tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29462283917575150312024-03-05T01:19:27.863-06:00It Freezes BeautifullyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-27699675723512115252015-05-12T16:35:00.000-05:002015-05-12T16:35:08.493-05:00New Blog!Hey there!<br />
<br />
I have updated to a new blog template. To continue to follow me please <a href="http://itfreezesbeautifully.com/" target="_blank">go here!</a> I will continue to post at the new site. Thanks!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" style="width: NaN%;" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-27745807049192039902015-03-26T20:30:00.004-05:002015-03-26T20:30:25.565-05:00Currently || Sometimes || Never<h3>
Currently…</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
…I'm trying to convince my husband to take the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class with me. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
…My to-do lists are miles long.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
…I'm super excited to go to my first blog conference in April, Go Blog Social. My friend Kala is going too!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
…I want it to warm up for good and officially end winter. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
…I feel like I'm keeping lots of secrets.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
…The start of garage sale season is coming soon and I can't wait. </div>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Sometimes…</h3>
<div>
<br />
…I wonder if I'm the only person on the road that knows how to drive.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
…I take 2 hour long naps right before I go to bed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
…Cold weather makes me a really mean and awful person.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
…I eat popcorn for dinner.<br />
<br />
...I get concerned with the amount of tv I watch and social media I consume.</div>
<div>
<br />
</div>
<h3>
Never…</h3>
<div>
<br />
…do I ever want to become a vegetarian.</div>
<br />
...will I ever turn down cotton candy.<br />
<br />
...will I not scream if I see a mouse.<br />
<br />
...have I had the desire to run a marathon. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" style="width: NaN%;" /></div>
<br />
(P.S. Keep checking back and maybe I'll tell you some of my secrets.)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-74947652254794872782015-03-25T16:29:00.001-05:002015-03-25T16:29:14.421-05:00Spring in KansasI feel like Spring has officially sprung here in good old Kansas. The temps are no longer in the frigid range and my flowers have begun to pop up and bloom.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5i2-auHgjjFYRKMJwZGCwOjU-BEAChCJ6AJTxGbH-Y8CZUQOoBxn0AHpeYp-Wu8wo9p9Zd7zS6nnj4UtZDp_ajuPUSNJOnW9jzmiSdTJexkamp-UVNWl-ceQSZCr2Bq2xqamzpqrEnC6w/s1600/IMG_1359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5i2-auHgjjFYRKMJwZGCwOjU-BEAChCJ6AJTxGbH-Y8CZUQOoBxn0AHpeYp-Wu8wo9p9Zd7zS6nnj4UtZDp_ajuPUSNJOnW9jzmiSdTJexkamp-UVNWl-ceQSZCr2Bq2xqamzpqrEnC6w/s1600/IMG_1359.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1OhdDj2oPpXyRC4A0XNblk4aiftjMxj5qb6YYNgpbHIp5Dh5yA3ZaELSOxP-nmVGlb-NqUIoFSo8IdlefhLol_23ejVYQEEBqBh20IV_Dqbac7bGSzPtyB3yi3BjeX1fPYErJQva2PO4/s1600/IMG_1313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1OhdDj2oPpXyRC4A0XNblk4aiftjMxj5qb6YYNgpbHIp5Dh5yA3ZaELSOxP-nmVGlb-NqUIoFSo8IdlefhLol_23ejVYQEEBqBh20IV_Dqbac7bGSzPtyB3yi3BjeX1fPYErJQva2PO4/s1600/IMG_1313.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I like to think that I have jumped head first into Spring cleaning of my house but let's be completely honest I haven't. A few things have managed to get removed from my closet and some wallpaper has been destroyed but other than that I have nothing but a list of to-dos to show for my efforts.<br />
<br />
The most likely culprit of my lack of cleaning has been my garden. I managed to convince my dear husband to do the heavy lifting for me and till up the garden after I raked out as many dead weeds as possible.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWixgidNEl2wysvBUHAGKWchVm7_pv4OURlJgjpCTi-E3pLXMETr97Cf7RmFz_l9y0YfLPoqGisr1DbUPU2FmeC9PGGqn_VLIjWonkqceKf9LQwRQnZ_o2DRGb23MQX0WdDaJmDAKJGnim/s1600/IMG_1307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWixgidNEl2wysvBUHAGKWchVm7_pv4OURlJgjpCTi-E3pLXMETr97Cf7RmFz_l9y0YfLPoqGisr1DbUPU2FmeC9PGGqn_VLIjWonkqceKf9LQwRQnZ_o2DRGb23MQX0WdDaJmDAKJGnim/s1600/IMG_1307.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Probably because I picked up all this fertilizer for "his" yard...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Surprisingly it didn't take too much to convince him to build me a couple raised beds for my strawberries either. I managed to get those painted and then we got them settled in the ground. We threw some regular soil into the bottom part of the beds and then I bought a couple bags of good top soil from Home Depot. Last night I finally got my strawberries transplanted just in time for the rain showers today.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIhe_nrtywKUcyY7St3jE0kJD6MzY8DJbPk1beXJLgFl6l6jt7cIpLlzF8MGJavGS7Wtfpp4FkW1HDQzkwSy1ffmn39eCzUz1WgWfUZ9qaEsDo2w9Juqm6NgWGBxjmptESxhQ_CxRss1u/s1600/IMG_1355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIhe_nrtywKUcyY7St3jE0kJD6MzY8DJbPk1beXJLgFl6l6jt7cIpLlzF8MGJavGS7Wtfpp4FkW1HDQzkwSy1ffmn39eCzUz1WgWfUZ9qaEsDo2w9Juqm6NgWGBxjmptESxhQ_CxRss1u/s1600/IMG_1355.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvta3VCFSZJb06Elq5RhFMeR0rEiJeH2UOw7qNr_vuK3cJa7Y9Vd1VJZJoq_aSTXgU3SZp3IgEsKMnt3oE5K7ZVF-jPX5eR7kp3B8lo_0x5hqIK1HdQoGO22oh9HC32Yfxfvqw97Wd3Y7g/s1600/IMG_1356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvta3VCFSZJb06Elq5RhFMeR0rEiJeH2UOw7qNr_vuK3cJa7Y9Vd1VJZJoq_aSTXgU3SZp3IgEsKMnt3oE5K7ZVF-jPX5eR7kp3B8lo_0x5hqIK1HdQoGO22oh9HC32Yfxfvqw97Wd3Y7g/s1600/IMG_1356.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still have lots to plant.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Let's take a moment now to appreciate some of Spring's beauty…<br />
<br />
The new table and chairs I snagged at IKEA for my back deck…<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPf6k_i12SaK8oCgts303zU8UnncMqqkHdMcFvh5Zzh0ynDLw5zfE4UwXy4-5jjmEsujMBoTArMi2c2b3HIBP4c8UvRcjkIxFkPlCQ08sXsbkej8QZEmrnNIvNsafAi_jiTBodyQ-QuI2s/s1600/IMG_1312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPf6k_i12SaK8oCgts303zU8UnncMqqkHdMcFvh5Zzh0ynDLw5zfE4UwXy4-5jjmEsujMBoTArMi2c2b3HIBP4c8UvRcjkIxFkPlCQ08sXsbkej8QZEmrnNIvNsafAi_jiTBodyQ-QuI2s/s1600/IMG_1312.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dinner on the grill...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVfEdUhUXs9Nxd7mU3-IeKwe-6AiIDJSlHRq9QXp3z3gaW906oeybKiP-K2ze1cGPNzoLZ6dn4_xHPFVidDT79PL0Uw6iqx7ebD4XypRv487-_NCiUCKYEtRL5yMgfpGqb16VEw874YaL/s1600/IMG_1317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVfEdUhUXs9Nxd7mU3-IeKwe-6AiIDJSlHRq9QXp3z3gaW906oeybKiP-K2ze1cGPNzoLZ6dn4_xHPFVidDT79PL0Uw6iqx7ebD4XypRv487-_NCiUCKYEtRL5yMgfpGqb16VEw874YaL/s1600/IMG_1317.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Browsing the local greenhouses…<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmd75Jg6fvdjVyzpQA4A6v3281jCX4ufmuOXnMbnud-dvKHHWubUR-PxJVMNmD6OmSEhq2nRr4mTs0qSR8YIpTWRnwD9iXg-l1OPdI-6XjNUQXcKTKo43DzOy0NuDyMg_esCI9niOzId3i/s1600/IMG_1330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmd75Jg6fvdjVyzpQA4A6v3281jCX4ufmuOXnMbnud-dvKHHWubUR-PxJVMNmD6OmSEhq2nRr4mTs0qSR8YIpTWRnwD9iXg-l1OPdI-6XjNUQXcKTKo43DzOy0NuDyMg_esCI9niOzId3i/s1600/IMG_1330.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTEx0clbOzgV0nIGQaCYZx3Gv6AHqEHIWIVxKeEuHf6aAlE8Dbf5nhYvQP7isQJOM9AHPod5v8h5FXsq9T7aVMKIPbkEfeKhk64NWhyphenhyphenUd4NGqQ3mcLINxivVnJe7-jQ_7Vh0BqaH6FGew/s1600/IMG_1333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTEx0clbOzgV0nIGQaCYZx3Gv6AHqEHIWIVxKeEuHf6aAlE8Dbf5nhYvQP7isQJOM9AHPod5v8h5FXsq9T7aVMKIPbkEfeKhk64NWhyphenhyphenUd4NGqQ3mcLINxivVnJe7-jQ_7Vh0BqaH6FGew/s1600/IMG_1333.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And the start of baseball season… Go Royals!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnovUWb753GvN60o5kuj_jkOh53pZ1FSpZ-vTyyTQ75Bqdmvz6CL3hwJYBESsKDTiNXSBYdeGR0elIEKmYHS3p8yT3wd2kXTYrhnELBWaXHc7eibedx-qLWfbLLsa3et8563PKDKor6ol/s1600/IMG_1354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnovUWb753GvN60o5kuj_jkOh53pZ1FSpZ-vTyyTQ75Bqdmvz6CL3hwJYBESsKDTiNXSBYdeGR0elIEKmYHS3p8yT3wd2kXTYrhnELBWaXHc7eibedx-qLWfbLLsa3et8563PKDKor6ol/s1600/IMG_1354.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" style="width: NaN%;" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-40925141495502925232015-02-16T08:30:00.000-06:002015-02-17T09:32:46.103-06:00Money Saving Monday: Bing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-gaLnCZ-41Ypt63Sn15_DVQOJKUW_YSlrPWfOlX5m-7_MZ9fQZEwVjFJ7tMBbatMsfv32YUTP_IgHPgUdC9aDedV2nJMJFG-OLs4gzD0cYC0GiXH8HDK64xR_trNMhykn1t8MCNFyjsn/s1600/MSM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-gaLnCZ-41Ypt63Sn15_DVQOJKUW_YSlrPWfOlX5m-7_MZ9fQZEwVjFJ7tMBbatMsfv32YUTP_IgHPgUdC9aDedV2nJMJFG-OLs4gzD0cYC0GiXH8HDK64xR_trNMhykn1t8MCNFyjsn/s1600/MSM.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Have you all heard of <a href="https://www.bing.com/explore/rewards?PUBL=REFERAFRIEND&CREA=RAW&rrid=_08dfb9a2-f169-7d38-a172-34c1287c7893" target="_blank">Bing</a>? It's basically Google but instead it's <a href="https://www.bing.com/explore/rewards?PUBL=REFERAFRIEND&CREA=RAW&rrid=_08dfb9a2-f169-7d38-a172-34c1287c7893" target="_blank">Bing</a>. I've been using Bing for a couple years now along with Google. You might ask yourself, why in the world wouldn't I always use Google? Good question my friend. The answer is Bing gives me gift cards for using them!<br />
<br />
Right now I'm sure you are thinking what's the catch? Nothing. Really. Every morning when I need to Bing something I just visit <a href="https://www.bing.com/explore/rewards?PUBL=REFERAFRIEND&CREA=RAW&rrid=_08dfb9a2-f169-7d38-a172-34c1287c7893" target="_blank">Bing.com </a>and type my search terms in the box, exactly like Google. It spits backs a ton of answers, just like Google. For each 2 items I "Bing" I earn 1 credit up to 15 credits per day in basic searches. Then I can <a href="https://www.bing.com/explore/rewards?PUBL=REFERAFRIEND&CREA=RAW&rrid=_08dfb9a2-f169-7d38-a172-34c1287c7893" target="_blank">Bing</a> on my phone and earn an additional 10 credits and they always have at least one freebie of the day like a trivia question (that you can Bing for the answer).<br />
<br />
By now I'm sure you are thinking that it must take years to earn enough credits to redeem for a gift card but that is not so! In fact, you can realistically earn a $5 Amazon credit every month without much problem at all.<br />
<br />
Let's do some math…<br />
<br />
30 searches a day on a computer = 15 credits<br />
20 searches a day on a phone = 10 credits<br />
1 (minimum) freebie search a day = 1 credit<br />
Total = 26 credits a day!<br />
<br />
I'm currently a Gold Member which is nice because it means I get discounts on rewards.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC25wDuBO0JANYXTmi4dUNvIWtcyIQhYo7wIhu8bJx5-PT7pROJXB3b5s0ZY4l3H8i6Blkcsm1e6buVL5o65xWdEVAmJCUjRDv5SfWq3mL1jRgUuNYDxlIirOFTN3aiootVjfFBC1LLkfo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-02-11+at+4.24.44+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC25wDuBO0JANYXTmi4dUNvIWtcyIQhYo7wIhu8bJx5-PT7pROJXB3b5s0ZY4l3H8i6Blkcsm1e6buVL5o65xWdEVAmJCUjRDv5SfWq3mL1jRgUuNYDxlIirOFTN3aiootVjfFBC1LLkfo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-02-11+at+4.24.44+PM.png" height="499" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A $5 Amazon gift card costs a Gold Member 475 credits and a non-gold member 525 credits.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKv6hWmR0ns5FMnJz7fev28ao0WDZSllOlHN4OVM_JjIGABvBgvTlBPq7qfWmcqJ2Wfdd7RrNtwDFo0J7Gg9rQpNpNUQYMiG-Zml0zbESn1oe6wTSbj1zTdtxLgHPf7hyphenhyphenIY1C673Xph0V/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-02-05+at+11.53.55+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKv6hWmR0ns5FMnJz7fev28ao0WDZSllOlHN4OVM_JjIGABvBgvTlBPq7qfWmcqJ2Wfdd7RrNtwDFo0J7Gg9rQpNpNUQYMiG-Zml0zbESn1oe6wTSbj1zTdtxLgHPf7hyphenhyphenIY1C673Xph0V/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-02-05+at+11.53.55+AM.png" height="616" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A handful of different gift card options available.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So 475 credits divided by 26 credits a day is roughly 19 days of searches. Which means, if you do as many searches as allowed every day, you will be able to have a $5 gift card every 19 days. Not too bad since you are probably Googling stuff every day anyway.<br />
<br />
I don't normally Bing 50 different options a day on my own so what I typically do is click through the basic story headlines on the homepage. You don't have to do anything but click on each one. Takes maybe 2 minutes to click on enough to earn all your credits for the day. I also don't do a lot of bing searches on my phone (not convenient so I don't waste my time) so it does take me a little longer to earn the gift cards but not too much longer.<br />
<br />
At this point I have redeemed for three $5 amazon gift card codes and I currently have enough credits for two more $5 codes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqv5JXI7N_d829Wj42es1tku1zOmg5SEyZ9Hu5rGEBiTMQAQ7F6eOFY2-w8CvhUHSeoh0YW2q2mIyxOJCdjOYnvLNKrN5dLFuLr_xuXmmQohRcbHF6vUMZM1_1-tb7Ya6AvF799kzwDfA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-02-11+at+4.57.54+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqv5JXI7N_d829Wj42es1tku1zOmg5SEyZ9Hu5rGEBiTMQAQ7F6eOFY2-w8CvhUHSeoh0YW2q2mIyxOJCdjOYnvLNKrN5dLFuLr_xuXmmQohRcbHF6vUMZM1_1-tb7Ya6AvF799kzwDfA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-02-11+at+4.57.54+PM.png" height="370" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Are you going to get rich with Bing? No. You will earn a few gift cards every now and then though for doing something super simple that you probably do daily anyway. Seems like a no-brainer to me!<br />
<br />
Does anyone else Bing? What do you think of it?<br />
<br />
