii5OiOpz5k6-VBDY4jvU3xILzhNS93c1gPb3HoVfYrjYJk3FKpABQMCetNhdarMPMTu_l8eIqdgDfmYfWV12khu6O4rB5_qYHHCl-vHbj_EAyckbs_jEra70zg08/s320/072.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36V0H5ddg51Qr1XHSP8vd9XaexT8Bj0Bbe4_G-PxJJC1wHU9fy16_G8iREmOUiYS6hAmLXtg_UTsbP5pwUdIuEZfF6C7DM6XmqYn5E3sXf93Bvfit1AiOwg17oAEKtnh4SJ5PM9to_Y0/s1600/145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36V0H5ddg51Qr1XHSP8vd9XaexT8Bj0Bbe4_G-PxJJC1wHU9fy16_G8iREmOUiYS6hAmLXtg_UTsbP5pwUdIuEZfF6C7DM6XmqYn5E3sXf93Bvfit1AiOwg17oAEKtnh4SJ5PM9to_Y0/s320/145.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6jNxsSjqbuF2HD0mvCQ38ENMuZ3S8sZDCTJP7Z4f1cJfK78TPgONHYnykxtU5zf6xw8ce3OIjJ1M_jSkdoWHWId5YYAHN8ES9wf3cYEp1zZFq_LOL53SFjMGGcpBw3LHsLRnM3HG6wE/s1600/163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6jNxsSjqbuF2HD0mvCQ38ENMuZ3S8sZDCTJP7Z4f1cJfK78TPgONHYnykxtU5zf6xw8ce3OIjJ1M_jSkdoWHWId5YYAHN8ES9wf3cYEp1zZFq_LOL53SFjMGGcpBw3LHsLRnM3HG6wE/s320/163.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3r1ZCnCdblmLA8gFan27ZHJXa6GdrNb_apQT5X_pivrOBBU-8LeG1vJozyTcFnlpfJ90Sm-7b5QDz96PtUVvoONUIeOkxsnaJK0515_EzszhXJLQOJdj2Hcrap1ETUWS-4WsGGPe3Eo/s1600/182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3r1ZCnCdblmLA8gFan27ZHJXa6GdrNb_apQT5X_pivrOBBU-8LeG1vJozyTcFnlpfJ90Sm-7b5QDz96PtUVvoONUIeOkxsnaJK0515_EzszhXJLQOJdj2Hcrap1ETUWS-4WsGGPe3Eo/s320/182.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">It was SO hot, but we had a good time!! We visited hubby's God-daughter, took a river taxi to Alexandria and visited Arlington National Cemetery. The Big One and the Peanut were great sports in the heat. The Peanut thought that the Changing of the Guards was a really cool experience. Now... to plan the next family vacation.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Then, last but not least, step-girl and I took a cruise with some of the girls from her golf team and their mothers. We had a great time visiting Key West and Cozumel. Pictures to follow. Let it be know that we were the champions of TV Tune Show Trivia!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">All that being said, I have also started a Premier Designs Jewelry businesss. I had my first home show last night and made $160 in 3 hours!! YIPPEE!! No time for any new crafts or projects, but maybe after the summer is over, i will have time for a little crafting!! I miss my projects!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Until next time, </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Frances</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14888258794276077956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91360624325225798.post-10109007330113711282010-06-01T23:53:00.000-05:002010-06-01T23:53:28.129-05:00On the Road AgainWell, the traveling mom is hitting the road again tomorrow. Off to Branson, MO for another tourism conference. The good news is that I am traveling with my bff. The bad news is that it is a road trip! Good news... I'll have some peace and quiet and alone time... Bad news... I'll miss my husband and girls (well, it will take at least a day of being alone before I miss them, but I WILL miss them!). <br />
<br />
So goes the internal struggle I call my life. I love my job and I love the travel associated with it. I have great friends taht I travel with and enjoy my time with them. The flip side is I feel guilty about enjoying my time away! When my little one begs me not to go, I feel like a terrible mom!<br />
<br />
Luckily, they are having field trips at day care for the Peanut, and the Big One hasn't gotten bored with summer yet. They will be fine. I will go, work hard, get refreshed and come back ready for another week of excitement.<br />