P.S. I do earn referral credits if you click one of my <a href="https://www.bing.com/explore/rewards?PUBL=REFERAFRIEND&CREA=RAW&rrid=_08dfb9a2-f169-7d38-a172-34c1287c7893" target="_blank">Bing</a> links above and use it to earn credits. No pressure… ;)<br />
<br />
(No I'm not a sponsor of Bing, I just think it's pretty cool)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" style="width: NaN%;" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-21714301123255076052015-01-23T14:54:00.003-06:002015-01-23T14:54:47.212-06:00Things I'm currently loving...<div style="text-align: center;">
Anything and everything gold!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjd-SlVkTzMXtdg3qYZ7Qv9pFq-ROjjHdBMZ4EQ8-pJ5Minn0ufOFjLIXKbbxA7865iYSDo21WFhlqi7Ye-hLGIbLoyiNW1GiyOmoDsLC4JUaQs6Z61Xx9ArUr53h26Pb5Pn52Mh_S4G4/s1600/IMG_0960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjd-SlVkTzMXtdg3qYZ7Qv9pFq-ROjjHdBMZ4EQ8-pJ5Minn0ufOFjLIXKbbxA7865iYSDo21WFhlqi7Ye-hLGIbLoyiNW1GiyOmoDsLC4JUaQs6Z61Xx9ArUr53h26Pb5Pn52Mh_S4G4/s1600/IMG_0960.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The beautiful flowers my husband sent me for no reason on Tuesday.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGdJUUOy4x8R-9xG6LPiPG2iveTgj0SNCW8lpeY6wL1aVaLe2uHFRN2-bFYZJstr9aCIkfpcTvv38WFwDCwW97JtvHjmQXVoNhCqYGQXdWCrYEirvQEiU3RKgcBEX69L3e1hSqQkCeozB/s1600/IMG_1031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGdJUUOy4x8R-9xG6LPiPG2iveTgj0SNCW8lpeY6wL1aVaLe2uHFRN2-bFYZJstr9aCIkfpcTvv38WFwDCwW97JtvHjmQXVoNhCqYGQXdWCrYEirvQEiU3RKgcBEX69L3e1hSqQkCeozB/s1600/IMG_1031.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Maroon 5 song Sugar. It's so good!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Gas prices. I can't even believe they are so low. Hopefully I'm not jinxing it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwW7e2d8zOQlKMT4ifdCwh_iU8xwGdTFqTAUBlOCxdYoXXnrg3QbmlEZsakJh2ClkIVMbAs68oPYOOlDChbXiD4qGt5QRyWZc3Ky4ipWowQHzo6AOea7FyYWUcRe2dXXsBAuyG6NB0Src9/s1600/IMG_0947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwW7e2d8zOQlKMT4ifdCwh_iU8xwGdTFqTAUBlOCxdYoXXnrg3QbmlEZsakJh2ClkIVMbAs68oPYOOlDChbXiD4qGt5QRyWZc3Ky4ipWowQHzo6AOea7FyYWUcRe2dXXsBAuyG6NB0Src9/s1600/IMG_0947.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Okay, so maybe I used some fuel points on this one.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Peeling wallpaper. Oh wait…I HATE that. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Giant greasy hamburgers. Not sure why but almost everyday I want to eat a hamburger. (Don't worry I don't. Sadly.)<br />
<br />
My husbands butt in these jeans…<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpL9O-u8bM5OOjxv_OV2dD4Lev5PJVWwSZhzrtlqsdEdg3Bw1t6xJFZ37iIQs7K6zO8anQuk71Ad_Qs5RWsPuoCdQ2xVKhuL8JPeywUUtfnAHNtRQJzA5LEhlE70qY6ne0iWzhnXTv5Df/s1600/IMG_0857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpL9O-u8bM5OOjxv_OV2dD4Lev5PJVWwSZhzrtlqsdEdg3Bw1t6xJFZ37iIQs7K6zO8anQuk71Ad_Qs5RWsPuoCdQ2xVKhuL8JPeywUUtfnAHNtRQJzA5LEhlE70qY6ne0iWzhnXTv5Df/s1600/IMG_0857.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
American Sniper, the movie. It was really good and super intense. Makes you appreciate our freedom and what soldiers do for our country. You know it was good when the theatre is dead silent as the credits roll until people start clapping. Check it out. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The lovely free printable Meal Planner I made for all you lovely readers :) You can find a downloadable file of it on my Blog BFF Kala's page <a href="http://www.mybreezyroom.com/monthly-meal-planner-printable/" target="_blank">My Breezy Room</a>!<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDhYcnF5FuN0oFkkzMaJtmEUVueawryjmYopk6PwhnE6G34PMBdTF2CPv20cusz-y0hmBLPs04pd_zbGd5SQ3OIz7qD1nFg3Y9NrtkJ1BHlB1G-IiGTIX9ZPHwhXndOeIioDmjmNhJbLH/s1600/IMG_1046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDhYcnF5FuN0oFkkzMaJtmEUVueawryjmYopk6PwhnE6G34PMBdTF2CPv20cusz-y0hmBLPs04pd_zbGd5SQ3OIz7qD1nFg3Y9NrtkJ1BHlB1G-IiGTIX9ZPHwhXndOeIioDmjmNhJbLH/s1600/IMG_1046.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Have a lovely weekend!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" style="width: NaN%;" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-53004799701273819412015-01-19T11:16:00.001-06:002015-01-19T11:16:46.648-06:00Money Saving Monday<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've realized I have about a million little tricks and tips for saving money. Since I'm pretty sure everyone loves to save money I have decided to do a little series occasionally called <b><span style="font-size: large;">Money Saving Monday</span></b>. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3r1yIiuPqYCkv_j4FIBwf_Ab_5IRPKpe2r5aaDqnjry9JH3tdg-5Pr7QtVOTG_E8_HXjcMzyW9Ji9LXcI8DRyEAV7Ch3tbGIdXAHgZQJxSRLh__edAHg6Uk_T6I8U3hsHmBgyohDepNAn/s1600/MSM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3r1yIiuPqYCkv_j4FIBwf_Ab_5IRPKpe2r5aaDqnjry9JH3tdg-5Pr7QtVOTG_E8_HXjcMzyW9Ji9LXcI8DRyEAV7Ch3tbGIdXAHgZQJxSRLh__edAHg6Uk_T6I8U3hsHmBgyohDepNAn/s1600/MSM.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With this series I will share ways (that I actually use) to save myself and my family money. This ranges from making freezer meals, to couponing, to using certain websites or apps to earn things like gift cards, cash and magazines!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If there is something in particular you are interested in saving money on let me know in the comments below. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To get started…<a href="http://itfreezesbeautifully.blogspot.com/2014/12/how-i-makesave-money-with-my-phone.html" target="_blank">here's a link</a> to a post I did a few weeks ago. I have currently earned approximately $70 in gift cards just from this app. (Hint: If you use the link I provide I earn bonus points and so do you!)</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" style="width: NaN%;" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-63572163793563852792015-01-15T15:34:00.000-06:002015-01-15T15:35:07.398-06:00I'm not a failure(I bet that title made you click, huh? I'm not a failure at my non-resolutions that is!)<br />
<br />
My <a href="http://itfreezesbeautifully.blogspot.com/2015/01/a-new-year-without-resolutions.html" target="_blank">New Years goal to Simplify my life</a> is going pretty well. Am I an expert at it yet? Not even close. Here's a few things I have done so far to help me get the process going...<br />
<br />
I cleaned out a few kitchen cabinets that were literally overflowing. I purged a bunch of food that was expired or that I realized we will never eat and reorganized to make things easier to find. Now I don't dread opening up my cabinets. Win!<br />
<br />
I set up a second checking account with automatic transfers from our regular checking account. A small amount is transferred each Friday (Seth's payday). This money will be used on household projects such re-roofing and re-siding our house. Which will help avoid the, "oh shoot, that's a lot of money to come up with" Yay!<br />
<br />
I have continued to write my to do lists in my planner and then try to get through the items on my list each day. If I don't complete the item I move it to the next day. Re-writing the same thing over and over from day to day seems stupid to me so I just get the item done so I can check it off. I love checking off lists!<br />
<br />
<br />
It might only be the second week of January but hopefully I will be able to stick with it. Wish me luck!<br />
<br />
How have your resolutions or non-resolutions been going so far?? Any tips or tricks?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" style="width: NaN%;" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-78570045359708483402015-01-05T15:08:00.001-06:002015-01-05T15:08:33.989-06:00A New Year Without Resolutions!<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's already the 5th of January and until I started writing this post I was feeling slightly overwhelmed and like I already failed at the New Year. I decided to not make formal New Years Resolutions this year and I was a little worried about it because who doesn't like starting a new year with a long list of to-do's? </span></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I think it's my indecisiveness and moderate ADD that make resolutions overwhelming to me in general. I have so many ideas, hopes, dreams, that just thinking about them all makes my head spin. And then writing them down scares the crap out of me. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Instead of year long resolutions, that usually end up forgotten by February, I have decided to try and have a general focus for the year. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This year my focus is going to be:</span><div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>SIMPLIFY</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To me, Simplify, can mean a lot of different things but I think it can be pretty well summed up by saying: </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>Figure out what's important to you, and get rid of everything else.</b></i></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW05ygzLMtC1Btg2LNrQcvM_cpanNPmXBsMvSimOrRFP0q9B65t55aD3gi0Ozabz232s4_ou-ruVKRGIE9dlfwRolMPhp8F7jXqjOK5jyFtkSYlbDoGj-T7806cwtQxV3C1Gp06SdfeWum/s1600/IMG_0960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW05ygzLMtC1Btg2LNrQcvM_cpanNPmXBsMvSimOrRFP0q9B65t55aD3gi0Ozabz232s4_ou-ruVKRGIE9dlfwRolMPhp8F7jXqjOK5jyFtkSYlbDoGj-T7806cwtQxV3C1Gp06SdfeWum/s1600/IMG_0960.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell I'm currently loving gold and polka dots?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Here's my plan of action:</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. Clean out my closets and cabinets and get rid of things that I don't need or use.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. Plan ahead for things like birthdays, meals, bills, etc. using my planner.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. Set up automatic banking transfers to save money for home improvements</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. Spend less time looking at screens which will create extra time</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5. Fix problems instead of creating work arounds</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6. Clean out unneeded digital data (photos, files, emails, etc.)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">7. Buy less and use what I have</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">8. Add in extra time to avoid being late</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">9. Spend 15 minutes a day cleaning (laundry, dusting, sweeping) to avoid a weekend of cleaning</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">10. Focus any extra time on relationships. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I realize this may look like a long list of resolutions but I would like to argue that it is different. This list is by no means all inclusive but it does help to give me a starting point and a direction for where I want to go this year. I'm hoping that by keeping it simple (aka: Simplifying) all I have to do is ask myself, "Will ________ help to simplify my life?" The answer to that one little question should help me to focus on what really matters. </span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE16RPBYgcBl9e84dOh3t8mu69C3Ra9veDWJ8-7VwEhDdc3tqxGAxFkl1qHUc_J4rDBC65afce4_jEBkcQwUqH-ByblyJfAr2ndHssWQJFeH1WQBCfeTp870yNN4wCqJ3x4eSLR-3Fki4Q/s1600/IMG_0961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE16RPBYgcBl9e84dOh3t8mu69C3Ra9veDWJ8-7VwEhDdc3tqxGAxFkl1qHUc_J4rDBC65afce4_jEBkcQwUqH-ByblyJfAr2ndHssWQJFeH1WQBCfeTp870yNN4wCqJ3x4eSLR-3Fki4Q/s1600/IMG_0961.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">January is filling up!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Do you have New Years Resolutions? Do you stick to them? I want to know what you think!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" style="width: NaN%;" /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-4333619690016506172014-12-07T16:05:00.000-06:002014-12-07T16:05:54.823-06:00How I Make/Save Money with my Phone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrtHm8RKXue8fdoNSbv32yMwDxKjNuNPc13kh6JweK803eclgQLPlrpOTtTjcmgkTLiJf6P-GIrP2Cayskc6zeW3_mNeW9YDCNRp2SF3VVAWUjaRdvciaRSVqoO8s5eNgUqmZawL4bXs2/s1600/Free.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrtHm8RKXue8fdoNSbv32yMwDxKjNuNPc13kh6JweK803eclgQLPlrpOTtTjcmgkTLiJf6P-GIrP2Cayskc6zeW3_mNeW9YDCNRp2SF3VVAWUjaRdvciaRSVqoO8s5eNgUqmZawL4bXs2/s1600/Free.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Aren't cell phones amazing?! They are basically tiny little computers that fit in our skinny jeans and save us money! <br />
<br />
I thought it might be a good idea to share a couple of my favorite apps that are super simple and have saved, even earned, me money. <br />
<br />
My favorite money making app is <a href="http://get.shopkick.com/franklin11995" target="_blank">Shopkick</a>. <br />
<br />
All you do is open the app when you walk in certain stores such as Target (where we all shop), JcPenny, Best Buy, Wal-Mart and more. When you open the app you typically get anywhere from 30 to 100 kicks (sometimes even 200). In some stores you can scan certain products to get you additional kicks. Many times these range from 10 to 100 kicks per scan. Once you have accumulated enough kicks you can cash them in for gift cards. Using Target as an example: you can cash in as few as 500 kicks for a $2 gift card or 6250 kicks for a $25 gift card.<br />
<br />
I have earned a total of 14,500 kicks which is equal to over $50 in gift cards. I have cashed in enough of my kicks to equal $35 worth of gift cards at JcPenny and currently have 5,750 kicks I can use whenever I want. The gift cards are codes that pop up almost instantly on your phone when you redeem them. You show the cashier the code which they enter as a gift card and ta-dah, free stuff!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZRFYI4OyXSOnRkgcrWrUHu28dSUFb-GgWHrtS6C72tQsxm80_u0fypR9yWtn2Zf38qNGgVKGIO3M3xP60C41PH_N2nv2cBfEGQz6SAxKxGPl1ns8blPEQFYd4guKrgVnQ09pL84Hz5iW/s1600/IMG_0983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZRFYI4OyXSOnRkgcrWrUHu28dSUFb-GgWHrtS6C72tQsxm80_u0fypR9yWtn2Zf38qNGgVKGIO3M3xP60C41PH_N2nv2cBfEGQz6SAxKxGPl1ns8blPEQFYd4guKrgVnQ09pL84Hz5iW/s1600/IMG_0983.JPG" height="640" width="358" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
How cool is that? <br />
<br />
I'll do a follow up post to discuss a couple of the other apps I use to save money. What are your favorite money saving apps? Tell me in the comments below. <br />
<br />
Enjoy and happy Shopkicking!<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" style="width: NaN%;" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-56402556214491877652014-11-25T11:23:00.001-06:002014-11-25T11:23:16.685-06:00Hate Mail: Dear Verizon<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">We have switched phone carriers from T-Mobile to Verizon and it has been the biggest pain in the ass hassle. My mom and I went into the Verizon store on October 13rd to start the process and order our new phones (3 hours). After going around and around and around with everything we finally got new phones way later (November 15th to be exact) than promised because of Verizon's ridiculousness. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">I have summarized a few, not all, of the main issues below in an email I so eloquently drafted to Shahrukh after he emailed me in regards to the customer satisfaction survey I filled out. Please note that when I say eloquently drafted I really mean typed incredibly fast and angrily while punching my poor keyboard as hard as possible. I had no regard for punctuation, grammar or run on paragraphs because I was blinded by anger and wanted to get my point across, so don't judge. I have added in the sections in red for your viewing pleasure and because that's what I really wanted to write but I didn't think they would take me seriously.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">Verizon - If you would like to contact me, you've got my number ;)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><span style="color: #444444;">And without further ado:</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><span style="color: #444444;">Hi Shahrukh</span><span style="color: #990000;"> (the guy that emailed me from Verizon)</span><span style="color: #444444;">,</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"><span style="color: #444444;">I just wanted to let you know that so far I have not been happy with my service at Verizon. It has honestly been nothing but a nightmare </span><span style="color: #990000;">(literally, I dream I'm on the phone with them)</span><span style="color: #444444;"> with one problem after the next. I have spent 10 hours, at least, on the phone with Verizon, including over 3 hours in one day </span></span></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">(207 minutes to be exact)</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">. I have been bounced from one person to another! I have talked to Wendy, Amber, Franklin, Quint, John, Julian and </span><u style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">more</u><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"> and that was in ONE DAY!! I have been in 3 different Verizon stores to go over things with employees there. My orders were cancelled 3 times </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">(get your shit together)</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">!!!!! They shipped me an extra phone and billed it to me!</span><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"> (Oh, and the extra phone was delivered to my husband, at my house, WHILE I was in VERIZON. </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"> </span></span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">Is this real life? Am I being Punked? Where's Ashton?) </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">They still have not adjusted my data plan and now are telling me they can't do it until the extra phone, </span></span><b style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">that was wrongly sent on Verizon's part</b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">, returns back to Verizon. </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">(So I get to call again? FML) </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">We switched for reliability and so far we have had multiple dropped calls on the road where we have never before dropped calls with our old provider </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">(granted they got dropped many other locations with them).</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;"> We have dropped phone calls inside our home. We can not pull up the internet in the parking lot of a local gas station….does that sound like reliability to you???? Heaven forbid I'm stranded on the side of the road! Multiple times when I called Verizon for help I was told a Supervisor would return my call and it was not returned. Is that customer service?? I think not. </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">(Dis-service? Yes)</span></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">
<span style="color: #444444;">I'm not happy. If you want to do something to make it right I will listen, but until then I guarantee you that I will not be singing Verizon's praises. Instead, I have been telling friends, family, coworkers and anyone </span><span style="color: #990000;">(and I mean anyone) </span><span style="color: #444444;">who will listen how dis-satisfied I am with Verizon. I'm an easy to please kinda person so I hope you understand how unhappy I am at this point. </span><span style="color: #990000;">(Even though I sound like a raging lunatic at this point because that's where you've pushed me).</span><span style="color: #444444;">This is not how customers should be treated and Verizon should be ashamed of themselves!</span></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">
Unhappy Customer,</div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">
Julie </div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.299999237060547px;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">(P.S. I will not be thankful for Verizon on Thanksgiving.)</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEivJnGgKGKRCKAzuJSPvlDpQvpO5FvezUsywawzrOEohYlpOcA-K7capHerptvi5QSDi-51574EFO4EH5sLQI4rGMTuGEZW3Fw4CIxWZowiK3s7VsZnZfFr_s5Wvjh-eur2uomu0_xnNxkN-HesGZ4L1U6IQdr3TQ=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="post signature" border="0" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" style="width: NaN%;" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fimg248.imageshack.us%2Fimg248%2F5313%2Fsignaturepi.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEivJnGgKGKRCKAzuJSPvlDpQvpO5FvezUsywawzrOEohYlpOcA-K7capHerptvi5QSDi-51574EFO4EH5sLQI4rGMTuGEZW3Fw4CIxWZowiK3s7VsZnZfFr_s5Wvjh-eur2uomu0_xnNxkN-HesGZ4L1U6IQdr3TQ=" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-27220422770887709052014-11-13T21:45:00.001-06:002014-11-13T21:48:02.970-06:00World Series - Royals vs. Giants (Part 2)Okay, so let's see if I can wrap this up...<br />
<br />
After we sold our tickets to Game 1 we were feeling a little bummed until we watched them lose, so we were okay with missing out on the game. <br />
<br />
Game 2 was on a Wednesday and my brother, Mike, and is girlfriend, Taryn, rode with us and we all tailgated together. I obviously made some signs, it was the World Series, DUH, that the tailgating crowd seemed to really enjoy. Especially the Giants fans next to us. We even got interviewed by a news station, and even thought they didn't use our interview, we still made the footage though with my sweet signs. <br />
<br />
Chevy had an area set up in the parking lot where you could go and take photos in a bunch of fun spots and then we got to play the worlds largest cornhole game. Let's just say, I sucked at it. Big time. At a certain point it was time to go into the game.<br />
<br />
Our seats were actually decent and the people around us were a lot of fun. Turns out the people a few rows behind us didn't love us though because, heaven forbid, we stand and cheer with the other sections. That's right, we literally got yelled at to sit down. Pretty sure the people behind us didn't like it much when we turned around and told them to stand up because they are at "THE WORLD SERIES" and "buy better seats next time". Maybe that sounds rude but the majority of the people in the stadium were standing even if everyone in our section wasn't and they were literally yelling at me to sit down before I had a chance to sit down. At that point we pretty much said screw you and stood most of the rest of the game. Security even tried to tell us to sit and we argued with her until everyone around us stood up and she moved on. Pretty ridiculous really. We weren't blocking kids or anything it was just grumpy old people. We ignored them and had a great time.<br />
<br />
Game 6 <br />
Seth's best friend, Chris, was in town from Colorado so he joined us in our tailgating extravaganza. We also met up with a few of my cousins in the parking lot. Since Game 6 was a possible clinch game for San Francisco the mood in the parking lot wasn't quite as boisterous but still lots of fun. I made some more sign's...some that were maybe a little inappropriate but the guys insisted. <br />
<br />
We headed with the crowds into the stadium until we got stopped. My ticket worked great. Seth handed the lady his ticket and it beeped and wouldn't scan. I said, woah, woah, woah, we bought these tickets from your sales guy in the ticket office, scan it again. She did and it still didn't go and told us he needed to go to customer service. Chris jumped in and gave Seth his ticket and said he would take our ticket and get things figured out. So Chris went to customer service outside and Seth and I went to customer service inside where I threw a little fit and spouted off my speech..."We bought these tickets from so and so in your ticket office and our friend is stuck on the outside of the gate and we are being told our ticket was illegally sold on Stubhub and our friend in from Colorado and you need to let him in now!" I have no idea what happened but they let Chris in so we all raced to our seats but we missed the ceremonial first pitch and the National Anthem. Oh, and there was someone in my seat. NBD. Since we had just finished tailgating I obviously had a little liquid courage that made me ask mister in-my-seat if he had bought his ticket off Stubhub. He said yes and so I felt I had to tell him that someone stole our ticket barcode somehow and sold it illegally on Stubhub. I then went on to tell him I knew he didn't do it and sorry we were so crowded together. He apologized and offered to move to the empty seat the next row down. I insisted he was fine and that I was sure there would probably be someone coming for that empty seat anyway. At this point the people a few rows behind us thought it would be a good idea to yell at us again so I just yelled back that I didn't have a seat because mine was sold illegally!! I tried to sit on Seth's lap and decided the best option was to call Stubhub directly. Poor lady that answered the phone. Convo went something like this...<br />
<br />
Stubhub Lady: Hello, Stubhub how can I help you?<br />
Me: Ummm...I'm at the WORLD SERIES right now and someone is in my seat because someone sold it ILLEGALLY on YOUR site!<br />
SH Lady: Ummmmm....someone sold your ticket on Stubhub? <br />
Me: Yes, and it wasn't me! I DID NOT sell my ticket and now people are yelling at me because I'm standing at the World Series. <br />
SH Lady: Ummmmmm....can you please hold while I get a manager?<br />
Me: Sure, no problem.<br />
SH Lady: Ma'm<br />
Me: Yes<br />
SH Lady: Do you have your ticket?<br />
Me: Yes, it's in my pocket because I didn't sell it.<br />
SH Lady: If you have the ticket it's your seat and you might need to get someone there to help you.<br />
Me: That's fine, thanks for your help. Looks like he left so I'm sitting here anyway. Thanks for your help!<br />
<br />
And he was gone, never to be seen the rest of the game. Can't help but wonder since he left so easily if he was the real thief! If so, well played sir. Looks like you got to see the World Series, even if it was only standing room. <br />
<br />
Once all of that happened, Seth decided he needed to go get a beer. While he was gone mean security lady came to take away my inappropriate sign. She was a lovely lady. Not really. I gave it up pretty freely because I just wanted to watch the dang game. Seth got back, we watched, we cheered, we stood. And then bitchy people yelled at us AGAIN!! I know at this point you are probably thinking we must have been obnoxious or rude or something but I assure you we weren't at all. I wasn't drunk or even a little drunk and was just getting annoyed. We were just standing and cheering with the majority of the stadium even if it wasn't the majority of our section. Anyway, Seth went out to get another beer with Chris. He was gone quite awhile and then Chris came to get me because they wanted to see Seth's ticket before letting him back in our section. I was basically thinking...are you kidding me?!!! I went to the little tunnel that led to our seats and flashed the tickets to the cops and security that were standing there. The cops asked Seth to sit if most people were sitting and he basically told them the same thing we told the people behind us. "They need to stand or buy better seats". The cops were actually super nice and just wanted him to say "sure" because the bitchy security lady was standing there. While we were all there talking a group of people from the row behind us walked by and started yelling to the cops, "he is not doing anything wrong, people are bitching and yelling at him for nothing". I assured the cops that he/we would be good and thanks. <br />
<br />
After all of those shenanigans it was far enough into a 10-0 game that everyone was standing and cheering most of the time so people couldn't yell at us for doing it anymore. Victory!!!<br />
<br />
Game 7<br />