<br />
Until next time, <br />
<br />
Frances<br />
<br />
ps... got some great deals at yard sales this weekend. Will post pictures later!Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14888258794276077956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91360624325225798.post-43254411475275985272010-05-25T09:47:00.000-05:002010-05-25T09:47:29.677-05:00My Garden<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After years of threatening to do it, I finally planted a garden this year. I have to admit that i listen to Martha Stewart Radio all day at work and in my car, and all of the gardening talk inspired me. I decided that the best way to start was to build raised beds.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtVN6AvfXGx1CHRuTCIMSTY8uA6iFGi6hYVFNjyGNL-OmwMBTOuAd5fYhLni0DXbn6coTsdjsH__dcl07ABuR6fiAPql6uXYYhTC5kqTzfQZbVcS6c2C5CVlOuoMKkvjuAhXUN8Hx_eM/s1600/100_1032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtVN6AvfXGx1CHRuTCIMSTY8uA6iFGi6hYVFNjyGNL-OmwMBTOuAd5fYhLni0DXbn6coTsdjsH__dcl07ABuR6fiAPql6uXYYhTC5kqTzfQZbVcS6c2C5CVlOuoMKkvjuAhXUN8Hx_eM/s320/100_1032.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2NH-h8N_ScDM4OicYkGLl-mrwRqWixf0mL1kOSRITept_onQEiQDiDFoxriOAdpfp-NotaSqVBiCbMyhsHAy1U6UBONQzyBnKJPLhz7n2ujrvI6jDmcCJ0Z5l_bQXaplWhnJPHGo46Q/s1600/100_1034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2NH-h8N_ScDM4OicYkGLl-mrwRqWixf0mL1kOSRITept_onQEiQDiDFoxriOAdpfp-NotaSqVBiCbMyhsHAy1U6UBONQzyBnKJPLhz7n2ujrvI6jDmcCJ0Z5l_bQXaplWhnJPHGo46Q/s320/100_1034.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GHNqGlPLBiZ0xMDa28CCmQ9P0gn739hLCzNqQUH8TCgcjzDrrnIlu3uTBBZOXktMPIRArSOTddFQhUfsSVymWrR6zFaWwGF53Ww7EqoeWeFc1gXrHHQ5QoBBIBA_HKlk_ATmFAC8MkE/s1600/100_1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GHNqGlPLBiZ0xMDa28CCmQ9P0gn739hLCzNqQUH8TCgcjzDrrnIlu3uTBBZOXktMPIRArSOTddFQhUfsSVymWrR6zFaWwGF53Ww7EqoeWeFc1gXrHHQ5QoBBIBA_HKlk_ATmFAC8MkE/s320/100_1035.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">After the weather became more mild, and when I have a little extra time, the Peanut and the Big One helped me move the boxes to the backyard and get out goodies planted.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXe_lvKtT4MGcbZuoFy85NwdJJ6p7qfUJz-brjkgZdZSWeTD4EJ8PhoGgcROY-gr1PJsVtCOlA9K1kHKHI1141IUeZ43EPUC7UU7z6spacBHyRDP5QJ8b4H3sXyBYcBvnS0e3LDHxW3k8/s1600/100_1044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXe_lvKtT4MGcbZuoFy85NwdJJ6p7qfUJz-brjkgZdZSWeTD4EJ8PhoGgcROY-gr1PJsVtCOlA9K1kHKHI1141IUeZ43EPUC7UU7z6spacBHyRDP5QJ8b4H3sXyBYcBvnS0e3LDHxW3k8/s320/100_1044.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iSxU6nJGAcAUhweSoKfvfMtWSAmX2M1ZHr_MX9i7WjVzV-NwpPsf5eqI9gkr0hIQQJuzc3v0683MNHfJhsZV3oNr7Jdf-d6FDudob1fGP5iDFpMINx42Z4Tf_E4L_DP6-6PGA71yhsk/s1600/100_1045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iSxU6nJGAcAUhweSoKfvfMtWSAmX2M1ZHr_MX9i7WjVzV-NwpPsf5eqI9gkr0hIQQJuzc3v0683MNHfJhsZV3oNr7Jdf-d6FDudob1fGP5iDFpMINx42Z4Tf_E4L_DP6-6PGA71yhsk/s320/100_1045.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdShwTabjHJfqYQj6H3SXCDg7aHcx8eAcLpIWYTKPPNgxXGdbdgv2fKZr0oRdANs_0pIHWWcM2V0kvAm-n3drA_-CEB3OdQRHPAG7QMnyB38S0Sqw2OSaUL7ffpX5G2GrEKrJE34nc25Q/s1600/100_1046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdShwTabjHJfqYQj6H3SXCDg7aHcx8eAcLpIWYTKPPNgxXGdbdgv2fKZr0oRdANs_0pIHWWcM2V0kvAm-n3drA_-CEB3OdQRHPAG7QMnyB38S0Sqw2OSaUL7ffpX5G2GrEKrJE34nc25Q/s320/100_1046.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We planted tomatoes, corn, beans, lettuce, cucumbers, celery, peppers, cantaloupes and watermelon. <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">LOL</span>, if it all comes in, I am going to have a mess, but we started planting and just couldn't stop. Here is the garden as of this weekend.