After the Game and excitement the night before we were pretty tired but still ready to go and cheer for our Royals for one more game. Chris decided he couldn't leave to drive back to Colorado when the Royals could possibly win the World Series so he bought a ticket on the drive home after Game 6 and went back with us the next day. It was basically more of the same in the parking lot, fun basically. <br />
<br />
This time we made it smoothly into the game with no tickets being stolen and sold without our knowledge. And, not a single person yelled at us to sit down during the ENTIRE game!! I think the grumpy people were gone which was pretty awesome. We cheered our boys in blue on until the bitter end when we were hoping for a rally after Alex Gordon's triple. I'm sure people will debate for years whether the coach should have sent him home (I vote yes) or not, but it is what it is. A sad sad loss. After the last out was made you could have heard a pin drop in the silence that became the stadium. <br />
<br />
I'm not afraid to admit that I cried. It was such an amazing season and post season and will be an October that I will remember for the rest of my life. The way the city came together to support the team was truly incredible. Everywhere you looked there were signs, flags, and blue. Walking through the grocery store, through the mall or even looking at the people in the cars next to you, everyone was wearing blue. It honestly seemed like 9/10 people were thrilled with Our Royals! I have never seen so many people come together to support something before with no anger or animosity like you see with political parties and such. We hope to someday be able to describe these games and the time in our life to our children and grand-children and I don't think it will even be possible. It was an unbelievable time and experience even for those of us that were there to witness it with our own eyes. <br />
<br />
And that's my story of the 2014 World Series. I still can't believe it's over but I also can't wait until next season! <br />
<br />
<br />
I have a million photos but I think I might make a new post that contains all of those so you can relive it with me....watch for it! I'm sure you will want to see my inappropriate sign and tailgate shenannies :)<br />
<br />
Let's Go ROYALS!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" style="width: NaN%;" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-40402518585735760232014-11-10T08:00:00.000-06:002014-11-10T08:00:00.530-06:00WORLD SERIES 2014 - Royals vs. Giants (Part 1)<strike>Okay, can you all suffer through one more little (or not so little) post about the Kansas City Royals? If not, come back later and I will have moved on to something that may interest you a little more. No promises though.</strike> <br />
<br />
Well, I had good intentions of this being my last Royals post but doesn't look like it's going to be that way. Sorry, not sorry. Even if you could care less about the Royals (How dare you?!) you might enjoy this post...<br />
<br />
Anyway, let's talk World Series! Kansas City Royals vs. San Francisco Giants. <br />
<br />
Seth has grown up with baseball in his blood and it has definitely always been my favorite sport,(What girl doesn't love baseball pants?) so we did what every other rational Royals fan did... We bought a 21 game season ticket package for the 2015 season so we were able to buy World Series tickets at face value. Let me tell you, World Series ticket's <strong>not</strong> at face value are beyond expensive. And because we are super crazy we did all of this before we even knew if the Royals would be in the World Series. <br />
<br />
In the interest of full disclosure and because I want to remember later in life what the heck we did with our money I want to remember that these dollars were well spent. I mean, it's been 29 years since the Royals were last in the Post Season and then the World Series, MY WHOLE LIFE! We basically paid $2000 total for 2 tickets to the 21 games next year which includes opening day. We went to opening day this year and it basically cost about $200 total for just that one game (nosebleed section) so I feel like we are already doing pretty good. The $2000 was a deposit that will actually get us good seats (as opposed to nosebleed) for the 2015 season and I'm pretty pumped about knowing we will get to go to so many games. <br />
<br />
Once the Royals actually won the Pennant and we knew we were going to the World Series we got the option to buy our Series tickets, so we bought all we could, 2 tickets to each of the 4 possible games ($1320 total). Even though we hated to do it we sold our tickets to Game 1 in order to make back a little money and we knew we would still get to for sure go to Game 2. <br />
<br />
I listed the tickets on Stubhub, Craigslist, and also our local Facebook swap page. Let's just say that our post on the FB swap page was beyond out of control ridiculous/hilarious before the admin pulled it off. I was pretty devastated because I didn't get to screenshot any of it which I so wanted to share with all of you!!<br />
<br />
Here's a quick summary of what happened...<br />
<br />
(I should first mention that at this point all tickets that were sold at face value were gone so if you wanted a ticket you were buying it from someone else and not the actual Royals organization.)<br />
<br />
I posted a photo of the tickets (barcodes, price, and all other important info blocked out because I'm not an idiot) and a short post that said something like, "2 tickets to game 1 of the World Series, message for more info." A woman messaged immediately and we gave her a ballpark of what we were hoping to get which was less than Stubhub for seats in the same section, row, blah blah blah. She proceeded to tell us we were crazy and then commented on the public post telling other people that we were essentially bad people because we were asking more than face value and others could get cheaper tickets elsewhere. I commented back saying yes you could get cheaper tickets elsewhere but you would have standing room only or seats that were not nearly as good as ours. A bunch of people jumped in then, some to our defense, some questioning the legality of selling tickets over face value etc. Seth and I were sitting at home on a Saturday night like losers (but not really because we had World Series tickets and these sour Sally's didn't) just enjoying the entertainment. I told people that I talked to a cop (which I actually did) telling them it wasn't illegal to sell over face value in Kansas and proceeded to post this photo...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8Q7ef0oSCn0z0u3NlqbCslMm6IY5IuiDJe_F3L1l281103zyoiMUZl1ZUVhrLNsci19GXjym8_9BWLCU4BLpgmX_TG8WBziN0Txy6UqzzU-Ejio-hguMeoStdsO-wWuf7oIfUQR1Ai57/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8Q7ef0oSCn0z0u3NlqbCslMm6IY5IuiDJe_F3L1l281103zyoiMUZl1ZUVhrLNsci19GXjym8_9BWLCU4BLpgmX_TG8WBziN0Txy6UqzzU-Ejio-hguMeoStdsO-wWuf7oIfUQR1Ai57/s1600/photo.PNG" height="640" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone please tell me where I can find a good one of Taylor Swift!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
...oops. I may have also told people that if they could buy tickets for face value somewhere they better buy them and then they better call the pope because they just witnessed a miracle. Sometimes I just crack myself up. By the time I got out of church the next day Seth and I had completely stepped out of the conversation and were just watching it turn from a post about WS tickets into an argument on proper grammar and spelling, "Merica', racism, and the "hooker with the blue eyeshadow" (not me). WHAT?!!! It wasn't long after all of this that the admin deleted our post and asked us to repost it and she threatened everyone else that they would be kicked out of the group if they tried to ruin sales of others. In the end I ended up selling the tickets for $500 a piece to the ticket broker in the mall because I was sick of dealing with it. Considering face value was $165 a piece we felt pretty good about what we did get for them. <br />
<br />
Well, that little side story took a <strike>little</strike> lot longer than expected so I guess I will summarize the actual games in another post. Please don't hate me but you have to admit that selling tickets was rather entertaining, right?!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" style="width: NaN%;" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-87252785626989126642014-10-07T20:52:00.001-05:002014-10-10T21:14:30.678-05:00Royals Win ALDS!Well, the boys in blue did it again!! The lovely Royals swept the Angels in 3 straight games and won the American League Division Series. In case you missed it from the last post, it has been <strong>29 years</strong> since this has happened!<br />
<br />
Let's recap shall we?!<br />
<br />
Seth and I arrived to the Kauffman stadium parking lot promptly at noon. I'd say we were one of the first 20 cars in the parking lot. Plus we got free parking again because we were so early. Obviously we decided to keep the tradition of parking in the exact same spot as we did at the WildCard game. It was a good spot and my husband is a former baseball player so superstitions are kind of a big deal and we didn't want to be blamed for bad luck. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8I2Uo6NCELXHSFdXvJUuLs59Tm3rso-wPZox85ZfbB_OS-ecPc2wqFN9kD80DqQOhQRPaSqDtMM2EuLMZy6tyvg5eqE987KV0uzeHEfhhsxppln3yzAnoNGY5-C_upbhZwv_8s6xRql78/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8I2Uo6NCELXHSFdXvJUuLs59Tm3rso-wPZox85ZfbB_OS-ecPc2wqFN9kD80DqQOhQRPaSqDtMM2EuLMZy6tyvg5eqE987KV0uzeHEfhhsxppln3yzAnoNGY5-C_upbhZwv_8s6xRql78/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We unloaded, set up the grill and enjoyed the amazingness that is tailgating. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEnNEHTrjDU3sn3KHw4V7k9oaHS9f94P45ZykFlUe3GkmG77uRnmfDY2VJKcMDbnqua7X7_n3aMJQF9iLu1vjhf5Hx-dQtIPzkcPgYjgfd6ZSVkmdDbAhPVLT1mMRCc-IsdlHbNq7GD8d/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEnNEHTrjDU3sn3KHw4V7k9oaHS9f94P45ZykFlUe3GkmG77uRnmfDY2VJKcMDbnqua7X7_n3aMJQF9iLu1vjhf5Hx-dQtIPzkcPgYjgfd6ZSVkmdDbAhPVLT1mMRCc-IsdlHbNq7GD8d/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="400" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet jacket (and possibly pants) from 1985. Apparently Seth has one of these puppies somewhere. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dKlgikrgE3_K9aClPbnOkAOvOFbami7zG_WYCPG6Ovruwyu_g0dMh42x0Y6cHUBHDbTxRHNYsHtYJXqjyootXsC2bW-YnwV0JR_3LwcIuvzaZ2MvK3AvPlDCuMlmVlMr5UbA3i3OGMol/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dKlgikrgE3_K9aClPbnOkAOvOFbami7zG_WYCPG6Ovruwyu_g0dMh42x0Y6cHUBHDbTxRHNYsHtYJXqjyootXsC2bW-YnwV0JR_3LwcIuvzaZ2MvK3AvPlDCuMlmVlMr5UbA3i3OGMol/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Selfies</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltcwtjvIGjyaidcw7NIC-eNNd42RdQk5P_Oo9JZ_dtJ2zjkqxL3oXw1sig7dF5cayBjTnnULLXyogAB1aLFPUV1b0iaNq1t3pPhsb0YqzRut5r_xTAaWyspjbR10X8YtokKIKT3AdQz2e/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltcwtjvIGjyaidcw7NIC-eNNd42RdQk5P_Oo9JZ_dtJ2zjkqxL3oXw1sig7dF5cayBjTnnULLXyogAB1aLFPUV1b0iaNq1t3pPhsb0YqzRut5r_xTAaWyspjbR10X8YtokKIKT3AdQz2e/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Flyover</div>
<br />
<br />
Since we had standing room only seats we decided to head in as soon as the stadium opened so that we could at least see the game. I'd say we did pretty well since we ended up in the second row of SRO and the row in front of us had chairs. We watched both teams take some BP (aka: batting practice) and soaked in the sea of blue. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAA5p_LnjdCByrf1l83Ukz73PreFujvZk5NZUOuydoOBLQonDn4q03uG_TpwiDR0P2RY8jWdrTDp6cTQA3lziQ50RJ8EohIzQlS0M7CyJHEDe8NhwDoIpZwuZHLp4ApXpuQprIiG2HyWL/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAA5p_LnjdCByrf1l83Ukz73PreFujvZk5NZUOuydoOBLQonDn4q03uG_TpwiDR0P2RY8jWdrTDp6cTQA3lziQ50RJ8EohIzQlS0M7CyJHEDe8NhwDoIpZwuZHLp4ApXpuQprIiG2HyWL/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSX0Mf4Jf3YyAoIcLJ8LBibK3K-XDkU_cSP1Tx3fFQS0xTooAk6_3rtYpyliPxPkoTImwbWBMn3Y4BgERJ5FUfZCnSJ-yrUV8D4gdTB1yLLLCjOndwzL8GRSJIi9behqgbb92vFRb6ZTL/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSX0Mf4Jf3YyAoIcLJ8LBibK3K-XDkU_cSP1Tx3fFQS0xTooAk6_3rtYpyliPxPkoTImwbWBMn3Y4BgERJ5FUfZCnSJ-yrUV8D4gdTB1yLLLCjOndwzL8GRSJIi9behqgbb92vFRb6ZTL/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUr7O-AVAKwlFaDqNlQKsTqFHPYpN40_ZWycIKWDUp6S6oMR45KHvnftv7E0Hko-XQCMGEyBOGAlFu90Lag7H7G5QuHorkVAZZiS0ZrNtThhQmytbWJJOxNx-a6OKHH5n0UT37LdnjVhA-/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUr7O-AVAKwlFaDqNlQKsTqFHPYpN40_ZWycIKWDUp6S6oMR45KHvnftv7E0Hko-XQCMGEyBOGAlFu90Lag7H7G5QuHorkVAZZiS0ZrNtThhQmytbWJJOxNx-a6OKHH5n0UT37LdnjVhA-/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjaAVkBWce1QXpUm15mMF5m6nJ_JuyvKCs-Tmtw6SoZftGwmmy2ynmiEFrR3tLPvlffaRRNAcIOWHxomyHWrAtxyvA9pOrgHsfPQMoenc2IRZ0UvVTCumJpG3j4sKypQzXN8zSEcpmrpu/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjaAVkBWce1QXpUm15mMF5m6nJ_JuyvKCs-Tmtw6SoZftGwmmy2ynmiEFrR3tLPvlffaRRNAcIOWHxomyHWrAtxyvA9pOrgHsfPQMoenc2IRZ0UvVTCumJpG3j4sKypQzXN8zSEcpmrpu/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzg5VBpFBr74wCugtYtRxZHVFJU4qb2owhmNN4IcpUyhvrExc28bc1KjN9Py6v_Spa2eqFPFQB1nOct_0Bm9CQ1qmU2oyCOwhxdbVD9bZwFOw03heiRsjoJ_qENHM3DmXi7Jr_KVPaMx5b/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzg5VBpFBr74wCugtYtRxZHVFJU4qb2owhmNN4IcpUyhvrExc28bc1KjN9Py6v_Spa2eqFPFQB1nOct_0Bm9CQ1qmU2oyCOwhxdbVD9bZwFOw03heiRsjoJ_qENHM3DmXi7Jr_KVPaMx5b/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCRliHw4PBncD8IuaDkQWA2ptTR93JprwMDXPD_P4qdmDZxQ_3QGazS01JGihqkDX8SWmGWFtxt-5zzCyow5hUlQ7ujNuUnn1HUMJS5B3GkPqM7Af2y1wcyhtFzMmERp0SrTH7B_2RQ_G/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCRliHw4PBncD8IuaDkQWA2ptTR93JprwMDXPD_P4qdmDZxQ_3QGazS01JGihqkDX8SWmGWFtxt-5zzCyow5hUlQ7ujNuUnn1HUMJS5B3GkPqM7Af2y1wcyhtFzMmERp0SrTH7B_2RQ_G/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Blame it on the alcohol (not my drink).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjSCCtdR7yqHGelomcInZ8dW_rCcH0TUm-P0_UY79XG1bfHEhuseVgtvZvyJouVYNu3zVTpfzYhs1v7BgFuU-a3XQySBF1Al8rukx5g2OCvMhgaXQejjVFZn1JbWxAEKDPA2o3ibQ_IMR/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjSCCtdR7yqHGelomcInZ8dW_rCcH0TUm-P0_UY79XG1bfHEhuseVgtvZvyJouVYNu3zVTpfzYhs1v7BgFuU-a3XQySBF1Al8rukx5g2OCvMhgaXQejjVFZn1JbWxAEKDPA2o3ibQ_IMR/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="147" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrQrs6m-JwgMkZwABL0y4WslAfZnPPV4HRgQjIeasjbXM173cf5Tlhdo5u2_d7VEo-PUBHKVbXvsoLkdG5jfBH22FfpWlWfMI391YgQFlCjXsSb3UXV7R-A0VeOmPUYMxY4nk8c1pWidL/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrQrs6m-JwgMkZwABL0y4WslAfZnPPV4HRgQjIeasjbXM173cf5Tlhdo5u2_d7VEo-PUBHKVbXvsoLkdG5jfBH22FfpWlWfMI391YgQFlCjXsSb3UXV7R-A0VeOmPUYMxY4nk8c1pWidL/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLnWg4-aQ3IPWrO1u1LsdRWYOwaHiqELXEjMlyJvxwgAbryGPdRZTeYfRRz4rTJm-3in2kHF_rVA0rtnpd9Xc6eaJlhmpW361z9-bsk0uC4x-RyvWc6jqrQvHJ9UoeYLpcpWshVxd5Zng/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLnWg4-aQ3IPWrO1u1LsdRWYOwaHiqELXEjMlyJvxwgAbryGPdRZTeYfRRz4rTJm-3in2kHF_rVA0rtnpd9Xc6eaJlhmpW361z9-bsk0uC4x-RyvWc6jqrQvHJ9UoeYLpcpWshVxd5Zng/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="260" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pm1S6RQFwM71BZKPiWOvcc_aJjNEnHo5IHl-UmyBUeLDNeTGWAb_oSsY8BO_CnFj8qwzGh2zd608ZwBJYgUk4lN6a9CefL5MUBhrYHWvX1hZXnSNL8uvEAHnX8LXwWrJ5qeLzzWR_niB/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pm1S6RQFwM71BZKPiWOvcc_aJjNEnHo5IHl-UmyBUeLDNeTGWAb_oSsY8BO_CnFj8qwzGh2zd608ZwBJYgUk4lN6a9CefL5MUBhrYHWvX1hZXnSNL8uvEAHnX8LXwWrJ5qeLzzWR_niB/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The game started off with a quick run from the Angels which we promptly returned with 3 runs, in the first inning. There are so many moments that stand out so I will try to touch on a couple so hopefully I'll always remember. <br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Alex Gordon hit a 3 run double in the first inning. </li>
<li>Hosmer and Moustakas' homeruns.</li>
<li>Lorenza Cain caught two amazing back to back catches in center field.</li>
<li>Billy Butler stole 2nd base. First time he's stolen a base since July 2012.</li>
<li>Omar Infante barehanded a ball to get the runner out at 1st and get the 2nd out of the 9th inning.</li>
<li>Greg Holland striking out Mike Trout in 3 pitches to win the game.</li>
<li>The SRO fans standing out in center field taunting Mike Trout with comments of: Here fishy fishy, hey bass, hey carp, Mike, Hey Mike, over and over and over again. </li>
<li>Dyson does a flip in center field after the last out. </li>
<li>The crowd goes WILD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwOs9kjzmSYoRnh3Hjh0voIBDslhfwocj7kkDjANx8BAJwQnNF-P0pPq2hI-tblxcUQ9bU3Lsxygk8o37C-VRdGARMAAPmdjEjf7DskJ7sn-oUr1w66ePpRME6DQn_NpgbgNHRYvoDu-i/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwOs9kjzmSYoRnh3Hjh0voIBDslhfwocj7kkDjANx8BAJwQnNF-P0pPq2hI-tblxcUQ9bU3Lsxygk8o37C-VRdGARMAAPmdjEjf7DskJ7sn-oUr1w66ePpRME6DQn_NpgbgNHRYvoDu-i/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here fishy fishy (aka: Mike Trout)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkTXFMvqkiUdPY2DCLHhsiWok03lRziijtX3AEO-wPjswF8VIAsIuI71RMUN5A7mwEtl1ANcWKjI5TzeG5q21IA1xfhLwPAdjUVi4dVj4HLeD3sxk5TkgEHaROmRf53YS8E62drfvZFZK/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkTXFMvqkiUdPY2DCLHhsiWok03lRziijtX3AEO-wPjswF8VIAsIuI71RMUN5A7mwEtl1ANcWKjI5TzeG5q21IA1xfhLwPAdjUVi4dVj4HLeD3sxk5TkgEHaROmRf53YS8E62drfvZFZK/s1600/photo+5.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That's what speed do! Country Breakfast (aka: Billy Butler, photo not taken by me)</div>
<br />
At this point we don't have tickets to the ALCS but I think we are going to celebrate our 3 year anniversary tailgating with the rest of the fans on Wednesday as long as the Royals don't win in 4 games. If they do, I don't mind. <br />
<br />
I'll be back tomorrow to add in some photos and tell you some extra awesome news! (at least it's awesome for me...not sure that it will be as awesome for you.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLIhPy6n2g-jng8X9Y9R4fIcPVAKp-_6oHWU1QbNgWgfB-CWdz0IVGdE1ctjYzPgVkdklsVqsPCpPc-rrAGcC1vHv4icw493xpZCDsaXPTbvBH3-vod3DphVV8DKnc0sdspepPP1cNa33/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLIhPy6n2g-jng8X9Y9R4fIcPVAKp-_6oHWU1QbNgWgfB-CWdz0IVGdE1ctjYzPgVkdklsVqsPCpPc-rrAGcC1vHv4icw493xpZCDsaXPTbvBH3-vod3DphVV8DKnc0sdspepPP1cNa33/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Victory pile!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-26844752665192858792014-10-02T22:19:00.001-05:002014-10-02T22:19:29.493-05:00Kansas City Royals Wild Card Game - WIN!!!WOW!! <br />
<br />
Let me just start this post by apologizing for the extremely excessive amount of exclamation points and bolded words. Okay, now that you've been warned...It's 2 days later and I'm still on a high from the Royals vs. Athletics Wild Card game. Seth and I bought tickets the day they went on sale and thank goodness we didn't miss it. It's possible that I will never again in my life see a game that is more exciting, thrilling and a roller coaster ride of emotions that equals this one.<br />
<br />
For those of you that have been living under a rock, the Kansas City Royals haven't played in the Post Season since 1985 (when the won the World Series), 29 years ago. I just turned 28 so if you do that complicated math it equals: My Whole Life. <br />
<br />
I'm sure there are some of you that are already bored with this post, and to you I say, I don't care. I realize it's difficult to put into words the craziness and emotions that were filling Kauffman Stadium and the sea of blue the fans were wearing on Tuesday night but it was literally a once in a lifetime experience. <br />
<br />
Imagine 40,502 people all on their feet, cheering at the top of their lungs, waving their rally towels in the air, chanting "Let's go Royals, let's go" and watching "THEIR TEAM" come from behind not once but twice to win the game in the 12th inning! UNBELIEVABLE!!! These kinds of things don't happen everyday people. <br />
<br />
We are heading back to Kauffman on Sunday to watch them play game 3 of the ALDS. Let's all cross our fingers and pray for a win! <br />
<br />
Here's a little sampling of the day through photos and a short video. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOYNCxMEJoN72TdmLYypUFt0huuE_w5aZAAkun_dJHPItcNBVimyXaa-I-LKsVUdcNpWw0a2bBODQXfBvntD-w_9yaMF793u9a7z3OgUzV2hLPGcA0TKywJBozDuV4wl0Zuu0PziZI3k3/s1600/pie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOYNCxMEJoN72TdmLYypUFt0huuE_w5aZAAkun_dJHPItcNBVimyXaa-I-LKsVUdcNpWw0a2bBODQXfBvntD-w_9yaMF793u9a7z3OgUzV2hLPGcA0TKywJBozDuV4wl0Zuu0PziZI3k3/s1600/pie.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have extra PTO to use up so I took the whole day off work and got in the spirit by baking a pie. Nothing says AMERICA like an Apple Pie and baseball!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfv-FFmoIGYFbzt3X4joK3RkBoTy4JQFX9hdLrAHSuwx1l0hm6af7RVANH9Nou-3u1KvyZG1YAUdBtWCGpQXAxTYCxjkGhTHRnWNbuxDA6kysGv1__ZVgTHruGsfhlmkWh2FOfNtKfHnC7/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfv-FFmoIGYFbzt3X4joK3RkBoTy4JQFX9hdLrAHSuwx1l0hm6af7RVANH9Nou-3u1KvyZG1YAUdBtWCGpQXAxTYCxjkGhTHRnWNbuxDA6kysGv1__ZVgTHruGsfhlmkWh2FOfNtKfHnC7/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We got to the stadium to tailgate at 2:15 even though the parking lot wasn't supposed to open until 3:00. Lucky for us they let us in as soon as we got there and we had front row parking with the rest of the other diehards. Plus we didn't have to pay the $15 for parking! I sorta felt like Clark Griswold pulling into the parking lot at Wally World but it filled up quickly. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTmgCHsaLgE5BXYdyeLAnHydaa4f9Z2PovLJzBfgimW3ZHDH4KTCKhizy46CbaIRuMEScjkz7fPZSrrHiPdtArcwrSy-GjG_ESrBdgbWs5jJ6u4gB-hBSNdg0W8woUcOoo20M7csaeW0h/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTmgCHsaLgE5BXYdyeLAnHydaa4f9Z2PovLJzBfgimW3ZHDH4KTCKhizy46CbaIRuMEScjkz7fPZSrrHiPdtArcwrSy-GjG_ESrBdgbWs5jJ6u4gB-hBSNdg0W8woUcOoo20M7csaeW0h/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Selfie in the sunshine. Enjoying some adult bevies. We met some new friends and shared some food and joined a random fellow for a champagne toast during the tailgating. I love the Post Season!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1f34DUig-PDr_NrKP7pH9pXM0LIm3eJI5m9Z5huzbbG_zX4_pTRymdagoDOjeEpUcpzJezfyk4GCyjeW1dDl8tW8bSXX9n0hozHFvX_s5KLi93y3duuwzm1S5CPIsjBBzt4rajdtchvc-/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1f34DUig-PDr_NrKP7pH9pXM0LIm3eJI5m9Z5huzbbG_zX4_pTRymdagoDOjeEpUcpzJezfyk4GCyjeW1dDl8tW8bSXX9n0hozHFvX_s5KLi93y3duuwzm1S5CPIsjBBzt4rajdtchvc-/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On our way into the game after our beverages and tailgating. Good times, good times.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WrHz_mLocLadjoZq5EiacmyMjKLXrtdwKMNWdvJiRCsmBHDQAfy0cfUT9NnYaI2pTxu7UNceNwhrEmrhpHFMk8IElG0tIuQrqSZmkwfvDfNl9uHR-DGUmCjMeqmpBUgw4BJ0L3GHeHNz/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WrHz_mLocLadjoZq5EiacmyMjKLXrtdwKMNWdvJiRCsmBHDQAfy0cfUT9NnYaI2pTxu7UNceNwhrEmrhpHFMk8IElG0tIuQrqSZmkwfvDfNl9uHR-DGUmCjMeqmpBUgw4BJ0L3GHeHNz/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMosTzPJ0geP7xYobwQEdyJH0KJwOoJ5Y9rXoOzWybuJJFssQZArnJjjfRAgbyITfV6sW7-YhBNY8uBK8bQoH4Z2yiYtoow6DHk_LzAxyt8o8v9STJFcEUrhnG-xOK6CekjmX51wjk5HM/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMosTzPJ0geP7xYobwQEdyJH0KJwOoJ5Y9rXoOzWybuJJFssQZArnJjjfRAgbyITfV6sW7-YhBNY8uBK8bQoH4Z2yiYtoow6DHk_LzAxyt8o8v9STJFcEUrhnG-xOK6CekjmX51wjk5HM/s1600/photo+5.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
National Anthem and then a flyover with fireworks. We do things right in KC!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fITrhPpu_4hSfR2RZ6HAxsNCZDI6VcisurESC2mnPQa_mLw0b05YgNCUvHm7F4FASJ6FLiHu2sXWZrhRt1n18Q0Bm2VBKjEdrANHeJmSv9XiaBGu4V956CYwWVo9XY-ByEI3dzcD-6jF/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fITrhPpu_4hSfR2RZ6HAxsNCZDI6VcisurESC2mnPQa_mLw0b05YgNCUvHm7F4FASJ6FLiHu2sXWZrhRt1n18Q0Bm2VBKjEdrANHeJmSv9XiaBGu4V956CYwWVo9XY-ByEI3dzcD-6jF/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One acceptable photo after approximately 82 photos of Seth making crazy faces. No exaggeration, there were A LOT. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaPRk6Nj7K74-AM0qVOw1yeKK9rszBDgY9UY3N-juiEY8uwwNjIBwYMEgnENyc7wEEcbQNj3ZvvZDtaOrFLOFlNsvcVthfz1I4kcIqCWpzWkrIVJh4deSLDJshPugn-OWYtDP1Xkpn9-_/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaPRk6Nj7K74-AM0qVOw1yeKK9rszBDgY9UY3N-juiEY8uwwNjIBwYMEgnENyc7wEEcbQNj3ZvvZDtaOrFLOFlNsvcVthfz1I4kcIqCWpzWkrIVJh4deSLDJshPugn-OWYtDP1Xkpn9-_/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Loving the view. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzay2y_uFupqcJPMYmgaAUKH1baR1CNb7575xxmGqxiERDH41Rb16XMgBZ9IXvjEygYOpG4qOBJffuYAiXmfBQ0mJCaClpQTX7nlb1r3T77bs2ULpm__H_dvgnuA_1OUt8L99HuBXRZ3Y4/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzay2y_uFupqcJPMYmgaAUKH1baR1CNb7575xxmGqxiERDH41Rb16XMgBZ9IXvjEygYOpG4qOBJffuYAiXmfBQ0mJCaClpQTX7nlb1r3T77bs2ULpm__H_dvgnuA_1OUt8L99HuBXRZ3Y4/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And the crowd goes wild!!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0eN0_zXq1kYHzVZeDHifQmoOQ6z119YZvvbAbQ2tpH5ZU5eFmZlAbOLgnQREVmsQCo_SrDDM4AGifCzqwogjqQNeY784Tk2cg4ts7D4Mv7k2f3A4RqT3F3KhHT1sIW2XrGnOr8vG755u/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0eN0_zXq1kYHzVZeDHifQmoOQ6z119YZvvbAbQ2tpH5ZU5eFmZlAbOLgnQREVmsQCo_SrDDM4AGifCzqwogjqQNeY784Tk2cg4ts7D4Mv7k2f3A4RqT3F3KhHT1sIW2XrGnOr8vG755u/s1600/photo+5.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They win!! 40,502 people that all looked exactly like this!! Unbelievable. Incredible. Amazing. There is literally not a word that describes this moment. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object id="BLOG_video-UPLOADING-0" class="BLOG_video_class" contentid="UPLOADING" width="320" height="266" ></object></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQCdYNqFTPMgWeJe7tSBdj25Z7ZSEF0ilujttY5ucCGxOJBTIt19jqB5buCHJt5QtIeX4MFHigoyolPK3H5USykIwVaJe4xQQQ9BDseEgaVhCpEivogWRL-tz3JQbkBfUc0ve_6IpS7Z7/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQCdYNqFTPMgWeJe7tSBdj25Z7ZSEF0ilujttY5ucCGxOJBTIt19jqB5buCHJt5QtIeX4MFHigoyolPK3H5USykIwVaJe4xQQQ9BDseEgaVhCpEivogWRL-tz3JQbkBfUc0ve_6IpS7Z7/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Enjoyed a little cookie cake at work today and we all wore our Royals gear.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, I hope I will have an awesome update on the Royals come Monday morning. We bought standing room only tickets for the game Sunday. Staying up late to finish watching their game vs. Anaheim tonight and hoping for a victory. Let's go Royals!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
P.S. If anybody has any extra tickets they want to get rid of feel free to let me know! Seriously, I would rather have a seat!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
P.S.S. You can follow my <a href="http://instagram.com/juliemarie_86" target="_blank">Instagram here</a> for live coverage on Sunday. Just saying...</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-459865382127819782014-09-29T21:31:00.004-05:002014-09-29T21:31:54.582-05:00Seth turns 30!!<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last Friday Seth turns the big 3-0! How did that even happen? I could swear it was a week ago when I met a skinny little 16 year old with the bluest eyes I had ever seen. Fourteen years later and his eyes haven't lost the sparkle. He's still the hardworking, kind, generous smart ass that I fell in love with so many years ago. </span><br />