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2QYxq3-kCOAtlVnPf1DCZ5UwTb28axJkpOHzN1B-6-_xDdw8nmFRaiBpR7POMtsh6EhUpQ-GemdGuUWyxkIglRDvvGn2lrZn_ewrqdmLAMTfwzu0XMKzYD4dl8hOQ9s4eCDrhgbNtNw/s1600/793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2QYxq3-kCOAtlVnPf1DCZ5UwTb28axJkpOHzN1B-6-_xDdw8nmFRaiBpR7POMtsh6EhUpQ-GemdGuUWyxkIglRDvvGn2lrZn_ewrqdmLAMTfwzu0XMKzYD4dl8hOQ9s4eCDrhgbNtNw/s320/793.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-aZz1HXg9T7MUj97fs5tXojkLc5hHnmKOCzYJ2xp_yOqE9Iz0Rc5C6z5D_oH3ooCg0OfHHcDMkL0jPVCdi5x3Ywvn4JOTQ-4Z9e-g-6IZPkh5SLZ5Ad2GI73-8N7yoEEbN3dfZz6nI1s/s1600/794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-aZz1HXg9T7MUj97fs5tXojkLc5hHnmKOCzYJ2xp_yOqE9Iz0Rc5C6z5D_oH3ooCg0OfHHcDMkL0jPVCdi5x3Ywvn4JOTQ-4Z9e-g-6IZPkh5SLZ5Ad2GI73-8N7yoEEbN3dfZz6nI1s/s320/794.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDItCAkBrKUttjsns3OMCG1Yr_0OmdSQjbkdW5iGz4yluW1aEodCf-5qN0bayAzLc3eB_HJ_WW71UnGz26QHmCZbXNHNumYYzpQPoUGx5hoQ96_3o-cyx8z0CpQyggmFBjuGuOqAc3I1k/s1600/795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDItCAkBrKUttjsns3OMCG1Yr_0OmdSQjbkdW5iGz4yluW1aEodCf-5qN0bayAzLc3eB_HJ_WW71UnGz26QHmCZbXNHNumYYzpQPoUGx5hoQ96_3o-cyx8z0CpQyggmFBjuGuOqAc3I1k/s320/795.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Some critters ate most of the lettuce, but look at these tomatoes! We are going to have a feast when we gather our "crops."</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Until next time, </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Frances</div>Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14888258794276077956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91360624325225798.post-53635677833204601632010-05-24T21:33:00.000-05:002010-05-24T21:33:39.939-05:00Help!! Need Advise on my Dresser Project<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As I mentioned earlier, I bought this dresser at a yard sale for $5.00. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhRHzceKnQFoapjAzdx_I9hSDcgy_Jv80sjqtWAFDgIYbJ8Zw9wd-AiDOzsG3ldKsryjYVGDxrTR2dP8_FsyuTGiTVt50sN3gBgS0tht5YX4Yvl-9PjylCHKCO4dH9brDs_AKBXW9rb8/s1600/Dresser.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhRHzceKnQFoapjAzdx_I9hSDcgy_Jv80sjqtWAFDgIYbJ8Zw9wd-AiDOzsG3ldKsryjYVGDxrTR2dP8_FsyuTGiTVt50sN3gBgS0tht5YX4Yvl-9PjylCHKCO4dH9brDs_AKBXW9rb8/s320/Dresser.bmp" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I started painting it Antique White and the paint crackled. Do I leave it crackled and crackle the rest or do I sand it and start over. Looking for ideas. This is what the dresser drawers that are crackled look like.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDbF4nEmvRvsHKfzMGA_sY9cu3qSm1MbGacaR2MxhRT4ui_AAWaM-Y0HqMaVy5wUCe6EIHrZusy5KmiMyRQbNN4AF4bbimPMDkZvuN5ttzYEOtXclD9qDXNvMtpjCccqDSvEHPyUBrRc/s1600/796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDbF4nEmvRvsHKfzMGA_sY9cu3qSm1MbGacaR2MxhRT4ui_AAWaM-Y0HqMaVy5wUCe6EIHrZusy5KmiMyRQbNN4AF4bbimPMDkZvuN5ttzYEOtXclD9qDXNvMtpjCccqDSvEHPyUBrRc/s320/796.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">One more drawer picture:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBu5LWubNAMeqbO9ViqbHeasnC3BAIG8vUNTS45Pji7sbnY2ctmBaTWCT9w6PvxMlS3wn1YFXIrS6TiHYwkXgyJl2hBlPUn3d5hDhn9ppPb5aa0oRWoSWW7TuFDDEgLWrjcAo-1rliSsw/s1600/792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBu5LWubNAMeqbO9ViqbHeasnC3BAIG8vUNTS45Pji7sbnY2ctmBaTWCT9w6PvxMlS3wn1YFXIrS6TiHYwkXgyJl2hBlPUn3d5hDhn9ppPb5aa0oRWoSWW7TuFDDEgLWrjcAo-1rliSsw/s320/792.