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To celebrate I had a few little surprised planned, but nothing too major cause he's not the kinda guy who likes a lot of attention. Since he was out of town Monday and Tuesday night I was able to make him a "broquet" and then have my brother deliver it to his office on Friday. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKa5zOkIrsaAh5ObECErRrNlmwll9T4NXPyfBHwyR6mIiHzzz5OwoJ02w2NVQXb2l8i9LYYZ_LII2lUbRiTa9cvzD3t5UC5C-FiAB1WHpv8T3vXlDIsUHl1Z3PSWUTv936-lczLvyBBwH/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKa5zOkIrsaAh5ObECErRrNlmwll9T4NXPyfBHwyR6mIiHzzz5OwoJ02w2NVQXb2l8i9LYYZ_LII2lUbRiTa9cvzD3t5UC5C-FiAB1WHpv8T3vXlDIsUHl1Z3PSWUTv936-lczLvyBBwH/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think it turned out pretty cute and I plan to post instructions on how to do it soon!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friday my office closed an hour early and made it home in time to decorate, bake a fresh pan of brownies as well as "make a cake" since he doesn't like traditional cake. Pretty sure he would pick this cake any day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWhkRtauPiUmIfUlbaw__QCkTa_llQdwgkvcCZKRxMyIANaQ9ZAyDZmiqVHFSAEJDkYs5uy2bIqrec8m0Zu9WMH-_p9s4YXz6pcDezi_Mhhyphenhyphen-DVIi5tZU0hKQ9D_x_GigbyrskMquzIWI/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWhkRtauPiUmIfUlbaw__QCkTa_llQdwgkvcCZKRxMyIANaQ9ZAyDZmiqVHFSAEJDkYs5uy2bIqrec8m0Zu9WMH-_p9s4YXz6pcDezi_Mhhyphenhyphen-DVIi5tZU0hKQ9D_x_GigbyrskMquzIWI/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since our lovely Kansas City Royals are doing amazing I bought him a Hunt for Blue October shirt. I may or may not have bought myself one as well. Oops. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9hRf6F1B7F-ebWPbT9hJ07m76TF-xc8kZZeV__7FtedVd4AVzuXij6GQLN7At038BpEt2QGReYA42k5qFPLVBEq4Dzk-Po11NpDDJ7NDp04uSPV8hR5-MZX89_oy8aaoI90wfdEdu3mP/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9hRf6F1B7F-ebWPbT9hJ07m76TF-xc8kZZeV__7FtedVd4AVzuXij6GQLN7At038BpEt2QGReYA42k5qFPLVBEq4Dzk-Po11NpDDJ7NDp04uSPV8hR5-MZX89_oy8aaoI90wfdEdu3mP/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6O7jMy4KqHbW72fGCBbHns_4EJoUM6HUl7CaXjcJzURXi8GpE9-ns4kQ2lolPtzp6dt4n7JDUAYTafJuhMh_NfEgZhLs-9vzod63FmMBtYxldj2dSPVllzDgS2wkGd-fRLV-BEwIyqUV7/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6O7jMy4KqHbW72fGCBbHns_4EJoUM6HUl7CaXjcJzURXi8GpE9-ns4kQ2lolPtzp6dt4n7JDUAYTafJuhMh_NfEgZhLs-9vzod63FmMBtYxldj2dSPVllzDgS2wkGd-fRLV-BEwIyqUV7/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, when he made it home from work we loaded up into the car and drove back to the city to watch the Sporting KC game which was his first Professional Soccer Game. Despite not being overly excited about watching soccer I think he actually enjoyed it. Pretty sure the Coors Lights may have contributed a little bit...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conveniently enough, Hollywood Casino is located right next to Sporting KC, so after the game we went straight over to watch our beloved Royals make it the post season for the first time in 29 years! I wasn't even alive last time they made it to the postseason. <br /><br />To celebrate the Royals win Seth spent the next 4 hours in the poker room where the other players bought him beers and eventually took his money. YOLO. I managed to lose $15 in about 20 minutes and decided I had enough so I walked around the casino and then managed to find a café that was still open and selling salads. Sometimes my lame-ness amazes me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By 2 o'clock I managed to get Seth to leave the casino to head on home to our bed and a lovely little thing called sleep. After such a late night, and because we aren't in college anymore, we literally didn't leave the couch all day Saturday. It was kinda awesome and kinda pathetic all rolled into one. We did manage to catch up on the episodes of Dateline and 48 Hours that we missed that night before so I would say the day wasn't a complete waste. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday we had church and then went to get Seth a couple new pairs of jeans and a coat he wanted for his birthday. Surprisingly we made it home in time to get a few things done around the house and then get ready to start the week all over again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Monday Everyone!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-63268243221501010772014-09-24T08:00:00.000-05:002014-09-24T08:00:01.617-05:00IKEA in KANSAS!As mentioned in my previous post, IKEA in Kansas has opened not 5 miles from my office and it is equal parts awesome and bad news bears (because it will take all my money). <br />
<br />
Let me mention that I had been to the IKEA in Florida a couple times so I knew what to expect when going into the store for the first time but that didn't stop it from being magical. <br />
<br />
The store opened on September 10th, a Wednesday. I couldn't contain my excitement so I drove over and around the store on my lunch hour. Realizing that there was going to be no way to get in and out in an hour I just admired from a distance. (I may have issues.) Let me just say that there were cops and security at every intersection, stoplight and possible crossing within a mile radius of this place. They were keeping the traffic flowing by manually changing the stoplights. <br />
<br />
I made it to Friday the 12th before I couldn't wait any longer and I ventured out again over my lunch hour. I parked on the second story of the parking garage and speed walked my way through the throngs of people that didn't realize I was on a time crunch. <br />
<br />
The following are a few of my thoughts while visiting IKEA:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Don't these people have jobs? I realize I'm here too but there are literally entire families here. And couples, who look like they're on dates. <br /></li>
<li>Why in the world would you bring multiple children to this place? Especially on the week it opened. I realize they have childcare but anyone with half a brain would realize it's going to be full.<br /></li>
<li>I want all the things.</li>
<li>Man, I really feel sorry for the guy that has to use the little hand-clicker (technical name for it obviously) to keep track of the amount of people that come in. <br /></li>
<li>Some lady just ran away from her table asking me to watch her (probably) 1 year old little girl because her 4 year old-ish wild child boy just ran away. </li>
<li>I wonder if she's regretting bringing her kids now. </li>
<li>What is in this Pepsi? It's very possibly the best thing I have ever drank. </li>
<li> I'm pretty sure I have a goofy grin on my face right now. </li>
<li>I might need a second job to pay for my future Ikea purchases.</li>
<li>The chicken strips aren't as good as I thought they would be. Might need to try the meatballs next time. </li>
<li>I want all the things. No really, I do. </li>
<li>Get out of my way. </li>
</ul>
<br />
Okay, that about sums up the highlights of my visit. Obviously once wasn't enough though because I went back this past Friday also. I have yet to buy anything outside of lunch and I'm starting to wonder if this might turn into a weekly thing. We shall see!<br />
<br />
Has anyone else visited the new IKEA, in Kansas, yet? What did you buy?<br />
<br />
What's your favorite item(s) to purchase at IKEA? <br />
<br />
Technically this photo was taken at the IKEA in Orlando when we were there in August but you get the idea. I like it. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-RT4P5vYNPK1V3TPJOl578kArCSYcrZX4jKdpeaFbBwpEOzIT769EkKoIQUvoXCNedQFlNcjrbQ70OnwTgErmiBJEw7SzC2fQoAkPAyvOdfAcmxYlRTPr2Rem_IROZhQYBckBFfn4_Ib/s1600/IKEA.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-RT4P5vYNPK1V3TPJOl578kArCSYcrZX4jKdpeaFbBwpEOzIT769EkKoIQUvoXCNedQFlNcjrbQ70OnwTgErmiBJEw7SzC2fQoAkPAyvOdfAcmxYlRTPr2Rem_IROZhQYBckBFfn4_Ib/s1600/IKEA.PNG" height="400" width="362" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom, you're photo taking skills need a little fine tuning. Just saying.<div>
We can all pretend that's more tan than it is shadow. </div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-6242345431078828762014-09-23T07:30:00.000-05:002014-09-23T07:30:03.636-05:00Royals Game, Canning and Closet CleaningI've been contemplating a new post for a while now. A lot. Sorta just seems like life keeps getting in the way, ya know? <br />
<br />
I've been texting Kala over at <a href="http://www.mybreezyroom.com/" target="_blank">My Breezy Room</a> and she helped give me the little nudge I might have needed to try and jump back into this thing. (Don't hold your breath, just in case). So... since the husband is out of town, and not trying to sleep, I decided to lay in bed, watch a little Office Space (have you seen my red stapler?) and clickety clack out a new post. <br />
<br />
I'll try to start small with a few weekend happenings and maybe I will eventually catch up some of the bigger things over the past few months. (Again, quit holding your breath.)<br />
<br />
Last Friday, Seth and I hit up the Royals game to try to cheer our beloved team on to the post season. ESPN showed up and unfortunately our team didn't. After Detroit knocked in about 3 or so runs in the first inning we realized things weren't going to go to well. The Royals ended up losing 10-1 in an embarrassing showing. I'm still not giving up on them though because we have already bought tickets to the post-season and I would much rather go to the games instead of getting our money back. Memories over money people. I can't help but have a soft spot for Baseball ever since that <a href="http://itfreezesbeautifully.blogspot.com/2013/10/our-story-part-1-and-our-2nd-anniversary.html" target="_blank">summer I met Seth </a>so many years ago...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8t7m2I_JGSKRB6zngTYRl60iHNxFGS64Tn-I9k3meHhj-RVktsPi2bQLEMNFfugIEhq4RFW_q1j4qwgkyDnYaGIJ-yvqwMJDx4rEeJkQGKe_tB98pDFrr1ZQvJ0cOgr_QFc8-rzKKw-z/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8t7m2I_JGSKRB6zngTYRl60iHNxFGS64Tn-I9k3meHhj-RVktsPi2bQLEMNFfugIEhq4RFW_q1j4qwgkyDnYaGIJ-yvqwMJDx4rEeJkQGKe_tB98pDFrr1ZQvJ0cOgr_QFc8-rzKKw-z/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoS-cc5797t5eJrIEYPAdOeWxBSGDS92OSGDXx_WWlrDawGo28QboTIKflUw4yCAIYNdUOL0tVhXJws0xIONbW9nFKBbDqgF_F3s7vlfODAI9dxwSnM4PjGBg_QPsdd265Z7uVjkjc1wb/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoS-cc5797t5eJrIEYPAdOeWxBSGDS92OSGDXx_WWlrDawGo28QboTIKflUw4yCAIYNdUOL0tVhXJws0xIONbW9nFKBbDqgF_F3s7vlfODAI9dxwSnM4PjGBg_QPsdd265Z7uVjkjc1wb/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
#damnitfeelsgoodtobeagangster<br />
<br />
Saturday, I dropped my car off for an oil change and they informed me that my tire tread was "below the legal limit". Awesome. I can't wait to spend $600 buying one of the most boring things in the entire world. <br />
<br />
I also managed to do some canning and made 13 quarts of apple pie filling. Pie anyone? It looks so yummy and I can't wait to make one hopefully this next weekend. I still have a huge basket of apples that I need to work and I'm hoping to make cinnamon apples using red hots like my Grandma used to do. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfR9PuweNo0PdtA7Ge8warAqxO-HbmtpZPtpCgtT4g63yNB-4he9ilUY83yS1QOxcwmxsYJ0JR3txF5LjRba1h6Vm0h97tguE_7SN2kclVPMyXrSewlHLbHfGfnEl77jzUGAjlzo9Ugp-A/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfR9PuweNo0PdtA7Ge8warAqxO-HbmtpZPtpCgtT4g63yNB-4he9ilUY83yS1QOxcwmxsYJ0JR3txF5LjRba1h6Vm0h97tguE_7SN2kclVPMyXrSewlHLbHfGfnEl77jzUGAjlzo9Ugp-A/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUvDQ6DdFMH70vokUkzLK9602dno8bBvsUW_An5XYYl-ZNp4Rw4y5Db82ZHD6h4YPv5q-J9OTSd3Z059nT1LshgczoER0QZwz1C36daS2mN3D6nlVLCVLr2LLvN6u69He5UV3UW_T05wd/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUvDQ6DdFMH70vokUkzLK9602dno8bBvsUW_An5XYYl-ZNp4Rw4y5Db82ZHD6h4YPv5q-J9OTSd3Z059nT1LshgczoER0QZwz1C36daS2mN3D6nlVLCVLr2LLvN6u69He5UV3UW_T05wd/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After church on Sunday, Seth worked outside and I took a little nap. Oops. I did manage to start the process of cleaning my closet out which is going pretty well so far. the amount of clothes I have is beyond ridiculous, but I am actually getting rid of stuff so I may need to go shopping again soon. As you can tell by the photo my closet was out of control. That empty space was completely full of clothes but they were all laying on the bed when I took this photo. Luckily they all didn't make it back in. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhzQroPIGYmE4H8CdxXwWNhO9RnhL-1FHwZY9-f6_qWyBcLkLsTzK5rVrnzV0RX6Xn5az2iOQsSo39ROppPGiq7gtaVERkM3sOktANCMCF7AUvCiGBuv4_MLmnblU5ryqQCVSlziFDJo3/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhzQroPIGYmE4H8CdxXwWNhO9RnhL-1FHwZY9-f6_qWyBcLkLsTzK5rVrnzV0RX6Xn5az2iOQsSo39ROppPGiq7gtaVERkM3sOktANCMCF7AUvCiGBuv4_MLmnblU5ryqQCVSlziFDJo3/s1600/photo+5.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Well, I think that's enough for now. Thinking my next post might be about my trip to the new IKEA that just opened less than 5 miles from my office. I'm in LOVE!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-81492970439594594922014-07-03T14:49:00.002-05:002014-07-03T14:49:55.572-05:00That one time I was almost murdered<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Okay, maybe the title is a bit dramatic but I bet you're curious. Let's just say the experience taught me a little something about myself. Turns out, I'm the girl that runs up the stairs instead of out the door when there is a serial killer in her house. With that said…on with the story.</span><br />
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
A week ago Seth had to go out of town for a week, which I hate but it's occasionally a necessary evil (since his paychecks are mildly beneficial in making the mortgage payment). Anywho…Not 20 minutes after he leaves a black truck stops in front of my house. Not in my driveway but out on the gravel. Weird (creepy) right? </div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
I look out the window and see Gunnar sitting in the ditch just looking at the truck with his head cocked to the side wondering the same thing I was. Why isn't this truck moving? Thinking that maybe my crazy dog was chasing the truck and the driver stopped because they didn't want to hit him I figured I should call him. I yell for him a few times and being the obedient (hence the sarcasm) dog that he is he darts off in the opposite direction. (Quite the guard dog we have, be jealous.)</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
After my dog scampers off, a guy gets out of the truck and starts walking slowly toward my house. Thinking it was more than a little odd I just stood there stuck in place wondering what the eff he was doing, especially since there were at least two others in the vehicle. As he gets closer he yells to me, "you wouldn't happen to have a jack, would you?" I'm married to a man with every tool under the sun and for some reason felt like this stranger probably knew it so I felt obligated to say, "yes, I think so, hang on."</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