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I've always been a crafty girl, but this re-doing furniture is new to me. There are so many people out in blog land who are so good at this! I want to have this done for my guest bedroom before company comes in a couple of weeks. Ya'll help me!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Frances</div>Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14888258794276077956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91360624325225798.post-48451448083691685112010-05-24T14:11:00.000-05:002010-05-24T14:11:52.304-05:00Weekend in Review<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Wow, what a busy weekend. First, on Saturday, we had a yard sale. Sadly, not many people wanted my junk, so I still have a garage full of stuff AND I didnt get to go out and look at other people's junk because i was trying to get rid of my own.</div><br />
The weater was great. It was the first sunny weekend that we have had for a long time. I did get some stuff done that required me to be outside. I love to be out in the sunshine. My little Peanut's toes started webbing, she spent so much time in the pool.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-_Wt9YFVrdOn6qDXvKGudiFitumN2ih2w0W3PeX4Zigywgx027P4eCwVrCwsKHSxTDnMhLNayOGjoGsvP80SlMEGz7yeLDagCoHieovk_1Bwx_y6EwnrKYAluJBlCdvcNVPmzXWX6Ps/s1600/790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-_Wt9YFVrdOn6qDXvKGudiFitumN2ih2w0W3PeX4Zigywgx027P4eCwVrCwsKHSxTDnMhLNayOGjoGsvP80SlMEGz7yeLDagCoHieovk_1Bwx_y6EwnrKYAluJBlCdvcNVPmzXWX6Ps/s320/790.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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My black outdoor chairs rusted over the long winter, so the Big One helped clean them up and I put a fresh coat of paint on them. Unfortunately, I failed to take the cushions in over the winter,so i will have to find time to either recover or replace them. They look great now, just waiting for cushions and a group of people to enjoy the backyard!<br />
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I also worked on my dresser project. This is a "before picture." I bought it at a yard sale for $5.00.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WZjETuk1Mgx4OgPYYMRqjQzhosRCuOkdrp8XXgWfVtvMV4L34MnWPmKTTkswWXVdZJdw3sThMrcr1EyHZoo20i4t6V4ft8RqZ_xPL1ckXZO6bYUkjzOAupe3vNjt8cAXbBsGsYZl5FA/s1600/Dresser.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WZjETuk1Mgx4OgPYYMRqjQzhosRCuOkdrp8XXgWfVtvMV4L34MnWPmKTTkswWXVdZJdw3sThMrcr1EyHZoo20i4t6V4ft8RqZ_xPL1ckXZO6bYUkjzOAupe3vNjt8cAXbBsGsYZl5FA/s320/Dresser.bmp" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've started painting it. Going with an Antique White. I took a couple of the drawers out yesterday to paint and I guess the sun was too hot because the paint cracked. I am not trying to decide if I love the paint or hate the paint. Here is what it looks like</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpubaBhtyjVmr7PSD1uqZt1WYgnhwD3o0udaOWTEyuc-E1C6MR8-MzsEaqvwNNOhJXD23aOrS4tUNCDleE8oxogw1z_2Om3OtanYpVwrHwP6q26jgeWnxbGp3-jhXV9RzBaArPUjeN4ks/s1600/796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpubaBhtyjVmr7PSD1uqZt1WYgnhwD3o0udaOWTEyuc-E1C6MR8-MzsEaqvwNNOhJXD23aOrS4tUNCDleE8oxogw1z_2Om3OtanYpVwrHwP6q26jgeWnxbGp3-jhXV9RzBaArPUjeN4ks/s320/796.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'd love to hear opinions... like it?? hate it?? should I crackle the rest, or sand it and start over??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All in all, it was a great weekend. I still have lots of projects to do, but I am making progress one day at a time! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here it he best part of the weekend...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnelTuJp9VVHLPeA9SJezqLVV8ka9FI2spvmvK05QEgeHXx1p7cpPu8_7fZUJvKP_I58yYxnkw3GqUsUG_igQu3WhyazBPyVBXRNQLqraWDjf-2rYE5CtViXzqA5gifH-Y7bGLrmeTQ8c/s1600/788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnelTuJp9VVHLPeA9SJezqLVV8ka9FI2spvmvK05QEgeHXx1p7cpPu8_7fZUJvKP_I58yYxnkw3GqUsUG_igQu3WhyazBPyVBXRNQLqraWDjf-2rYE5CtViXzqA5gifH-Y7bGLrmeTQ8c/s320/788.JPG" /></a>The Peanut and her friend, just after the Barnyard Moosical! They were Funky Chickens! You don't find that kind of quality entertainment just anywhere!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14888258794276077956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91360624325225798.post-75043891504634294992010-05-06T21:52:00.000-05:002010-05-06T21:52:10.421-05:00The Rivers are Going Down!!It is great to see that the flood waters are receeding and maybe life will start getting bad to normal. It's seems like I am going through a period of "trying to do the right thing." I am trying to make the right decisions at work, to get the best returns for our hotels. I am trying to do the right thing for my children, in many ways, like providing the best education for them and having the right balance of discipline and "friendship". I'm trying to make the right decisions about new opportunities to make extra money. <br />
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So, what do I do?? I have to choose to trust. Trust who, you ask. I have to trust God. I have to trust that with His help and guidance, I will make the best decisions in all aspects of my life. Is it easy? No, it is not easy to let go of the control in your life. In fact, it would be fair to say that it is a struggle, but I am trying to learn. It reminds me of a poem that I was introduced to in high school:<br />
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Let Go and Let God<br />
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As children bring their broken toys with tears for us to mend, <br />
I brought my broken dreams to God because He was my friend.<br />
But then instead of leaving Him in peace to work alone,<br />
I hung around and tried to help with ways that were my own.<br />
At last I snatched them back and cried,<br />
"How can you be so slow?"<br />
"My Child," he said, "What could I do?<br />
You never did let go."<br />
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I love these words and the comfort that they bring... and trust that I will make the right choices!!<br />
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Until next time,<br />
<br />
FrancesFranceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14888258794276077956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91360624325225798.post-20148077590664101502010-05-06T09:43:00.001-05:002010-05-06T09:44:29.943-05:00Welcome May!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Wow, May has arrived with a bang! The Great Flood of 2010 took us all by surprise. I never dreamed that I would see flooding like this. The devastation is unbelievable. So many people have lost everything, their homes, their businesses. It makes me realize again how blessed my family is. We came out of this with nothing more than some washed away mulch from our backyard landscaping. I need to find a way to help those people who have lost everything! (I'll have to get back to that...)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwZX_S4jG7Tq13U6WmiC4xGKWTtBk3tMXgtn-pOuRTJ3e_ouvFwKEbdfvvWc3IJALOJ3DNfm1rssXmUCjMzXuR4WJuAr_HI9IDxb3vfrigC9zy8OHachsHCFaSsRENv2XQnHtETeVepk/s1600/flood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwZX_S4jG7Tq13U6WmiC4xGKWTtBk3tMXgtn-pOuRTJ3e_ouvFwKEbdfvvWc3IJALOJ3DNfm1rssXmUCjMzXuR4WJuAr_HI9IDxb3vfrigC9zy8OHachsHCFaSsRENv2XQnHtETeVepk/s400/flood.