I went back inside to put on tennis shoes, in case I needed to make a run for it, because that's how my mind works. I tried to call Seth and of course he didn't answer. My brain is yelling at me "You're getting ready to be murdered and he can't answer his damn phone." </div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
I head back outside and creepy guy is now standing up closer to my house smoking a cigarette and creeping me out just a little more. When I walk out he asks if there's any chance I also have a 4-way tire iron. Since I'm a terrible liar I say yes and go back in to the garage and bring it back out to hand to the guy. (Great, I just handed a murderer the weapon he is going to use to bash my head in.)</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
Stranger Danger follows me down to my husbands (secluded) shop where I make sure to keep out of arms reach of him. I walk inside and immediately start to head to the other side of the building farther away from the creepster and closer to another door should I need to dart out it. Luckily, the guy spots the jack right inside the door we entered and tells me as much. I turn around sheepishly and see it as he picks it up to carry to his truck. </div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
I follow him out the door and he heads straight out to the truck where the two other guys jump out to help him change the tire. On our way across the yard I mention to him to just leave the jack in the driveway when he's done and thanks for not bashing my head in and leaving me in a hot metal building while the blood drains from my skull. Okay, I didn't say the last part but I'm pretty sure he knew I was thinking it. </div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
Anyway, I went back inside and locked my doors and turned on my alarm system and thanked God for another day on Earth. </div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
Maybe I'm a bit dramatic, or maybe I just watch too much Dateline, but I hope no one else ever stops to borrow a jack while Seth is gone or I will be like Kevin McAllister hiding under the bed. </div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
Have a great 4th of July weekend and don't forget to celebrate the people that make our freedom possible!</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-70317217713834871052014-06-17T16:30:00.000-05:002014-06-17T16:30:00.409-05:00How to Make Easy Dog Treats<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
Okay, I promised you a dog treat recipe so here it is. And did I mention that it is super simple dog treat recipe? Even if you aren't Betty Crocker or Martha Stewart I have complete faith that anyone can make these.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
There is a grand total of 3 ingredients! I would also say there is a pretty good chance you have these ingredients on hand. Are your ready??</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
Here it is:</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<h4>
Ingredients:</h4>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
1 cup milk</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
1 cup peanut butter</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
2 cups flour</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
(Now the hard part, but not really.)</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<h4>
Instructions:</h4>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
Mix all ingredients together.<br />
Roll dough out on a floured counter top (so it doesn't stick).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5oAXgWp4fsXRTKB0a4jdbAA5xHnoR6HTEsbKLQ6PCmkoSy9yJ_ISEEWQJ3Aas98Yanp9LYQ5r5294tXWTiKZn9BFZYE4K8L1Mg5jJjz5AD9TWgZFFFNIJaRGcMEoeZKdi4c6LvjzMboE/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5oAXgWp4fsXRTKB0a4jdbAA5xHnoR6HTEsbKLQ6PCmkoSy9yJ_ISEEWQJ3Aas98Yanp9LYQ5r5294tXWTiKZn9BFZYE4K8L1Mg5jJjz5AD9TWgZFFFNIJaRGcMEoeZKdi4c6LvjzMboE/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Cut dough into dog treat shapes, or if you're like me, little flowers and hearts because you don't have a dog bone cookie cutter. (Trust me, your dog won't care what they look like.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgcsv8nUZXSX9qLJJZf_-MoXIV_cwt7Uppx0_KvoOfVoI0UnCM6dogDbHZH_5Sb9HvjlYNvH_cRqszRTc_QV1Cwsl4tKXu9cuD1msT11HCzJDYVmsAHQtmzO7TpmvFXndyw3ITOpLvZni/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgcsv8nUZXSX9qLJJZf_-MoXIV_cwt7Uppx0_KvoOfVoI0UnCM6dogDbHZH_5Sb9HvjlYNvH_cRqszRTc_QV1Cwsl4tKXu9cuD1msT11HCzJDYVmsAHQtmzO7TpmvFXndyw3ITOpLvZni/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipowDPzUsNj5IlOWADglNFMRbiEXiJeNOc2xR-2s472x671AD42yo6lxf7csk2FCqUqBOaDdzUI0P44Xjf_IAvX_KPIzRJoQS6ggim9r2vBL3XPCgY0U7cclmKe-GrkozeTeO7-fY_Hr3P/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipowDPzUsNj5IlOWADglNFMRbiEXiJeNOc2xR-2s472x671AD42yo6lxf7csk2FCqUqBOaDdzUI0P44Xjf_IAvX_KPIzRJoQS6ggim9r2vBL3XPCgY0U7cclmKe-GrkozeTeO7-fY_Hr3P/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 8 minutes or so, depending on the size of your treats.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyq-ZZQTCO4Wxmt5Q7Fcry5tozuPSEuVx3HAQdnXjtcZgCKcdK-oNjzmAHBDGT9bp73P8m6140frctEyndp35FZ8sZjJ2k2jJaYWHSnGljN2qzEt4N04wKlpZ1m7tAywwydnuovjAqmSQh/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyq-ZZQTCO4Wxmt5Q7Fcry5tozuPSEuVx3HAQdnXjtcZgCKcdK-oNjzmAHBDGT9bp73P8m6140frctEyndp35FZ8sZjJ2k2jJaYWHSnGljN2qzEt4N04wKlpZ1m7tAywwydnuovjAqmSQh/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-oRsZZwaAqWkLZI1JCuszS06pJ3loe_4QwZPVT_-comA8AvQX_QYGb1JxmO7QOVCMU088NFji6xw5Ur2rsHlVCGgWK6_Yjb3fEK0CAQ_Fua96Gr3Kgb8GIcRyAyycB9xCIbeZ26eumpX/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-oRsZZwaAqWkLZI1JCuszS06pJ3loe_4QwZPVT_-comA8AvQX_QYGb1JxmO7QOVCMU088NFji6xw5Ur2rsHlVCGgWK6_Yjb3fEK0CAQ_Fua96Gr3Kgb8GIcRyAyycB9xCIbeZ26eumpX/s1600/photo+5.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I just baked them until they were a little more well done than a human cookie. Basically, not rock hard but not fall apart chewy. (It's an exact science obviously).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHv_LW3Rh_T46RVvxm7BUMBetld3nCKqTNeN1yw37Ej64k3flLj4bssvJyqafyFgLLenmuQJ2lh2HMgWmKNOi_QcMZ7AQkTbtWRnTmpgTwIvKU-10J8G9l5JB61D-F9FmLDpXgafP7XX3-/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHv_LW3Rh_T46RVvxm7BUMBetld3nCKqTNeN1yw37Ej64k3flLj4bssvJyqafyFgLLenmuQJ2lh2HMgWmKNOi_QcMZ7AQkTbtWRnTmpgTwIvKU-10J8G9l5JB61D-F9FmLDpXgafP7XX3-/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGA-anB-Gws0OYa05vO6s4LEU1SYpARPP6isG4i4OhrDaa1KC9pfhG3nFxrjiEguynFWKSIgd3VhyphenhyphenVGveqgqw0oV72pJshBf2qCJz5OGYT6lLTNZqjlLdmVGadP-An6i1x_8Zs_VmOsQJS/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGA-anB-Gws0OYa05vO6s4LEU1SYpARPP6isG4i4OhrDaa1KC9pfhG3nFxrjiEguynFWKSIgd3VhyphenhyphenVGveqgqw0oV72pJshBf2qCJz5OGYT6lLTNZqjlLdmVGadP-An6i1x_8Zs_VmOsQJS/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Take out of the oven and let cool before serving to your dog. He will love you forever.<br />
<br />
I use these a lot as training treats since they are little and I don't feel bad giving Gunnar a handful of them. He doesn't mind either. Let me know if you have questions and enjoy!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-62207498737698179382014-06-16T14:55:00.001-05:002014-06-16T14:55:07.813-05:00First Time at the Farmers Market<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">With my new job comes this lovely little perk called "summer hours". Basically, Monday through Thursday you work an extra hour each day and then you get every other Friday off. For a grand total of 5 Friday's off throughout summer. It's fantastic! </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
I enjoyed my first Friday off this past Friday. I spent the day catching up on cleaning. Boring I know, but I did have family coming over on Saturday for a Fathers Day cookout so I figured I better make the main floor presentable. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
Besides wasting my whole day doing laundry and cleaning, I decided to do some baking to take to the local Farmer's Market. Since I have a fairly large garden and I'm hoping to take some extra produce to the Farmers Market later this summer I wanted to check it out before hand. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
I baked up some super simple peanut butter dog treats as well as some super delicious human treats that I like to call chocolate chip cookies. (P.S. I'm a CCC addict. The first step is admitting the problem right?!) </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWKXwS7BSwZOvKzJVRGl_2E3elrNe3wfWlzAoon-cSiJsk_gVRj-ifywzsqZwxZ-HnZr48SNwwQM_Wp-LTY7q5MsT9djy8M1IaADjn_asra7edQ6DIrgiZ4MMV63_8JYnWOwXn9muOtRa/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWKXwS7BSwZOvKzJVRGl_2E3elrNe3wfWlzAoon-cSiJsk_gVRj-ifywzsqZwxZ-HnZr48SNwwQM_Wp-LTY7q5MsT9djy8M1IaADjn_asra7edQ6DIrgiZ4MMV63_8JYnWOwXn9muOtRa/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess which is which!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
I decided to give my Grandma, who is a notorious bread maker in my home town, a call and see if she wanted to bake a few loaves I could sell for her. She contributed 8 still warm from the oven loaves of bread. My mom also added in some of her beautifully iced sugar cookies and I threw in a couple jars of my homemade apple butter. I was all set and ready for the sale. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
Since you only have to pay 5 bucks for a space I figured the worst case scenario was I lost 5 dollars and gained a few extra pounds eating the cookies. Luckily the FM had a decent crowd during the 5-7 time period and I sold 6 loaves of Grandma's bread and several packages of both kinds of cookies and dog treats plus almost all the apple butter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWY9dtoAS2408j9eOdZIJSkucJqQhLFKCwL-aqreNxrvENDFgTlDDyWbq-f7hbm3B1-42Qxw8rJfepiCAbH0VHr4Cd82OQ30iltAXbsAhn1h7XzW7qjMCCI202vRU1FeYFosMVTAcudPd/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWY9dtoAS2408j9eOdZIJSkucJqQhLFKCwL-aqreNxrvENDFgTlDDyWbq-f7hbm3B1-42Qxw8rJfepiCAbH0VHr4Cd82OQ30iltAXbsAhn1h7XzW7qjMCCI202vRU1FeYFosMVTAcudPd/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
The next day my parents were having a garage sale so my mom sold almost all the rest of my homemade goodies. Now don't get me wrong, I still ate my fair share of cookies but I'm okay with that:)</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
I spent the rest of the long weekend hanging out at home cleaning up the house and having a cookout. My mom and I did manage a mini movie marathon and watched The Fault in Our Stars and Maleficent on Sunday. I haven't read The Fault in Our Stars yet which I hate because I always prefer reading the book first but I thought the movie was excellent and I'm pretty sure there wasn't a dry eye by the end of it. Maleficent was also good but not quite what I was expecting. Overall I would recommend TFIOS if you can only pick one. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
Hope you all had a good weekend! Maybe I'll share my dog treat recipe soon. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-2297223867073122102014-05-16T16:38:00.000-05:002014-05-16T16:38:52.807-05:00I'm a big fat liar. Obviously, when I said "I'm back" I lied. Not sure why it's so hard to find the time to write now but it is. Maybe I'm afraid of boring you because I like my job and what's going on in my life (for the most part) so it might be a little dull to read. Or maybe it's because I really am busy and I really don't have the time. Maybe I forgot how to be entertaining. Yeah, right.<br />
<br />
Guess I'll give all of you a short list of what's happened in my life in the last several months.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>I lost my job due to a layoff and was unemployed over the holidays. Not fun.</li>
<li>I found a new job through Linked In and have currently been here for about 3 1/2 months. </li>
<li>I love my new job and my boss and the people I work with and the whole shebang. It's fantastic.</li>
<li>My dog was chasing was chasing something and somehow managed to dislocate his front elbow (Is that what it's called on a dog??). He recovered just fine.</li>
<li>My dog felt the need to chase a car and got hit (at 9:30pm), we took him to the Animal Hospital at K-State (at 2am) after visiting another clinic and they kept him overnight. He has since recovered.</li>
<li>I got my garden planted.</li>
<li>I have tried and successfully added a few new homemade recipes (that Seth also enjoys) to the rotation. </li>
<li>Seth built me some awesome shelves in my craft closet that are yet to be filled because I'm pathetic. </li>
<li>I made some new friends at my new job that are pretty great.</li>
<li>I have finally been working out again and trying to eat healthy which is way easier said than done. </li>
<li>I joined Weight Watchers to help my drop a few extra winter lbs and to make myself focus on making better food decisions. Let's say overall it's gone well but this week I sort of fell off the wagon and it backed up and ran over me again.</li>
<li>I have seen a million different movies over the past months and would be happy to give you a review if you are interested. </li>
<li>I got my hair done with ombre highlights which was the first time I have ever had color added so that was fun and I love it. </li>
</ul>
<div>
I suppose all that stuff catches you up to date on what's happened in my world in the last few months. Boring, right? Maybe I will just write a few boring posts to try and get back into the swing of things. Or maybe I will suck again and not write for months. Feel free to send me suggestions, or leave comments, about what you think I should write about so maybe you will want to read it :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-72880580839672584842014-03-03T22:15:00.003-06:002014-03-03T22:15:56.932-06:00I don't eat healthy...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<pre style="line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's Monday and I don't hate it. Despite the white crap falling from the sky for half the weekend I had a pretty fantastic one. Which is maybe why my Monday seems pretty good.