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On Saturday, I participated in the "Girl's Gig" in Pleasant View. Unfortunately, there weren't too many women who wanted to come to a showcase in the midst of a monsoon. Never the less, I had some great crafty things there to sell. Thankfully, they have rescheduled and will be holding the event again on June 5th.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Not sure why the color is so bad on this one. Note, my sonic sweet tea in the back!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcI16gO_uAt4O_JsDhXodKiApYFMc9SRMNosNyFfGv3-kaxRiRuqS6JLy3FSt_hQCeMA0AGINbZp1XVAbyv8WOBpssHF6pCP4U0MMeE-RonBD_FBtfnsq02FCJo7TDYdE2D1TH7YWB8s/s1600/chalkboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcI16gO_uAt4O_JsDhXodKiApYFMc9SRMNosNyFfGv3-kaxRiRuqS6JLy3FSt_hQCeMA0AGINbZp1XVAbyv8WOBpssHF6pCP4U0MMeE-RonBD_FBtfnsq02FCJo7TDYdE2D1TH7YWB8s/s400/chalkboard.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This is my table at the Girl's Gig. Lots of cute stuff!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IAnSLtwHT5StlWrtKVWvWf6s7kR60Mlt95-8I0Nais-zwHutL6XGprDR-XqMaIrE92BrpsPqC4rXB9zW9XN4RCUckB0AqdtRbAZMcuN83_lIiPdwEcfvJlb2YOMPO9Kc7llMAgMMRNg/s1600/table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IAnSLtwHT5StlWrtKVWvWf6s7kR60Mlt95-8I0Nais-zwHutL6XGprDR-XqMaIrE92BrpsPqC4rXB9zW9XN4RCUckB0AqdtRbAZMcuN83_lIiPdwEcfvJlb2YOMPO9Kc7llMAgMMRNg/s400/table.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhum8H1McLAONDbnRDPATh3JhoAE7-W_-lduaAXf_RmKeUHYb0O8bo6XySh6WQIQhyphenhyphenldivclbqmIEjqCLEqThUotmHzVpU9iLXlGaFSR8887msOazd6Nptyw-P9F9AQVGbr7ocj2bnLxjU/s1600/Emma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhum8H1McLAONDbnRDPATh3JhoAE7-W_-lduaAXf_RmKeUHYb0O8bo6XySh6WQIQhyphenhyphenldivclbqmIEjqCLEqThUotmHzVpU9iLXlGaFSR8887msOazd6Nptyw-P9F9AQVGbr7ocj2bnLxjU/s400/Emma.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Until next time,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Frances</div>Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14888258794276077956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91360624325225798.post-47301765756879572492010-04-03T23:37:00.000-05:002010-04-03T23:37:42.054-05:00Easter CelebrationsWhat a wonderful day! It started off a little rough with some pretty heavy rain, but cleared up to be a beautiful sunny day. Baby J and I went to church for the annual Easter Eggstravaganza. She jumped in the inflatable, participated in the games and went to the petting zoo. She told me, "Mom, every church doesn't do something nice like this." Next, she hunted eggs and got some great candy. All in all, it was a nice morning. They did a very nice description of what the colors of the eggs meant in the Easter story.<br />
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After some quick shopping, we came home and I FINALLY finished my chair. It is my first "thrift store" re-do. I love it. I will post pictures as soon as I figure out how!<br />
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Tomorrow... as a family we will go to church, then the girls and I will meet my bff Tomi and head south to Florida for Spring Break. Looking forward to catching up with many old friends, some of which I haven't seen since grade school. Should be a fun trip. Hopefully, I will have an internet connection. The thought of a week without looking at all of my favorite blogs doesn't make me happy!!<br />
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Happy Easter, <br />
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FrancesFranceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14888258794276077956noreply@blogger.com0