Nothing like leaving work on Friday and heading straight to the spa for a full body massage to get your weekend started off right. I managed to make it home early enough to head out to dinner at <a href="http://itfreezesbeautifully.blogspot.com/2013/10/when-your-husband-decides-hes-blogger.html" target="_blank">Fuzzy's with Seth</a> and a quick stop into the ice cream shop for some "Rock Chalk Jayhawk" which consists of chocolate, fudge bites and more chocolate all scooped into a melt in your mouth waffle cone. Aka: heaven. After the massage, dinner and ice cream I slipped into a food coma on my couch until Seth woke me up to go to bed. Success. </span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><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/AVvXsEjJkD5osRaK-wYkdX0xPeuLjdnNjTdn-JO5M2J2bnLPgkLKqb6wGxMdr707UV5N6uQpBUklWzvfWmPjm7H4ull0_dt47dEdnOafZKv5vk2NOVB2HbqlFwn9mosfp7DXgCGViGaXTlhoOqql/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkD5osRaK-wYkdX0xPeuLjdnNjTdn-JO5M2J2bnLPgkLKqb6wGxMdr707UV5N6uQpBUklWzvfWmPjm7H4ull0_dt47dEdnOafZKv5vk2NOVB2HbqlFwn9mosfp7DXgCGViGaXTlhoOqql/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take me back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I had to set my alarm so I wouldn't be late to pick up my mom and head to the movie theatre for an all day movie marathon on Saturday. We started the marathon with popcorn for breakfast as we watched Disneys Frozen, which I loved. It was so cute to see all the dads there with their young daughters. (Somebody please put me on the list for my own kid. K thanks.)</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span></pre>
<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/AVvXsEhYqnor57Fo5UYRXTrUA2qmkf8jiqUh2Et0AGsA3Exq4uGbpRHMmE76DeX6mYOmO1a2uoWzXVL8wkXK1ADVXqThKQrz9TH_qpw0ohenpmCguPRVVL5rR6U9C6mRUVBFwvvWFBeuur2mqJ4t/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqnor57Fo5UYRXTrUA2qmkf8jiqUh2Et0AGsA3Exq4uGbpRHMmE76DeX6mYOmO1a2uoWzXVL8wkXK1ADVXqThKQrz9TH_qpw0ohenpmCguPRVVL5rR6U9C6mRUVBFwvvWFBeuur2mqJ4t/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please excuse our lack of photography skills. (I blame the butter.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<pre style="line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Once Frozen ended we hustled over to the other side of the theatre to catch American Hustle while we ate concession nachos for lunch. Fantastic. Definitely recommend. (Both the movie and the nachos.)
We finished out the marathon with Non-stop, the new action flick with Liam Neeson. I'd say it was pretty good, but I liked the other two movies better. It kept you guessing the whole movie but seemed a little unrealistic which is okay with me since it's a movie.
To end our day properly (I feel British when I say that word) we hit up Sam's club for a hot dog and frozen yogurt for dinner before braving the blizzard to head home. </span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I now weigh 500 pounds. </span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sunday consisted of Church, followed by breakfast with my Mom and then the rest of the day with my butt planted firmly on the couch. </span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I now weigh 600 pounds. </span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span></pre>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><pre style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I managed to pry myself from the couch in time to make dinner. And, since I was feeling a little guilty from my weekend gorge-fest I decided to shred a little zucchini to add to the spaghetti pie I made. That counts for something right? </span></pre>
<pre style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span></pre>
<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/AVvXsEhKiPeYsDWEihESDQvwMQDdKiCPLsMyKchyphenhyphenN6LznqV566xBjbFk3LkycFSlzUPU-5N5ctQJ7Ve-7p1tDkp3R946HJwUkeBu5_L_hmqtw7nSi09sUjp36r4NL7iwUcTcRhQthohDEuNRQK9m/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiPeYsDWEihESDQvwMQDdKiCPLsMyKchyphenhyphenN6LznqV566xBjbFk3LkycFSlzUPU-5N5ctQJ7Ve-7p1tDkp3R946HJwUkeBu5_L_hmqtw7nSi09sUjp36r4NL7iwUcTcRhQthohDEuNRQK9m/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See, healthy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJY92d7H30pnXUci8KblSt5jIcXhpiErcE-Lcu1Kl9Ihd0CeNSI5BwMg1AzAkOuTARTw8V8DhahQGF2EE7eM_UDvomfz5O0BB_X6_yKwBQhNxHznrs71DcG4dcB0Dqwq8cna6CuKkU3M1p/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJY92d7H30pnXUci8KblSt5jIcXhpiErcE-Lcu1Kl9Ihd0CeNSI5BwMg1AzAkOuTARTw8V8DhahQGF2EE7eM_UDvomfz5O0BB_X6_yKwBQhNxHznrs71DcG4dcB0Dqwq8cna6CuKkU3M1p/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm told mozzarella now has 0 calories. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><pre style="line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Plus I only ate one spoonful of Nutella as my dessert during the Oscars. #winning #fatkid #fattuesdaymorelikefatweekend</span></pre>
</span><div style="color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><pre style="line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Winter will you please end before I weigh 1000 lbs? Thanks! </span></pre>
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-86114424947215118022014-02-28T08:42:00.001-06:002014-02-28T08:43:37.275-06:00Unemployment<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where to start... I was jobless through all of November, December, and January. Being laid off is depressing I will tell you.
At first it's kind of nice, like a vacation, then you realize it's not a vacation (at all) since you can't spend money, because you don't know how long the vacation will last. And you still have bills. </span></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thankfully Seth and I had saved for a rainy day and luckily we didn't really have to touch it. I got the chance to feel what it was like applying for unemployment weekly. I hated being asked what I did during those months and having to tell people I was unemployed (laid off) and I would always feel the need to give people lots of extra details so they didn't just think I was lazy.</span></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unemployment helped Seth and I to focus on our spending and learn a little lesson in needs versus wants, which I think we all need reminding of every now and then;) Let's face it, we all have way more wants than needs and I think we both learned to appreciate things a little more. </span></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We definitely stepped out of our boxes a little bit and challenged ourselves to try new things. I pretty much quit grocery shopping except for the produce and milk and such and tried new recipes with products we already had or used up things we had avoided for way too long. </span></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The house was kept super clean and dinner was often made and ready when Seth got home from work. Since I was home all day it was easy to find time for these things in between applying for jobs. </span></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unemployment can be stressful for sure, but I'm glad it happened when it did. As I've said before I think everything happens for a reason and I think the reason for losing my job is that I was looking for a new job at the right time. I found a new job. A job that (so far anyway;) I love. A job that is more </span><u style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>me</i></u><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and that appreciates it's employees and who they are and what they do. And I'm happy.</span></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCH6wfAnF7c7wRFHclaw3r5k8zrPQDO9EbyzYWPJBavifl7QH8UZiWl32rdHZSmu2zRlhU3IhUFnz5OBbKprhBt9esMSDDPn6HCHyilfn47sp4MsSOeoW8hTsgz5Y8QUeRnydVOEbenAJ/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCH6wfAnF7c7wRFHclaw3r5k8zrPQDO9EbyzYWPJBavifl7QH8UZiWl32rdHZSmu2zRlhU3IhUFnz5OBbKprhBt9esMSDDPn6HCHyilfn47sp4MsSOeoW8hTsgz5Y8QUeRnydVOEbenAJ/s1600/photo.PNG" height="320" width="318" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Friday! (It's nice to enjoy Fridays again, weekends don't mean much when everyday is the same)
</span></pre>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-46914393421996380812014-02-26T08:00:00.000-06:002014-02-26T08:00:07.153-06:00I'm BAAAACKKK! (I hope)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's about time to get back into this whole blog thing (I think anyway). I've been gone for way too long and I really miss it. I think life has finally settled down and now maybe I can figure out a new routine for writing. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />I'll try to do some recaps through the next couple posts to get you all (all...more like 3 maybe?) up to speed on what you missed in my ever so fascinating life. Have no fear I'm sarcastic as ever and willing to share:)<br /><br />I don't want to get too carried away on my first post back so I'll just leave you with this little tid-bit...<br /><br />My husbands new nickname for me is pillow princess. Why you ask? Maybe because we have 5 pillows on our bed and I use 4 of them. I personally don't see a problem with it but apparently he does.<br /><br />Soon to come...<br /><br />My new job (amazing-sauce)<br />Adventures in puppy land<br />Recipes I invented while jobless for months<br />And much much more!</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEivJnGgKGKRCKAzuJSPvlDpQvpO5FvezUsywawzrOEohYlpOcA-K7capHerptvi5QSDi-51574EFO4EH5sLQI4rGMTuGEZW3Fw4CIxWZowiK3s7VsZnZfFr_s5Wvjh-eur2uomu0_xnNxkN-HesGZ4L1U6IQdr3TQ=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="post signature" border="0" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" /></a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEivJnGgKGKRCKAzuJSPvlDpQvpO5FvezUsywawzrOEohYlpOcA-K7capHerptvi5QSDi-51574EFO4EH5sLQI4rGMTuGEZW3Fw4CIxWZowiK3s7VsZnZfFr_s5Wvjh-eur2uomu0_xnNxkN-HesGZ4L1U6IQdr3TQ=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fimg248.imageshack.us%2Fimg248%2F5313%2Fsignaturepi.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEivJnGgKGKRCKAzuJSPvlDpQvpO5FvezUsywawzrOEohYlpOcA-K7capHerptvi5QSDi-51574EFO4EH5sLQI4rGMTuGEZW3Fw4CIxWZowiK3s7VsZnZfFr_s5Wvjh-eur2uomu0_xnNxkN-HesGZ4L1U6IQdr3TQ=" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2946228391757515031.post-79322599922799441252013-12-17T10:59:00.002-06:002013-12-17T10:59:40.349-06:00Christmas Letter 2013I finally wrote my Christmas Letter today so I thought I would share it here as well. Obviously if you read my blog you probably know just about everything that's in the letter but I thought you might still enjoy it :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Merry Christmas dear humans! My mom figured out how smart I was so she made me write the letter this year. I was going to refuse until she promised me homemade dog treats, so obviously my tail said yes. Apparently I’m supposed to tell you what’s going on in our world, so here it is. </span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">The biggest bit of news is my dad (you humans call him Seth) finally moved home in August. Him and my mom went on a second honeymoon cruise to the Caribbean and when they got back he was at home. Thank goodness because Mom and I spent the beginning of the year seeing him only every other weekend when he made the long drive home from Texas. Before he moved home though my mom got to go to down to Texas for a long weekend in April to check out the big job he was building. She tells me it’s pretty awesome and that she’s not quite sure how he figured out how to build the job, but that he must be pretty smart. (Obviously he’s not smart enough to keep his shoes put away so I don’t chew on them though.) Anyway, dad’s in the Topeka office now being a Project Manager. He still travels a couple days a month but most nights he comes home to rub my belly, so I’m glad for the change. My mom must be glad too because she keeps making dinner. She must be wanting to keep him around or something.</span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">My mom spent most of the year working for the printing company she worked for last year. In November she was laid off though. It kinda came as a surprise, but I must say that I don’t mind, because now she hangs out with me everyday while looking for jobs. She has also kept pretty busy as a part time photographer when she’s not taking pictures of me, instagramming her food, or blogging. In November she got the chance to go to Indianapolis to the the National Catholic Youth Conference as a chaperone, since she volunteers with the high school youth group at church. She said it was awesome and that it was incredible to see so many young people there celebrating their faith. </span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Since I’m sure you are all wondering, no she’s not pregnant with humans or puppies or anything else so you can quit asking. My mom and dad know God has a plan for them and until he decides to bless them with children, <b>I’m</b> the one getting the attention around here (as it should be). </span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">In other news, my dad has pretty much completed the giant shop and has been building workbenches, a house for me, and he even installed the wood stove last weekend. Now it’s nice and cozy. My mom spent the summer gardening and making fresh salsa, canning spaghetti sauce and trying out new recipes. Most of which have been approved by dad, all have been approved by me. They celebrated 2 years of marriage in October and feel blessed to finally live under the same roof. </span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Okay, enough about them. I turned 1 in April and my parents didn’t even throw a party for me. To show them I wasn’t happy about it, I ate the neighbors UPS deliveries. Luckily the neighbors seem to like me so they weren’t really mad. I got lost in October when I was hanging out with another neighbor and got locked in their shed. My mom and dad came to search for me though and managed to find me at about 11pm! Thank goodness the neighbors were nice and weren’t too mad about being woken up to rescue me. I continue to live a pretty good life out here in the country. I dig lots of holes trying to catch moles, I bark at birds and the mail lady likes to give me treats. Speaking of treats, it’s about time for me to go get those homemade treats my mom promised. So, see ya later humans. Hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> Gunnar Johnson</span><br /><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span>(Seth and Julie)</span></blockquote>
<div style="font: 11.5px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 11.5px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 11.5px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Mcveb8JtdKq1N-U9p6EhmpUWpzoedRKjPTD-SZ8FTf3lH2gR3azpQDWJS8CswIwxN8aWUCa5HvXGg18SNC_-uZWYdk7F_OnEnrACjvVITMWj3s5Mt8XDJyxXQgUMDKTbOZI1-mVaUxBn/s1600/PrintPhoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Mcveb8JtdKq1N-U9p6EhmpUWpzoedRKjPTD-SZ8FTf3lH2gR3azpQDWJS8CswIwxN8aWUCa5HvXGg18SNC_-uZWYdk7F_OnEnrACjvVITMWj3s5Mt8XDJyxXQgUMDKTbOZI1-mVaUxBn/s640/PrintPhoto.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is actually last years photo because we still haven't taken one. <br />Story of my life. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font: 11.5px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5313/signaturepi.png" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683718253526985433noreply@blogger.com2